Mercedes-Benz Diesel Swap: 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

, , , , , 4

The Mercedes-Benz OM606 inline-6 was the ultimate version of the indirect-injection diesel passenger car engines that pushed oil burning Mercedes-Benz diesel sedans, coupes, and wagons around the world for decades. It isn’t as complicated as later Benz common-rail diesel engines, but the 3.0 liter 175 horsepower turbodiesel came into the world before the ill-fated Daimler-Chrysler alliance and it featured a reliable Bosch electronically controlled diesel injection pump that should last for a million miles. Today we find it installed into a Chevrolet Silverado…which is a strange place to find an OM606. Personally I’d be tempted to run a semi truck style exhaust with a rain flap on top…but I’m probably not the person you should follow when it comes to automotive things. Find this 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 offered for $13,000 in Long Beach, CA via craigslist. Tip from Cory.

From the seller:

2002 Chevy Silverado 1500
cylinders: 6 cylinders
fuel: diesel
title status: clean
transmission: automatic
Selling this 2002 Silverado, it’s a project truck with a diesel motor. Again, the truck has a diesel motor. The motor is a Mercedes 6-cylinder, 3.0L turbodiesel, model OM606. Has a 5-speed automatic transmission also from Mercedes Benz; see below for more mechanical specifications. The motor was put in about 4 years ago and the truck has been a daily driver since, so it has proven very reliable. The work is not show-room type but very sound. Ready to be driven anywhere. It’s responsive for city traffic with enough juice and it loves the open road. However, it has big potential to make plenty more power with relative ease, by increasing turbo and plunger size for some horsing-around fun. The highway mileage is really good, I checked it precisely at 30 mpg although I don’t have a number for city driving. The truck is in California and if desired I could deliver with a diesel title from the state of Washington.

The truck has a 3/5 drop with “C” notch. As shown by the pictures, the body is in very good shape. Clean title and has never been hit. The interior is great too and all original with power windows and locks. The rear end is a 3.42 ratio. The original harness and ECU are still on the truck, nicely tucked in.

Features:
• 6-cylinder, 3.0L model OM606 turbodiesel in stock form (from 1999 Benz E300TD)
• Holset 7cm HE221W waste-gated, quick-spooling turbo w/ billet compressor
• 2.5” intercooler and piping
• 3” down pipe/exhaust
• Electronic 6mm injection pump
• Standalone ECU (DSL1)
• 722.6 5-speed automatic transmission, 2WD
• Standalone TCU from OF-Gear

There’s minor work yet to be finished, I had to leave something for you the future owner otherwise you won’t really get to love it. The heater and AC need finishing, although it’s simple plumbing to complete. It will need a front wheel alignment. Inconsistent speedometer signal, minor paint flaws, etc. I’ll probably get questions about the work and I don’t mind. But if you have interest in the truck please call or text and be serious and cool. I am anything but desperate to sell it, I’m selling it because I really want to do another swap and I have very limited space. Just looking at the pictures you can tell how much I love and babied my truck. There’s more work done on this truck that you could ever imagine, so please spare me the insults and disrespectful offers as I’ll be losing money already at the asking price. If you are not serious, email me and I’ll still reply.. Asking $13K…hardly negotiable.

See a better way to drive a odd swap diesel? tips@dailyturismo.com