Smart Fortwo CDI diesel engine swap?

[Lincoln]

I have been searching for information, but haven’t found any.
Has anyone swapped a Smart CDI drive train into something like a Honda N600 or Classic Mini?

[MetroMPG]

Good question!

Or a 1st gen Insight? That would kick butt.

For those who don't know, the 1st generation Smart Fortwo diesel had these specs:

engine: 799 cc common rail diesel
power: 30 Kw / 40 hp
transmission: optional 6-speed electronically shifted
weight: 730 kg / 1609 lbs
fuel economy: average 4.2 L / 100km (67 mpg Imp. / 56 mpg US)

The only CDI drivetrain swap I know of went into the aero/tandem Jetcar:



MetroMPG miscellany - MetroMPG.com

I wonder if you posted at clubsmartcar.com whether they'd have any more examples. Though my limited time spent there suggests they're not very excited about efficiency mods.

[NeilBlanchard]

I'm pretty sure that the Avion uses a Smart diesel:

[Lincoln]

There is a guy in town that imported a Smart, before the US Smarts were available. He has a CDI drive train that be bought from Canada sitting in his garage. It made me start wondering how difficult it would be to wire up the engine and trans to get them to run in another vehicle.

[MetroMPG]

Neil - good memory. Basjoos figured in this thread that it's the Smart engine in the diesel: Article: Two decades later, Bellingham man puts 100 mpg car back on the road

Lincoln - I have no idea how feasable it is. But a hard core ecomodder (with no other projects on the go ) would jump at the chance.

[Arragonis]

Can't help thinking that a 2000-2002 VW Polo TDi would be this exact car. To illustrate:

Weight - the 2001 was based on the early 90s Polo so no super heavy/safety carp.

Engine - 3cyl TDI (PD) engine, 1.4 litre and about 70hp.

The combination I think is a sweet-spot in Diesel small hatchback design. Kind of matched but not beat in any way by the Bluemotion.

Full disclosure - I had a Polo TDi a few years ago and it was excellent for FE. But I wanted more power so I went Peugeot 206 (2.0 HDi) and then my current Fabia.

EDIT : Some people have put a full VTEC Honda into an original Mini (not MINI) so I suspect a Diesel would be OK.

[mikeross]

Originally Posted by Lincoln

There is a guy in town that imported a Smart, before the US Smarts were available. He has a CDI drive train that be bought from Canada sitting in his garage. It made me start wondering how difficult it would be to wire up the engine and trans to get them to run in another vehicle.

Could be difficult to do though..