1958 Fiat 600 Diesel Conversion

[Sven7]

Yes, Smart ForTwo's rock a rear engine layout, and even if you use a gasoline engine you'd be getting 40+mpg and have a dangerous amount of power. If you're lucky you could get a Smart with front end damage for a few thousand dollars, swap the engine and make back some money on the scrap metal/parts.

Or just say screw it and shoehorn a 200+hp STi flat four in there with a wide track and racing style wheel flares. Probably still get 30mpg, and have enough power per pound to warrant really wide tires and a roll cage.

(I make great car buying decisions lol)

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by Arragonis

The VW Bus made in Brazil used the VW Polo 1.4 engine in the back for a while.

The currently-made VW Kombi is fitted with the 4-banger 1.4L flexfuel, not the 3-banger TDI (which could be a great option for the 600).

Updating the engine to something more modern with FI would probably be easier and give you the same FE at lower cost ?

Anything with spark plugs won't be as cool as a Diesel

Anyway, if I would perform an engine swap into a Fiat 600 and couldn't get a Diesel, I'd look for a Subaru flat-4.

[War_Wagon]

Originally Posted by Sven7

Or just say screw it and shoehorn a 200+hp STi flat four in there with a wide track and racing style wheel flares.

Well if you are going to say that, you might as well do this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NEz1Q0vFRY

Actually, that might have some potential. Sure the gearing would be all wrong, but it is only a 1.1L, and it would make enough power to get a small car moving without having to give it much throttle. I have seen a few videos of Smart cars with GSXR 1100 swaps in them, and they generally focus on doing big smoky burnouts. But, with a car that lite, with enough power to stay at low RPMs at normal speeds, it would be interesting to see what kind of FE numbers it would generate, if it was driven by someone that could resist the urge to trash on the guy in the Porsche beside him at a stoplight that is lol

Though since GSXRs didn't come with reverse, you would either have to adapt the engine to fit some sort of transmission that would let you back up, or never park it somewhere that you couldn't push it back out of

[Arragonis]

Originally Posted by cRiPpLe_rOoStEr

Anything with spark plugs won't be as cool as a Diesel

Or as hot, even...

Is the 600D engine mounted inline or transverse ? I think the 3cyl Smart unit, and the VW 3 cyl are transverse. The Polo VW Bus engine is inline and bike engines can be either.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by Arragonis

Is the 600D engine mounted inline or transverse ? I think the 3cyl Smart unit, and the VW 3 cyl are transverse. The Polo VW Bus engine is inline and bike engines can be either.

The 600D engine is longitudinal (inline). VW engines are very flexible regarding this matter, I'm already aware of some 1.4TDI swaps longitudinally-mounted.

[Sven7]

Originally Posted by War_Wagon

Though since GSXRs didn't come with reverse, you would either have to adapt the engine to fit some sort of transmission that would let you back up, or never park it somewhere that you couldn't push it back out of

Honda Goldwing electric reverse!

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by Sven7

Honda Goldwing electric reverse!

That might work, but getting a VW-based transaxle still seems to be a better option. Lots of aftermarket support for beefed-up Beetles.

[Arragonis]

Bike engined Minis (note the old one, not the MINI) use electric reverse.

[snakub]

I took measurements of the engine bay and I really don't have much to work with its 17"x15"x20" deep. Anyone know of a good source to actually buy one of these motors hopefully for a good price? Anyone know of a diesel motorcycle?

[Arragonis]

A quick go on ebay.com reveals 2-3 suppliers of Smart ForTwo engines, couldn't see any diesels though and at least $1.2K

This site has some ads for Smart Diesel engines starting at $1.4K - rebuilt obviously.

Used Smart Engines > Smart Gas/Diesel Engines & Motors (Buy Cheap)

A quick read of Smart USA/Canada forums suggests that Diesel Smarts are about as plentiful as rocking horse droppings in the US.

There is an Audi A2 1.4 TDI (3cyl) on ebay.co.uk for £950.

Audi A2 1.4 TDI Engine AMF Code Motor Moteur 6 Months Warranty | eBay

A search for Kubota diesel engines on ebay.com reveals a few from under $900. There have been Metro diesel conversions using these, including this one :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnAOF1bOSB8

From reading up on them though (and this may be incorrect) the issue with them is the gearing which is too low so the engine "pushes against the governor" at cruising speed.

What transmission are you planning on, or will that depend on the motor ?