Turbo 616 powered Astro Van build
Turbo 616 powered Astro Van build
This is continued from another thread. And For the record, this van is for WORK, not for "pedo" activities! Those of you who can only think in that direction know who you are.
Picked up this van for cheap, and after creating cash selling another car, decided to use the 4x4labs OM617 adapter to mate the 616 to a NV3500 GM 5-speed I have as an alternative to making my own plate, spacers, and other custom stuff.
Here are some pics, got the adapter kit in the mail already, very nice unit.
here are the contents, whole kit includes machined plate, bolt kit, pilot bearing adapter, and mercedes/chevy flywheel. The flywheel is a much larger diameter than the OEM mercedes, and has a replaceable friction surface. I estimate its only slightly lighter than the OEM flywheel. I will try and weigh them later.
I will have to provide all chevy clutch stuff, and this setup is designed to use a ford V-10 starter instead of the MB starter. Its a little smaller, but will have the added benefit of the better gear ratio for starting. Its also pretty cheap.
The kit-
pilot bearing adapter, fits into the end of the MB crank and allows a smaller GM pilot bearing spaced further out. I have a MB pilot bearing in the pic for comparison-
heres how the plate looks on the trans, have not pulled the 616 yet, more pics later of it all together-
heres a tranny comparison- MB Iron 4-speed closest, MB aluminum 5-speed, and the NV3500 5-speed.
heres the van (needs a little body work and a tire ) Runs and drives, stock with Rwd and a V6 auto configuration- I was saying in the other thread, but ill cover it here again, the fully loaded generation 2 astro is actually only 600 lbs heavier than the 123 mercedes. This is a smaller, lighter generation 1 cargo version of the astro. With that in mind, I am thinking that this van might be very close to the 2 ton mark. I will take it by the scales before i rip out the motor so we have some real numbers.