OM617 swapped Toyota pickup straight pipe drive through town

Several people have asked what the sound from a straight piped 617 is like so I took a quick video while cruising around town. Rear side windows were open and the exhaust pipe exits between the cab and the rear wheels on the driver's side, away from the camera. If your exhaust pipe goes out the back, it won't be as loud in the cab. Note: Irregularity in engine noise at the beginning is just the recording, the engine runs fine. I think the noise cancellation software in my phone was doing it's thing.

[@frederickpalles9778]

"A unstopable force meets a immovable object"

[@TheDrivewayEngineer]

Idk if you're still around, or if you and the truck are still together, but I really enjoy this video. I've probably watched it 6 or 7 times, I put it on as background music to keep my motivated on my own swap lol. I'd love to know more details about your swap, tire size, gearing, maybe a walk around. Not a lot of this content on KZbin.

[@om617yota8]

Glad to hear you've likes the video, hope the motivation has been helpful. Truck is still around, ~50k miles on the swap now. Drivetrain is entirely stock other than the diesel repower, 31x10.50 tires, don't remember what the gearing is but it works well. The swap was kind of a hack job, done under adverse conditions on multiple levels. I've started catching up on maintenance and redoing quite a bit of it, the way it should have been done to begin with. Maybe I should document that. Happy to answer any questions, and if you're nearby(Salem area,Oregon) you're welcome to come take a look at it.

[@TheDrivewayEngineer]

@@om617yota8 I appreciate the reply! I'm personally a proponent of hack jobs, or at least of getting something running as is and worrying about the details later. Too many projects wind up being scrapped or sold as basket cases because people worry about getting the best, or getting it perfect. Perfection is the enemy of progress, you've had a hack job running for 50k miles, while probably 20 other people have abandoned theirs. Unfortunately I'm in Michigan lol, or I'd take you up on the offer, but if you document more about it, I'll definitely watch.

[@robwilliams9157]

Glad to know I'm not the only one 😂😂😂

[@MrLame71]

@@om617yota8 working on my own swap now, I'm in the Albany area, I'll hit you up once mine is going, would love to see where we each did things differently

[@om617yota8]

@@MrLame71 Glad to hear you're making progress. Mine's off the road now; needs changed and the Yota just isn't it anymore. I'm actually considering selling it.

[@coyote102076]

Frigg'n sweeeeeet. I really miss my old '83 Benz TD. Not so much the car as that sweeeeet Om617 engine! 40+ MPG when I had it tuned for economy. 30MPG after the diesel shop tuned it for max power. :-D Smoked a LOT but was WAY faster than the economy tune for sure! hahahaha!

[@om617yota8]

Thank you! Sounds like a fun car.

[@airdreams1]

Honestly how bad is the noise inside the cab? I understand yours is straight piped but wondering if I could run a muffler of some sort quiet it down? I don't really want something Extremely Loud.

[@om617yota8]

Not bad at all inside the cab. I have aggressive tires and get tire hum and wind noise that's far louder at any kind of speed. If you're in the area you're welcome to come listen for yourself. This engine can absolutely be quieted down if you want, the engine was designed for a luxury car originally.

[@Yasin5791-d7u]

Sounds like a mini V10.

[@inventoryking]

Drive faster! Lol

[@om617yota8]

Hah! Silverton cops let me get away with enough already..........

[@mrjodoe]

nice sound dude, you may explain short what to do for the engine swap? greets

[@om617yota8]

Thanks! Pretty complicated operation to sum up in a YT comment, but here goes. Remove old engine, cut old engine mounts off frame, weld new engine mounts to frame, install adapter plate, bolt in new engine, plumb up new engine, tidy up loose ends and sort things out. HUGELY more complicated than that, I researched for over a year before doing the swap.

[@mrjodoe]

ok, thanks so far. I have a special hint for your power increasement! search youtube: dieselmeken And get some tuned pump soon ;) :D

[@om617yota8]

Oh yeah, I know who Dieselmeken is. Not quite the route I want to go with this.

[@truckinstars1336]

What kinda mpg you getting?

[@om617yota8]

22-24 when I first built it, down to ~19 when I parked it.

[@davidharrell8890]

Sounds mean! 💯👍👍🎊🎉☀️

[@om617yota8]

Thank you!

[@elijahcavin2408]

Found your channel from a comment on deboss. Did you do this swap? Don't see a ton of these but they're super cool. I am going the VW TDI route in my ranger so I can keep the chassis and running gear stock.

[@om617yota8]

Yup, I did the swap. Good choice on the TDI. Mine has been a fun little monster, but I had it to do over, a 617 wouldn't be the route I'd go. Actually considering swapping it again, this time for a 1KD.

[@elijahcavin2408]

@@om617yota8 So a foreign diesel? I've seen the 617 and other variants make tons of power, more than what a TDI is capable of. I am not a mechanic or a machinist so I wanted one I could buy the adapter and pieces to make it work. What would the benefit of the 1KD be? I'm guessing quieter and possibly more fuel efficient?

[@om617yota8]

@@elijahcavin2408 Most of the functional reason is because a 4 cylinder is shorter than a 5 cylinder, and will fit in the engine bay better. The benefits of better power, better economy, and less maintenance than the 617 are also nice bonuses. The main thing is personal preference. The 617 really is a maintenance pig compared to Japanese engines, and mine's only run "right" for maybe 500 miles in the entire time I've owned it. The German engineering makes my teeth itch, I'm constantly asking WHY DID THEY DO IT THAT WAY!!?!? when working on it. The whole experience has soured me on German vehicles entirely. Would really like to go switch to a Japanese engine, which is where my comfort zone is.

[@thedriftranger1357]

hi I'm in the same town as you and I'm swapping my yj with the om617 do you think you could give me pointers?

[@om617yota8]

Gladly. What questions do you have?

[@thedriftranger1357]

OM617YOTA like wgat what relays do I use and like do I use my old harness for part of it out of my Jeep or like or did you go to get your adapters or did you get them made

[@om617yota8]

There's not much to use, as once started the 617 needs no electricity to run if you're using the stock mechanical fan. I used a Ford style starter solenoid and a switch on the dash for my glow plugs(use a continuous duty solenoid and carry a spare), and the stock Toyota starting circuit for the starter. I used one of the HVAC or emissions solenoids to control the vacuum shutoff and an Audi vacuum pump for power brakes and such. That Audi vacuum pump has huge inrush current and welded the contacts on a few standard 30 amp relays before I bumped up to an 80 amp relay. I do have electric fans, just a standard relay there. There really isn't much electrical on these engines. Most of your factory engine harness will be unneeded.

[@thedriftranger1357]

OM617YOTA what adapters did you use or stuff like that

[@om617yota8]

I used the 4x4 Labs adapter between the engine and transmission. I don't recommend it, use a different option.

[@thegroundhurts]

LOL your in Silverton. I am in Stayton doing same swap on an 85' 4runner.

[@om617yota8]

Nailed it. I actually live in Stayton, you've probably seen me drive through town.

[@thegroundhurts]

+OM617YOTA I know there is a few 617 swapped trucks in the canyon. The only one I have personally seen is the red gen 3 extra cab.

[@om617yota8]

That's cool to know. I haven't seen any others, just a couple SBC swaps. The one you've seen could have been mine, before I painted it. It's blue with a flatbed now. I should post a walkaround video.

[@wrighttkk]

im doing a swap in min right now would it be possible to hook up and go for a drive so I can see how it drives down the road im in sandy Oregon could you text me some time to take a ride in it 5033104857 thanks chris

[@moreofjosem5363]

I live in south Salem didn’t know there was locals with this swap already!!!

[@68cutty]

where you located i need some help with my swap

[@AustinRadio]

Hi I just bought a 300SD and the engine has seen better days so I was thinking about rebuilding it and was thinking of turning it into more of a performance car. I was curious how much horsepower could I max out while keeping it reliable and safe. With all performance parts going into the engine what would be a reasonable amount of power? I am trying to get around 300-400 hp out of the engine and wanted to know if that was possible?

[@om617yota8]

Afraid I can't help you there. MPG was the goal of my swap, not power. I know the internals are super robust and can handle plenty, but I haven't looked into just how much. Sounds like a fun build, good luck with it.

[@RestoMog]

Wow, random click looking for om617 stuff and I find somebody right around the corner from me in Silverton.

[@om617yota8]

Yep, local! Doing valve stem seals on the 617 tomorrow. Happy 2021....

[@RestoMog]

@@om617yota8 Same to you!

[@jameswood6449]

Is it naturally aspirated?

[@om617yota8]

Turbo.

[@eriksforestryvision8751]

Sounds good. I've always wanted a om617 swap in a few rigs. Notice your in Salem no shit I'm from around there.

[@om617yota8]

Good to hear from a local! Truck is tentatively for sale, if you have an interest.

[@eriksforestryvision8751]

You still have it? What are you/we're asking for it?

[@506jeff]

You guys have witches there

[@nikobellic4081]

The OM617 in Toyota 4runner is a popular swap right? (Sorry for my english, im from Paraguay owner of a Mercedes 300D TURBO)

[@om617yota8]

Yes the 617 in Toyota trucks and 4runners is popular, with quite a few transmission adapter kits available. No worries on your English, what you've said is much better than what many native English speakers do.

[@nikobellic4081]

@@om617yota8 LOL. Before I had the 4runner and I didn't even know that I could do a swap practically free (and thanks, i learn self-taught, no teachers or courses)

[@nikobellic4081]

@@om617yota8 the OM617 its a Rock, i love the sound of this engine

[@om617yota8]

@@nikobellic4081 I really noticed the difference at Lowes the other day, picking up from their covered lumber area. Other trucks pulling in and out quiet and normal, when I fired mine up heads turned and a couple thumbs up from others.

[@JimsEquipmentShed]

I had an OM352 in my Unimog and it didn't sound that good, I guess the extra cyl messes up that sound.

[@om617yota8]

Thank you! I have no idea why it sounds the way it does, pretty raw next to other 617's. Timing chain stretch is well within spec, injection timing is set perfectly, injectors rebuilt by an expert and balanced very closely, prechambers were in good shape when inspected by endoscope through the injector hole, compression numbers even between cylinders and in spec. It still has a harsh, almost Cummins like idle. If you have any insights, I'd welcome them.

[@JimsEquipmentShed]

@@om617yota8 honrstly, I kinda like the sound. (But I’m a cummins guy, so that’s to be expected.) my unimog just kinda sounded like a large car.

[@om617yota8]

@@JimsEquipmentShed Thank you! A "large car" is definitely how I'd describe most Mercedes diesels.

[@JimsEquipmentShed]

@@om617yota8 My Unimog was tall, but really not all that long, a Ford F-350 is actually bigger. And the Hp rating was pretty sad. But the portal axels made up for it. It was loud inside, but not outside.

[@om617yota8]

@@JimsEquipmentShed Right, haul a lot over rough terrain and with big ground clearance, but not exactly fast. Did it have all the usual PITA German engineering?

[@owenjhansen9]

what's the top end power like considering this swap thanks

[@om617yota8]

It drives about like a 4 cylinder gasser. No trouble keeping up with traffic, have to downshift on hills sometimes. Will cruise at 70 on the freeway no problem. Had no issues pulling a trailer, though getting up to speed took some time. The 617 can be modified for more power but to get any meaningful gains requires more fuel, which means a specially built injection pump. If more power than a stock motor is your goal, the 617 is probably not the path you want to go.

[@owenjhansen9]

OM617YOTA I currently have the 3.slow and commute 80 miles a day to work and school I also tow a trailer with 3 dirt bikes and a quad in the bed just want something I can have fun with.

[@om617yota8]

If you have a 3.0 now and are looking for more power, a 617 is not the route you want to go.

[@jameswood6449]

Did it fit without a body lift?

[@om617yota8]

No body lift. I did have to remove the factory steering stabilizer to clear the oil pan.

[@jameswood6449]

Do you have a w56 trans how is it holding up?

[@om617yota8]

@@jameswood6449 R150. 50k miles, no issues. OM617 makes 181 ft lbs, 3.0 gasser that came out made 180ft lbs, no difference as far as the transmission is concerned.

[@jameswood6449]

Can you still use factory ac?

[@om617yota8]

@@jameswood6449 Not in the stock location on the motor, steering box on the truck sits where the AC pump was on the motor. I didn't bother hooking up the AC. Been kicking around ideas to retrofit it but been a low priority. If you do the swap and get the AC to work, I'd love any advice you'd have.

[@electromechanicalstuff2602]

Om617 "NA" what adapter plate and flexplate

[@om617yota8]

It's turbo, not NA. Adapter plate is 4x4 Labs. I would recommend researching other plates, I wasn't happy with the kit or the customer service. Flywheel is a modified Toyota flywheel and a crank spacer, so it can use the stock Toyota clutch, pressure plate, etc. 44k miles on swap, now.

[@huntertanksley4792]

that thang sounds sweet what kind of all around power do you have

[@om617yota8]

Thanks! It accelerates about the same as a stock 4 cylinder engine, but will hold speed with a load on a hill better than the stock V6.