WTD: Smart ForTwo 800cc CDI engine, loom and ECU

[Crazymanneil]

Hey all,

I'm looking to get my greasy hands on a smart ForTwo engine plus the loom and ECU (computer). Anyone got any ideas? I contacted a company in Germany by email but no response yet.

I don't mind going to get the thing myself if necessary (I'm in Northern Ireland). Might be best to buy a complete damaged car perhaps. Is there any breakers websites in Germany etc I could look on?

Cheers,

Neil

[visser]

I can't help you out at all... but I thought I would bump this thread as its a good idea.

The Fortwo is rear-wheel drive, so I've read, so if you could find a wrecked one with only front end or rollover damage, then you could likely salvage the engine, transmission, and rear axle and meld that with the front end of a titled bike to produce a diesel trike capable of both excellent mileage and more than enough speed.

Unfortunately it would come at a price. I contacted a wrecker here in the Toronto area, and a 800cc diesel engine... 10000km on it from a 2006 would cost $3000... that's without the transmission, axle, etc.. I just posted on a smartcar forum looking for a wrecked smart-car... but it is unlikely to find one that way as usually a wreck is taken over from the insurance company.

[Crazymanneil]

Hey, my fault for not updating this thread before probably. I got an engine from a breakers in Germany and managed to get a courier to ship it over. It supposedly had 40,000km on it although in fairness it does look like that is an accurate figure. The build of my bike is ongoing (using Harley gearbox and primary) with hopefully some progress to be had in the next couple of weeks or so.

Cheers,

Neil

[smokyjoe]

You Euros and Canadians are a lucky lot, with a decent choice of small diesel engines to choose from- the Smarts here in the US are all petrol hogs that only get about 42MPG (my 1986 VW used to get 52MPG) and small diesel cement mixers are few.

Good luck, and be sure to post pictures along the way!

[Crazymanneil]

Will definately post some pics when there is something to look at. Whats the craic with engines in the US anyway - is it EPA or something? What specifically do they fail on for EPA because the Smart CDI engines now are pretty clean, especially with particle filters etc.

Neil

[smokyjoe]

Yes, it's the EPA, individual state regs (particulates is the problem in Massachusetts and California, we were without VW and Mercedes diesels for a few years, making no new diesel cars available!) plus in the case of cars also a lack of effective diesel marketing and nobody wants them.

Very few small diesels are available, the only Diesel cars are the VW and Mercedes, plus Ford Chevy and Dodge pickups but they are only available with monster V8s. Oh, yes, you can get a 30 MPG "large" (by European standards) Dodge cargo van with the Daimler/Mercedes diesel, but can't get it (or even legally convert it yourself) in a passenger version with back seats.

As far as the EPA and "environmentalism" goes, we've created a monster that has come around and devoured us. Sad to say.

I am scouring all avenues for a couple of used 1 or 2 cyl diesels bigger than the old Hatz E79 I've got, they are really rare except as new as few machines are built with them.

Diesel here is $1 more a gallon than petrol, and since the prices have come down below $4 a gallon for gasoline all the sheep are happy and I doubt if we'll see many new fuel efficient vehicles, especially Diesels. I may sound cynical, it is because I am. Been there, seen that back in the 1970s.

I just hope that my diesel bike will pass inspection, there is no "smog" test, but it can't smoke at wide open throttle in Massachusetts to pass. I'll go to an inspection station (all private run) that specializes in choppers and crank down my fuel delivery so that it will run nice and clean (but slow!). Luckily they don't test drive it for inspection mainly it is just safety equipment and the visible smoke test.

Happy riding, and ride safe.

[Crazymanneil]

Hmm interesting response cheers for that. In Northern Ireland I think my bike will probably have to undergo MSVA (motorcycle single vehicle approval). Although this is state run over here I have the testers manual and it says very little about emmisions for private diesel bikes thankfully,

With the price of our fuel everyone is more interested in diesel and MPG's these days although I think this interest has died down a bit again since fuel came down a bit. Never learn do we?

Neil

[smokyjoe]

BTW, my cousin moved from merry old England to Northern Ireland, they retired and got tired of the rat-race.

In the US some of the states inspections are state run, in others they are private. For a "privately manufactured" vehicle here in Massachusetts in order to register a vehicle it either has to have a title from the original vehicle (the easy way) or you can show bills of sale for all the major parts and have the vehicle assigned a State serial number (harder). They are mainly interested in you not having any stolen frames, engines, etc. and there is no inspection of your workmanship. For the safety inspection it is mainly lights, horn, loudness of exhaust (slip-on mufflers are popular!) brakes, etc. I may have a bit of a hassle with my bike since it never had a title, I am going to try to register it as a "homebuilt from parts", if I have a problem I'll try registering in New Hampshire where my daughter lives, they are much easier and you can "generate" a title up there by having a bill of sale for the bike (if it is older) and applying for a title. Once a New Hampshire title is granted it can be taken to any other state and swapped for one in that state.

Such complications.

I wish that the Smart diesels were available in the US, I would like to get my hands on one for a bike. I was thinking of building a bike with a 1600 VW diesel, but I figured the weights and it would end up being pretty heavy, plus it is a fairly tall engine. There are small tractor and generator engines available (mainly Kubota water cooled) but they are very expensive used. If I had the time I'd try my hand at building a small lightweight air cooled engine.

Cheers

[oldbmw]

If I had the time I'd try my hand at building a small lightweight air cooled engine.

Cheers

You might find thsi site helpful, not sure if tehy have a 'big bore' kit for it or not.

http://people.bath.ac.uk/ccsshb/12cyl/

regards

[smokyjoe]

Sorry, guess that wouldn't help, the biggest lathe I have is only a 14 incher! But it is a really cool engine.

Cheers

[100MPG]

Any updated on this build and did anyone in the USA get a hold of a smart diesel?
I have had no luck at all.

[coachgeo]

Any updated on this build and did anyone in the USA get a hold of a smart diesel?
I have had no luck at all.

Yep it's complete and documented here on this board as well as his website. Here is his profile to find more info. Stuart has also done one now too. Search his build thread out in here as well.

As to finding a MB Smart diesel in US- have not heard of anyone getting hands on one yet. Being in NY would assume you have best chance than anyone. Wrecking yard in Canada would be my suggestion. Not sure how to bring it in. Claim it to be for off road use only..... orrr??? remove head and ship it in seperately orrr???

[bean juice]

Any updated on this build and did anyone in the USA get a hold of a smart diesel?
I have had no luck at all.

I've gotten 2. Even gotten one running. See here: http://nofalloff.blogspot.com/2010_09_01_archive.html

Feel free to email me for details.

PS I'm in NYC.

[coachgeo]

Any updated on this build and did anyone in the USA get a hold of a smart diesel?
I have had no luck at all.

I've gotten 2.....

did you buy the one on craigs list recently. ohhhh if I only had da mula.

[bean juice]

Any updated on this build and did anyone in the USA get a hold of a smart diesel?
I have had no luck at all.

I've gotten 2.....

did you buy the one on craigs list recently. ohhhh if I only had da mula.

I imported both of them. It wasn't very difficult with the help of FedEx Logistics. Finding a seller that was willing to work with someone outside their country was the tricky part.

[100MPG]

I imported both of them. It wasn't very difficult with the help of FedEx Logistics. Finding a seller that was willing to work with someone outside their country was the tricky part.

I found your videos on line, how much further did you get? Are you planning to use them in a motorcycle?

[bean juice]

Little slow in responding sorry. These engines are for 2 different ongoing motorcycle projects. The first is a Hub Center steered "race" bike of sorts and you see my agonizingly slow progress here:http://nofalloff.blogspot.com/. The second engine will get built into a street bike more similar to the Trak800 than the Tiger builds seen on Dieselbike. Currently I'm in the process of procuring a Cummins 6BT to stuff into my 69 Ford truck but that's another site/blog.

[coachgeo]

... engines are for 2 different ongoing motorcycle projects. The first is a Hub Center steered "race" bike of sorts ...

Had to look up "Hub Center Steered". Thought others might be as confused by this as I was soooo to learn more check out
THIS page w/video's

[bean juice]

... engines are for 2 different ongoing motorcycle projects. The first is a Hub Center steered "race" bike of sorts ...

Had to look up "Hub Center Steered". Thought others might be as confused by this as I was soooo to learn more check out
THIS page w/video's

Or you can see a quick clip (HiRez) of mine here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6Epo1Yx ... r_embedded

With some more detailed photos here: http://nofalloff.blogspot.com/2012/03/t ... enter.html

with an exploded view of the 3D model here: http://nofalloff.blogspot.com/2011/12/m ... wheel.html

Let me know if you have any questions.

[bean juice]

FWIW the frame for my bike is almost complete. Once it's welded I'll fit the smart motor with trans and the temporary swing arm and final drive. After that step I'll be tuning the smart engine with a new exhaust header, bigger turbo and custom intake plenum, intercooler. I think that 140Lbft of torque at 4000rpm is possible with this motor which would give roughly 105hp. I might need bigger injectors. we shall see.

[100MPG]

FWIW the frame for my bike is almost complete. Once it's welded I'll fit the smart motor with trans and the temporary swing arm and final drive. After that step I'll be tuning the smart engine with a new exhaust header, bigger turbo and custom intake plenum, intercooler. I think that 140Lbft of torque at 4000rpm is possible with this motor which would give roughly 105hp. I might need bigger injectors. we shall see.

I am thinking a Gold Wing minus the engine would be a great platform to pop a diesel into and see what happens.