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Hymer mercedes engine swap or turbo?

Got a Hymer motorhome on a Merc chassis S555.It has a 3litre 5 cylinder engine seems ok, but is a complete donkey. Does anyone know if a sprinter engine would go in.
Bill Richards, September 2008
I am considering same options as i have a 1989 660s. I take it changing the wheels also has an effect on the fuel consumption and changes the speedo reading. I have looked for wheels but can you get chrome wheel trims for 16" twin wheels?

Martin, July 2011
HI all I have mercedes 660 1992 automatic 4 speed same problem high revs. would 16 inch wheels help a lot anybody know if i can get change of diff as well pity about road speed otherwise fab motorhome conor

conor coleman, February 2010
I have a Hymer S700 which had a turbo fitted by the previous owner. It makes a huge difference.

I also came across a Hymer S700 in a dealer in Shropshire last year that actually had had a sprinter engine fitted at a cost of about £3k. The delaer said it went like crazy, but was limited by it's gearing.

I am very interested to hear of Tims bigger wheels......Tim could you contact me to discuss?

funkyronster at gmail

Many thanks guys

Ron Bentham, May 2009
Tim, sounds good, but my engine seems to lack power, and the reason for the turbo fit was to get better pulling. The van will cruise at 65-70, but if it hits a hill it just gives up, relatively speaking. If I could get a turbo and do what you have suggested, the van would be bearable. Since posting the first time I now think that before the fly by wire sprinter engines there was a turbo'd version of my five cylinder which my mechanic said would fit directly in. The only thing which seems a problem is the alloy pipes which go across the the top of the engine from one side to the other. I will try to get my van along side a sprinter and compare, unless anyone knows if it can be done.

thanks Bill

Bill, January 2009
i have a hymer 670 with 3ltr d eng .i was considering the same but if you only change the engine you still have the same gearing as the 5 speed box isnt a true 5 speed its more like a crawler gear then 4 on top you cant do anything with the axle ratios either as they are the same as a sprinter 4.1 so i changed my wheels to a mercedes 609/709 with new 205/75/16 and increased the cruising speed by approx 9 mph wich doesnt sound much but you use 1st gear for pulling off now and sits really nice at 60 where b4 50mph seemed like to many revs .mine pulls well enough and the cruise controll works fine and keeps a steady speed .its the only thing you can really do without changing engine and box and cut a hole in your floor is have a turbo fitted wich is £2,5k but you still have same speed as you still have same gearing

tim rose, January 2009
link Click here to see other fixes for Mercedes Sprinter.