[Mercedes om606 engine]

Que? That's French :-)

The deep part of the sump (or carter) is right above the front axle... So I can imagine those two try to kiss eachother.

[Mercedes om606 engine]

Ashcroft states that the "big" torque converter is soon needed, i.e. for the 2,8TGV engine.

The OM606 has much more potential so I guess the big TC is mandatory... the big one needs 15mm extra space in the bellhousing... The 3.9 autobox has the "medium"-size TC so I am wondering it will do. Also because the lock-up clutch from the "medium" one is not that strong.

So far I can see one need a 15mm thicker adapterplate to have enough space in a standard ZF-bellhousing (or a difficult to obtain early 4,6 bellhousing).

But still.. if the OM606 stays quite standard I expect the 3.9 autobox wil do :-)

[Mercedes om606 engine]

No need to change carter bulg? It is jus above the axle...

[Alternative for 2,5 petrol, -> Mercedes 2.3 of BMW of Volvo]

@ Nigelw: There are practicaly no ristrictions :-)

[Alternative for 2,5 petrol, -> Mercedes 2.3 of BMW of Volvo]

If your car is before 1998 (and it is) you can stick about any engine under the hood. Only thing is that you need to go to the RDW for checking workmansship and CO to make it legal. 55euro's and you are done. :-)

[Mercedes om606 engine]

I wonder how long the autobox will live with the torque of the 606

As long as you keep the OM606 standard it has a bit les power and torque than a standard 3.9/4.0 V8... A standard 4hp22 would live well behind a OM606 in standard shape so far I can see...

[3.5 Cam in a 4.6]

Swaping used cams... not a good idea => they will be worn out even faster thanthey do normally!

Just get another cam together with new tappets.