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Old 02-28-2008, 03:50 AM
12MPGHWY 12MPGHWY is offline
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Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 49
Ok, this is good info, especially on the 603.

If I can find a 603 3.0 at a good price I will probably buy it.

Whats the max reliable performance out of a 603 without, opening the block or doing anything crazy like spending 2k dollars on the injection pump.

I would do stuff like an intercooler, 3in turbo back exhaust, injectors, with and adjustments for more fuel, could make a custom exhaust manifold and use a properly matched turbo, maybe a gt25 .63 something cheap like that.


Quote:
Originally Posted by 2.5Turbo View Post
Only the 603.97x 3.5L engines bend rods. The 603.96x 3.0L engines don't, but most from 86-87 (the years they were imported to the US) have the #14 head which has the tendency to crack if overheated. Any 603.96x with a #17 head or higher is a good engine. If you want a good mix of fuel efficiency and power, do a 602.96x. If solid fuel efficiency is what you're after, the 601 mated to a 5 speed offered in the 190D 2.2 nets upwards of 40mpg.

The 60x engines have a crossflow head which offers more power and efficiency over the 617 head.

The 617 will be more tolerant to abuse like overheating. But compared to the 60x it will be louder, less powerful, less efficient, and harder to modify.

And I agree with the 606 crowd on this thread...get a 606 with a 603 IP and you'll have an engine that will be hard to beat in the MB diesel lineup, save the CDI's.
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