Performance baseline for 300D--no turbo

[MS Fowler]

Can anyone post some real world figures for performance that can be expected from a W123 w/ 300D, no turbo?
Also, I know that the turbo motors had internal improvements to increase reliability. If a turbo were fitted to a non turbo motor, what kind of limits should be placed on the boost so that there will be some performance gain, but avoiding destroying the engine?

[t walgamuth]

this question has been bantered around several times in the last month or so, so i suggest a search for 300d non turbo conversion to turbo, or such.

bottom line is that most of us recommend against trying to turbo a non turbo motor. the differences in the factory motors and their ancillary components are very numerous and not insignificant. about the only things that are the same are the number of cylinders and the displacement. pretty much everything else is different; strengthened and upgraded.

my recommendation is if you want a turbo car, sell yours and buy a turbo car. if you want a project, you can buy a turbp motor and convert it. best to start with a second car that is rusted or wrecked. for 500 to 1000 and swap everything over. radiator, engine, speedo, tranny and rear end. that about covers the things that differ.

good luck.

[t walgamuth]

the turbo cars are a lot quicker. they dont get off the line as well as non turbo because they have a higher rear end gear, but as soon as you hit 2500rpm they zoom off. passing with a downshift is very satisfying on the road. around town there is not all that much difference.