Someone did that (many years ago) and posted details on the MBZ.org DieselTech list. The short version is, the engine lasted just fine, but it required insane modifications, and the cost was ludicrous (mostly shop time - a few hundred hours, IIRC). Tons of custom head porting, etc etc. He basically said that while it was an interesting project he'd NEVER do it again. I also think it ain't worth it, especially on the 617 engine. I'm more interested in mild mods on the 603... Mosselman claims 20% hp gain and 25% tq gain with an intercooler alone, which would make me pretty happy (175hp, 250tq) and the engine should be as reliable and long-lived as stock. Pushing beyond 200hp is asking for short engine life, which is not cost efficient, IMO...

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Dave
Boise, ID
Check out my website photos, documents, and movies!

hi guys for some reason i think they are running propane injection ,for those of you that don't know propane for diesel engines is like nitrous for gas engines ?????????

I guess you can run nitrous in diesels to. Trucks did it, it's a show on TNN. I wish you could tune MB diesels like you can a Cummins.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Yeah, I guess MB's are maxxed out already(seems to be the universal opinion on this board).

Mercedes only built the engines to be able to withstand their standard rated bhp and no more or else you risk catastrophic failure.

Short engine life in a MB diesel is 300K miles.

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1987 300SDL (324000)

1986 Porsche 951 (944 Turbo) (166000)

1978 Porsche 924 (99000)

1996 Nissan Pathfinder R50 (201000)

That was always my opinion, so what if you cut the operational life span in HALF, you still have an engine that will outlast most of them..

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One more Radar Lover gone...
1982 VW Caddy diesel 406K 1.9L AAZ
1994 E320 195K

The fact remains that the few people who actually have hot-rodded their MB diesels, have done an excrutiatingly poor job of documenting the modifications, and/or tangible power gains. I'm all for it but SHOW ME THE NUMBERS ALREADY.

Propane is a fuel. Adding propane is like adding more diesel. Nitrous allows more fuel to be burned in the cylinder. Adding nitrous will allow you to burn more fuel if you already have an overly rich mixture.

I know of a few VW TDI owners who run nitrous to balance the excessive amount of fuel that some chips demand. The nitrous reduces exhaust smoke and increases power because more fuel is being burned efficiently. Adding propane to a chipped TDI would make for a serious soot machine.

Our MB engines are at the limit because they are not intercooled. You can still turn them up a bit, but not by a significant amount, and not without shortening the life of the engine.

GSXR where can I find out about the cam kits and intercooler kits for a 603? I was thinking about having a little fun with my car, nothing crazy maybe just lowering it 1/2in to1in and a more free flowing exhaust. But a little more power is always nice.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Go here for Mosselmann products.

Go to intercoolers.

You should see the 603 listed(124 300D).

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1987 300SDL (324000)

1986 Porsche 951 (944 Turbo) (166000)

1978 Porsche 924 (99000)

1996 Nissan Pathfinder R50 (201000)

Hatterasguy, there are no cam kits for the 603, or any MB diesel, that I know of. Mosselman makes an intercooler kit however it was designed for the Euro 603, which has different turbo plumbing. It could work if a different adapter was made - I called and talked to Willy Mosselman about this last year. We'd need a few people interested in the kit for him to make the USA adapter, though. Everyone is scared away by the cost - nearly $2000 USD, with the current lousy exchange rates. I want to get this kit someday though! Photos of the Euro 603 are here, so you can see the difference (note there is no EGR mixer housing) :

http://www.meimann.com/images/mercedes/OM603_intake/

I also want to remove the catalyst and replace it with a straight pipe (that's cheap), and see if there are any power gains to be had there. I doubt you can get lowering springs for your SDL but you can cut a 1/4 or 1/2 coil, and use different pads to drop it a little bit. I wouldn't get crazy with lowering though...!

:p

H&R makes W126 lowering kits, their about $400.
$2000! my god Tell me when it gets to below $1k!

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

I wouldn't cut the springs on the SDL. The ride is already squishy enough. It needs stiffer springs that are progressive rate and only lower it a little bit.

Everyone will find this interesting... from Eibach's website.

MERCEDES, 300SD/380SEC/380SEL, W126 - 1987
(Exc. S/Lev.)
Product -- Front -- Rear -- Comments -- Part Number
PRO-KIT -- 1.3 in -- 1.3 in -- Ride heights may be adjusted through Mercedes Pad System. Please consult your authorized Mercedes Dealer if add'l ride height adjustment is needed. -- 2507.140

It doesn't mention the SDL, but it is possible to inquire with their online tech staff.

From H&R's website:
Stage Chassis / Drivetrain Notes Approx. Front Lowering Approx. Rear Lowering Part Number Sug. Retail Photo
Sport Spring W126 6cyl, V8 w/o self-leveling 8 1.4 1.4 29559 $ 410.00 Kit
Sport Spring W126 6cyl, V8 w/self-leveling 8 1.4 1.2 52759 $ 410.00 Kit

This is what I was thinking about.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

The second one might be nice, where it lowers the front .2" more than the back. $410 for the kit isn't a bad price either.

I was thinking about one of them, H&R seems to make a good product.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200