I have to ask this question; I can't seem to find a straight answer on the board.

There may be a 603 swap in the future for my W123 - after weighing the cost of a Myna pump and other performance mods.

Newer engine technology may also yield better economy results. Doesn't a OM606 get around 30MPG and have well over 150+HP, stock?

Not that I really want to deal with a computer controlled engine, but a 606 does sound nice. (WAY out of budget! )

In lieu of that thought, I would like to know.. what can a 603 yield as far as power and economy?

Also, what transmissions were available? Any manual gearboxes?

Can some of these great innovations such as variable geometry turbos (VGT) be fitted to them? Two stage injectors? Intercooling? What modifications can be made to the fuel delivery system to provide more fuel?

Things like that, any input appreciated. Just.. anything short of sending it to Finland.

__________________
Vehicles:
2002 SLK 230
Gone but not forgotten:
1983 300D
1981 El Camino 'OILBRNR' - 6.2L diesel
OM617 powered '86 F150
1984 BMW 524td
2001 VW Beetle TDI
1994 Sunurban 4x4 6.5L diesel

The general consensus with the stock pump is 200 hp with a suitable intercooler. Economy is not affected unless you drive it hard. Typical economy remains at 26-31 mpg depending on vehicle, and driving habits.

Aren't there issues as regards stuffing the 603 block into a 123 chassis?

__________________

"Buster" in the '95

Our all-Diesel family
1996 E300D (W210) . .338,000 miles Wife's car
2005 E320 CDI . . 113,000 miles My car
Santa Rosa population 176,762 (2022)
Total. . . . . . . . . . . . 627,762
"Oh lord won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz."
-- Janis Joplin, October 1, 1970

Sure, there always are. Off the top of my head:

Engine mounts
Speedo compatibility issues
Throttle linkage to chassis
Driveshaft length

However, it looks like it will fit without much fuss:

__________________
Vehicles:
2002 SLK 230
Gone but not forgotten:
1983 300D
1981 El Camino 'OILBRNR' - 6.2L diesel
OM617 powered '86 F150
1984 BMW 524td
2001 VW Beetle TDI
1994 Sunurban 4x4 6.5L diesel

Is myna selling starter packs yet?

__________________


1980 500SE/AMG Euro
1981 500SEL Euro
1982 380SEL
1983 300TD
1983 500SEC/AMG Euro
1984 500SEC
1984 300TD Euro
1986 190E 2.3-16
1986 190E 2.3
1987 300D
1997 C36 AMG
2003 C320T 4matic

past: 1969 280SE 4.5 | 1978 240D | 1978 300D | 1981 300SD | 1981 300SD | 1982 300CD | 1983 300CD | 1983 300SD | 1983 380SEC | 1984 300D | 1984 300D | 1984 300TD | 1984 500SEL | 1984 300SD | 1985 300D | 1986 300E | 1986 560SEL | 1986 560SEL/Carat | 1987 560SEC | 1991 300D 2.5 | 2006 R350

Starter packs?

__________________
Vehicles:
2002 SLK 230
Gone but not forgotten:
1983 300D
1981 El Camino 'OILBRNR' - 6.2L diesel
OM617 powered '86 F150
1984 BMW 524td
2001 VW Beetle TDI
1994 Sunurban 4x4 6.5L diesel

Funny looking 603.

__________________
1987 300TD 309, xxx 2.8.2014 10,000 mile OCI


Be careful of the toes you step on today, as they may be connected to the ass you have to kiss tomorrow. anonymous

“Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter won’t mind.” Dr. Seuss

I like how the "performance" filter has been crushed in by the suction.

Yeah, like a beginner kit.

IP, IC, tubing etc. bolt on HP

__________________


1980 500SE/AMG Euro
1981 500SEL Euro
1982 380SEL
1983 300TD
1983 500SEC/AMG Euro
1984 500SEC
1984 300TD Euro
1986 190E 2.3-16
1986 190E 2.3
1987 300D
1997 C36 AMG
2003 C320T 4matic

past: 1969 280SE 4.5 | 1978 240D | 1978 300D | 1981 300SD | 1981 300SD | 1982 300CD | 1983 300CD | 1983 300SD | 1983 380SEC | 1984 300D | 1984 300D | 1984 300TD | 1984 500SEL | 1984 300SD | 1985 300D | 1986 300E | 1986 560SEL | 1986 560SEL/Carat | 1987 560SEC | 1991 300D 2.5 | 2006 R350

That is because it's not a 603. It's a 606. Just illustrating a point, aren't the two relatively the same size?

__________________
Vehicles:
2002 SLK 230
Gone but not forgotten:
1983 300D
1981 El Camino 'OILBRNR' - 6.2L diesel
OM617 powered '86 F150
1984 BMW 524td
2001 VW Beetle TDI
1994 Sunurban 4x4 6.5L diesel

Everything is virtually the same. Except for the plumbing of that huge DOHC head, intercooler, manifolds, etc. I believe it's possible to transform a 603 into a 606 (the main drawback being the accomodating 4-valve piston cutouts). Too bad you couldn't use the 3.5 liter with the 24-valve head. That would be the ultimate OM60x.

__________________
1987 300SDL (324000)

1986 Porsche 951 (944 Turbo) (166000)

1978 Porsche 924 (99000)

1996 Nissan Pathfinder R50 (201000)

Why not? If the 3.5 head fits the 3.0, why wouldn't the 24 valve 3.0 head work?

-Jason

__________________
1991 350SDL. 230,000 miles (new motor @ 150,000). Blown head gasket

Tesla Model 3. 205,000 miles. Been to 48 states!
Past: A fleet of VW TDIs.... including a V10,a Dieselgate Passat, and 2 ECOdiesels.
2014 Cadillac ELR
2013 Fiat 500E.

Potential for an impending doom.

__________________
1987 300SDL (324000)

1986 Porsche 951 (944 Turbo) (166000)

1978 Porsche 924 (99000)

1996 Nissan Pathfinder R50 (201000)

I could get behind that.

__________________
Vehicles:
2002 SLK 230
Gone but not forgotten:
1983 300D
1981 El Camino 'OILBRNR' - 6.2L diesel
OM617 powered '86 F150
1984 BMW 524td
2001 VW Beetle TDI
1994 Sunurban 4x4 6.5L diesel

It's theoretically possible, but the cost and effort required is totally not worth it. If you want a 606 turbo, buy a complete 606 turbo engine. You'll have a really hard time finding a complete 606 top end for sale cheap to experiment with plopping it on a 603 block. I've heard of 606.96x engines in good condition for $3-$4k...