Really? I haven't received my kit yet, though I was not expecting it to include the shorter rods.... It would be a bonus if it does!

I've also been told that using a thicker head gasket wouldn't compromise strength. There were a few markets around the world where Mercedes would supply cars with a thicker gasket in order to lower compression for fuel grades available in that region - I believe the Middle East & Australia (Ortolan?) were included.

What does the M104 twin turbo kit require for compression? 9.2:1?

I've just sent an email to John Pearson to find out about the connecting rods. In the mean time it there any chance that you might be able to take some measurements of the modified connecting rod? My cousin has access to a full machine shop and can do the modification himself.

I have uploaded pics of my 3 cars and here they are .....

1996 E320 sportline (crashed and wrote it off summer 2005)

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p...RSJULY2005.jpg

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p...t/GFP1SIDE.jpg

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p...P1JUNE2004.jpg


1994 E320 full factory fitted AMG kit (not sure about boot spoiler) & (still got)

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p...NTLIGHTSON.jpg

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p...FP2-SIDEON.jpg

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p...2-REEDYCAM.jpg


1995 E320 Turbo Technics (still got)

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p...pot/SIDEON.jpg

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p...pot/ENGINE.jpg

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p...FRONTSEATS.jpg



http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p...BACKSIDEON.jpg

the 1st pic i edited out the side indicators and the fuel hatch then forgot to save as a seperate file!

and

any ideas where i can get a new fog light for the amg kit one?

AMG foglights can be bought from any MB dealer but they're not cheap.
The AMG kitted one looks the business by the way.:cool:

How did you insure the twin turbo version?

Unfortunately the new rods have already been installed into my engine so I can't take any measurements. I'm sure John Pearson would be happy to give you the exact measurements though.

out of all 3 my fav looking is the AMG styled one but it only has 1 electric seat and is 4 speed but the silver one is twin electric and 5 speed

as for insuring it.....im with nowrich union and with 9 points and 2 claims in last 5 years i pay £450ish and i rang them and asked to add the new car and they said no i would need to start a new policy and then would have zero NCD!

but as im not using the silver one as it needs the turbos setting up and new hoses its just on my drive way doing nothing, ive now got the money to send it to o'dells racing and they will give it the once over as they are turbo specalists and mainly do cosworths and rs turbos so they know a garret t2 when they see it

my insurance is up in october but then do i tell them its a TT conversion or say nothing?

If you don't tell them and try to claim they will refuse to pay out. I guess I'll have to get a quote from a specialist insurer.

I spoke to John Pearson this morning. He tells me that modified conrods are not in the kits and Turbo Technics modified the conrods and throttle bodies for them.
So, I rang Turbo Technics and the guy I spoke to said they never actually did anything with the conrods! They removed the con rods, machined the pistons then reassembled. He couldn't remember what they did to the throttle bodies but he will find out. Apparently they get damaged under boost if not modified.
He quoted £200+vat (tax) to machine all six pistons.
Also the exhaust does not come with the Cat so has to be modified to add it.
It is definitely not a simple bolt-on mod.

Now this is getting interesting. I don't recall reading anything about the throttle body other than in the kit there is this part "3408-50 1 Throttle body adapter / Injector assembly". But I'm not a mechanic so not quite sure what this part does. But it sound like I'm going to have to put more money aside for the engine buildup.

E320_Coupe if you do happen to find out anymore info please post. I have made arrangements to get shortened connecting rods. So I find the statement made by the TT guy very interesting.

It's a bolt on, but not so simple !!!!
In the process of having a very experienced shop doing the install.
Close to 50 hours labor already as modifications had to be first figured out then made to the supplied TT parts. !
A high flow cat will be required, but the cost is under $200.00 for a cat with 2 x 2" pipes in and out.

The "Throttle body adapter / Injector assembly", for the M103-12V is pictured below.

http://www.dropshots.com/photos/1709...213/142016.jpg

This assembly is the fuel enrichment method required under boost.
It uses two additional injectors which spray into the throttle body.
It mounts underneath the fuel distributor / air valve assembly, replacing the boot that normally connects the air assembly to the throttle body.
The instructions call out a machined throttle body.
What we have found on the M103 is that the adapter slides into and fits quite snug to the throttle body.
We will seal the two with a bead of high temperature silicon and smoke test for leaks.

I can confirm that the con rods are not included in the kit and your exisitng ones would need to be modified.

I spoke with turbo techinics 6 months ago regarding the kits and they said the pistons and conrods were to be modified, this is only true for the m104 and not for the m103 (may be this is were the confusion is). The compression ratio needs to come down in order to add the boost without compromising reliability.
The fitting instuctions state:
Send the pistons, connecting rods, throttle bodys and catalyst to turbo technics.

Further on it states "re-fit the pistons to the shortened connecting rods". Also "assemble injector to throttle body casting using the 'O' rings supplied."

Ive got a spare AMG lamp, drop me a pm with your number and we can sort something out.

Thanks man ....