I was just at the local Pic-N-Pull where they are having a 50% off weekend. I saw several early to mid eighties 300Ds and 300SD's. There were five or six turbos I could have easily removed and bought for a pittance - I didn't check but I'm guessing they would have been under $50 each. All spun freely although some were oily.

Anyway I was wondering if any of these turbos would boost performance (ha ha) on my 124.128 2.5 turbo engine, combined with other minor mods (exhaust?). Any turbo experts here who have tried this? I noticed that some of the turbos were KKK brand and some were Air Research. I would really like more power from my engine and I am not scared of getting my hands dirty to accomplish it - I simply lack the knowledge at this point. Can anyone show me the way?

Thanks,

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-Dave

A turbo has to be matched to your car. Putting smaller in will spool sooner, but ran out of steam when u need to go faster.
Too big will be under pressure, need much higher speed before it 'll kick in or never kick in. As in the early days of turbo lag.

Unless u're a real engineer whisk, install a small and large turbo, run small one up to certain speed and let 2nd one kicks in after so much RPM.
Just like the new Merc. But it'll take a lot of plumbing, oil line. U mind as well go buy a Mustang or Vette for better speed.


Same as some folks of thinking of bolting a Turbo with manifold onto the old 300D engine. But the Turbo were designed right from the start, oil spray under the piston, hardened crank ( or Viagra treated). All these designs were to allow the engine to cope with more power and extra heat.

Remember the 80's GM converted the 350 gas engines to Diesels?
How many were running after 2 yrs?


In the case of looking for turbos. Is better off to rebuild the existing or buy an used one, take it apart to check out bearings. They may make noise only when spun at around 100,000 rpm, so our fingers will never be able to check it out.

People STILL believe that?!? They were NOT converted gassers. It has it's own block specific to the diesel. Only the valve covers, oil pan, water pump and oil pump, and exhaust manifolds are the same as the 350 gasser.

You know why they died so quick? (Besides GM screwing with them) is owners flogging them, blowing the head gaskets and the mechanics re-using the old head bolts. These old bolts would quickly stretch more and blow the headgasket again. This is what pissed off soooooo many owners and screwed diesels in the USA forever. Thank you GM!

HERE is an FAQ page about them.

Rant over...

I already have a Mustang for better speed but it is not a comfortable daily driver, gets bad mileage and will not carry my whole family. That's why I bought the 300D. Can't help it though, I like to tinker and improve the performance of my vehicles - I "tinkered" the Mustang up to 111mph in the 1/4 mile. I'm not expecting that big of an improvement in the 300D but a little wouldn't hurt.

__________________
-Dave

Not only everything you mentioned above but also the first 5.7 Olds diesels had regular lifters. The later ones had roller lifters. Who ever started the myth that the Olds diesels were converted gassers should be halved and quartered, torn assunder and then burned at the stake! Our family is still driving one an 81 with over 400K on the clock. The engine we rebuilt twice in those 400K. It won't die.

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1983 300-D turbo
1985 300-D turbo
1959 Harley Panhead chopper
1929 Ford coupe restored
I hang out with Boneheaddoctor at Schuman Automotive OBK#5
All liberals are mattoids but not all mattoids are liberal.

'Those Boys have created a series of monster 602's (400+ h.p.)
Start "Searching" and "Googling"

Non engineer proven mods to a diesel usually result in tears and LOSS of
dollars!

Learn to read/speak Finnish!

I was out there at PNP today, back for round two tomorrow!

__________________
I'm not a doctor, but I'll have a look.

'85 300SD 245k
'87 300SDL 251k
'90 300SEL 326k

Six others from BMW, GM, and Ford.

Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty.[/IMG]

My apologies for saying the 350 dsl engines were re-batched gassers.

Nonetheless GM has made a mess out of it.

Speedy,
Not sure what way u can make your Turbo 2.5 to run faster.
Maybe turn up waste gate pressure, install intercooler.

All these increased power will be at the expense of tranny, rear end, brakes too.

They all design with the amount of stress to take.

If u increase waste gate, u need to increase diesel injection, make her richer too.

Or buyer a faster car , that 'll be much simpler.