If you are indeed looking at a euro, why would you want to screw it up
and de-value it by putting in a U.S. spec turbo?

My thought is enjoy it for what it is

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81 Mercedes 300SD 289k.......SOLD
82 Mercedes 300CD 252k......slow ride

82 mercedes 300 SD...mi Unknown
83 Mercedes 300D ????ksniff..gone too
84 Mercedes 300D 148k........SOLD
85 Mercedes 300TD 386k and holding some one elses project

I dont think the euro cars really have that much more value than the US cars, If the OP is paying 2200 for the car, its not an outrageous price. So im just guessing that since the PO removed the SLS then its not an original mint car anyway.

if you want to go with a turbo engine, go with an 82 to 84 300 D, Cheap easy to come by, heck I have a spare sitting in my garage.

If you want to go back to SLS get a 81-85 300 TD,

If all you can find is a 300 SD motor thats just as good as the 300 D motor. unless its an 85.

The newer motors wont bolt up to your 5spd.

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1984 Euro 300SDC, (4spd standard)
1986 Toyota Landcruiser Diesel HJ60 5spd X2

Gone but not forgotten (some sold, some stripped)
1983 300 SD, 1985 300 SD, 1983 240D, 1986 300 SDL, 1985 300 SDL, 1983 300 D, 1984 300 D, 1985 300SD, 1987 300 SDL, 1983 300 SD, 1985 300 TD Euro, 1983 380SEC, 1990 300 D, 1987 300D, 1982 300D, 1982 300D, 1994 E420, 1987 300 TD, 1987 300 D, 1984 300 D

I agree. If you want a turbo, pass this one up and buy one with a turbo to start with. Have you actually priced out what it would cost to swap engines? Very likely more than you are paying for the car. Then you've put too much into the car.

Sound like a nice car. But if you want a turbo, let someone else have this one that wants a NA model.

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Charles
1983 300D, bought new, 215k+ miles, donated to Purple Hearts veterans charity but I have parts for sale: http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=296386

Well I have reasons for choosing the '83. With the 83 it's eligible for classic insurance. And just as important it's stick. From my understanding there aren't many if any 5 speed turbo diesels released here in the U.S. I want this to be my project car. I want to restore it get everything running optimally and reinforce/upgrade many engine components. I want to baby this car and learn how to work on it. This baby has some real potential and I want to exploit that potential. So I really don't care about future costs and what not. I'm getting the car relatively cheap I am new to diesel and I am new to Benz. I want a playground, a platform where I could learn and play and come to love my new diesel benz this bad boy is gonna sound like an 18 wheeler coming down the street and look impeccable while looking so. I just want to achieve the best possible sustainable performance while also preparing the car to extend it's longevity. I'm a big Benz fanboy and I am reaching out to you the community to help me understand what is possible to do in this classic =) I'll be looking into the SLS suspension that sounds interesting. and thanks for the info Icefire