Hey guys, I've been looking around for an older benz, such as a 300D, turbo diesel, for a daily driver. I am familiar with Dodge Ram's with the Cummins, my brother has one and it pushes 40psi and makes over 400hp to the rear wheels, nothing too special, but it is rather fast. I was wondering, for a tinker like myself, what engine has the best capability to modify and not crack heads, blow gaskets, or other things like that, the om617? and what car would it come in?

Ive been studying for about a month and havnt really came across anything specific on what engine would be the best for my situation, so I came on here.

Thanks in advance,
Neil Switzer

You won't see anywhere near those numbers with this engine without extensive internal modification, sorry to disappoint. The most durable engine of the bunch is the OM617 turbo 5cyl, found on 300D turbos, 300SD, 300TD but it is heavy and is probably the hardest to extract power.

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TC
Current stable:
- 2004 Mazda RALLYWANKEL
- 2007 Saturn sky redline
- 2004 Explorer...under surgery.

Past: 135i, GTI, 300E, 300SD, 300SD, Stealth

Yeah if you want to get more power go with a 1998-1999 mercedes diesel but those are expensive. A 617 even with very exentive mods will only do about 145 hp ish. So if you really want something with more hp you will need to go with a 1991-1995 diesel or a newer one but even then mods will be very expensive.

Well I wasnt looking exactly for those numbers, just what would be the most durable to mod and easiest/cheapest.

Cheapest to modify is probably the 617. You can get it to 603 power with minor mods.

The 603 is also very modifiable, use a later head for more power.

THe 606 is the most expensive to buy and to modify, but being essentially a 603 design with a 4-valve head it starts out with better breathing and gives you more headroom.

If you end up in SW Michigan I can show you around a partially assembled 603 with minor mods.

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Gone to the dark side

- Jeff

I thought the later 606 was N/A? So I would be looking for a 617.952 in the w123 from 82-85 then?

What about a 190 with the 2.5 turbo? That has the 602 engine, the newer, revised 617 according to wikipedia, has 129hp and is lighter?

Thanks guys,
Neil

I have not seen many 190 with the 2.5 so I don't know how rare they are, as in how easy it would be to get your hands on one. I have a question have you ever driven a properly tuned 617? They are quite adequate in their acceleration if taken care of. And I belive the 606 is turbo.

617.xxx came in the pre-85 w126 as well.

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TC
Current stable:
- 2004 Mazda RALLYWANKEL
- 2007 Saturn sky redline
- 2004 Explorer...under surgery.

Past: 135i, GTI, 300E, 300SD, 300SD, Stealth

95 W124's and W210 96/97 have NA 606's with 134hp. 98/99 W210's are turbo'd. The 606.962 turbo puts out 174hp, aggressively chipped it can get up to 225hp.

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Terry Allison
N. Calif. & Boca Chica, Panama

09' E320 Bluetec 77k (USA)
09' Hyundai Santa Fe Diesel 48k (S.A.)