Intercoooler on a 300D Turbo

[zeke5551]

Has anyone installed an intercooler on a 300D? I'm thinking about modifying the intake and plumbing in an intercooler while my engine is out, just not sure if it would be worth the effort. Any thoughts?
Zeke

[Diesel911]

It is not worth the effort if everthing else on the Engine is stock.

Diesel Performance Tuning - PeachParts Mercedes ShopForum

[daw_two]

I doubt it its possible in a 300D unless you eliminate either the mechanical fan or the AC condensor.

I installed a customized intercooler in my 2000 Dodge Dakota CUMMINS 4bt, 4x4, Crew Cab. It's visiable in this pic:

[Zacharias]

There is a guy on the STD turbodiesel performance forum who has rectangular (long/narrow) one mounted on the front chin of a w116 300sd.

One mean looking machine (numerous other mods as well)....

However, as mentioned, the standard line here is that and intercooler will be mostly decorative unless you intend to do significant a boost bump and ALDA crankup.

[cho]

Originally Posted by Zacharias

There is a guy on the STD turbodiesel performance forum who has rectangular (long/narrow) one mounted on the front chin of a w116 300sd.

One mean looking machine (numerous other mods as well)....
.

sadly that w116 is crushed IIRC....


.

[Zacharias]

Originally Posted by cho

sadly that w116 is crushed IIRC....

What happened? He only built it about three years ago.... I am only an occasional visitor to that board.

Pics at: Jesse's hy35 powered w116

R.I.P.

[sassparilla_kid]

If the engine is out it might be easier for you to do a little tweaking to the governors in the IP (there's a writeup about it on superturbodiesel), then you can adjust the boost up to about 12psi (or a little more if you go with a different turbo) and plumb in an intercooler. Check out air/water intercoolers, they are smaller than traditional air/air and don't require all the giant air piping everywhere, just smaller water lines to a separate radiator.

[zeke5551]

I didn't memntion that the engine is married to a WC T5 5-speed and going in a 65 Ranchero. I've had 3 TDI Jettas and miss the milage. As a hot rod guy I really hate commuting with something as ordinary as my Miata and decieded to build a fun milage machine. So far it has 4 wheel disk brakes and AC. The only modifications to the engine would be to increase milage and maybe mild performance. I've owned a 82 300D turbo sedan and the performance was ok even with the 3 speed auto trans, so I figured a figured a 1200lbs lighter car and a efficient 5 speed manual trans ought to be much better. So what I would like to know what reasonible mods will increase milage and maybe a little performance. Thanks, Zeke

[Mölyapina]

Originally Posted by zeke5551

I didn't memntion that the engine is married to a WC T5 5-speed and going in a 65 Ranchero. I've had 3 TDI Jettas and miss the milage. As a hot rod guy I really hate commuting with something as ordinary as my Miata and decieded to build a fun milage machine. So far it has 4 wheel disk brakes and AC. The only modifications to the engine would be to increase milage and maybe mild performance. I've owned a 82 300D turbo sedan and the performance was ok even with the 3 speed auto trans, so I figured a figured a 1200lbs lighter car and a efficient 5 speed manual trans ought to be much better. So what I would like to know what reasonible mods will increase milage and maybe a little performance. Thanks, Zeke

Unless someone did a weird tranny swap, that '82 would have come with a 4-speed auto.

[vstech]

Originally Posted by Jooseppi Luna

Unless someone did a weird tranny swap, that '82 would have come with a 4-speed auto.

um... since zero Turbo 300D's came with a manual trans... or went into a ranchero... I'm going with weird tranny swap...

[Mölyapina]

Originally Posted by vstech

um... since zero Turbo 300D's came with a manual trans... or went into a ranchero... I'm going with weird tranny swap...

Very true... I should consider the circumstances, I guess.

I'm curious as to how the WC T5 will be with the OM617! I don't relish the idea of putting non-MB into MB, but if it works out nicely... well, I can't swear what I would do.

[zeke5551]

Sorry, I have no idea if my 82 had a 3 or 4 speed auto...it was 20 years ago. A OM617 swap is very popular with the 4x4 guys. There are adapeters to add a Toyota,Chevy, Ford, Jeep, AMC or Chrysler transmission behind them. Adapting a late MB 5 speed to the engine was cost prohibitive (way more than our cars are worth, modified or stock). I have maybe $1000 into the convervsion, including new flywheel, clutch, adapter and transmission. If you care about having an original car, you wouldn't consider it, but if you want performance/milage via an overdrive and a huge choice of gear ratios it's something to consider. I've been told the 700R4 conversions are amazing on the OM617 as far as milage and performance gains, but I'm a manual guy. Anyways back to the question, which should apply to a MB or my kit car (as my wife calls it); what would you suggest for mild modifications to the OM617 to increase milage and possibly performance? I do NOT want something that smokes badly like the 4x4 diesel guys. I went that route on one of my Jettas with larger injectors and pump and hated it, but it performed amazing and averaged about 47mpg. My record was 56mpg...takes out a Prius! I'll be interested in what you think.

[dude99]

What happened? He only built it about three years ago

There was a design flaw in the location of his intake which lead to it sucking in a bunch of water and bending a rod.

[Zacharias]

Originally Posted by dude99

There was a design flaw in the location of his intake which lead to it sucking in a bunch of water and bending a rod.

Okay, not to beat this to death, but Cho said it was crushed. He crushed that car because of a bent rod?

It is very hard for those of us back northeast in rustland to process the idea of crushing a w116 'cause it needed a motor. That's all.

End of sermon .

[dude99]

He bent the rod and then was unable to find a OM617 in his area. So he had it crushed....