So, I have a non turbo w124 sedan om603, 5 speed... and, I have a complete turbo off a 300sdl laying around... It bolts right on, as I have the complete unit. but the only thing I'm worried about is compression ratio differences between the NA 603 and the turbocharged 603. I don't want to blow the head gasket right away, see...

anyone know the technicalities of this issue?

For diesels in general:

To make more power you need more fuel first then back it up with more air. Just adding more air won't make more power. You will need to turn the pump up / larger injectors / replace injector pump with turbo pump.


For compression, as an example, if a not turbo diesel has 19 : 1 compression, the turbo will have 18 : 1, turbo intercooled will have 17 : 1 . Have a look at engine families that come all three ways. ( Like a Cummins 4B, 4BT, 4BTA )

I can'T < edit added 'T < speak specifically about your engine but it would likely work if you don't turn the boost all the way up.

Piston oilers? IP fueling profile? You'll need the entire turbo/exhaust/intake parts no? Oil flow to the turbo?

It would seem a serious effort to be most easily and cost effectively accomplished swapping an entire turbo engine for the NA engine, turbo 603 engines aren't a dime a dozen but they aren't too difficult to find.

As an aside, do you by chance know what the differential ratio is on that Euro car? Most OM603 vehicles and for that matter OM602 vehicles have a 2.65 ratio, buy very few ever came with a five speed, do you know if your's is the same?

no idea about ratio, all I know is that it's annoying to drive a us model w124 on the freeway... 3000+ rpm really?? auto trans is not my fave anyway but with a turbo you almost need it.

how about we just trade cars...

Backengineering a turbo setup isn't a viable proposition as others have illustrated.

If the car is too annoying to drive, you need to find a different one.

BTW, if you put an ad up for your current car here, with a decent description and meaningful photos, there will be interest in that spec.

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Mac
2002 e320 4matic estate│1985 300d│1980 300td
Previous: 1979 & 1982 & 1983 300sd │ 1982 240d

“Let's take a drive into the middle of nowhere with a packet of Marlboro lights and talk about our lives.” ― Joseph Heller, Catch-22

Hey good buddy, just don't put the drive belt on it and it will be OK.

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Junqueyardjim
Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important. C.S. Lewis



1983 Mercedes W123 240D 4 Speed 285,000 on the road with a 617 turbo, beautiful butter yellow, license plate # 83 240D INDIANA

2003 Jaguar Type X, AWD. beautiful, good mileage,
Mom's car, but I won't let her drive it!