enewbie

anybody have any suggestions on the basics of improving hp in the non turbo model?

Gamesterx

PUT TURBO ON IT! seriously why not turbo-charge it? Anyway, You can try adjusting the valves' http://www.dieselgiant.com/valveadjustment.htm ' also replace fuel filters "1 inline,1 large screw-in oil filter type,1 strainer in tank"

Untertürkheim

Sorry, none of this applies to this model. All engines beginning with the 60x series in the mid-80s have hydraulic self-adjusting lifters, so forget that. Also, adding a turbo to that engine will not help, it was not designed to accomodate one and the computers have no way of controlling it.

Good service and premium diesel fuel is about all you can do besides selling it and buying something with more power.

harkgar

Why is it uncommon to see the usual hot rodding ways for gasoline engines used in diesel engines? I am referring to boring out the cylinders, putting in larger pistons, stroking and porting the engine. What about optimizing the air intake and free flowing headers? Are these useful?

Untertürkheim

First off, I would not say that "hot rodding" is not delineated along gasoline and diesel lines nearly as much as it is good cars vs. inferior cars. The fact is that MB, BMW, etc, are less frequently and less extensively modded when compared to cheaper, less engineered cars. The fact is that with MB, the intakes and exhausts are usually far better than any aftermarket alternative, and especially in this case, any modification to either would yield worse performance. Since MB and other better manufacturers are able to extract so much power and efficiency from their engines, the returns for any modifications are far less and often come at the price of reliability, something that few, myself included, are unwilling to sacrifice.

240D 3.0T

If you have a hundred grand (or two) itching a hole in your pocket you can always design, fabricate and test some yourself. Otherwise, none of that stuff exists.

Diesels need more air than they can naturally flow to make power. That means a turbo, supercharger or nitrous.

TMAllison

If its a complaint of less power than it used to have, you might try having the inj's pop tested and re-balanced.

Pump timing and chain stretch doesnt seem to be much of an issue on the 606.9xx engines but I suppose both could be checked on the off chance they are out of spec.

Check to be certain the resonnance flaps are operating freely and clean out any gunk inside the IM and Crossover pipe.

Beyond that step on the go pedal more.

harkgar

Why should petrol engines be different from diesel ones? Hot rodding magazines often promote cheap horsepower per dollar ways to soup up the engine. Often hundreds of dollars are needed only for things like free flowing intake and exhaust manifolds.

harkgar

Another question240. I have yet to read about a supercharger for a diesel engine. Why?

Untertürkheim

Since diesels have so much more airflow, it makes sense to harvest that energy for the forced induction rather than let it go to waste a use a supercharger that will not be able to provide as much power.

A supercharger is a relatively inferior concept to a turbocharger since it cannot deliver as much power. Superchargers take power and deliver more (drag on the engine), while turbos have a larger net gain. The problem is that with gasoline egines, especially lower displacement ones, you have lag issues, etc. Diesels have so much air that this is not as much a concern, and it is the optimal situation for a turbo.

Untertürkheim

Like I said before, it is not a quesiton of diesel versus petrol, MB spends a lot of money to give you free-flowing intake and exhaust from the factory, instead of cheap cars where you have to add these yourself.

Untertürkheim

+1

Also, having the transmission serviced can increase performance, and you may as well change the differential fluid if it has not been done.

harkgar

Thanks all. I shall use my arthritic right foot and destroy the go pedal.

I hope I can contact you guys from jail.

harkgar

You are right. I did that with my sold W126 and felt the difference when hammering the right pedal.

240D 3.0T

Not true. Turbos restrict the exhaust which costs power. The difference is the turbo is more efficient at compressing air on an engine.

lkchris

No, the difference is that turbos provide more even boost throughout the rpm range than do superchargers. That is, no gearing required.

In addition, with superchargers, all the energy in the exhaust flow is lost same as naturally aspirated engine. The energy required to drive a supercharger is significant while that used to drive the turbo is almost free.

Now that technology has been developed to allow turbo materials to survive the exhaust heat, the days of supercharging are numbered.

In 2008 the auto industry almost unanimously agrees that the path to improved fuel economy is smaller-displacement engines turbocharged.

Mercedes has officially announced this as its direction.

240D 3.0T

Key word there. The restriction certainly restricts the engine, thats how exhaust brakes work.

Superchargers still have their place in applications that require instant boost off the line.

lkchris

This "iron" technology is mostly irrelevant as regards Mercedes.

There are zip/zero/nada intake or exhaust restrictions on Mercedes engines that can be "cured" by 'merikun hot rod techniques, always inexpensive. Even for the boat anchor iron these "solutions" are usually designed for, it's more hype than reality. That is, no "cure" required because there is no problem. "Real" solutions are only cheap in fantasyland.

Mercedes are small engines designed to scream on Autobahns. 'merikun iron is humongously big and not really designed to do much past 2500 rpm. Even the later--but definitely not the earlier--Mercedes diesels are designed as Autobahn stormers.

harkgar

I do not fully agree with you Ken. My sold 1999 E55 AMG had restrictive exhaust manifolds both cylinder banks. I suspect it is a packaging issue for a 90 degree V8 engine. The rest of the exhaust system is first class and free flowing. Even my friend's 2008 CL63 manifold is similar, that is, easily improved upon. That is why Kleemann and Carlsson make aftermarket systems for MB.

I agree that MB diesels are built with high speed autobahn cruising in mind and just as importantly economy.

harkgar

The 3 series straight 6, twin turbo diesel with 260 horsepower and over 400 pound foot? It is coming this November. It is so much more powerful than any MB diesel engine available now.

Untertürkheim

This is simply the next generation of turbodiesel engines. MB is releasing th next generation very soon, starting with the new 2.2 litre 4 cyl developing 204 hp and 500nm torque (still more hp/liter than the BMW). The MB 6 cyl is coming soon, and will probably outdo the BMW as is the tradition between the two.

The BMW engine is still not the most powerful, the 420CDI has 320hp and a mountain of torque.

240D 3.0T

Next generation in cheapness. They are a step backwards in many things.

harkgar

Does the new MB 4 cylinder need urea injection? It seems only larger engines need this device. Both VW and Honda (Acura) 4 cylinders do not need it.

The Acura is said to produce about 170 bhp. Good for a 2.2 liter four banger.

harkgar

there is one fault with this engine. It has a 62 degree (under 90 degrees anyway) V which means it is not as refined as a right angle formation.

In terms of power it is probably the best diesel engine. MB has killed it though.

Untertürkheim

The Acura engine is not very impressive, that is the same output as the current MB 2.2 4-cyl, which will soon be replaced.