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Turbocharging NA OM617 engine?

9K views 13 replies 9 participants last post by  luisg92  
#1 ·
I want to turbo my NA OM617 engine and I know it doesn't have oil squirters but I am only planning on having under 10 psi of boost with an intercooler.

I'm also aware that since there will be no alda, it will be smokey but I think a properly sized turbo will spool fast enough to not smoke too bad.

My main issues are that will the turbo exhaust manifold fit with the NA intake manifold and where do I take the oil feed for the turbo and what parts do I need for that?

The intake and exhaust piping won't be a problem at all.

I am in Europe so the factory turbocharged engines are very rare so I can't really just buy an engine and swap it in but I still really want a turbo 617.
 
#2 ·
In Australia, there were after market kits sold by STT Turbo that dealers would fit. If you fit a factory turbo, both inlet and exhaust manifolds will fit the head (they are the same casting, different valve sizes). You will need to change the plate on the back of the oil filter housing as the turbo version has an outlet for the oil line to the turbo (you can just see it behind the oil pressure guage outlet in the photo here Working on the engine bay and engine 300 turbo diesel | Mercedes-Benz Forum (benzworld.org) You will then have a return line run to the sump (ask our friend in Croatia to send you a snap of the turbo side of the engine).

If you are only after small boost, the NA should accommodate A-OK.
 
#3 ·
I believe the oil feed can be made at home with the stock filter housing but issues arise again regarding the availability of the turbo manifold.

It turns out those are rare too but atleast the manifold is so simple that I could make my own log manifold but I did that for another engine a few months back and couldn't be bothered again.

I couldn't find turbo kit to turbo NA engine and even if I could, it would probably cost way too much.

I guess I am just going to wait until I can find the proper parts.
 
#5 ·
I just recently went through that and my first one on a 240 the rings were just to worn to hold the pressure. I have another I'm putting the unit I put together in the better 240engine. Callaway had developed one back in the early 80s and kept pressure at 5lbs at the gauge for Sea level. There are two parts to my film. The third will be on my newest 240. I've been turbo charging vehicles for over 20 years. You will have to reduce oil line pressure feed and calibrate flow rate to the size and flow rate requirement of your turbo. Amongst many other things that's where most have an issue. If it's gasoline same applies. I'm doing it for the sake of doing and I live 5500 pluses elevation and things get anemic up here especially in the summer when oxygen densities drop. Good luck on your project should you choose to pursue. Here's part 1 and part 2 is on vimio.
 
#6 ·
There have been many engines ruined trying to do this, and they never get a fraction of the power out of them that a factory turbo will do. I currently have several of these sitting out back that had aftermarket turbos on them that are now dead. The factory turbo motor is beefed up with piston oilers etc. If you want a turbo, sell the car and buy a turbo car.
 
#7 ·
There have been many engines ruined trying to do this, and they never get a fraction of the power out of them that a factory turbo. The factory turbo motor is beefed up with piston oilers etc. If you want a turbo, sell the car and buy a turbo car.
I get your point and it does make sense but running low boost with an intercooler should keep egts down without smoke.

I was only thinking of 130 hp. In Europe we only had 300tdt and it's pretty rare to see one for a reasonable price and the condition is often far from roadworthy.
 
#8 ·
Stay tuned to part 3 coming up soon. I'm putting this turbo on my other 240. It will require some additional fueling via a different method and I'm keeping boost low to just meet atmospheric at 14.7 which takes about three lbs at the gauge. anything more is for extra power above static. My newer 240 has better rings and should hold to at least atmospheric. The additional fueling gives the hit we all feel on turbo cars even if minimal, max will be 5lbs. I'll make it work dad-gum-it! There is always a way.... with limited issues if any.
 
#9 ·
It will take a turbo fine. People have been doing it for decades and STT even made a business out of it. People put 300hp out of non-turbo OM606 with their weak rods and non-cooled pistons.

Torque is what breaks. If you use a tiny turbo that makes boost low in RPM, you're going to have a bad time. Use a bigger one that works 2500rpm+ you'll be fine to make whatever power your transmission can hold.
 
#10 ·
10-12 pounds boost is the normal top boost presser for my 84 300D US car that was built.
Just adding a turbo does not do it. The Fuel Injection Pump has to be setup to allow more fuel when there is boost pressure.

It is not just the oil squirters. It is that the oil squirters up into a chamber inside of the piston heads to cool the piston heads. Also the turbo diesel has a huge oil pump compared to the non turbos.

Best wishes.