I know forums and how they work. And trust me, I will do my research. Any tips would be great. Tricks and fixes, common "damn its" , easy SAFE upgrades.

I'm seriously interested in exhaust upgrades, intake upgrades, DIY upgrades. Most importantly my body code, engine code, trans code, etc. I am familiar with turbo systems, I currently have a front mount Intercooler originally from a VW.

Money is a little tight but at some point I would like to ditch the gaudy stock wheels for some other STOCK Benz wheels. So I will be watch the FS ads.


I was given this jewel as a reliable gift for our new baby girl. It's immaculate, and I want to give it some personal finesse. Show me Ur pics, give me Ur ideas.

I'm glad to be part of Ur group. Looking forward to hear from you guys.

Unfortunately the 3.5L engine is well known to bend the rods even with stock power. Its not a good platform for power upgrades.

The best fix is to find a 98-99 E300 and swap in the engine. This configuration was common in Europe, but for some reason they chose to make the 3.5L instead.

Keep it coming, its good to know what I've got. This is my first diesel and I'm also trying to put a 4BT (Frito Lays truck engine) in my jeep.

I still can't find some "readers rides" id like so see wheels and tire combos.

Probly No Where near what your looking for but here is mine....

http://www.superturbodiesel.com/std/capt...l#pid16000

Will things like cold air intake, intercooler, and oil coolers help reduce the risk of rod damage? It's a family car, so no racing. But u do drive cars like they should be driven. Rarely interstate, buy I would love to dust somebody while on the interstate.

(08-21-2010 12:23 PM)ORION_theArcher Wrote:  Will things like cold air intake

You already have one.

Quote:intercooler

Not on a stock engine.

Quote:oil coolers

You already have them as well, for the engine and transmission.

The rod issue is a design flaw on MB's part. Little can be done about it except to watch closely for increasing oil consumption or preventively change the rods to the revised design or OM606 rods.

(08-21-2010 03:19 PM)ForcedInduction Wrote:  The rod issue is a design flaw on MB's part. Little can be done about it except to watch closely for increasing oil consumption or preventively change the rods to the revised design or OM606 rods.

Its the rod angle that is the issue. 606 rods dont fit that engine.

I know that when I was fooling with Mitsubishi, that I could use 2.4L gallant rods and put them in a 2.0L eclipse block and turn a 2.3L out of it.

Any crazy hybrid designs like that. Is higher compression better in diesel? Shave heads and this baskets and so on. I have no plans on engine swaps with there being nothing wrong with this one.

Any ring and gear sets fit into a MB from any trucks. I would regear it before any major powermods

(08-21-2010 05:01 PM)jeemu Wrote:  Its the rod angle that is the issue. 606 rods dont fit that engine.

Nobody knows the actual issue, just MB, everyone else is guessing. MB doesn't even officially acknowledge there is an issue.
You're right about the 606 rods, I forgot about the longer stroke.

Check out the 2.9L OM602's rods. I've never heard of it having any issues.