Is there a listing somewhere of intercoolers that fit our OM 617.xxx engines? And I know there won't be one size that fits all, but a starting point would be helpful. I've seen Blackstone listed as a brand, but there is a VW intercooler (side mount) listed near me for $50....if I knew it would fit my 82 300SD I'd pick it up.

There aren't any that "fit". Its all trial and error to find one that fits where you want it to fit. I went through (bought) 6 different intercoolers before I found a custom one on e-bay that fit in front of the radiator without the A/C condenser.

I know there have a been a couple of failures with water injection, but it doesn't make sense why.

If we can find a way to make water injection work on our cars, must of us don't have to bother with intercoolers.

I know there have a been a couple of failures with water injection, but it doesn't make sense why.

It works it just has a low cost:gains value- Low HP boost, no boost at all with pure water, requires frequent maintenance (refills), only active part of the time, does not work at all in high humidity/rain and displaces air.

Water injection works and I have plans to reinstall my system with individual port injection but that project is low on my priority list because of that value issue. At this point, that may not be until next spring.

Just throwing this out there, but would the space the oil cooler occupies be sufficient to put any effective sort of intercooler? And then, just run without an oil cooler / put the oil cooler elsewhere?

I don't have a performance-tuned car, just a shot in the dark.

Could additional air be introduced into the cabin through, say, a port cut into a wheel well? Thus, giving another location exposed to fresh, cool air that stuff can be mounted.

I'd like to know the same for the '87 300D/124. What intercoolers will fit the car without removing the A/C and without having to do lots of fabrication? Any?

I'd like to know the same for the '87 300D/124. What intercoolers will fit the car without removing the A/C and without having to do lots of fabrication? Any?

Pull the a/c condenser.



if your serious enough about performance, the loss of the a/c system shouldnt be great.

Windows work just fine for me. I'll be installing a nice FMIC soon enough.

It works it just has a low cost:gains value- Low HP boost, no boost at all with pure water, requires frequent maintenance (refills), only active part of the time, does not work at all in high humidity/rain and displaces air.

Water injection works and I have plans to reinstall my system with individual port injection but that project is low on my priority list because of that value issue. At this point, that may not be until next spring.


So what is better.....intercooler, or water injection?

Intercooler.

The AC condenser is good for something! Use it for a A/W IC radiator. What I did was split the water stream into 3 parallel paths that go through the "condenser" using 2 manifolds made of pipe fittings. The water is pumped in a loop through the AWIC with a mercedes aux. water pump. It cools like crazy, and all told cost under $250 (pump included). You could probably be more cost-effective with an A/A setup, but I personally think the A/W does the job better.

Just an FYI, the side mount intercooler from the VW would look like this:

http://images.craigslist.org/010204010407011605200805182d55ec9b0f0c9eeaaf00476c.jpg

Thoughts?

BTW, that one is in Portland craiglist for $100....

The point is I want to keep the A/C, it's a Mercedes, not a Yugo. I could dump the power seats and windows, the power windows and sunroof, back seat, ... all weight savings will increase performance, but I want a good performing daily with everything working.

I want an aftercooler that works with the condensor in place, has anyone been able to find such a beast for the 124?

Pull the a/c condenser.

if your serious enough about performance, the loss of the a/c system shouldnt be great.

Windows work just fine for me. I'll be installing a nice FMIC soon enough.

The point is I want to keep the A/C, it's a Mercedes, not a Yugo. I could dump the power seats and windows, the power windows and sunroof


Mine did not come from the factory with any of those. :D

Where would the air source for that come from, for cooling it? Are you going to duct something in from somewhere?

Just an FYI, the side mount intercooler from the VW would look like this:

http://images.craigslist.org/010204010407011605200805182d55ec9b0f0c9eeaaf00476c.jpg

Thoughts?

BTW, that one is in Portland craiglist for $100....

I want an aftercooler that works with the condensor in place, has anyone been able to find such a beast for the 124?

You can either go air to water intercooler and place a slim water radiator in front of the a/c condenser or go with water injection.

...I want a good performing daily with everything working.

Go with an A/W intercooler. You have MANY more options for finding a radiator that will fit in front of the A/C condenser. You could also put it low and in front of a front wheel with a fan on it. In a year or two when I get back into the DIY performance scene I might mount the A/W radiator for my wagon where the muffler used to be. The muffler is about as wide as the car in the rear... would need a fan for it though.

The easy way is to buy a CDI though!

I just mounted a late 80s Toyota Supra Turbo intercooler on my 300D...all I had to do was cut off the 90* elbow on the intercooler, and I have yet to pipe it...but it occupies the space that the condenser once did...and you can't even see it hiding behind the grill :D