I have an OM617.951 I would like to crank up a bit. The engine is going into a Courier, so it'll be a little tighter of a space than under the Benz hood, but I'll make room for an intercooler first and foremost.
I noticed that this engine is very quiet, is the pump timing retarded and can that be adjusted or is this just the way this is?
I have turned up a 6BT Cummins before, I don't expect this to be too similar, but I know it's doable.

 

What kind of injection system does it use?

 

Mechanical? I'm pretty sure it's a Bosch system, don't recall which one right now. I saw the thread on the adjustments, but a "little" adjustment could be a half turn, could be a 16th. Also it was very vague on what to actually adjust. I have read online about getting these engines over 170hp without spending a penny on parts, but can't find what to actually do.

 

Well, this thing was such a total dog off the line, I hunted down the info and adjusted the ALDA. This is the off-boost fuel limiter, and it's very easy to adjust. Since these cars are well out of warranty, just remove the tamper plug on the top of the ALDA (it's the squarish thing on the top rear of the pump with a line going to it. I used a pair of pliers and pulled the whole tin tamper cap off. Be gentle so you don't break anything. Hold the screw with a flat-head screwdriver, and loosen the lock nut (10mm). Turn the screw CCW in quarter to half-turn increments until you get a puff of smoke when you stomp on the throttle at idle. More doesn't give you any gains, and can put EGTs a bit higher than is good.
After this adjustment, I can actually beat that fat guy on a Rascal across the intersection

 

turn the fuel screw like stated above and you can also get more boost from stock turbo I believe on them. also if it is same type of setup as on then 2.4L 4cl benz diesels it is a bosch pump very similar to the dodge P pump

 

I can actually hear the turbo now, I'll have to get a gauge set for this. The tach died again (typical Merc quality) so I may have to break down and buy a new amp, I know of a guy who sells digital replacements. I'll drive it for a few days and see how much better it is day-to-day.
There are a lot of tricks to these pumps, but I think I'm going to leave it fairly stock for right now. It'll get an AWIC when I put it in the Courier, then I'll start playing with it. Up the timing a bit, increase the pressure, and replace the injectors, nozzles, and pump elements with a bit higher capacity units along with a 20-30psi lift pump. Should give it a nice kick then, I'll only be spinning 31s through 4.10 gears.

 

heres the info your looking for, as far as adjusting the torque capsule, i've hunted high and low for an actual number people have stopped at and 1/2 a turn seems to be the best for the most power, just keep an eye on your EGT's

PeachParts Mercedes ShopForum - View Single Post - IP Full Load Adjustment 617 Turbo

lots of people just plug the boost line going to the wastegate too, mine went from 8-9psi up to 15psi with the line plugged. i also removed the alda off the IP, removed the rack limiter, turned up the high idle (abit more top end), and put on a K&N for more airflow. it makes pretty good power now, but i need to do the torque capsule badly.

 

On my mercedes i have the alda cranked all the way cc still very little smoke 3 inch pipe and bigger airfilter thing is night and day from when i got it

 

Hey 4x4 can you give a little more info on the aftermarket tach for the 5 cyl benz?

 

IP Full Load Adjustment Procedure for the MW and M pumps

No. The engine can only produce 145hp (115hp at the wheels) without a higher output injection pump.

Its also the very last thing that should ever be adjusted. Adjusting it first only masks your existing problem(s). There is a laundry list of things that need to be checked/done/adjusted first.

No it can't. The alda only affects low-boost fueling, altering it won't change EGTs (unless you're lugging the engine) and it will have zero effect on horsepower to the wheels at full boost.

Thats a BAD thing. Being able to hear the turbo with the stock filter system means its not sealed and something is open to the unfiltered air.

Your stock lift pump already produces over 30psi from the factory. More doesn't have any effect.

That site is very out of date and lacks people actually doing performance modifications.
See the first link of this post for an up to date guide on how to tune the pump.

If you're going to consider opening the pump to adjust it then you might as well remove the rack limiter entirely. The pump is only good for 15hp more and 1/2 turn is only about 3hp.

Thats an EXTREMELY BAD thing to do! Also, if your turbo can only produce 15psi then its got issues. The stock turbo is capable of over 20psi with no fuel modifications.

Thats a major downgrade. That K&N filters far worse than any paper filter yet it has zero benefit to the engine over the stock paper filter.