Ski Boat with a Mercedes Turbo Diesel I6

EDH Performance in Norway decided to take a 18 foot ski boat which originally came with a small-block Chevy V8 and do something a little bit different. Using a custom length driveshaft connected to the Halibrand V-drive the team installed a Mercedes OM606 diesel engine. The engine was kept naturally-aspirated for the first test and the boat only managed to reach 6 knots. The engine was then upgraded with a 300 cc Superstroker kit and a Garrett GT4082V turbocharger. This helped tremendously as the boat reached 50 knots but after further testing the gearbox jumped to neutral and the engine damaged valves and two pistons.

EDH Performance rebuilt the engine with parts from a Mercedes 190D including OM606 turbo pistons, H-profile rods, and stiffer springs for the head. The turbo was also upgraded from the Garrett to a Holset HE300W. A Casale Engineering 12-degree V-drive with 15% overdriven gears and a BMW 530D transmission installed in-between the V-drive and engine. This setup was good for 62 knots (115 kph/71.4 mph) on 1.5 bar (21.7 psi) and 5,000 rpm. But the team is not stopping there. They are hoping to increase the speed with another turbo upgrade and pushing the engine to 6,000 rpm.

Source: SuperTurboDiesel and Daniel Hegelstad via ESD reader Samuli