This paper presents the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling to study the effect of fuel injection timing and intake pressure (naturally aspirated as well as supercharged condition) on the performance of a direct injection (DI) diesel engine. The performance characteristics of the engine are investigated under transient conditions. A single cylinder direct injection diesel engine with two directed intake ports whose outlet is tangential to the wall of the cylinder and two exhaust ports has been taken up for the study. Effect of injection timing (start of injection 16, 12 and 8 CAD bTDC) and intake pressure (1.01, 1.21 and 1.71 bar) on the performance of the engine has been investigated for an engine speed of 1000 rpm. CFD predicted results during both suction and compression strokes under motoring conditions have been validated with experimental results available in the literature. Magnusson's eddy break-up model is used for combustion simulation. Predicted performance and emission characteristics such as pressure, temperature, heat release, NO,, and soot are presented and discussed. The predicted values reveal that retarding the injection timing results in increase in-cylinder pressure, temperature, heat release rate, cumulative heat release and NO, emissions. Decreasing trend is observed by advancing the injection timing. In case of soot emission the increasing trend is observed up to certain crank angle then reverse trend is seen. The supercharged with inter-cooled cases show lower peak heat release rate and maximum cumulative heat release, shorter ignition delay, higher NO and lower soot emissions. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.