Got the bug for a 300CD Turbo Manual Transmission...
 

I've seen a couple of these little 2 door diesels and am smitten. I am presently on the hunt for a nice, straight, rust free example of a 300CD Turbo with manual transmission. Location, color and mileage is secondary, but condition is always primary. If anyone knows of one available for sale anywhere feel free to email me directly at info@minoxdoc.com, thanks.

They were not sold with manual transmissions. If you find one, the tranny will have been swapped.

grimgaunt and I will be installing a 4-speed in his newly acquired CD. Will update with progress.

Only thing I can suggest is to either install the 4-speed yourself, or have someone (like me and others here) do the complete job on it for you.

I have enough parts currently to install 2 manuals (pedals, slave, master, shifter, links, mount, etc.)

Will likely have another "set" soon as many 4-speeds are finding the yards this year.

Were they sold in Europe with the manual gearbox? I thought they were...I was hoping then to either find a grey market import or converted one I suppose.

Yeah they had them in Europe with a manual....attached behind a Normally aspirated engine..............no Turbo diesels were sold with a manual transmission.

That's too bad...I wonder why...could it be the torque from the TurboDiesel exceeded the rating of the gearbox? I cannot imagine why the Germans would not want a manual turbo instead of AT.

Gearbox is not the problem.
I believe the turbo boost is involved with a problem that has to do with built up boost, suddenly you want the engine rpm dropping so you can shift gears so you have to dump the pressure than you want it back when you hit the accelerator pedal but it takes time to spool up the turbo to get back into the power band, you know that sort of thing probably goes against the fine German engineering thought process. If they had figured out how to make the system work fine with a turbo behind a stick shift I believe there would be lots of them (here and in Germany!)
There were at least two turbos with sticks trannys here in the Bay Area, Ben Ridge for one until he moved to Oregon (do a search for Ridge). He claimed it was like a marriage made in heaven. The other individual was a pilot, he had a 300D turbo/stick combo for sale. I am certain he developed a method for shifting that an airplane pilot would have perfected. I never drove it unfortunately before he sold it. Its surely OK for a gear head, but don't give that car to a parking valet! :P

Yeah, same issue with gassers, even if you have bypass valve. I just speed shift my 280Z and smoke the tires, never loses boost. :D

"I have enough parts currently to install 2 manuals (pedals, slave, master, shifter, links, mount, etc.)"

Tom..I think thats great you guys are offering to do that. After you do a few you can probably go through the job pretty fast. Hope your "centraly" located.......Good show

i have a 300cd with a 4spd manual. its shifting isnt very smooth or tight.
the flywheel is from a 240d and i think it is lighter than it needs to be. the
rpms drop and rise too rapidly when i put the clutch in.

am soon to change out the 2.58 (280ce) differencial for a 3.07

don

Very interesting...I had not considered this at all! I am glad to have the input of the others here.

I guess I will revise my post to delete the reference to the Manual Transmission after all!

No turbos for manual trannys
 

I always thought it was because the clutch wouldn't stand up to the turbo for long, unless some major springs were put in there.

I believe the 617.XXX manual flywheel is 6-7 lbs heavier than the 616 flywheel. This weight difference no doubt improves shifting however, the biggest hinderance to smooth shifting on the turbo engines is that they aren't governed above 1000 RPM. Smooth shifts require repeatability and predictability in throttle and clutch response. Without a governor, you will never have consistent throttle response in relationship to the throttle position.

A 240's clutch is plenty stout...and is at least as good (if not better!!!) as the clutch on a 1/2 ton Ford pickup. Face it, on a good day, a 617.952 (300 turbo) only has 70-90 hp and 125 ft/lbs torque at the rear wheels. Not exactly a powerhouse!!!!

I haven't deliberately abused mine but, I have pulled some significant weight and there has been no sign of slipping or any other adverse effects.

I'll second the "match made in heaven" opinion. I had a Peugeot diesel with a turbocharger and a 5 speed and thought it was the best thing since sliced bread.

As far as shifting goes a lot of the enjoyed power wasn't during shifting, it was climbing hills. And given that a turbocharged diesel is fast it still isn't a race car, spool down/up times and even shift times are a small percentage of acceleration time. If you shift into the power band the turbo spools up pretty quick.

I've read on this site a while back that no diesel coupes were made with manual transmissions, posted by a fellow from I believe England. He was saying that he would like to have a diesel coupe, but they were not sold in Europe. :confused: I have never seen a Euro spec 300CD. Does anyone have any photos or specs to share?