Diesel SL?
 

What is the possability of putting a 240D, 300D or 300SD diesel in an old SL? I believe that some 123 chassis and 126 chassis sedans came with the same engine as some 113 or 107 chassis SLs.

Which SLs would be good candidates for a diesel with hopefully using factory motormounts and mounting points?

P.S., yes, I know I am nuts.

Thanks

Neat idea, but I wouldnt want to be stuck in traffic with the top down and diesel exhaust wafting about. Maybe an SLC?

-OB

I don't know if I read it here, but somewhere on the 'net in the last couple of years I read about a person doing this. I think the site or thread had pictures. Anyone else recall it?

Just burn SVO then it would be no different that waiting at the drive thru at KFC.

Nobody has ever considered a diesel in an SL :-)
 

I Believe the valve cover is too high for the hood. I've seen an SL with an OM601 (2.2L I-4) posted on here but I can't seem to find the pictures anymore.

EDIT: Ah, Randy beat me to it. :D

Yes, the euro R107s had the same DOHC six, but I believe there are major clearance issues with the diesels.

Well, if you did one, it wouldn't be the first SL with bulges in the hood...
http://www.philseed.com/images/mb300sl-roadsterb.jpg

http://www.philseed.com/images/mb190sl-c.jpg

I know a guy in VA with a diesel in his 280SL. I can put you in touch with him if you would like.

Len

Diesel 'Verts and sports cars
 

I have thought about dropping a TDI into my MGB. That would be an intersting ride. The TDI into a Lotus Europa would be another interesting vehicle. With a cD of .29 and a low curb weight, I would guess you'd get pretty good mpg numbers.

The only problem I see with the TDI is all of the electronic controls - it might be tough to get everything goin to where it needs to be.

Hi R Leo,

Actually a search was the first thing that I tried but I didn't find that one. I found three threads from someone that wanted to put the diesel from his SD in an SL but he never did it.

Thanks for the link.

Opel put one of their new diesels (some sort of direct injection, i'm sure) into a lightened exige body and got over 100 mpg. They called it the eco speedster.

Who did the work?

There is a guy down here in Torrance who did such a conversion with a OM615 or 616 into a 280SL and then again recently re-engined it with a OM617 with a 5 speed manual. He spent $14,000 on the project. :eek:

Hi Thorsen,

The best TDI swap that I have ever seen was a '99 or 2000 TDi engine from a new beetle with a early '80s Toyota pickup tranny in a 2003 Mustang. Ran like a bat out of :fork_off: and cornered better than stock. It was chipped to at least 145HP.

Never thought of a TDI in a Europa but that was my dream car when I was a kid.

Seriously, I want either the 240 or 300 85 or older block in a little coupe running on VO of course.

Hi Len,

Yes, I would like to get in touch with him.