diesel SL? Is it possible to build one?
 

If I bought an SL with a run-out engine could I fit an 85-'89 300 turbodiesel engine in there? I like sports cars, but am committed to biodiesel.

The engine would be heavy for the SL chasis, which apparently is already in need of strenghtening.

It should fit, I have a diesel in a SEC, but its not quite finished yet.

Diesel in a SL, sounds cool.

Bigger springs will be needed.
 

I would expect to put stronger springs in the SL, possibly custom ones. Does anyone know if the engine will mate with the transmission.

The Simpson's did it!

I have had 7 diesels as shown in the signature and a 560SL. I don't have the exact weights in front of me but I would assume the 5.6 V8 would be heavier than a 3.0 diesel ( 3.8 liter V8 don't know). Do you have the numbers?? Again you might be right.


And yes it would be cool. If the W107 was available in a diesel, that is what I would have bought.

Dave

I know a fellow in the DC area who put a diesel engine in either a 280SL or a 250SL.

I do know this, the 85 300 SD engine, and 240D manual trans, is lighter than a 500 SEC motor and trans. My car sits 1.5-2" higher in the front now.

I thought that the 380 SL, had an all aluminium V8, and that the iron blocks were to heavy for the chasis, but that the later models had a reinforced chasis to account for the 560.

Re-Reading the original post, I think he is considering a 603, not a 617 as i had thought, so it will probably be fine.

However i recomend that you buy a donor vehicle, so you have the diesel shutoff, and all the associated parts. I do not believe the trans will match up. Atleast not to a 617.

I have heard the problem is not so much the weight but the height of the engine. The Vs are not as tall as the straight 5 or 4 cylinders so the hood might need a "scoop" cut into it to accomidate that. I think it is still doable and have seen others who have either attempted it or thought seriously about it...

Shorter engine, scoop too ugly
 

I was thinking a 603 engine. Maybe I can shorten the engine by running a dry-sump oil pan. The scoop would be too ugly, I think.

I bet the 603 would fit in without modification. A member on here put a 617 into an SL and it juuuuuust barely cleared the underside of the hood by like 1/2" (the valve cover did) So if the 617 fits the 603 should be fine. Go for it! I'd love a 603 (or 606 turbo) powered SL!

I cannot imagine that a 603 is any taller than an M110 and the M110 and OM617 both inhabited the engine spaces in 123 and 126 chassis where the OM603 also can live. Since the SL carried a 110 (280SL) at one point, then a 603 or 617 should fit there too.

There is a forum member who made a convertible out of a 300CD. Now THAT would be a cool setup! I have not seen the car in person but have seen a couple of pictures.

i think you will find that the 603 is heavier than the aluminum v8.

there have been several engine weights posted in the last three or four months.

tom w