How much weight could you remove from a 240D?

[Mistel]

I want to build an electric car from a 79-85 240D with a blown motor. What I would like to estimate is how much weight could you remove from the car by

1) removing the diesel engine and other ICE parts.

and

2) removing anything else unnecessary.

So how much would a 240d engine only (not tranny) weight. I am guessing 500#. The exhaust could go, gas tank, spare tire, and more ideas would be appreciated.

For a starting weight I believe they are 3250 LBS. Think it is possible to shave 750 Lbs?

Thanks

Peter

Originally Posted by Mistel

For a starting weight I believe they are 3250 LBS.

Closer to 3800lbs.

[Mistel]

123 Sedans Chassis Engine Model Years HP Weight WB
123.033 110.984 I6 280E 1977-81 137 3530 110"
123.123 616.912 I4 240D 1977-83 67 3250
123.130 617.912 I5 300D 1977-81 3515
123.133 617.952 I5 300D Turbodiesel 1982-85 3515

It's from here

http://home.hiwaay.net/~gbf/mbmodels.html

About halfway down, but it says 3250 lbs for a 240D

Maybe it's wrong?

[TheDon]

remove the interior and scrape off all of the tar sound proofing.. Thats probably a good 40-50 lbs. If you use a W115 it will probably weigh less due to the rust

put euro spec bumpers as well


Also remember you will be adding weight back into the chasis with batteries and the electric motor.


What transmission will you be using? a 4 speed would be optimum

[JimFreeh]

I just sent a 71 250 sedan to the crusher.

Missing the engine, trans, much of the interior and front subframe/suspension.

1800 lbs.

Jim

[Alberta Luthier]

People keep showing an interest in doing this to Benzs. I don't get why. These are the wrong cars to build a light prototype electric. You ought to start with a car that is way lighter and is more efficient to move through the air. There are so many that are better in these regards.

Mercedes did it a long time ago. It won't be as simple as throwing in a motor, some batteries and controlling it with a rheostat.

With the batteries it will be very expensive and heavier than the stock 240D.

[vstech]

Originally Posted by Alberta Luthier

People keep showing an interest in doing this to Benzs. I don't get why. These are the wrong cars to build a light prototype electric. You ought to start with a car that is way lighter and is more efficient to move through the air. There are so many that are better in these regards.

mmm a nice mid 80's corvette for instance...
or one of the rollerskates on wheels... focus/etc...
I think the Pacer was considered pretty aero... but BUTT UGLY!!!
the third gen camaro/firebird was pretty aero... not exactly light though... but with all the interior/dash junk pulled, I bet you could get it under 2K...

[yellowbenz]

I wonder what the range was on that 300TD ( or is that just 300T)?
What a great car! Those vents on the side remind me of a VW Squareback.

What I find odd about that electric W123T is there is still an exhaust pipe.

[vstech]

Originally Posted by ForcedInduction

What I find odd about that electric W123T is there is still an exhaust pipe.

look in the back, there is also a fuel tank... I am guessing this is a series electric car with a very small gas/diesel motor...

[lietuviai]

Originally Posted by ForcedInduction

What I find odd about that electric W123T is there is still an exhaust pipe.

It's for the Kraut Auspuffer Schlauch that is attached to bottom of the driver's seat.

[LUVMBDiesels]

Originally Posted by ForcedInduction

What I find odd about that electric W123T is there is still an exhaust pipe.

It also has a small radiator coolant tank under the hood. Maybe it s a very early hybrid??

[Mistel]

Originally Posted by Alberta Luthier

People keep showing an interest in doing this to Benzs. I don't get why. These are the wrong cars to build a light prototype electric. You ought to start with a car that is way lighter and is more efficient to move through the air. There are so many that are better in these regards.

Good question.

The best commonly available car to convert is the Geo Metro/Suzuki Swift. I just can't get past the.. geekiness? of the car. It's not really that, it's more that I see the car as a crappy car that I don't want to drive. If I am going to go to the time and effort of doing this, I want a car that I will be proud to drive when I am done.

All I really want anyway is a low speed/short range town car. This will be a second car for short trips. Here in Ontario we are not allowed to have NEV's, so I have little option other than to buy or build a full blown electric car.

I also imagine that I will convert the car now, then in a few years Lipo's will be cheaper and widely available, so with my second set of batterys, I will have a pretty decent car.

From Lionev.com

"We are answering your call and will be producing in early April the first designer modules for home EV builders. These modules will enable you to build your own lithium packs in easy to assemble 100Ah and 200Ah modules."

Maybe I could choose a better donor Benz. I think some of the 84-86 190E's were about 2700 Lbs. Maybe I should consider one of those?

Thanks

For all the input

[barry123400]

Originally Posted by Mistel

Good question.

The best commonly available car to convert is the Geo Metro/Suzuki Swift. I just can't get past the.. geekiness? of the car. It's not really that, it's more that I see the car as a crappy car that I don't want to drive. If I am going to go to the time and effort of doing this, I want a car that I will be proud to drive when I am done.

All I really want anyway is a low speed/short range town car. This will be a second car for short trips. Here in Ontario we are not allowed to have NEV's, so I have little option other than to buy or build a full blown electric car.

I also imagine that I will convert the car now, then in a few years Lipo's will be cheaper and widely available, so with my second set of batterys, I will have a pretty decent car.

From Lionev.com

"We are answering your call and will be producing in early April the first designer modules for home EV builders. These modules will enable you to build your own lithium packs in easy to assemble 100Ah and 200Ah modules."

Maybe I could choose a better donor Benz. I think some of the 84-86 190E's were about 2700 Lbs. Maybe I should consider one of those?

Thanks

For all the input

Can you expand a little on what you are proposing? What type of lithium batteries for example? Lithium polymer are far too dangerous and current delivery is limited in comparison to others plus charge time is too long. Just a curious bystander at this time.
The electric drag car that does 8 second quarters I kind of thought might have been lithium polymer. Several of my friends reported on seeing the thing run on a recent tv show. Some people may still be unaware that a series string of 10 123 flashlight size bateries can produce enough current to electric weld with. There are even stronger and lighter batteries either in the patent stage or labratories as well. I need a battery with a minumin range of 60 miles per charge prefferably 100 miles range with reasonable performance before I will build a three phase dc motor and controller.