I'm in the 23-25 mile range and that pleases me just fine. Any other nuances about the Cali. model you can fill me in on? I bought this car because I wanted a coupe. Really wanted a coupe. Without being aware it was a CA model I bought it. In fact, I didn't even know they existed until I got the car. I did see the pictures of the engine and noted the air filter, thought it peculiar, but to be honest I coveted the car so much I didn't do a lot of research. I love it. Runs great. Couldn't be happier.

I changed my 85 cali over to like a 83 is set up.

Changed the down pipe,intake/exhaust manifold, turbo to pre avr. (84 - 85 have it).
get the manifolds off a 78, 79, early 80 w116 300SD, this is pre EGR, think the EGR was installed in late 80. then nothing to block off.

use a air filter like the federal one, or modify the cali filter. the turbo will sit a little lower, so the turbo inlet and the outlet pipe on the filter housing are at the same level. might have to cut the pipe and fab up a hose for the inlet.

the 85 doesn`t have oil drain from the air filter to the pan like the Fed set up. the 85 cali is A GOOFY set up the way the oil vapors connect to the housing. It "T`s" off to the filter and straight to the inlet just before the turbo. Just run it into the turbo inlet.

when we changed it over it was a different car. especially at higher altitudes like 9000ft - 10,000ft elevation. before the change, it was a dog, after, ran like a raped ape.
as far as milage, I don`t remember.

the cali starter is about twice what a Fed starter is. and also the cali turbo costs more, as well as the down pipe.

the best improvement, is when we pulled the automatic, and swapped in the 4-spd. incrase of 2 - 3+ mpg. 29 to 31.94mpg on the last tank.

check with the dealer, they should have a record when the trap was changed the last time.

Charlie

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there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works

Thanks Charlie. I have an 85 300D that I may use for parts. Yikes, tho. That's a project, but that's part of the thing about these cars that gets in blood. Working on them is half the fun. If it turns out right, that is.

It looks like a lot of work, all depends where you are coming from. I just look at what I want, don`t think about the work involved, and focus on the end result I want to achieve.

Start looking around the JY for parts you want. don`t have to do it all at once. when we changed this over, I didn`t know or think about Pick N Pull type yards. so went to specific MB yards. so cost a lot more. example for the Down Pipe, I found it on a 82 300CD. guy charged $100. but it was the only one I could find at the time. then 3 or 4 yrs later the flex part cracked, and had to buy a new one any way.
A couple yrs later I found some on line auto supply sites and discovered the pipe at that time was $127 new . live and learn.

Wish I had stumbled on this Forum 10 yrs ago .

In the Resources tab above, there is a write up and pictorial of a 85 SD being changed over.

when you get rid of the Trap, you can still use your cali starter.
Iam not sure, but I think you can still use the Cali Turbo, just might have to clock the compressor side some to line uip with the air intake.

You will also need the turbo oil supply line from a FED set up.

Charlie

__________________
there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works

You have a rare car. The last of its kind and with only 127K miles. At most, i would replace the cat with a straight pipe for now. It clogs up if you dont run it often on the freeway. Congratulations! Ive been wanting one of those too.

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'85 300D Cal 280,000 miles
'14 GLK 350 60000 miles

Don't bother spending $200 on an overprice piece of exhaust pipe. You could buy a new downpipe and still have $50 left over!

Far better is to get the intake and exhaust manifolds, oil supply and return lines, exhaust downpipe, turbo and air filter assembly from a non-cat engine. If you get the air filter assembly from an 84 Cali or 85 federal, you'll be able to reuse your existing turbo.

....sitting in the driveway, so I can salvage those Fed parts and convert. Only thing I have find is the time! Thanks for the info.

Daniel