New project (Bringing an old thread back to life...)

[juanesoto]

Hello folks! Long time no see!

I'm back on my wrenching hobby and I've been fiddling around some future projects to keep my mind working. I found a 300CD with a 617NA in good body shape but with a seriously damaged engine (conn rod through block) and what seems to be a baked tranny. I can get the car very cheap as it has no license plates. My plan is rebuilding the car and solving the license plates issue.

Now, here comes the question in matter. Since the engine is blown, I want to put a 603 with a 5-speed tranny in it. I found this thread where the matter was discussed, but no final conclusions were given. I happen to know someone who has an euro W124 with a NA 603 and a 5-speed manual in it. The car is partially stripped down since he got it as a donor for his other W124, so I might be able to get the engine/tranny combo for low $$$.

My plan is fitting the NA 603 and tranny in the 300CD and eventually find a turbo 603 to get the ultimate 300CD in terms of power/efficiency/reliability.

After thinking a lot about the idea, my worries have been narrowed to: engine compartment room, engine weight, engine mounts positioning, electronic engine control, shifter linkage, and drive shaft.

Any tips you could give me to solve my main worries?