So I am planning on buying a car for my 16th birthday and have some money saved up. Now me being different than most teenagers, wants a diesel car that is also reliable and stylish (you should see all the ford taurus and beaters at my school). Now thing is I can't decide between the W115 and W123 300D. Since neither has a manual transmission, I have a dilemma, but thankfully I do have a 1982 240D car I can take a 4-speed out of and swap it with the automatic in the 300D. So question is: I know I can swap the manual from the 240D into a W123 300D but can I do it into a W115 300D (I personally like the looks of this one better)? Also if I decide to get the W115 and I want a turbo, should I put a stock W123 300D turbo on there or should I drop a W123 300D turbo engine in there? I know whichever I do some components would have to be moved, and I do know the W123 300D turbo engine is different than the non-turbo version. Also I have heard the 5-speed manual transmission is a rare find and not as easy to install but do you guys have any idea of where to find one, the cost, and ideas of how to put it in? And the last thing: Biodiesel, SVO, or WVO: I know the last 2 require modifications to the car and are bad for the fuel pump/injectors, but what are your opinions one these and for biodiesel: any good links to how to make it?

I know there is a lot in this post but I would appreciate it if anyone could help me with any of these questions. If you can't answer all of them, tell me what you know. If you can't answer any of them, give me idea. Thanks in advance!

Until the experts chime in, here's what I've read:

The 617 from a 123 won't drop into a 115 without relocating the oil filter housing. I don't know how much work that is.

It shouldn't be difficult to find a 115 240D 4-speed to donate parts to a 115 300D MT conversion.

Upgrade the rubber bits in the fuel system (to Viton?) to avoid problems with biodiesel. That's about all there is to it. SVO and WVO require preheating and many adivse a dual tank setup. WVO requires dewatering and filtration. There's an entire forum dedicated to alternative fuels - http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/alternative-fuels/

Sixto
87 300D

Make it a Signal Rot 300CD Turbo! Go for the best.

__________________
Codifex
1981 240D ChinaBlue (Got her running with a donor engine.)
1983 300DTurbo w/sunroof.
1984 300TD manual sunroof. (Electrical Gremlins)

Signal Rot you mean Signal Red?

Welcome to the Forum. 15 yrs old, Wow, you have been doing our home work learning some things about these cars.

5-spd, well get in line and take a number, they are a rare comodity around here. we are all looking for one of them and the 617 Fly-Wheel. just keep looking in the Pick N pull junk yards or what ever you have in your area. check on the inventory coming in weekly.

Now if you are real ambitious, you can do what Forum member Dropnosky did here.
http://www.superturbodiesel.com/std/showthread.php?tid=965

Iam inexperienced in the w115 area and can`t help there.

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

yea i have been looking at these cars for months but not too seriously until the past few days. And if I could take a 5 speed from a W201 that would be great. Obviously I'm going to need help from these forums and my mechanic but yea hopefully that can work cause they are in fact so difficult to find

Where are you located? at the top of this page, click on "User CP" at the left end of the blue bar. from that you can fill out your signature and info etc... this way you won`t have to be asked. you don`t necessarly have to put the city, but maybe the state, and this way some close to you could give you a hand.

the bottom of each post is a list of cars/trucks etc... each of us have or had. the older we become, the longer the list of junk gets.

Hang around the forum long enough, and get to kind of know who is who, and who know`s what, and start reading through the various threads, and your knowledge base will grow. not all of know every thing on each systems in the cars, and we all sort of lean on each other for support not matter how old we are. the Forum is like going to school, never stop reading and learning.

Look into the "Resourcers Tab" up at the top. there is a list of "DIY" how to`s with pictures, and also "DIY" links organized by subjects.

Cars are very expensive to own and maintain. buying an old car with neglected maintenance, and severly rundown will run you into the poor house. cars are not an investment, they are a money pit you constantly throw money into.

that said, don`t let anyone "Steal your Dreams", but listen to the advice of the one`s that have gone on before you. we were all where you are today at one time.

5 spds are available and can be found in the W201 190-E. most had automatics, but some had manual trans. they just won`t fit into a W115, or W123. there are still the W123 240D 4 spds around and a lesser amount of the W115, mainly because of age and ending up being crushed in the JY`s.

To get a W201 5-spd to work in a w123 as Dropnosky did, you are looking at around $1000 + - .

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

Well $1000+ is a lot of money obviously so i guess I would have to determine if it is worth it or not but I would suspect it would cost me nearly that much for a mechanic to put in the 4-speed from my dad's 240D. And anyway, as far as I have been able to tell from other threads on here and other sites, the W115 240D transmission is compatible to the OM616/617 in the w123 so it would assume it would also work vise-versa. Still the cost of switching non-turbo engine with a turbo one will be the most costly as seeing I will have to get some stuff moved around (maybe for the better)and the cost of an engine. I have seen some of these engines starting at $400 and going up to $1500, which really isn't bad for an engine but still serious $$$ Still I believe that if I do switch out the engine and the transmission I believe I could probably sell them and get back a good amount, I estimate around $1000 for the pair. I think i'm going to need to speak with my mechanic about this

You're having a mechanic do the work? This will get costly very quickly. Save your money and get the car you want already configured or a lot closer to it. Either of these will do well to get you acquainted with the 300D. Turbo swap can follow -

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/380349389325

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/130538273913

Sixto
87 300D

Well realistically I'm going to have to get help from a mechanic because I have no training but some of the stuff I can do by myself to cut costs

and on that blue 84, it says there is no AC, and me living in Hotlanta (rightfully called that) that would be a major issue

Okay I have looked through the ebay listings and have found a few cars, gonna watch what they go for (can't buy yet because I haven't finished saving up) but I noticed something extremely odd: A dude wants $21,500 for an 83 300SD Turbo. I knew some people over valued their cars but that's a bit much

Swapping in a 4-spd manual in a w123 is all pretty much plug and play. all the holes are already there, and it all lines up. you will have to do the driveline cut and balance.

I wouldn`t take a good driveable rust free etc... car and part it out for the running gear. unless it was in the JY.

Don`t know what holes are in a W115 for the swap, but from what I read it is doable.

Now if YOU want to pay a mechanic $100 per hr labor rate, great. then don`t complaing how much something cost. Installing all these parts is a DIY project. you have all the help and resources here to help you complete it.

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

I have seen some of these engines starting at $400 and going up to $1500, which really isn't bad for an engine but still serious $$$ (quote)

As you quoted here, try buying a rebuilt one from Metric Motors.




www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=300798

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

Well the car that I'm think of getting it off is either a complete restoration project or a parts car pretty much at this point. It needs a paint job and some dents removed, the body does have rust, the engine does not work (not manufacturer's defect though, long story) and would have to be rebuilt for the 3rd time (another long story, for some reason it had to be rebuilt and the first set of geniuses did it wrong so my dad had to get it rebuilt again), the interior is in bad shape and faded, and finally the trim has fallen off, so I would say its in bad shape enough to part it, but there is still the crazy notion my dad wants to restore it (I think it would cost more than buying another one in better condition). But we shall see on that.

And on that note, I see you do have a Metric Motor in your 85 300D Turbo, but if I'm reading the prices correctly that's $7850 for the rebuilt engine, and that doesn't include everything, not even the turbo. So was this how much you paid for your engine?

When I bought it 4 years ago, it was $6,000.00. I loaded up the boat anchor in the old Datsun PU, and drove down to Canoga Park (near Los Angeles) to pick up the new engine. That is about a 400 mile ride.

He knocked off 10%, didn`t charge me sales tax. sold it to me as if I was a shop owner. threw in a Vacuum pump, dip stick, turbo drain tube and valve cover. my cover was cracked from the chain, and I forgot to bring down the stick with the old engine.

It comes with a rebuilt IP, rebuilt injectors and new GP.there was nothing wrong with my turbo, starter, intake manifolds, water pump, alternator etc... just swaped over some stuff and droped her in. also replaced the radiator with a new Behr, thermostat, hoses and belts.

Foolish to drop that much money in an old car? depends on how you look at it I guess. If the car gets totaled, Iam dragging it home and the engine is going into something else.
I could have bought another car, then dumped some money in it and been right up there price wise.

I did stop at Silver Star recycling in Sacramento with the broken down 85 on the trailer. asked them if they had a 617.952 engine. said it was for a 85 after they asked me the year. said they only had one for an 83 and it wouldn`t work on the 85. told them the long block was the same etc..... Blaa Blaa Blaa... didn`t want to argue with an idiot and his computer.

so I went on and decided on the Metric engine. Silver Star wanted $800 plus tax. and maybe a core also.

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