As a short introduction for my first post. I've been in the import scene for some time now, I got a stock evo IX and turned it into a 900bhp monster that doesnt move out of the garage, the streets just aren't big enough for it... Sold my Jeep not to long ago and had been looking for a new daily, I always loved the W124 and W126. I recently had an amazing deal come up. I got a 86 300SDL Turbo for just shy of $1,000. It runs and drives, a perfect daily commuter, the only problem is the automatic trans . I'm curious if there are any kits, or if anyone has had experience swapping a manual trans into a 300SDL. I've found some manual swaps for a 300TD, is there a difference between the 300TD and 300SDL Turbo? If anyone has done it before and has a list of parts needed please let me know! I'll be sure to update the thread as the build progresses. It will stay an automatic for hopefully just a few months until I get all the parts together.

I found this guide with a list of parts and of course a tutorial along with it. The only problem is it's for a W124, I assume some things will be interchangable and some wont. Once again, any input/advice on what is needed would be greatly appreciated. Artisan : 5 Speed Swap

A friend of my did it he has a 86 300SDL I helped him I pulled all the parts needed from a 88 300E the parts you need that are different from the W124 are the driveshaft the front part only I had it in possession it came from a 84 300TD with a 4 speed manual transmission the transmission mount bracket he fabricated that pedals came from an 84 300SD he had to modify the speedometer from a W124 so it will work with a cable. After he drove the car he felt that differential ratio was too tall 2.65 he swapped for a 3.46

The list on the link he said to use the 8.5 disc,pressure plate and flywheel that set up won't work with the 603 turbo engine you need the one from the 300E 9.5 or at least a 9 inch flywheel alone with the disc and pressure plate