What sort of upgrades have you done to your MB?
 

Hi all,
Just wondering if anyone out there has came up with some great idea on how to upgrade the little things on these cars. I've done quite a few of the normal meredes upgrades like the rack damper bolt, new plunger primer pump, new style blowby hose, inline vacuum filter, and other things which are associated with maybe going the extra step with general maintenance but what I am wondering if there are any ideas a person came up on how to improve something no matter how big or small.

A couple ones I came up with off hand are on my stock filter housing I got this wing nut which is made for GM vehicles and fits perfectly with the perfect color so no tools are required in getting access to the filter. Another idea I just followed through with was after all this time of getting my hands all scraped up by those sharp edges on the fuel line clamps I rounded all the edges with a bench grinder then by hand filing them down. In the next month or so I may be ditching the stock filter housing and going to a K&N filter to simplify things. My 84 had silicone hoses rather than the rubber ones to connect the plastic lines with, worked very well. A couple more I just thought of are my heated seat install as well as a lumbar support in the driver's side seat. Have you done any improvements or do you have any ideas on things to improve upon for your diesel MB?

I put a later model cylinder head in the SDL and it hasn't cracked yet :p

Mobil 1 fluids all around if that's an upgrade.

I plan to upgrade to Euro headlights next year.

As I posted in another thread, downgrading to fabric covered seats and manual AC would be a plus in my book.

Sixto
95 S420
87 300SDL
83 300SD ... $950, see cars forum

I suppose those are all upgrades, I have Euros with 55/100s, and all Mobil 1 fluids as well. Yes fabric would be nice, I've never been a fan of leather, at least this stuff is no maintenance MB tex. :)

On the highly prized, rare and valuable air filter housing wingnut..... the power steering reservoir wingnut is perfect match on 123's.

I replaced the intake with a K&N custom pipe.
Removed the exhaust to a straight pipe after the flex pipe.
Boost gauge in the center air vent hole.
Replaced mechanical fan with an electric.
Advanced IP timing 2*.
Changed the door locks to an electric vacuum pump drom an SD.

How can you improve on perfection?
 

...let me count the ways.

Improvement stuff done:
1) Limo tint on the wagon's windows.

In the werks:
1) Installation of a manual transmission in Marlene (to be started after the first of the year).
2) Fitting/adapting manual HVAC controls from a 240 in Marlene

So, I guess there's three things worth changing on a W123.

OTOH, it sometimes seems like I work on my cars constantly but, it's not on upgrades. Most of my work is related to PM ...getting all the things that can leave you on the side of the road worked into a known maintenance cycle.

PM, etc
Marlene—
Replace/rebuild front seats
Replace driveshaft and flex disks
Replace leaking power steering pump
Install offset woodruff key

Lilly—
Citric acid flush cooling system, replace all coolant hoses and belts
Replace worn fan clutch
Restich upper seat cover in back seat
Replace front and rear window gaskets
Replace front windshield
Replace flex disks
Replace shocks
Replace sub-frame bushings

Can you tell I'm more interested in making sure that SWMBO isn't on the side of the road?

Major upgrade
 

A zebrano wood cupholder.

Best $50,,,,,yes $50,,,,I ever spent.

Jim

The upgrades on my 1984 300SD:

Electric engine fan
Additional auxiliary condensor fan
Third brake light
Trio gauge set

I'm seeing some pretty good ideas here. High on my list of to dos for the upcoming 04 year is have the heated seats finished, installing amp with small sub or perhaps 6x9s, tinting the windows, adding that third brake light, getting that K&N system to replace the stock one, advancing the timing a degree or two, and make sure it is running 13psi.

A cupholder sounds nice, perhaps I should consider that. Where did it install? I don't know if I have the heart to drill a couple holes in the door panel.

Did the straight pipe gain much in power or lower the EGTs much so you could raise the boost?

Could you just wire the third brake light in or did you have to relay it for the cruise control unit as it is supposed to be quite sensitive to the resistance. Perhaps I'll get a LED third brake light so the resistance difference should be minimal.

I'm thinking of 2 important upgrades for the coming year:

1) A parallel condensor, depending on the results of one of the other forum members here.

2) Possibly replace the oil cooler lines with steel braided hoses

One improvement I am constantly fiddling with is cabin noise reduction at speed. Minimal results so far...

Yea I'm going to try something for cabin noise as well. I have 3/8" padding which I'm going to run from the firewall to the rear seat on each side (already cut), I'm just waiting to pull the seats to finish up the seat heaters. :) I figure if the cost is minimal so if the gains are anything at all I should be pleased.

Boost, please keep us posted on the results of your noise-reducing efforts.

Will do. I'm not sure if I'll remember how it sounded before though, it has drove my daily route twice in the last month or month and half. I've been busy, um making pictures for my site. ;)

1984 300D:
Alarm w/electric solenoid on driver's door lock
Prestige wheel locks
Rebuilt engine @ 200,000 :mad: ( dropped a ramp & broke a chain )
Outside (empty) tail light installed as extra running light
SEV Marchal Ampilux H-1 headlights w/80/100 bulbs ( sepearate relays )
Brake and tail light cut-off switches ( don't ask ) :D
Rebuilt front suspension & HD Bilstein shocks
Aux fuel tank
Had IP rebuilt and new (tested) injectors
boost gauge ( set KKK turbo @ 10 - 12 pounds )
all new exhaust system
K&N filter in modified MB filter housing
Sony radio & CD w/200 watt amp & upgraded speakers
All Mobil One
Entire vacuum system rebuild
Replaced axle shafts ( bad boots )

NEXT:>>>>>> Porsche turbo intercooler and ABS BRAKES :eek:
More comfortable front seats ( NSX? Porsche? Bostrom? )

TireBiter,

Where did you get the Marchals? Are those the kind with a half moon beams?

Sixto
95 S420
87 300SDL
83 300SD ... $950, see cars forum

Sixto:
When CIEBIE bought out Marchal's headlight line they discontinued the Ampilux ( half moon H-1 ) :(
IMHO it was the best headlight ever made. I only saved 8 sets and now I have none left. I will call CARAM Engineering after Christmas to see if he still has some as NOS.

From front (sort of): 1984 300SD

Euro hdlts. w/ vacuum adj. and euro dash rosette and city lights.

clear corners.

Parallel flow condensor with custom A/C hoses and "test" refrigerant" (yes I can hang meat in there)

Adjusted ETR (33 F.)

Tapped and threaded temp sensor in thermostat housing connected to adj. temp switch for aux, fan.

EGT gauge, sensor in #4 exhaust, 3/4" from port (pre turbo)

Boost gauge.

Boost controller.

80 amp alternator. Bosch AL 69 X (edited)

adjustable voltage regulator 13.7-14.4v. (Transpo)

Flame gaurd from a 115 gasser as blowby condensor in valve cover to air cleaner hose.

Low oil pressure warning LCD and buzzer for catastrophic oil loss warning. This was challenging!

Fan clutch mod with Toyota 10000 silicone oil.

Battery quick disconnect.

Firewall sound insulation (homemade) pad. McMaster-Carr
imitation "dynamat" in doors and floor pans.

Electric actuator remote entry with factory alarm (it's a 1984, remember).

560SEL Zebrano console box with inside cupholders.

Stereo upgrade with CD, MP3 new speakers and amped subwoofers (single band bypass, ported).

clear tail lights (kinda ghetto, but I haven't found any stock ones with REALLY good clear sections for the back-up lights). I have a thing about clear plastic lenses being clear, not yellowed at all.

Extra bulb holder wired for two more brake lights. Brighter (street rod wattage) running lights (nothing melted) ;)

Electric rear window shade with console button control. Nice in
the summer.

Homemade "pop tester" (used a bottle jack, JB Weld and plumbing fittings.) Prechamber puller from bicycle crank tool.
Misc. pullers from threaded rod, plates, washers and nuts.

All suspension, brake, steering components replaced or already in spec; all systems repaired or work (even cruise). Some self upholstery w/ FIRM seat pads, Smaller Nardi wheel to clear my legs (6'3",210#)

Many other little piddlers. FWIW ;)

Sounds very nice jbaj007! Where did you find a 90A alternator? I debate how well mine actually works, I'm contemplating on just going for something larger. Was the 90A one off another model which happened to fit?

I also have a Kenwood CD player with a Jensen amp for the rear blaupunkt speakers, the front blaupunkts have no amp other than the 45x4 radio. One more thing is a hard wired radar detector by whistler.

The main reason I did it was the sound. If you have ever seen a straight pipe turbo Diesel, on of the forst things that always catches my ear is the whine of the turbo. Just drive around a parking lot for awhile with your windows down and you will really hear it well.

That is also one of the main reasons I did the K&N. Going down the highway at full boost, you can REALLY hear the turbo sucking in all that air.

Both of these also free up two of the biggest restrictions in the system, and to me, reducing turbo lag quite a lot.

Jell M,
I let my braggadocio get ahead of my facts. It is indeed an 80 amp. AL 69 X Bosch from a 1989 560SEL, rebuilt. A bit of finagling (pulley goes on after mounting in the car) unless you use the Conti 1035? instead of the 1000? belts. Not sure of the #'s but you get the idea. I edited post to correct error.

That is still a bit better than the 65A stock upgrade part, does all of the mounting hardware line up? I just installed whatever belts that are standard for our W123s.

Did the top end power of the motor improve much? I heard that the highway peppiness increases after the K&N so I'd imagine the straight pipe would have to help the cause as well.

Diesels take in as much air as the engine restrictions will allow. Think about it. A 3L engine sucks in and spits out 3L of air for every two rotations. Multiply that by 3000rpm at 65mph, the added gases from combustion, and boost from the turbo and that is a HUGE amount of air. You can feel how much air it's taking in at idle by puting your hand over the air filter intake tube. (Just imagine how much air the big 12L+ highway diesels take in!) By geting rid of the restrictions at both ends you free that air to get in and out as fast as possible. Reducing turbo lag, get more air in to burn fuel, removing the hot exhaust from the tubes, and releasing the backpressure post-turbo. Some say that 4ft of tube is needed to prevent you from torching the exhaust valves, but that might just be for gassers and N/A engines since the turbo provides enough back-pressure to cool the valves.

Headlight rings, silver window tint, and E430 wheels on Big Smokey (E300).

Same silver on tint on Lil Smokey (TDI).

Perfesser Leaky (240D) has had most of the interior parts replaced with better ones from the junkyard. Best upgrade I did on that car was screw the no load stop all the way in and adjust the linkage so it actually accelerates.

upgraded
 

Upgraded from stock (not counting just misc repairs):

vent tube from cam cover to air assembly
oil filler cap
dash light kit from **************.com (very nice)
CD player and changer
H4 hella headlamps (very nice)
trans cooler lines (reinforced)
Michelin X-Ones (5 - including spare).... I assume tire technology has improved in 20 years
;)

Some of you guys go all out on a diesel:) Never figured anyone would do much custom stuff to one of these babies. I'm taking notes;)
All I have that's not stock:
By P.O., euro headlights and later w126 rims
By me, Polk Audio speakers and a couple SAS Bazooka Tube subs in the trunk. (They make nice boom-booms, without being over bearing to the neighbors.:p )

I upgraded to euro headlamps and upgraded the sound system to a Clarion CD player with 2 MTX amps with MTX subs in the trunk. I also hid two Infinity 6X9's behind the back seat. I left the original speakers hooked up as well which are controlled through the stock fader switch which I modified slightly. The previous owner had upgraded the car to Ronal alloy 15" wheels.

http://images.cardomain.com/member_i...84_11_full.jpg

Do you have any pictures of your 116 VirginiaDude? I'm thinking that other than project MBs the 116 is the next one I'll buy, eventually I'll get bored of adding stuff to my current one. ;)

Those headlight rings make a world of difference, they look great!

Did those Infinity 6x9s add much? Are they Kappa or Reference? Rather than give up trunk space I would rather fit some speakers beside the fuel tank, there is a little room there so I may just as well utilize it. :) The blapunkts are excellent for mids and highs but the lows on a 5.25" speaker are truly sick. I'm not looking for enough bass to vibrate house walls as I drive by, but I'd like to know how the music was originally intended to be heard.

My Infinities are Kappa's. Since I have them behind the seat, their only purpose are for low to mid-range frequencies as the one MTX amp running to them is set for that. The other MTX amp runs the subs that are in the trunk which provides more than adequate thundering bass. The subs were strategically installed in such way that the fuel tank adds to the total bass experience. The original stock speakers are set up for the high ranges and they are running straight off the head unit using only its built in amp.

1981 SD

'99 SLK rims
H4 hella headlights
Connected the extra light bulb in the tail light assembly

Soon to add the stereo that was previously in my 300D - MBQuarts front and rear, 560 watt amp powering them. 2 12" JL Audio subs, each powered by a 300 watt amp all controlled by an Alpine CDA 7894. (photos of the stereo install in my old car http://www.sounddomain.com/memberpage/283733 )

http://www.michakaveli.com/before_now.jpg

[Mods]
- MY00+ {Elegance} Tail lamps
- Intra Monoblock Replica Wheels
- Euro fender markers
- Chrome shifter trim
- Chrome AC vent trim [on the way]
- clear font corner lenses
- Xpel Clear headlamp covers
- Chrome headlamp rings
- Xenon D2S retrofit
- Both rear fog lamps wired together
- Dynamatted all 4 doors
- Gotta be something I've missed...
- Gotta something I will add-on...

Yea I've seen people installing 6x9s in the rear deck on either 123s or 126s as well, I'd rather have them as an addition versus replacing the stock 5.25" speakers. I've never seen a set of 6x9s that I'm impressed with it being able to represent the whole sound spectrum, rather some are better in mid to low and others have no low but decent highs.

Well my car is not a diesel...but i will try to list what i did to my w123 sedan...not including any motor mods/steering/other...
Home made body kit carved from pink house foam and then fiberglass molded-custom placed front air dam-lowered with venture springs-hd shocks-all new rubber and suspension minus rear diff holder and subframe mounts-single 2.5 inch exhaust running through sport muffler-17inch monoblock style rims-its a european car so it has the lights and bumbers, cloth hounds tooh interior-i tinted the tail lights solid red (like a designers sketch) and tinted a set dark blue-engine upper cross bar-interior light upgrade with driver and pass map lights-new steering wheel with hand carved center section-custom white face gauges with red needles-volt /air fuel gauge in ash tray-amped minisubs in front kickpanels, all sony xplode speekers with 8" amped sub in rear first aid kit location-sony 10 disk changer and "oldschool" tape deck head unit control-all interior control lights green LEDS to match sony head unit, redone heater controls and made to illuminate green-IP(dash) illuminates greenish/indiglo-all 4 footwell lights illuminate when a door is opened-cabin has soft blue lighting for "nondistracting"night use-all locks converted to electric-rear foglamp wired-four more power buttons located in driver map holder with coin holder-euro front plate and state liscene plate to match-clear corner lamps-fender side markers-there has to be other things-i just can not remember right now.
-Jake
basics-light window tint-fitted windshield shade-oem floor matts-stuff of the like.
the future-a lot more...

Do you have any good front end pictures?

In the time that has passed since I started this thread I've added a K&N filter and am in process of setting up a sub but I'm not sure where I want to place it. I also have the timing tool on the way so I can get some more power out of it. I repainted my dash neeldes as well if that counts. :) I think I will try hooking up a second brake light where the rear fogs are supposed to be setup as well as a third brake light (I figure I'll have to relay all of these lights anyway).

BoostnBenz - are you asking me about the front end???? if so i do not have anything other than what is listed here on the site...my car is ALL TORE APART right now for winter work and changes...i should have some photos in the spring.
-Jake
if its not me, i hope you find your photo.

Yea, just curious as to what you did and how it looks.

I've been thinking of making something for aerodyanmics for a little while now but never tried anything, I don't really care how it looks (well it has to be sturdy and look professional but I'm referring more so as vents, shapes, that sort of stuff) as long as it works. :)

Cool Thread Jeff, how did I miss it?

A few questions for Jeff, new style blowby hose, inline vacuum filter what are those, do you have pictures.

For the others, what is a citric acid cooling system flush? I havent ever heard of it? Maybe does it etch the block or something? I use Mercedesbenz coolant only changed every 2 years.

Some of you guys have some cool mods I didnt even know about, so I emailed you so I could get some details and pictures.

FOR ME
1983 300CD
-Premier Metalic Tint w/ tint band

-Euro lights, wired the fog lights to the tail lights and switched the fuses in the fuse box so I can tun on my fog lights only for the fog or in the snow. It is pointless to have headlights and foglights on, it blinds you.

-MP3 Deck with an extra hazard switch in the place of the fader so I can turn it on, I think it's cool.

-C36 AMG first aid kit with nylon bag (fits perfectly)

-560 SEL brakes with zimmermann perforated and OE pads painted black with G2 paint, and I painted the hats black too.

-My friend (EH) and I are working on Oil cooler lines with AN fittings. His is done, I have pictures somewhere, but I cant find them. I will look again for you guys. It's a great mod, you dont have to worry about them leaking out all your oil like the benz fittings.

Seperate catagory for rims
-16 Inch Lorinser
-E430 15 inch wheels (TSW) winter wheels
-AMG AERO I 17x8 ET 28 wheels
-BBS RC 17x8 ET 35 wheels (a few spacers)

And, you think Michelin X-one on a diesel is good, I run michelin Pilot Sport A/S tires on my diesel. :D

Future Upgrades to the diesel (more immediate)
-oil cooler lines with AN fittings and SS lines (would any of you w123 guys be interested in a kit, email me)
-SS brake lines
-OE block heater (I cant get the plug out)
-560 SEL alternator
-Newer car LED light bar in the trunk
-Gauge pod (custom fiberglass) with boost and pyrometer gauges
-Intercooler in spring (my brother will make it for me, he makes turbo kits and stuff)

Future upgrades (long term) when I do the V8
-see my other thread, 500 SEC motor when my diesel is being rebuilt
-recaro interior from a 560SEC AMG (already have)
(looking for 300CD, 280CE black interior pannels though_
-BBS LM 19x9 in front, 19x10 in back
-AMG front spoiler w/ euro bumpers front and rear, AMG side skirts, monochromatic window trim, repaint my car signal red.
-Polyurethane suspension bushings
-custom sway bars
-Porsche 996 turbo brembo / movit brakes

I think thats all for my w123c.

Edit: vacuum line part number bosch part number 71936
late model 617 breather hose upgrade 617 018 01 82

Boostnbenz
the front air dam is from a 98 dodge dakota...but nobody can tell -not even dakota owners...i wanted to keep my chrome euro bumber and have the part flexable for drains and such (ie non fiberglass) - it has been bottomed out many times as it is about 3inches off the ground. the rest (rear,sides) is hand carved and one off copied like i said...heres is a link for a little more info:
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/mercedes-benz-performance-paddock/79270-carbon-fiber-diy.html?highlight=diy+carbon+fiber
Omegabenz
how about a little more photo/info for the break upgrade i want to do that too! as far as mobletronics i have all of my amps set up to switch on/off as i want..i like that too...where do you plan on putting the gauge pod-here is a link to one of my ideas:
http://www.mbnz.org/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=716770&posts=3&fid=10
ive been trained in autocad/pro e/alias/rino/and solidthinking...i will try to post a photo of what i really want it too look like in a computer render...if you like it i can make you a copy when i get it cncd and then ill vac form it with atleast .08"
-Polyurethane suspension bushings
-custom sway bars
how do you plan to pull these off...you have part numbers or having them turned and bent total custom-i heard that the rear wagon bar is 77% stiffer
-Jake

On the SD - Depot Euro lights and an intake/exhaust manifold from a 1979 model.

Boost,
Here's a picture of my w116. It was taken December 23rd I believe. They are really neat cars to work on.
David

Tim's_Benz will post is so he can resize it for me.

Here is a picture of David and his car.
Tim

Virginiadude, what speakers are you putting in the rear deck? I had a thread in Audio but no responses about putting 6x9's back there. What are you doing in the front? Keeping with original speakers or just same size speakers?
Thanks
David

Now that I look at that picture I see it doesn't show the car much, I'll try to get another one up of more of the car. Sorry.

BF_JC230,

Ive talked with you before. You have lowering springs, and the side markers I asked about.

I really want to do sidemarkers from a newer M3 because they are skinny, and they look so shark like.

For the sway bars, I plan on making them. I dont think the 300TD bar is 77% stiffer, 2mm to the 3rd power isnt that much stronger.

I know some autocad and solidedge, but I dont really use them often. I just make stuff.

What do you want to know about the brakes? To do it right its about 700 dollars for the front brakes. Rebuilt the calipers, zimmermann rotors, paint, new hoses, new sensor cables, new 560 sensor cable holders, etc.

I plan to do the rear brakes in the summer, zimmermann makes rotors for the back too. I am going to run porterfield pads though instead of OE pads.

"I have thought of a A pillar pod, but i dont want it to be too eclipse or cavalier ish."

Better watch that. ;) Ok ok, among the DSMers (eclipse, talon, laser) I've seen some I thought should be shot for their "creative" ideas but a pillar pod is pretty normal isn't it? My favorite idea is to stick it in a center vent, I don't care for them on the dash like that, IMHO that is the cheapest style you can get. Just looks like somebody double faced a block on top of it.... I believe austin was working on a brushed aluminum mount in the ash tray opening.

I would have never guessed that front spoiler was from a dakota, it fits very nicely, great job. I'm looking to have something a little bit higher and more "bulletproof" so if I peen a animal it won't get damaged.

Nice car Dave, have any of the full car? I like that blue, makes me miss my blue 84 ah well this one should last longer anyway. :)

I found the pictures of the AN fittings on the Mercedes-Benz 617 oil cooler with stainless steel lines. I don't have a scanner, but I will see what I can do tomorrow.

Thanks,

How much more would it cost to have those lines rather than the stock MB rubber ones? Just reuse the steel lines and put on the new braided hoses or what?

1000th Post. :)

Hello
Boostnbenz
as far as front wheel drive cars and such i have a 1990 corrado that we put a stage two vr6 in and are in the proccess of running a t3 or t04...also built a turbo cavalier last summer with my dad and some friends (thats the we)
http://www.turbocavalier.50megs.com
- i was making the comment that their longer more forward windshield can support a "A" pillar pod, ours are pretty vertical and that gauges "stuck" onto it might look goofy - so my solution is to make the dash pod ala mustang/beetle because i already have gauges in the ashtray... also had/have other FWDs/RWDs and AWDs-and friends with all sorts of things...As far as the dakota bumber it is solid and uses the OEM mounts-i've hit things with it(non intentional), it was bent to fit with a heatgun and jigged - you know "custom"
Omegabenz
do you need info on my sidemarkers?-they are VW and frenched in to the fender. i would like photos of the brake conversion i believe between you and the forum i gathered all the info to do it...i want to see it. as far as the sway bar-thats what i read i do not have facts...
as far as the computer-i had to learn it for school and work and getting back CNCd parts is awesome...but like you (and most all here) i like making stuff - its just another proccess and with the vacformer and blue silicon molds reproduction is a snap. - Jake

Boostnbenz,

I will figure out how much it costs.

BF_JC230,

I want to use BMW side markers on the coupe because I think they will look good. The VW ones look good on your car. Mine is a little shorter, so I think I need a different signal.

560SEL brakes, you need a set of calipers, new rotors, new pads, new brake hoses (to be safe), and the dust sheild. Anything else you do isnt required, but you can put on the 560SEL brake sensor wires, and the plastic clips to hold the wire which goes underneith the metal brake line to rubber brake line on the inner wheel house. I can get you part numbers.

I like to make stuff its just hard to make time.

Omegabenz
time-isnt that the truth...where is it?
i can dig the BMW sidemarkers on a coupe...that makes sense from a proportion point of view. i live by a company called classic tube. i am going to see what they can do for all stainless tubes...when i know ill let you all know...maybe we can do a "groupbuy" on brake lines or other as i want to replace the fuel lines too
http://www.classictube.com
-Jake

Jeff,
I was at a friends house yesterday that is building a race car Chevelle. He went with Russel hoses (see attached site). They sell the hardware and you make the hoses up. I thought it was pretty neat and it is straight forward.

stainless braided hoses

Yeah those are what my friend was using except you have to do a little custom welding since mercedes are metric.