I did it, 2.82 diff swap in my E420!!! - Page 6 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

ke6dcj · #76 12-10-2003, 05:17 PM

Subman- can you do this swap WITHOUT dropping the exhaust and on jackstands (I have scissor tranny/diff jack as well)?

:-) neil

Subman · #77 12-14-2003, 02:24 AM

I have not been on the board in a long time but you can take the whole thing out with out droping the exhaust. It realy is a easy job.
If anyone has any questions for me please feel free to email me as I do not frequent the boards any more.

Please look at my site as I have answered the most common questions on it.

Thank you,
Always ready to help

90free400e · #78 12-14-2003, 02:39 PM

what did u guys pay for your 2.82 differential? 5.82 0-60 sounds damn good to me. How long does the installation take? You guys got any websites or tips on how to find used differentials? Thanks.

Subman · #79 12-15-2003, 10:14 PM

I got mine from patomic german (junkyard), $600 call and ask for pat.
Took me 2 hrs start to finish, however it may take you up to 5 if you are doing it for the first time on the ground.

Dcraig · #80 12-15-2003, 10:29 PM

I agree with Subman. It's a great thrill.

I think it should be noted that the 5.82 sec. 0-60 time is pretty generous. That would mean that the diff swap made almost a 1.3 second 0-60 drop off the stock 7.1 (R&T mag., I think) time. That kind of time would make it faster than the mighty E500.

Carl told me to expect .5 to .75 second faster than stock. He was able to get a best time of 6.4 seconds for my car. That's .7 seconds faster than stock.

No offense Tom.

Craig

Subman · #81 12-15-2003, 10:52 PM

I agree 5.8 is a quite fast, I could hardly believe it myself. This was a perfect run and on a very cold nite, 45 deg if I rember correct. It was also done with a Gtech so who knows how accurate it is. I do think that it can run consistant 6.1-6.3.
No offense taken.
I know where you are comming from.
Tom

Dcraig · #82 12-15-2003, 10:58 PM

Just one word of caution......be careful not to gas it off the line on wet roads. I gave it a little to much, easily broke the 17's loose and it almost got away from me

No ASR

Craig

ke6dcj · #83 12-16-2003, 08:14 AM

I will have a 2.82 with ASR available after the Holidays. Just swap some components and away you go. Will work also for those with the M104 HFM engine in the W124 (e.g., E320, E320 wagon, E320 coupe, etc.).

$400.

:-) neil
1988 360TE AMG
1993 500E

90free400e · #84 12-16-2003, 01:50 PM

sounds great. Ill email you. This is the switch you did on your wagon neil correct? Im assuming it will also work on a 400e. How long did the installation take, and what performance gains did you see? Thanks.

90free400e · #85 12-16-2003, 01:50 PM

forgot that i don't have asr

do you have any non-asr differentials?

ke6dcj · #86 12-16-2003, 02:47 PM

The 400E and 500E are unique, in that they use a 129-based diff with a bigger driveshaft flange, and bigger half-axle flange.

For the M103-powered cars I have the following:

3.27
2.87
3.07 limited slip

OmegaBenz already has dibs on the 3.27 limited-slip.

:-) neil

90free400e · #87 12-16-2003, 03:49 PM

so do u have a non-asr diff for the 400e or no? What performance gains did u see form the swap. Thanks

bobjohnston · #88 12-16-2003, 06:43 PM

Non- ASR 2.65's and 2.82's are available for the 400e/E420. The 2.65 is available in the 90-93 SL500 and 2.82 in the 92-94(I think) S420/400SE cars, all without ASR. I swapped in a 2.65 out of a 91 500SL in an evening. If you get a used one from a yard, ask that they leave the axle stubs in place rather than pulling the back cover and pulling the clips. If they do the latter, you have to check the clearance with a dial indicator and possibly swap spacing rings.

Oh yeah, and you'll need an electronic box to put in behind the instrument cluster to get the odo/ speedo to be right. I bought the ERA model for about $150.

I lost about 2 miles per gallon, and now the car drives like it should.

90free400e · #89 12-16-2003, 07:21 PM

does it acclerate much better? Im going with a 2.82 i think, but ive never installed anything like this. Im sure i can do it though as long as it pretty much bolts right up fairly easy with little modification. Do you guys have any sources to find them? Ive been having some trouble locating them. Any links/phone numbers? thanks

bobjohnston · #90 12-17-2003, 12:45 AM

try www.car-parts.com as a potential source, potomac or silver star recycling are other options. I had the help of a friend, as the diff is pretty heavy, and it works better to have it on a jack, and a second set of hands to tilt it up into place. You will need a rather large star type driving socket to disconnect the axle shafts from the diff stubs. These are available in a small set from Autozone. I had to drop the retaining strap under the driveshaft slightly (which requires removing the fuel pump cover. The only tricky part of this install is the manuevering of the diff into place if you want to avoid completely removing the driveshaft (as I was able to do.)

I think there is a real acceleration increase, but the car is not a tire smoker with my 225's. The upside is that my RPM is still reasonable at 70 mph on the highway (under 3000) and the gas mileage is still tolerable. I think you could possibly be disappointed with the 2.65 if you're looking for maximum hotrod, but quite happy if you desire to significantly wake up the 420/400 while still maintaining most of it's character. Remember, this car has the first gear start, which the 500e does not.

It would be nice to get a side by side comparo on the original 2.24/ then 2.65 and 2.82 modded cars. I'm in Indiana if anyone with a comparison candidate is close.