With a 3.07 limited-slip in our C36 powered wagon (engine & tranny), I've noticed that at WOT it holds gears to redline.

How can I adjust the powertrain to shift sooner (say 5500 RPM) so it's in the powerband sooner and hopefully for quicker acceleration (1/4-mile) runs?

Thanks in advance,
:-) neil
1988 360TE AMG
1993 500E

Neil,
Some interesting reading re: getting quarter mile times down.
First, a primer on torque and horsepower:
http://www.g-speed.com/pbh/torque-and-hp.html

And then how to determine what RPM is optimal for shifting and getting max acceleration:
http://www.allpar.com/eek/hp-vs-torque.html

__________________
Glen Tokuhara
Beauty & the Beast and the wagon that could!

Id want the C36 to be in the area of 5000-6200 rpm because that last 1000 rpm has such a great pull.

I think maybe a different torque converter with a higher stall speed, and a true locking torque converter would help. I believe that most all mercedes torque converters dont fully lock.

__________________
Current Stable:
1994 S500 v140, 210k miles, white with grey.

Former Mercedes in the Stable:
1983 300CD Turbo diesel 515k mi sold (rumor has it, that it has 750k miles on it now)
1984 300CD Turbo Diesel 150 k mi sold
1982 300D Turbo Diesel 225 sold
1987 300D Turbo Diesel 255k mi sold
1988 300 CE AMG Hammer 15k mi sold
1986 "300E" Amg Hammer 88k mi sold (it was really a 200, not even an E (124.020)
1992 500E 156k mi sold
etc.

Thanks Glen. I've already read the info at allpar.com

On the particular track I'm doing the acceleration runs, even with drag-radials, I'm getting little-to-no traction during the 1-2nd gear shift when letting the tranny shift at redline.

As such, I need to have the automatic tranny shift a little earlier.

quote:
The discussion above assumes negligible tire
slip. If you exceed the maximum traction available from the tires, then additional power doesn't help. That's why it's sometimes
no loss at all to shift early when the tires break loose, and in fact it can be a benefit.

A car accelerates hardest with gearing selected to stay as close as possible to the engine *power* peak, subject to the traction capability of the tires.
end quote:

Also, I'm wondering if I'm exceeding the gearing for 3rd due to the higher rear-end diff (3.07).

quote:
But, you ask, isn't your acceleration greatest at the torque peak? Yes, it is! But only within that gear. The next gear down will give
you even greater acceleration at the same speed, unless the vehicle speed is too high for that gear.
end quote

:-) neil
1988 360TE AMG
1993 500E

Austin- where can I get such a torque converter for the C36 tranny?

:-) neil

I'm sure you've tried even lower rear tire pressures...what about adding a little ballast in the back? Seems like a little extra weight would be easier to gain traction.

__________________
Glen Tokuhara
Beauty & the Beast and the wagon that could!

Neil,

Ohh, I dont know. Seems like a tough question, I was just proposing the idea. Did you find that 190E limited slip yet?

__________________
Current Stable:
1994 S500 v140, 210k miles, white with grey.

Former Mercedes in the Stable:
1983 300CD Turbo diesel 515k mi sold (rumor has it, that it has 750k miles on it now)
1984 300CD Turbo Diesel 150 k mi sold
1982 300D Turbo Diesel 225 sold
1987 300D Turbo Diesel 255k mi sold
1988 300 CE AMG Hammer 15k mi sold
1986 "300E" Amg Hammer 88k mi sold (it was really a 200, not even an E (124.020)
1992 500E 156k mi sold
etc.

I did find the 3.27 LSD, but the clutches seem worn. I don't know if the diff needs to be "loaded" to feel the clutches or not (it's currently dry and in a box).

You can install new clutches. Still interested?

:-) neil

Yes, You told me that I would need to put in new clutches. I am fine with that. You can send me an email or call me about payment.

__________________
Current Stable:
1994 S500 v140, 210k miles, white with grey.

Former Mercedes in the Stable:
1983 300CD Turbo diesel 515k mi sold (rumor has it, that it has 750k miles on it now)
1984 300CD Turbo Diesel 150 k mi sold
1982 300D Turbo Diesel 225 sold
1987 300D Turbo Diesel 255k mi sold
1988 300 CE AMG Hammer 15k mi sold
1986 "300E" Amg Hammer 88k mi sold (it was really a 200, not even an E (124.020)
1992 500E 156k mi sold
etc.