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  #1  
Old 12-29-2012, 07:00 PM
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Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Matlock Bath, Derbyshire, UK
Posts: 91
Question W123 280E track car, what diff ratio?

Hi all,

I'm fitting a LSD to my 1982 w123 280E, in the next few weeks.
I'm now considering wether or not to change the axle ratio while I'm at it.

It is currently running the standard 3.58:1 ratio axle.

It seems to be a good choice for top speed and acceleration, but I was wondering if another ratio would be better for track use, and very occasional road use.

So, I thought I'd ask what your opinions are on this.

Cheers Frank.

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  #2  
Old 12-30-2012, 08:57 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 7,534
There are way too many varibles and so little info posted.

Run then car then see if you are at red line in top gear before the end of the fastest straight away. If so, you need a smaller number ratio, but, if doing so makes you wish for a slightly larger number ratio in the corners you might need to keep the original ratio.

Changing tire diameter has a effect on ratio too.
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  #3  
Old 01-01-2013, 12:27 AM
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Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 36
What Brand and model is the LSD, ir Where dos u got it?Specs?

Thanks Adolfo


Quote:
Originally Posted by fha772 View Post
Hi all,

I'm fitting a LSD to my 1982 w123 280E, in the next few weeks.
I'm now considering wether or not to change the axle ratio while I'm at it.

It is currently running the standard 3.58:1 ratio axle.

It seems to be a good choice for top speed and acceleration, but I was wondering if another ratio would be better for track use, and very occasional road use.

So, I thought I'd ask what your opinions are on this.

Cheers Frank.
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  #4  
Old 01-01-2013, 05:28 AM
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Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Matlock Bath, Derbyshire, UK
Posts: 91
I'm having a custom made LSD from Gripper (gripper).

They have all the specs for the W123 280E, as they built a LSD for Owain Lloyd, for his 280CE London to Cape Town rally car.



The only major problem they had during the entire rally was broken steering, which they still managed to fix, and complete the rally.

The LSD is my only big expense on this car(about £1200), everything else I'm doing for pennies, but seeing as I can't find a LSD that's a straight swap I've decided that this is going to be my 1 extravagance on this build.
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  #5  
Old 01-18-2013, 09:00 AM
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Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: south africa
Posts: 250
I personally think the 3.58 ratio is more suited for track use than daily driverish. These cars rev too high on the freeway. But the gearing is perfect for acceleration. Do you have the automatically locking diff? Do all 280e euros come with the locking diff? If that's the case then I don't see any point in changing your diff to an lsd.
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  #6  
Old 01-18-2013, 09:12 AM
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Location: Matlock Bath, Derbyshire, UK
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I think the 3.58:1 ratio is fine, but it's an open diff.
But I think I've found a rare W123 LSD to fit in it, I've just got to wait for the snow to clear to see if he has the LSD in his shed.
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  #7  
Old 01-21-2013, 08:17 PM
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Join Date: May 2011
Location: NY, NY
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ah you found it! i wouldn't say that was the 'only major problem' at all. however the diff is an excellent bit of kit. the ratio is 3.92. from a 200d taxi - got it on german ebay for peanuts.
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  #8  
Old 01-22-2013, 01:37 PM
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What is your top speed with that diff ratio?
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  #9  
Old 01-22-2013, 02:12 PM
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Location: NY, NY
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Fast enough with gravel rally tyres on!

I've had it over 130mph and not been near the limit, but that was with overdrive 5th. With a direct 5th which it has now, it would be lower. Not really a problem with a rally car though as torque is far more important.

With gravel tyres on 15" wheels I probably have much larger rolling radius than you though.
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  #10  
Old 01-22-2013, 02:51 PM
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Location: Matlock Bath, Derbyshire, UK
Posts: 91
What size are the gravel tyres?

I'm using 17" AMG alloys with 225/45r17 tyres.
I'm happy with anything over 120mph top speed.

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