I think the 3.27 would be better, assuming traction is a non-issue - i.e. fat slicks, traction compound, etc. The speeds in each gear shouldn't be an issue unless you're ending up with a shift *just* before the end of the 1/4 mile - in that case, slightly taller gearing might squeak out a tiny advantage if it would get you past the lights with one less shift. Just my bench-racing $0.02...

__________________
Dave
Boise, ID
Check out my website photos, documents, and movies!

gsxr, you are 100% correct on your assessment. I guess your experience must be with a bike and not with all those diesel cars . S.

I did run a 3.27 diff on the C36 powered wagon at the 1/8 mile on slicks at 65-F between 7:30-9pm in Jacksonville, FL, and the times were disappointing between 9.7-9.89 seconds.

My 3.07 diff gave me a best of 9.552-secs. @ 73.51-mph

I think the speed range with the 3.27 is too "short", hence the many shifts.

I'll have to try again, perhaps with a 2.87 diff as well . . .

:-) neil

On the 1/8 mile, the 3.27 and 2.87 give me roughly the same times (9.7's).

Looks like 3.07 is the "hot ticket".

:-) neil


MB DOC: you have mail re: LSD.

What's the cheapest way to convert my 2.87 differential (1997 E420 with ASR [i.e. not a slip diff]) into a 3.07 differential?
Can someone provide guidance?

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2008 S550
2010 GLK350
1997 E420 (retired)
2005 CLK500 (retired)

why doesn't quaife make their world famous ATB differential for mercedes. THey do for every other car

Stupid question: Will the 3.07 LSD from a 190E-16 swap into an early W124 subframe? If not, will the internal carrier & gears swap in to the 124 diff housing? I'd kind of like to get a 3.07 rear with LSD. I'd probably go for the 3.27 if I could stuff a 5-speed automatic in there too, with it's 0.75 overdrive 5th gear ratio!

Yes, they swap, IF you change out the rear-diff covers, and change out the ABS sensor.

:-) neil

Sweeeeeeet. Now I just need to locate a good 16V diff. Thanks for the tip, Neil.

Now... does anyone know if the 5-speed automatic tranny can fit in the 124 chassis? That would be the ultimate setup, IMO!

I think the CE's had the five speed in europe.

I plan to (in much time) put like a 3.6X or 4.XX diff. on the CE and a manual trans and figger out how to make AWD, probably use a totalled 4Matic? Probably dreaming, but It'll take a bunch of years anyway.

Yes, the 5-speed automatic from a R129 300SL (electro-hydraullic NOT the all electronic 5-speed) tranny fits into the W124.

You'll need to make a custom drive shaft as well.

:-) neil
1988 E36T AMG
1993 500E

Yes, W124's were offered with the 5 speed tranny in Europe and Australia, maybe other countries as well. Pics have been posted on this forum of the 5 speed tranny, too, in a W124.

__________________
Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

Paul - damn, you're right! I just looked up a few models in the Euro EPC, and sure 'nuff, there are some late ones with the 722.5xx 5-speed auto! That means we can get the proper gearshift & all that jazz... hmmm.... I wonder how the valve body would deal with my turbodiesel, though... (??)

Neil, thanks for the tip on the 300SL 5-sp trans... next question, do you know of anyone who's actually done this, and if they liked the results? If it's a bolt-in (other than custom driveshaft), it seems like a REALLY sweet upgrade for the 124!

Oh yeah - here's a PDF with the gear ratios on the 722.3xx, .4xx, and .5xx:

http://www.w124performance.com/docs/mb/other/Tranny_ratios.pdf

Basically, the 5sp is the same as the late 4sp, plus a 0.75 overdrive. The early 4sp had different ratios (which I don't like - 1st is taller, and the gap between 2 and 3 is too large... the late trannies improved on that a little.)

Dave: I don't know anyone who has done the 5-speed automatic tranny drop in. Since the 5-th gear is electro-hydraulic at least on the 300SL, you need not only the tranny & driveshaft, but also the tranny brain and wiring.

Can you tell I've been thinking about it? But most likely only if my tranny gives away, or I can get it CHEAP!

Yes, I've done the 3.07 LSD from a 190E 16-valve Euro into the C36-powered wagon.

Unfortuntely, I sheared off one of the gear teeth on the 3.07 ring-gear due to the torque of the C36 AMG M104 engine.

The smaller diff of the W201's is for 200HP and below engines.

The middle sized diff (R129 diff case) is for over 200HP.

There's even a bigger diff for over 350HP.

:-) neil
1988 E36T AMG
1993 500E