any experts out there on 107 280sl? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

t walgamuth · #1 10-20-2007, 07:15 PM

do they have lsd? how much do they weigh?

I might be interested in a scruffy one to autocross and put my euro 280 motor in.

Tom W

hanno · #2 10-20-2007, 09:29 PM

Doubt LSD was standard, but could have been an option. Factory tech data book (April 1985 issue) lists chassis type 107.042 (R107 280SL) as 1500 kg curb weight ready for driving. Add for optional equipment and hardtop. I've seen beaters of this model on e-bay. if you're going to modify and strip it down anyway, a 380 or 450SL beater may be easier to find, but could have a different rear axle ratio. My 280SL has a 3.58 rear. Good luck in your search!

t walgamuth · #3 10-21-2007, 08:32 AM

thanks, Hanno.

Tom W

kutza · #4 10-21-2007, 09:47 AM

My car came equiped with an LSD. The following is the code you may look for on your car, or a part car that you would get the LSD from.
256- Rear axle with limited-slip differential

t walgamuth · #5 10-21-2007, 10:58 AM

Thanks Kutza, is that on the plate under the hood where I would look?

Tom W

freshairfiend · #6 10-24-2007, 02:09 PM

The owner's manual for a 1985 280SL lists the vehicle weight as 1540kg/3395lb, but shows gross vehicle weight as 1920kg/4230lb. I guess the gross figure includes a bunch of options and full liquid levels. Can anyone advise me as to the relative merits of replacement catalytic converters? I have a quote of around $65.00 for a universal unit and $450.00 for one designed for a 280SL. Both are cut and weld units. A European Mercedes unit (which they won't supply to North America) is $2,800.00 so I won't be going there! Unfortunately a lot of parts suppliers are familiar with the Pagoda 280's and don't bother to differentiate between them and the Euro 107's. I don't know just how important things like back pressure are but the car currently runs like a dream and I don't want to screw that up. Any advice or information would be welcomed.

t walgamuth · #7 10-24-2007, 06:29 PM

my 280e doesn't seem to have a cat and it runs just fine. No emission tests here in Indiana though.

It does have three muffler like things.

Tom W

nobby · #8 10-24-2007, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by freshairfiend

but shows gross vehicle weight as 1920kg/4230lb. I guess the gross figure includes a bunch of options and full liquid levels.

GVW includes passengers and cargo.

Based on it's age, and the fact that the 280SL was not designed with a Cat, and I live in Ontario (my car is exempt from emissions testing)I removed the undersized one that was installed in the US during it's federalization. The car runs great.

freshairfiend · #9 10-25-2007, 01:20 PM

Thanks for the quick replies. I originally bought the car out of Nevada and it had a cat that started rattling - just one of many little things that needed fixing. I was told it was shot but that it really didn't need one anyway and to just get rid of it, which I did. The car ran well both before and after, however I started noticing a rich fuel/exhaust smell when the car was idling or driving slowly in traffic. I checked the mixture and vaccuum system and then had it rechecked with no improvement and was then advised by a local "Mercedes man" that the valve guides might be worn and I should have a top end rebuild. The smoke from the exhaust really doesn't bear out the need for this. A second expert opinion was that I had a leaky injector so as this was considerably less expensive than the first option I had new ones fitted. Looking at the originals, this was needed anyway. The smell somehow doesn't seem so obvious, but it's still there. Then yet another expert - an amateur this time - suggested that refitting a cat might help. The 107 with the 280 engine was produced from 1975 -1985, a total of 11 years, and it is more than likely the earlier ones were not fitted with a cat, but I would have thought that by 1985 a cat would be a definite part of the exhaust. Does anyone know for sure?Mercedes does make one even if they won't sell it over here. The other aspect is that if I can lessen the polluting habits of the car by spending just a few bucks, perhaps I'd be irresponsible not to do so, though I must admit, it's this damned smell that I'd really like to eliminate. I'll be putting it into storage for the winter in a few days anyway so will have a few months to work on it, but if one of the minds out there that are a lot more knowledgeable than mine had an idea, I'd like to hear it.

450slcya · #10 10-25-2007, 01:32 PM

The installation of a catalytic converter will not resolve an over rich fuel condition. In fact a rich fuel condition will shorten the lifespan of the converter. I'd suggest getting a proper exhaust gas analysis to confirm the A/F mixture. Without that you're shooting in the dark.

freshairfiend · #11 10-25-2007, 01:40 PM

Thanks 450slcya, I'll do that. What kind of shop is set up for that sort of thing? If possible I'd like to stay away from the local MB dealer - bad past experience. Although the car does sometimes have the rich fuel smell, I'm actually getting better gas mileage than I expected from a car this heavy.

450slcya · #12 10-25-2007, 01:45 PM

Any well equipped shop should have a 'sniffer'. If you have smog inspection shops in your locale that's a sure bet.

freshairfiend · #13 10-25-2007, 05:08 PM

Thanks, I'll give it a try

nobby · #14 10-25-2007, 11:20 PM

As per the manual....it does not show a Cat installed. My 280 SL runs great and is in good tune. The strong exhaust smell is present with mine as well...something the Cat seemed to have taken care of before removal.
It smells like my big block Nova SS used to smell at idle.