Reccomdenations on putting a manual transmission in a 91 300 SL-24?
 

Hey Guys,

Any recommendations on putting a manual transmission in an automatic 91 300SL-24? Will I need a new flywheel, clutch pressure plate, and modify the driveshaft if I'm able to find the original manual gearbox that came on these models?

And what do you guys think about putting any other gearboxes in this car? I'm just looking for something easier to find and install, yet still have good performance.

Thanks for your help,
--l

Is anything wrong with your transmission?
If not -it is not worth the project. You will never will be able to stabilize and enjoy the driving.
Find the right one with manual.

I've always loved driving manuals and I'm rebuilding this car with my friend who's a mechanic.

When you say I won't be able to stabilize the car, what specifically do you mean? Will it be tough to keep the car from jerking as I change gears?

Is that the m104 or m103? I cant recall the cutoff year...

If its the m103, people have swapped manuals to them before. Theres a lot of info available on the subject I'm sure. I dont see how a 24vlv version would be much different from a 12vlv version...

It's a 3.0L M104 engine, has anyone here done a swap in the R129 before? Anything to watch out for?

Well, really only if you want to drive the car is there much to look out for. If you round up all the original factory parts and install them correctly, there will not be much left to look out for. If you found the transmission, can't you find the rest of the parts at the same place. It has been stated so often on this forum that to be really successful in this kind of swap, you should have the donor vehicle side by side with the car that is receiving the transplant. If you can't have that you better make sure you have everything you need before you start, or know where you can get without having to pay European prices and shipping from Europe.

There was a manual transmission offered from the factory for this car. Spend a little time with the EPC and you should be able to find the necessary parts. For older cars, it would be clutch pedal assembly, master cylinder, drive shaft, transmission, trans support plate, clutch, flywheel.

-CTH

The gearbox you need to use is the dogleg manual from the cosworth 190e, it was this gearbox that is used in the manual version of your car from the factory. (Dont bother with any other gearbox) You will need to use the older type flywheel (not dual mass) from a m103 engined car, and change the front half of the propshaft. I dont know for sure if the gear lever and pedal box are the same as a w124 but you will need those as well. It will make the car feel a lot sportier.

Thanks carat 3.6 amg, that was really helpful. I'll start looking into the 190e transmissions.

The easiest one to find is the 717.411. They are found on the 2.3 8v. Your car being a early m104. It will need a m103 flywheel or a moddied 8v single mass. The 8v has two reference marks the m103 early m104 have 3. No problem for a machine shop. 16v tranny is not the stock one for your car btw. Its the 717.412. 412 is the dual mass short shaft version. The front prop shaft will need to be switched. Its pretty easy actually. Look on 190e revolution. There is a great article about this.