108 gear ratio - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

#1 01-17-2005, 06:27 PM

What are the gear ratios on the 108 4.5s?
Thanks
Tim

Mark DiSilvestro · #2 01-17-2005, 07:06 PM

My book 'Mercedes-Benz Production Models 1946-1975' states -
Automatic tranny 1st gear = 231:1, 2nd gear = 1.46:1, 3rd gear = 1.00:1, Rear axle ratio 3.23:1.

Happy Motoring, Mark

yakerz · #3 01-17-2005, 07:48 PM

my manual says with automatic transmission at rear axle ratio i= 3.92
hope this helps

Arthur Dalton · #4 01-17-2005, 08:17 PM

108 4.5 rear is 3:27.
The book says 3:23 , but we have found that to be a typo in the book.

WANT '71 280SEL · #5 01-19-2005, 10:08 PM

Tim wants to make his car accelerate and wants to maybe put a different rear end in it hoping to make it accelerate faster. He says that he'd be content if the car would only do 100, he just wants more accelerattion.
Thanks
David

Arthur Dalton · #6 01-19-2005, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WANT '71 280SEL

Tim wants to make his car accelerate and wants to maybe put a different rear end in it hoping to make it accelerate faster. He says that he'd be content if the car would only do 100, he just wants more accelerattion.
Thanks
David

I do not see that in his post, but if that is the case , he can simply put in the 6 cyl , 108 rear differential. That is a 3:92.

Tomguy · #7 01-19-2005, 11:53 PM

Eeek! I would HATE to see the gas milage THAT would give! You'd be lucky to get 10MPG I bet!

Arthur Dalton · #8 01-20-2005, 12:01 AM

If the guy wants to pull Hole Shots, he has to pay the price..
Might even want to get a 4:10 out of a 113..

But why anyone would want to is beyond me....One of the cool things about the 108/4.5 over the 6 was they had a cruisin' rear ratio.
The 6 was always screaming....
Many 113 SL owners actually take the 108/3:27 out of the 4.5s and put them in the SL...

wbain5280 · #9 01-20-2005, 12:05 AM

These cars aren't for drag racing. Besides, differential swapping in that rear axle is expensive.

WANT '71 280SEL · #10 01-20-2005, 08:58 PM

If he used a diff from a 6 cyl. wouldn't the diff just bolt in? The axels and everything should be able to stay the same couldn't they?
Thanks
David

P.S.
Do you guys think a rear end from a 6 cylinder would do much for acceleration then?

Mark DiSilvestro · #11 01-20-2005, 09:07 PM

The W108 uses a low-pivot swing axle assembly - not a differential housing with open axleshafts like the later cars. It would probably be easier to swap the whole axle assembly than to just swap the gears.

Happy Motoring, Mark

Arthur Dalton · #12 01-20-2005, 09:44 PM

Enclosed axle shaft, swing axle
Easier to do complete swap...

j9fd3s · #13 01-22-2005, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arthur Dalton

If the guy wants to pull Hole Shots, he has to pay the price..
Might even want to get a 4:10 out of a 113..

But why anyone would want to is beyond me....One of the cool things about the 108/4.5 over the 6 was they had a cruisin' rear ratio.
The 6 was always screaming....
Many 113 SL owners actually take the 108/3:27 out of the 4.5s and put them in the SL...

yeah, actually the 8's spin pretty well too! 3.27 is better than 3.9 but its still shorter than most modern cars

Arthur Dalton · #14 01-22-2005, 04:00 PM

I have a E320 that has 2:65 , and that is just a 6....
..but , they get the pick-up by having first gear start...

billrei · #15 01-24-2005, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WANT '71 280SEL

Tim wants to make his car accelerate and wants to maybe put a different rear end in it hoping to make it accelerate faster. He says that he'd be content if the car would only do 100, he just wants more accelerattion.
Thanks
David

You would be better off getting a 4 speed auto box from a 3.5 V8 108. This box starts in first gear. The box in the 4.5 starts in 2nd gear unless you have the selector in low.