Pagoda Turbodiesel - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

tomnik · #1 05-13-2013, 12:15 PM

Hi,

this weekend I talked to a guy with 280 SL W113 with 603a engine conversion.
The conversion was done in the US and he said there were about 10 cars made.
The W113 is '72 and engine and tranny about '89-91.
Has anybody more information which company did this?
Maybe it is just an individual build, but with the story of a company doing this conversion he was able to get the "historical status" here in Germany for the car.

Tom

ScooterABC · #2 05-13-2013, 08:16 PM

Was it Walter?

cooljjay · #3 05-13-2013, 09:24 PM

That sounds very nice and interesting....ask him if he can put it on a boat and head it down here

tomnik · #4 05-14-2013, 12:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cooljjay

That sounds very nice and interesting....ask him if he can put it on a boat and head it down here

indeed it sounds nice, whether you want the sound in a Pagoda.....
The owner is so impressed that he wants to buy the other 9 or so converted cars too.

The story was about emission to get some benefit from the government.

cooljjay · #5 05-14-2013, 01:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomnik

indeed it sounds nice, whether you want the sound in a Pagoda.....

That's very true....but you should get very good MPG with it....

ScooterABC · #6 05-14-2013, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cooljjay

That's very true....but you should get very good MPG with it....

And unfortunately destroy the value of the car... Do this to a W108 sedan instead....

DeliveryValve · #7 05-14-2013, 12:49 PM

I would be very sad to see that conversion happen. That is one car I consider doing extreme modifications a sacrilege.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScooterABC

And unfortunately destroy the value of the car... .

Well I guess the good thing is I can get a cheaper Pagoda!

.

Squiggle Dog · #8 05-14-2013, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScooterABC

And unfortunately destroy the value of the car... Do this to a W108 sedan instead....

Awesome, that means I can get a turbodiesel Pagoda for less money than a stock one.

ScooterABC · #9 05-14-2013, 11:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Squiggle Dog

Awesome, that means I can get a turbodiesel Pagoda for less money than a stock one.

I'm not sure it really counts as a Pagoda at that point... Would you do that with your Universal? I guess that wouldn't be quite as odd, easier to put back the way it was at least...

tomnik · #10 05-15-2013, 12:42 AM

The thing is that most probably a company did this conversion in the US on about 10 cars.
Could emission be the reason for that (about 20 years ago)?

Tom

ScooterABC · #11 05-15-2013, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomnik

The thing is that most probably a company did this conversion in the US on about 10 cars.
Could emission be the reason for that (about 20 years ago)?

Tom

I don't think emissions would be a reason that anyone would do this. Honestly, I can't think of why someone would do this other than because of the personal appeal that some might have for the project.

I think we would all like to know more about "The Company" and what, if anything else, they did. If it were from "Binz" or "Universal" it would be highly interesting, but it might be something more like a garage that modified a few cars and went out of business. Anyone know more abut "The Company"?

I'm reminded of the "Lovecraft" WVO conversions and how popular the were until things turned to **** and they went bankrupt and peoples' cars died.

Squiggle Dog · #12 05-19-2013, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScooterABC

I'm not sure it really counts as a Pagoda at that point... Would you do that with your Universal? I guess that wouldn't be quite as odd, easier to put back the way it was at least...

Haha, I already did. I got rid of the 6 cylinder gas engine and it has a turbodiesel engine in it now.

TheDon · #13 05-19-2013, 03:21 PM

Seeing as the pagoda's are now heading into the 6 figure realm, I highly doubt anymore will be ruined.

ScooterABC · #14 05-20-2013, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Squiggle Dog

Haha, I already did. I got rid of the 6 cylinder gas engine and it has a turbodiesel engine in it now.

From a purist perspective, it would be desirable to keep the original transmission an engine in case the next buyer wants to put it back to original....

mach4 · #15 05-20-2013, 06:12 PM

This one popped up on eBay awhile back. I don't think it ever sold. In any event, you missed your once-in-a-lifetime-opportunity to own a "factory blueprint Tribo-coated Turbo 5 diesel engine powered 280SL personally assembled by Wolfgang Fengler of the storied Diesel Research Labs". What a shame...

I captured not only the pictures, but also the description - which is absolutely classic

Quote:

This 1968 280SL is literally a one of a kind, known as the "Green Car" she has been modified with a factory blueprint Turbo 5 diesel engine built and installed by Wolfgang Fengler of the storied Diesel Research Labs. All moving parts have been treated with ion implanted friction reduction coatings developed by Tribo Coatings of southern california. Their patented techniques are employed to reduce friction, improve wear resistance, increase toughness, reduce corrosion and improve the appearance of the engine components.

This project has been ongoing for the past 3 years and has resulted in a fast, smooth and quiet jewel of a car ready for many years of fast,efficient performance. Wolfgang has spent hundreds of hours going over every inch of this vehicle and restoring her to excellent condition.
The intention behind this modification was to demonstrate the performance and efficiency of the Tribo-coated Turbo 5 diesel engine and allow the vehicle to run on bio-fuels/biodiesel.
The engine has been balanced to zero tolerance.
Gap sealed piston rings are used to reduce the blow-by by 60% and increase horsepower by 10hp
Airflow throught the ports has been improved.
The injection pump has been modified and re-calibrated
The turbo charger has been coated as well to increase efficiency and decrease friction when it is spinning at over 150,000rpm
These improvements combine to increase horsepower, fuel economy and performance by 25-30% because of the reduction of friction.
The Turbo 5 Engine has coated bearings and a crankshaft that has been balanced to zero tolerance. The steel forged crankshaft has been heat-treated, normalized and stress relieved. This single part cost over $2000. The pistons are oil cooled and balanced to factory blueprint specifications which means the reciprocating motion, the rotating motion and the main weight are all exactly the same which in turn removes stress from the engine and allows it to run very smoothly and quietly. A racing quality gap seal ring is used in the piston head which causes the pressure on the compression ring to be equalized reducing the pressure differential to 0 which in turn reduces blow-by and increases power.
The Turbo 5 Engine also has a copper coil heat exchanger which is used to pre-heat the fuel before it goes to the injection pump. This helps lower the viscosity of biodiesel which will allow it to burn cleaner, combust better, increase power and efficiency and reduce emissions.
The gas tank has been replaced with a new unit. The brakes have been replaced with new parts. The drive shaft has been re-balanced and had new U joints installed. The exhaust system has been treated with a de-rusting agent and coated with anti-rust sealer. The interior is immaculate and well maintained.
Wolfgang has been slowly breaking in the engine with low speed, long distance driving and once safisfied she is ready the oil will be drained and replaced with Total Quartz Energy 9000 synthetic 5W40.
To hear the quiet, smooth purr of this low-friction balanced Turbo 5 engine is like nothing you've ever experienced, except of course driving this powerful, quick and efficient gem of a car. She is truly one of a kind.