The 5-speed swap on that engine/car combination doesn't appeal to all.
Although I enjoy driving a stick, in a fairly heavy car with a very laggy turbodiesel, I prefer the automatic to smooth out gear shifts and avoid the turbo lag from lifting the pedal, just my opinion on the subject (and Mercedes' opinion, the reason that the 300D turbo and 190D turbo weren't offered with a stick).
There is a significant advantage however to the 5-speed conversion: overdrive. The fuel mileage should get you well into OM602 territory with 603 power.
Remember that I was crazy enough to buy the cars and get very involved in planning my swap, but I got over it. I still very much like the idea of a nice black-sapphire '95 special edition 124 with a turbodiesel in it, but it's so much work that It'd probably need to be a healthy 606 turbo at this point, and it'd make more sense to find a nice '95 E300 Diesel and just do the engine and transmission swap with a 606 turbo. Still have to deal with some electricals, don't know if it had the CANBUS or equivalent, and it'd be worth something when I was finished (and still saleable / registerable in an inspection state).
- Jeff
Quote:
Originally Posted by ashedd
nobody has flat out tried to talk me out of it 
And most of the 603/w124 aficionados have posted 
I think that means others have given it some thought lol. So Jeff and I can't be the only crazy ones.
Question:
Would you sell off the 5 spd 300d and find a good running 300d as a donor?
OR
Just terminate the 5 spd project altogether and use it as the donor?
Keeping in mind that I need a good 2.65 diff to use the automatic, also need a front driveshaft since mine was cut.
My 300d runs/drives but needs a diff swap(lower ratio) to be 100% complete. Interior OK, body semi OK. Randoms small dents from storm damage, jack point rust. VA car. |