i have decided to make a bypass for the trap oxidizer for the 1985 model year california 123 and 126 model 300D and 300SD, i have a picture of the prototype below. it has the egr port, so it can be requested with or without, it will include all gaskets and the blocking plate for the egr valve. would this eliminate the costly method of federalizing the california models? please let me know your opinions or concerns. i will consider making many of theses if the demand is there.

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If this took care of the performance issues related to that trap oxidizer and didn't have any other drawbacks, I'd be happy to get one from you! My mechanic recently mentioned to me that he had customers who had 'bypassed their trap oxidizer,' but he wouldn't do it himself and couldn't refer me to anyone trustworthy who could. Please keep me informed!

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1985 300TD Wagon
Running biodiesel whenever I can get it!

i personally cannot see any drawbacks, it would be the same as a pre 1985 model without the trap.

I'm curious if anyone knows what this device actually filters out and how well it works. Is there any value to keeping it on? Does it reduce NOX emissions? I'm running biodiesel through mine.

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1985 300TD Wagon
Running biodiesel whenever I can get it!

All it does is filter out the particulate matter, aka smoke.
In reality the CA models with the TrapOx/OxCat produce MORE greenhouse emissions, more NoX emissions, and get lower MPG than the federal models.

They sacrifice the important things for a cleaner *looking* exhaust.

I feel there is no value to the device. If you don't frequently get the engine hot through heavy acceleration or high speed driving, the trap can get loaded with soot and will cause a severe drop in performance. When this happens and you get it really hot later, there is a risk of uncontrolled regeneration (when all the soot loaded up in the filter starts to burn at once.)

Uncontrolled regenerations are characterized with high temperature, or a high temperature grandient inside the Trap/Ox under certain engine operating conditions, and the Trap/Ox can easily be damaged if such a regeneration happens. Since the filter is *before* the turbo on the 84-85 CA cars, it can melt the turbine or send parts of the filter (broken chunks) through the turbo.

I am looking at doing this also. What price range would you be requesting for one of these?

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83 300SD Dark Silver Dark brown inside

i already bought the EGR kit from Brian Carlton, but have not installed it yet. i have a 1985 cali 300D and would pay for one of your kits. i want that cat out of my car. if you would make a second one, i would send you money as soon as you tell me. let me know

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Grey '91 350SDL 214k Dad's car
Beige '81 240D 4 Speed 254k SOLD
Blue '82 300D 225k SOLD
White '95 E300D 46k SOLD
Blue '87 190D 2.5 Turbo 315k SOLD
Brown '80 240D 4 Speed 716k SOLD
Beige '80 300D N/A 119k SOLD
Blue '85 300D Model 186k T-Boned

ok, i will see what i can get done, i will contact an exhaust shop near me and see about getting multiple units made. i havent decided on a price yet, is there some one who could suggest a price range? i know this would be a lot cheaper that doing a federal conversion. with all the same benefit,

I am interested. Is it correct a Mercedes dealership or muffler shop can not change the smog setup? So doing it yourself is ok as long as nobody looks at it? Would the power and improved mpg be that much more noticable? I would like to see some numbers on before and after you do it on your car. Like 1/4 mile time and mpg change.

Thanks.

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85 300D Turbo

i sold my 300D so i cannot give any data, as for your first question, i feel there isn't an issue there, i doubt if any one looked at it they would notice anything wrong.

Correct. It is illegal for *anyone* to modify an emissions device for the purpose of defeating it's origional function. Technically, a shop should report you to the EPA if they see an intentional change to the emissions system. Most of the time they won't because they want your money. If they report you, the EPA will take all your money before they get any.

You can do whatever you want to your car. It's YOUR car.

I would be very interested in taking the trap oxidizer/Cat out of my recently aquired 1985 300D (128K miles). I recently purchased the car in California (California version) and brought it back to Arizona where I live. I would really like to reduce the risk of the Trap/CAT causing damage to the Turbo. Are there any down sides of this mod?

Let me know if you put something out on e-bay to purchase.

Regards, Mark

nice to see you joined us, how are things with the car? i will let you know more about the pipe as i decide what to do. Ray

Your mod is definitely interesting. In the meantime, I'll have to learn more about the trap oxidiser.

Jeremy in Santa Rosa, California

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"Buster" in the '95

Our all-Diesel family
1996 E300D (W210) . .338,000 miles Wife's car
2005 E320 CDI . . 113,000 miles My car
Santa Rosa population 176,762 (2022)
Total. . . . . . . . . . . . 627,762
"Oh lord won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz."
-- Janis Joplin, October 1, 1970

still working on it, will post more as it happens