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  #1  
Old 05-06-2008, 10:01 AM
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Overdrive in a 240d?

I have an '82 240d. Is it possible to put in some kind of overdrive? It tops out at 70, with the high rpms ...I was just hoping to cruise a little more on road trips...thanks

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Old 05-06-2008, 10:09 AM
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I believe,
From the factory a 240 should do about 83MPH or 139Km... so you may have some other issue going on.. BUT i would say that it would be easier to put a different rear end in the car, to gain more road speed.. I think the stock rear end was some thing like 3.69, maybe even 3.89. going to taller rear gears would probably be cheaper..
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  #3  
Old 05-06-2008, 10:15 AM
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Check your linkage too make sure your getting full throttle at the injector pump.
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  #4  
Old 05-06-2008, 10:20 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by littlehorse View Post
Is it possible to put in some kind of overdrive?

No.

If you want to cruise the highway much above that then you have the wrong car. You could get a little more speed than 70 I imagine, but that rubber band is really tight by then.

{I obviously didn't bring up the 5 speed since they just can't hardly be found, and cost more than most cars. Better to sell 240 and buy 300 at that point....}
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  #5  
Old 05-06-2008, 10:47 AM
Craig
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I agree with Jimmy, the 240D is great around town but it's the wrong car for extensive highway use. It is comfortable up to about 60-65 mph, then you are really pushing it.
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  #6  
Old 05-06-2008, 10:50 AM
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that motor has, what? 65HP? 80? not sure, but if you went with a taller rear, you would be unhappy with the town performance. and you STILL would not be able to go much faster on the highway, but you would have a lower RPM on the highway... not worth it IMHO... for highway use, you need to get a turbo 300... sorry.
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  #7  
Old 05-06-2008, 10:57 AM
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If it were me and I wanted to cruise more comfortably and didn't mind sacrificing acceleration (what little there is to begin with), I would be willing with my own money to try a 346 rear from the 300d na. I think you could get away with that.

Its about a 6.7% OD from the stock. It will probably allow you a 75 mph cruising speed or maybe 77.

The euro 240s were offered with the five speed which has about 17% od top gear and I think they did not change the rear end when they put that in so I think this probably would work.

The payback in fuel economy would be long though. If you drove 30,000 a year thats 1000 gallons at 30 mpg (optomistic but easy to calculate). At 4 per gal that is 4,000. A 5% (this might be reasonalbe to assume and its easy to calculate) savings in fuel would be 200 per year, so if you hire the work done it would take 2 or 3 years to pay back.

My 83 240 with 300d na euro motor running a 307 rear end will do 30 highway and 20 town. The gear is a little tall taking off but if you are patient its not a problem.

Tom W
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  #8  
Old 05-06-2008, 04:19 PM
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70mph is the sweet spot for my car with the 3.46 and it tops out at 107mph. A stock 240D should be able to hit 96mph in the right conditions (tailwind, slightly downhill, MAYBE flat ground).

A 65hp 240D would probably be okay with a 3.46, but it would be constantly down shifting with a 3.07.
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  #9  
Old 05-06-2008, 04:58 PM
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I hope he has a stick.

I wouldn't do it with an auto. Actually I wouldn't own another auto 240d ....unless it was a hellofa deal.

Tom W
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..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.
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  #10  
Old 05-06-2008, 05:23 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ForcedInduction View Post

A 65hp 240D would probably be okay with a 3.46, but it would be constantly down shifting with a 3.07.
The problem with a 3.07 is that you won't be able to downshift on the highway and the engine is running way off it's horsepower peak.

At 70 mph, the engine is turning 2983 rpm with a manual transmission in high gear. If you wish to downshift to third, you'd be turning about 4500 rpm in third. You'd have the full 67 hp at this point, but the engine won't be very pleased if you want to take it to 75 mph........or more.

Due to the very low horsepower available, the engine needs to stay close to it's horsepower peak on the highway............or suffer reduced road speed as a consequence.

The vehicle would be limited to about 70 mph with the 3.07 using third gear. In high gear, it would probably make a slightly higher road speed given sufficient time, but could not climb the slightest grade.

The 3.46 might be an acceptable compromise.........but, in this situation, third gear is not an option.
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  #11  
Old 05-06-2008, 07:23 PM
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Assuming it is a standard you have to keep the 240 in good tune. Basically because of a simple fact. Like early flat four volkswagons you need everything it has or is capable of producing. If your top speed is as indicated and it is a standard it needs some work. Timing chain check,timing check, injector check, make sure all filters including the tank screen filter are flowing well. Good tire inflation and not semi seized brake calipers etc.etc. Critical examination of the throttle linkage as already mentioned is very important. When you are on the pedal the stop on the final pump linkage must be reached.
Then the comfort items as they seem to all scream at different volumes at high speed. You need or want good engine and transmission mounts, good hood pad. Good sterio to help cover the noise. All things in good shape and you will think you are going ten to fifteen miles slower in my opinion.
If using the car a lot then the rear end from a non turbo is not really a waste either. Also probably the easiest rear end to get hold of as well. Seven percent change is a lot for these bumper cars. I own two of them. The automatic is another animal and I have no suggestions for it other than a possible conversion to a four speed. You just cannot spare the few horses lost in the cement mixer. Also keep your trunk load light and glove compartment at low capacity. My red one at high speed earnt it's name. Bedlam.

Last edited by barry123400; 05-06-2008 at 07:31 PM.
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  #12  
Old 05-06-2008, 07:47 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by t walgamuth View Post
I hope he has a stick.

I wouldn't do it with an auto. Actually I wouldn't own another auto 240d ....unless it was a hellofa deal.

Tom W
Tom, if it were in mint shape and not too expensive you could always plead impulse buy. Just beats insanity by a thin margin. Just stating what you did makes the collision almost inevitable in my opinion. Your statement almost reads I will buy one if cheap enough. I just cannot rationally put 240d and automatic transmission in the same sentence.
Actually for certain locals and people they must be fine. A few of our members really like theirs. I just find with even the stick usually trying to get everything possible out of them. I still like them as well. I even tried the drive it like you stold it thing. Did not work out as no car theif travels that slow.
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  #13  
Old 05-06-2008, 08:05 PM
Craig
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They're fine with autos if you don't want/need to drive fast, they will still cruise at 60-65 mph all day long. They are really "around town" cars regardless of the tranny anyway. When you want to go faster, just take another car.
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  #14  
Old 05-06-2008, 08:33 PM
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Originally Posted by barry123400 View Post
Tom, if it were in mint shape and not too expensive you could always plead impulse buy. Just beats insanity by a thin margin. Just stating what you did makes the collision almost inevitable in my opinion. Your statement almost reads I will buy one if cheap enough. I just cannot rationally put 240d and automatic transmission in the same sentence.
Actually for certain locals and people they must be fine. A few of our members really like theirs. I just find with even the stick usually trying to get everything possible out of them. I still like them as well. I even tried the drive it like you stold it thing. Did not work out as no car theif travels that slow.
What I really meant to be understood is "....cheap enough to afford a stick conversion."

Tom W
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..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.
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  #15  
Old 05-06-2008, 08:37 PM
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Personally, I wouldn't bother converting any benz to a stick. If I wanted to go faster and/or drive a stick, I would just go shopping for a porsche.

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