Greetings Shop Forum.

While this may lead to flamethrowers from all sides, I will be building an electric car in the next few months. While my initial plan was to use an A3 Jetta, I am sorely tempted to try with my 1990 124 300D. It needs so much work to bring it up to Mercedes mechanical spec (no a/c or heat, no cruise, leaking injection pump, worn timing chain, you name it) and yet is so beloved that I am hoping I can make it my new project. The main show stopper is the auto tranny. I can load the car up with a high powered motor and tons of batteries to move the mass but I've got to have a manual transmission. I have a fleet of 123 parts cars, including a 4 speed manual 1980 240D. It would be a huge expense to source a correct 124 manual but since there is substantial fabrication to the EV process anyway, I'm thinking I could make it work, especially since I don't have to mount it to a Mercedes engine. Any pointers that any of you could provide for getting a 123 transmission (or a transmission from another manufacturer) successfully mated to my existing driveshaft would be appreciated.

Best,
Rich Mason
9 240 and 300Ds and counting.

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Rich Mason
Chapel Hill, NC
1990 300D 285k miles
1993 VW Cabriolet converted to 1.6 TD
1985 VW Westfalia 1.6 TD

Great project.

Now, why don't you consider making it a diesel-electric hybrid?

Why not use the 240D? Is there a big difference in weight? I would think there would be more room for batteries in the w123. Aerodynamics definitely favor the w124. I hope you make this happen. Please give us the details as you proceed.

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Kevin

1978 300D
1979 240D

Unfortunately the 240D is a complete loss due to rust as is my silver 1980 300D, which runs like a top with 260kl miles on it! I have a solid 1981 300D that I am also tempted to use but the level of comfort between the 123 and 124 is night and day different. Plus I don't have a title for the 300D, which could be remedied more cheaply than putting the 123 tranny in a 124 I suppose! A 123 has other advantages including lighter, narrower wheels and a lighter body overall but the 124 is a more solid car and has zero rust. The conversion will cost $13k when all is said and done. I want the best car possible at the end as a result and I just like the 124 better. It's fire engine red, has an immaculate interior and everything works internally.

Does anyone know if the 123 manual is sized substantially differently than the 124 automatic? I can mount the motor as far forward as I need to since the mounts will be custom fabricated and it is much shorter than the existing engine. What are the chances I can use the entire driveline from the flywheel to the differential from the 123 with the 124 diff? Clearance in the tunnel under the car is my main concern so we can make sure the driveline is properly aligned. If the 123 tranny is substantially shorter with a shorter propshaft, it may sit too far back. If it is much wider around, it may have to sit too low.

Thanks,
Rich

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Rich Mason
Chapel Hill, NC
1990 300D 285k miles
1993 VW Cabriolet converted to 1.6 TD
1985 VW Westfalia 1.6 TD

Why are you forcing the issue with a MB tranny? Get a Ford Ranger tranny or whatever tranny is in the ubiquitous Ford Ranger EVs. You don't have to mess with a clutch in an EV.

Sixto
87 300D

hello, i would like to know how your conversion is coming? and my question is why use a manual transmission, an automatic transmission will work fine.

I don't see why the 123 tranny won't work. The big stopper with it into a 124 is the starter location...no starter needed with en ev. May as well use it since you have it.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Find a 1 or 2 speed transmission that can put you in the right torque band and can handle the rpms.

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92 e300d2.5t
01 e320
05 cdi
85 chev c10

I have a spare 5 spd in the garage.

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CC: NSA

All things are burning, know this and be released.

82 Benz 240 D, Kuan Yin
12 Ford Escape 4wd

You're four times

It's hard to

more likely to

concentrate on

have an accident

two things

when you're on

at the same time.

a cell phone.

www.kiva.org It's not like there's anything wrong with feeling good, is there?

And you're in NC. Have you checked w/ VSTECH? Chances are he has something that'll fit.

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CC: NSA

All things are burning, know this and be released.

82 Benz 240 D, Kuan Yin
12 Ford Escape 4wd

You're four times

It's hard to

more likely to

concentrate on

have an accident

two things

when you're on

at the same time.

a cell phone.

www.kiva.org It's not like there's anything wrong with feeling good, is there?

This is going to be amazing - I second what others here have said as well - you dont' have to stick with a Mercedes specific trans as you noted your going to have to fab it up anyways. I've got some videos on youtube looking under a w124 chassis and also installing a 6 speed from a w203 chassis into a w124. Search "W124 Om606T 6 Spd"

Ford T56 Trans are cheap and easy to come by can take torque with ease, getrag toyota supra trans are good units as well as the bmw getrags as well. Skys' the limit and i'm tuned in!

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1995 E300 With:
OM606 Turbo
Merc 6 Speed Box
https://bit.ly/2sisie9

You guys realize this thread is....wait for it... a decade old.

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RenaissanceMan Labs: where the future is being made today.

Garage:

2017 Chevy Colorado Diesel (nanny state emissions)
2005 Volvo S40 T5 AWD, 77k
1987 Mercedes-Benz 300D turbodiesel, 4 sp auto, 156k - 28.7 mpg
1996 Tracker 4x4, 2 door, 16v, 3 sp auto. 113k - 28.6 mpg

WARNING: this post may contain dangerous free thinking.

now you've ruined all our fun!

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

And the OP is long gone. Last activity from him was in 2012.

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1998 E300 turbodiesel

America's Rights and Freedoms Are Not The Enemy!

The challenge with a conversion is going to be fabing your mount to the trans. Then most batteries have a cooling and heating system. But you have choices, easiest is a wrecked Nissan leaf. It has a air cooled battery so it's much simpler. If you Google around a bit you see the leaf drivetrain is a very common swap.