My 380SL Diesel Conversion - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

warmblood58 · #1 08-10-2012, 09:30 PM

Have a donor SL and pulled the intake, exhaust manifold and all related hardware from a donor '85 at the PNP in Fairfield -might just have another convertible soon!

sixto · #2 08-10-2012, 09:36 PM

Is this a 617 conversion? Have you seen mach4's saga?

Sixto
87 300D^2

warmblood58 · #3 08-10-2012, 11:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sixto

Is this a 617 conversion? Have you seen mach4's saga?

Sixto
87 300D^2

Yep! Its so well documented and decided to do the same as I miss both my Sl and love the mighty OM617 too much. Should be a fun project and he solved a lot of the logistics so I have a very good road map. Will update the forum as I proceed -

sixto · #4 08-11-2012, 02:42 AM

If you're taking this at a leisurely pace, see if you can get a non-trap manifold and turbo into the 107 frame. That's definitely the way to go if it fits. mach4 didn't have the parts lying around during his build.

Sixto
87 300D^2

mach4 · #5 08-11-2012, 05:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sixto

If you're taking this at a leisurely pace, see if you can get a non-trap manifold and turbo into the 107 frame. That's definitely the way to go if it fits. mach4 didn't have the parts lying around during his build.

I see you are in CA, so make sure you've got the same year or later engine with all the smog equipment that came with the donor car at least until you get the swap inspected and retitled. (If it's '75 or earlier you can do whatever you want.)

Let me know if you've got any questions. I love the swap and have put almost 3000 miles on it. It's now my primary driver. I hope to do a proper mpg test shortly, but thus far I'm estimating between 27 and 30.

Stretch · #6 08-11-2012, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by warmblood58

Yep! Its so well documented and decided to do the same as I miss both my Sl and love the mighty OM617 too much. Should be a fun project and he solved a lot of the logistics so I have a very good road map. Will update the forum as I proceed -

Good luck with it - I'll be watching from here.

Stretch · #7 08-11-2012, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mach4

...
Let me know if you've got any questions. I love the swap and have put almost 3000 miles on it. It's now my primary driver. I hope to do a proper mpg test shortly, but thus far I'm estimating between 27 and 30.

I've always meant to ask you this - but I keep forgetting - does your 380SL have the anti-dive set up on the rear trailing arms? Or is it only for the bigger engined 107 SLs?

warmblood58 · #8 08-11-2012, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sixto

If you're taking this at a leisurely pace, see if you can get a non-trap manifold and turbo into the 107 frame. That's definitely the way to go if it fits. mach4 didn't have the parts lying around during his build.

Sixto
87 300D^2

Trap will be cut at flange and eliminated so we can use the '85 aircleaner setup to assist with clearance.

mach4 · #9 08-11-2012, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Army

I've always meant to ask you this - but I keep forgetting - does your 380SL have the anti-dive set up on the rear trailing arms? Or is it only for the bigger engined 107 SLs?

I really don't know. If someone could describe this function, I'd be happy to look.

warmblood58 · #10 08-11-2012, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mach4

I see you are in CA, so make sure you've got the same year or later engine with all the smog equipment that came with the donor car at least until you get the swap inspected and retitled. (If it's '75 or earlier you can do whatever you want.)

Let me know if you've got any questions. I love the swap and have put almost 3000 miles on it. It's now my primary driver. I hope to do a proper mpg test shortly, but thus far I'm estimating between 27 and 30.

How does the car feel -good pickup? Gearing change advised or other now that you have driven yours for awhile? Thanks!

mach4 · #11 08-11-2012, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by warmblood58

How does the car feel -good pickup? Gearing change advised or other now that you have driven yours for awhile? Thanks!

I'm very satisfied with the drivability of the car. I'm not looking for performance, just a very stable platform and good mileage. The only Mercedes 617 car I've ever driven is the donor car for the 20 minutes to get it home, so I have nothing to compare to. But it is very smooth, adequate power, good top end and above all fun to drive.

Stretch · #12 08-11-2012, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mach4

I really don't know. If someone could describe this function, I'd be happy to look.

Here's the thread

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/289638-trying-fit-aluminium-w126-107-trailing-arm-w123-question-compatib.html

Start at about post #12.

Essentialy they're the aluminium version of the steelies...

mach4 · #13 08-11-2012, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Army

I've always meant to ask you this - but I keep forgetting - does your 380SL have the anti-dive set up on the rear trailing arms? Or is it only for the bigger engined 107 SLs?

I really don't know. If someone could describe this function, I'd be happy to look.