300E's 5-speed mated to a 603?
 

I just had an idea, would it be possible to mate a rare 300E 5-speed transmission to the 603 engine in the 124 body? Talk about an awsome car, if possible..

John,

Back when I was looking for a manual transmission 300E, I saw an '86 or '87 300D five speed advertised. I did not see the car, so I don't know if it was a Euro.

I'm sure it's no surprise to you, that I would be really excited about a manual tranmission 124 car with one of those powerful diesels.

BTW, I personally would not attempt this swap unless I had the donor car setting next to the recipient. There will be many little things that you will need from the donor, that you most likely could not predict in advance.

Good luck,

I would want to know how much torque the trans was designed to handle before putting it behind a diesel.

MB never installed the 5 speed behind the OM603 turbo engines.
However the difference in torque ratings are only 20nm between the M103.98 & OM603.96 engines.
Would make a screamer of a diesel!
MB did offer the OM602.96 engines with a 5 spped manual trans.

WILL bolt up to the OM603 engine!!

Wow, that's great to know that the 300E's 5-speed will bolt up to the 603 engine. Now, you just have to go about finding two very rare cars, the finances and the mechanical ability to create such a beast. It would be an awsome machine when you were done though!