I'm curious as to what the transmission and final drive ratios are for the European application of the 300SE automatic. I'm making the assumption that the overall gearing would have been a little taller to accomodate autostrada/autobahn ventures.

3.46/1 on euro cars as well!

But the 722.5 trans was available after 1989, and it has an overdrive ratio for 5th gear.

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John, the DD moderator, has a valve body from a '90 300e 2.6.

Just double checking to confirm that it is what I'm looking for................???

No, Brian
The 300E 2.6 is from a 722.4 trans

__________________
MERCEDES Benz Master Guild Technician (6 TIMES)
ASE Master Technician
Mercedes Benz Star Technician (2 times)
44 years foreign automotive repair
27 Years M.B. Shop foreman (dealer)
MB technical information Specialist (15 years)
190E 2.3 16V ITS SCCA race car (sold)
1986 190E 2.3 16V 2.5 (sold)
Retired Moderator

Ahh.........damn..........

Does the 300e with the M103 have the 722.3 in those years?

90-92 with the 3.0L M103 should have a 722.3. The only problem is it appears they were fitting both non-FGS and FGS transmission in the 1990 MY from this thread below. 1991-1992 should have FGS no question.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=81253

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1991 300E - 212K and rising fast...

Thanks.

Interesting thread.

Poor fellow swapped in the 722.358 from the '91 and still was stuck with second gear start.

So, questions remain...........as usual.

I've made and inquiry to Silver Star Transmissions in OK to see what they have to offer on the subject.

You'd be safe with a 92. Going to all this trouble are you sure you like 1st gear start? I never liked it - noisy engine off the line, slam into second gear, too much drama for me.

I think your missing the point of the entire thread. He has a dog slow W126 with super tall gearing and 2nd gear start. If your transmission is slamming into second, something might be wrong. Mine shifts like butter into second whether your at 3K RPMs or 6.3K.

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1991 300E - 212K and rising fast...

Sadly, everyone misses the point of the thread. Those that claim the vehicle won't perform with the 2.47..........those that claim that it needs to run at the torque peak...........those that claim the I6 has no torque down low.............

The 300SE drives perfectly fine..........it is not "dog slow". It currently uses gears 2-3-4 with relatively short gearing provided by the 3.46.

I simply want to get to approximately the same final drive ratios using gears 1-2-3 as I currently have with 2-3-4.

I will then use 4 as the "overdrive" for the highway.

It's not rocket science.

Nor is my point rocket science - just asking if you know you like first gear start. I've found it disconcerting, consistantly, since the 111 automatics of the 60s. The wide relatively ratio between first and second makes for a much less elegant shift than between second and third. You are afterall about to far exceed the market value of your car with this project.

Sounds like you already have your own idea about it and it's your car. You should do with it as you please.

Enjoy,
Larry

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The diesels all have first gear start and they perform perfectly well in the second generation W126. There is no "less than elegant" 1-2 shift. The SD has a "less than elegant" 1-2, but this is completely corrected in the later vehicles.

You ought to take a look at my original post and do a few calculations for yourself. You'll find that the 2-3 shift is wider than the 1-2 shift.

The reason that you might find a harsh 1-2 shift has nothing to do with the spacing between gears, but more likely the engine speed in first at the point of the shift. With a 3.46, it's likely that you'll wind it up too far in first. This won't occur with the 2.47.

The project should be accomplished for $500-$600. You'd have to explain in more detail how I'm going to "far exceed the market value" with that investment.

You're continuing to make up anything you want to believe - and such an attitude for someone asking, ostensibly, for help. Changing the transmission and rear axle on a 126 model for RPMs is at this point is utterly beyond the pale.

I'm an engineer.........I go with the data.

Clearly you're not of the same persuasion and prefer to go with what you think you believe.

That's fine........

My objective was to find folks who had experience with this swap and can understand the discussion of final drive ratios.

Unfortunately, you're not one of them.