1983 300D + OM606 + 6 speed swap
1983 300D + OM606 + 6 speed swap
Thoughts?
After lurking for several months and doing a LOT of research, I figured it was time to introduce myself and share my project. I've got really nice '83 300D with 327,000 miles on her and still going strong, but like everyone else, I'd like a little more. I have the opportunity to get an OM606 and a 6 speed trans through a local friend with a contact in Germany. So I've been thinking of putting this bad boy in my baby. Now this isn't going to be some insanely high horse car, but my daily driver with a little more "pep". So far from what I've gathered reading here, it's not too much work to put an OM606 in a W123, the 717.640/717.645 transmissions seem to be the ones to get, and the stock flywheel from said engine that had the 6 speed will bolt up to the OM606. Do I have this correct? Plans for the OM606 include OM603 pump, with slightly bigger elements, and a little bigger turbo. Looking at getting 350 flywheel hp or thereabouts. (More "pep") I'd say 95% of my driving is in town and being in Wichita, Kansas, "rolling coal" is a total non-issue. I'd just like to have a little more "oomph" to keep up with traffic and to get out of the way from idiotic Kansas drivers. I'd attach a pic, but it's too large.
Thoughts?
-1982 300D Turbo, 280k miles, ALDA apparently maxxed, fram 8038, 12 lbs boost, non-egr manifolds, W/M injection, 4 brake light mod, Gen II w126 front rotors/calipers, 4-speed swap
In the works: A/W IC, adjust pump, turbo rebuild (w/60 trim comp wheel)
-1980 300SD, 110k, project car. Goal is to get it lookin' like it did on the showroom floor (body and interior wise, not necessarily under the hood )
-1974 240D, FRESH PAINT!!!!!!
sassparilla_kid
06-03-2014, 10:16 PM #2Sounds like a little more than a little more pep! Good luck with the project
-1982 300D Turbo, 280k miles, ALDA apparently maxxed, fram 8038, 12 lbs boost, non-egr manifolds, W/M injection, 4 brake light mod, Gen II w126 front rotors/calipers, 4-speed swap
In the works: A/W IC, adjust pump, turbo rebuild (w/60 trim comp wheel)
-1980 300SD, 110k, project car. Goal is to get it lookin' like it did on the showroom floor (body and interior wise, not necessarily under the hood )
-1974 240D, FRESH PAINT!!!!!!
since you will probably have to redo your cardan shaft, you might as well go for a beefier differential with the larger flange+flexdisc straight away...
---------------------------------
daily driver
w115 240d 72hp 3.07 rearend
w123 om602 turbo 200whp 7.5mm pump fivespeed 3.07 rearend
+ a few more.
mbturbo.com
swampmonkey
06-04-2014, 06:08 AM #3get the differential from a w123 300tdt while you are at it, or perhaps a v8, w126/w116 with the same, 3.07/2.82...
since you will probably have to redo your cardan shaft, you might as well go for a beefier differential with the larger flange+flexdisc straight away...
---------------------------------
daily driver
w115 240d 72hp 3.07 rearend
w123 om602 turbo 200whp 7.5mm pump fivespeed 3.07 rearend
+ a few more.
mbturbo.com
(06-04-2014, 06:08 AM)swampmonkey get the differential from a w123 300tdt while you are at it, or perhaps a v8, w126/w116 with the same, 3.07/2.82...
since you will probably have to redo your cardan shaft, you might as well go for a beefier differential with the larger flange+flexdisc straight away...
I've got a differential from a '97 5 series BMW that I've been thinking of making work in her, since there's so many options for upgrades on BMW diffs as compared to Mercedes diffs. And larger flex discs is the plan as well. The BMW has a larger flex disc than what's currently on there anyway. My concern is the trans, since I haven't seen it yet I have no idea what it's going to have.
Fabrication isn't an issue, as I have acces to almost anything I need and have been building custom cars for around 20 years, but this is my first Mercedes.
(06-04-2014, 06:08 AM)swampmonkey get the differential from a w123 300tdt while you are at it, or perhaps a v8, w126/w116 with the same, 3.07/2.82...
since you will probably have to redo your cardan shaft, you might as well go for a beefier differential with the larger flange+flexdisc straight away...
I've got a differential from a '97 5 series BMW that I've been thinking of making work in her, since there's so many options for upgrades on BMW diffs as compared to Mercedes diffs. And larger flex discs is the plan as well. The BMW has a larger flex disc than what's currently on there anyway. My concern is the trans, since I haven't seen it yet I have no idea what it's going to have.
Fabrication isn't an issue, as I have acces to almost anything I need and have been building custom cars for around 20 years, but this is my first Mercedes.
do as you please
althou even the stock w123 differential holds up for heaploads of torque, and the w126 v8 is even beefier, so dont go throu to much trouble in hope of a stronger differential 
especially with 350whp or something, althou the eventual LSD differential upgrades or whatever you are aiming for might be cheaper or easier to find in the US if you change to a bmw rearend ...rock on!
---------------------------------
daily driver
w115 240d 72hp 3.07 rearend
w123 om602 turbo 200whp 7.5mm pump fivespeed 3.07 rearend
+ a few more.
mbturbo.com
swampmonkey
06-04-2014, 03:14 PM #5the mercs have a kind of funny construction in the rearend, the whole suspension hangs in the differential, but yeah, have heard of some guy that put the rearend of a w210 or something on a w123... so you can change it..
do as you please althou even the stock w123 differential holds up for heaploads of torque, and the w126 v8 is even beefier, so dont go throu to much trouble in hope of a stronger differential especially with 350whp or something, althou the eventual LSD differential upgrades or whatever you are aiming for might be cheaper or easier to find in the US if you change to a bmw rearend ...
rock on!
---------------------------------
daily driver
w115 240d 72hp 3.07 rearend
w123 om602 turbo 200whp 7.5mm pump fivespeed 3.07 rearend
+ a few more.
mbturbo.com
That's the thing, the BMW diff I have now is already an LSD, so no worries there. It's finding axles. Luckily, I happen to be the store manager at an auto parts store so I can do a lot of digging that some people can't do to find a compatible axle that'll just go in with no modification. So far it's looking like E30 axles might work.
(06-04-2014, 03:25 PM)Eric1970 Luckily, I happen to be the store manager at an auto parts store so I can do a lot of digging that some people can't do...
Oooooh, bad move. Prepare to be PM bombed! JK
(06-04-2014, 03:25 PM)Eric1970 ...with no modification. So far it's looking like E30 axles might work.
Do keep us updated here, though. I would certainly be interested in knowing.
MBZ123
(06-04-2014, 03:25 PM)Eric1970 Luckily, I happen to be the store manager at an auto parts store so I can do a lot of digging that some people can't do...
Oooooh, bad move. Prepare to be PM bombed! JK
(06-04-2014, 03:25 PM)Eric1970 ...with no modification. So far it's looking like E30 axles might work.
Do keep us updated here, though. I would certainly be interested in knowing.
MBZ123
And if anyone has any questions about parts, feel free to hit me up anytime!
PM bombed is fine, I'm happy to share what I've learned in these few months of ownership. Also, it looks like I'll be getting an '82 300D for a parts car/testing mule so I won't have to have my car down for testing purposes. (Since this is my main driver that's not possible) One of the first things I'll be playing with is the BMW rear and the possibilities of using one in a W123.
And if anyone has any questions about parts, feel free to hit me up anytime!
Do you know how the caddy axles compare to bmw?
The guy only wanted $100 a couple weeks ago. Its probably still for sale.
(06-04-2014, 03:25 PM)Eric1970 That's the thing, the BMW diff I have now is already an LSD, so no worries there. It's finding axles. Luckily, I happen to be the store manager at an auto parts store so I can do a lot of digging that some people can't do to find a compatible axle that'll just go in with no modification. So far it's looking like E30 axles might work.
'05 Jeep Liberty CRD - 160k
'06.5 VW Jetta TDI - 230k
'82 MB 300TD - 116k (motor going to raysorenson)
'81 MB 300TD - 195k (parting out)
'71 Jeep DJ5 - diesel conversion project
In my travels I found a used Getrag 3.42 diff (no axles) for sale from a Cadillac CTS which had me wondering about the availability and strength of GM axles and what it'd take to swap into a W123. CTS-V axles would be strong for sure!
Do you know how the caddy axles compare to bmw?
The guy only wanted $100 a couple weeks ago. Its probably still for sale.
(06-04-2014, 03:25 PM)Eric1970 That's the thing, the BMW diff I have now is already an LSD, so no worries there. It's finding axles. Luckily, I happen to be the store manager at an auto parts store so I can do a lot of digging that some people can't do to find a compatible axle that'll just go in with no modification. So far it's looking like E30 axles might work.
'05 Jeep Liberty CRD - 160k
'06.5 VW Jetta TDI - 230k
'82 MB 300TD - 116k (motor going to raysorenson)
'81 MB 300TD - 195k (parting out)
'71 Jeep DJ5 - diesel conversion project
2003 CTS axles, 30&7/16" compressed, 27 splines inboard, 30 outboard, M24x2.0 axle nut. 1997 BMW 528i, 24&21/32" compressed length, 27 splines outboard, axle nut M27x1.5. Mercedes 300D, I have two listings, one is 24&13/16" overall, and the other is 26&1/16" overall, both 27 splines. The longer one of the W123 axles is special order from my store, which usually means 3-7 working days + freight. The BMW axles are bolt on to the differential, which I really like the idea of, since you can remove the axles without fluid loss. The Caddy axles slip in like the Mercedes. Another option is Ford Thunderbird/Mercury Cougar, '92-'96, Lincoln MKVIII, 28 inboard and outboard splines, 31&5/8" compressed, M24x2.0 axle nut. 2002-2005 Explorer, Mountaineer, and Aviator all use the Ford 8.8" IRS, with 31 inboard splines, 29 outboard, M24x2.0 axle nut, and are 31&5/8" compressed length. Some creative axle work would be needed to use the Ford diffs, but the axle ratios are almost infinite.
'05 Jeep Liberty CRD - 160k
'06.5 VW Jetta TDI - 230k
'82 MB 300TD - 116k (motor going to raysorenson)
'81 MB 300TD - 195k (parting out)
'71 Jeep DJ5 - diesel conversion project
Regarding the GM diff; would the CTS axles be the same as the GTO? I believe they use the same/similar carrier housing.
'05 Jeep Liberty CRD - 160k
'06.5 VW Jetta TDI - 230k
'82 MB 300TD - 116k (motor going to raysorenson)
'81 MB 300TD - 195k (parting out)
'71 Jeep DJ5 - diesel conversion project
Axles from the GTO to the Caddy are different, probably not interchangeable. (I'm at home and won't be back to work until Monday, and the internet version of our cataloging system leaves a lot to be desired IMHO. I'll report back Monday with all the dimensions.
1987 300SDL 6spd manual om606.962 swap project
1985 300td euro 5spd wagon running
willbhere4u
07-16-2014, 02:01 PM #15Yes the clutch should fit but its probably is a dule mass flywheel. I got an aftermarket clutch kit from a 2.2 cdi sprinter as it is a solid mass flywheel conversion with 9.5inch disc and it has the pilot bearing in the flywheel to match the shorter shaft of the dule mass flywheel style transmissions. i have not put it together yet but it bolts up to my om606 and the clutch disc fits my 02 c230 kompressor 6spd manual transmission
1987 300SDL 6spd manual om606.962 swap project
1985 300td euro 5spd wagon running
Hey i got the same problem... I have om606 and a 716.648 tranny but it goes with dual mass flywheel. I planned to weld it to solid but it needs balancing, so its actually pain in the ass. Next week i am dropping engine with transmission in my 300tdt 85 but if somebody confirms that vito solid fw fits it would be perfect.
Well my parts car arrived last week, so now I'm just waiting on my engine to show up. Hopefully within the next month or two. Unfortunately the project will be on hold for a couple of months as I've accepted a new job and have to sell my house and move 45 minutes away. The upside of this is maybe I'll get a bigger garage, lol!
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