W123 differential options
W123 differential options
I wondering what my options are... currently I have a 2.47 diff installed in my 300CD (turbo). I'm not sure where it came from (W126 or R107) but it’s an open diff with a 210mm ring gear. We had to swap the diff cover from the original diff for it to bolt into place.
Right now I feel like the ratio is a little too low. While on the highway the revs are low... the motor seems to be lugging a little. In 1st, 2nd and 3rd gear the car moves decently, in 4th it really struggles to gain speed till you get to about 3k RPM. Also my speedo is pretty off now.
I'd like to keep this larger diff as I have a 560SL diff (2.47 LSD) that I'd like to use. However what are my options in terms of diff ratios that I could use in this diff?
Unfortunately I believe that 210mm carrier only allows for a 2.24 and 2.47 gear set. The next step up 210mm carrier would be in the 2.65-3.07 range.
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The W123 diff mount has only the 3.96, 3.69, 3.58, 3.54, 3.46, 3.07, 2.88, 2.47, and 2.24 ratios.
Your best option is to change to a 2.88, that will retain decent 4th gear acceleration and have a matching speedo available. The 617 just doesn't have enough torque to use a 2.47 or 2.24 adequately and the MPG difference over a 2.88 is very small.
I recently swapped a 2.88 into my dads W123 that is almost completely stock. He is running taller tires in the rear (225/55R17) and has not mentioned anything about poor acceleration in 4th gear. He has been very happy with it so far!
What cars came with the 2.88, 2.47and 2.24? My 3.07's are annoying.
(02-02-2011, 08:09 PM)dieselboy What cars came with the 2.88, 2.47and 2.24? My 3.07's are annoying.
(02-02-2011, 08:09 PM)dieselboy What cars came with the 2.88, 2.47and 2.24? My 3.07's are annoying.
Awesome!! Thank you I know of 3 '85 Cali cars down in chula vista ecology and it's 50% off this weekend!
I would like to retain an LSD... so ideally I would need to find a 2.6 to 2.9 diff ratio in either 185mm (swap it into the orignal housing) or a 210mm and swap it into the R107 housing. So basically did mercedes ever offer a 2.6 to 2.9 LSD diff?
(02-03-2011, 05:05 AM)bmwpowere36m3 I would like to retain an LSD... so ideally I would need to find a 2.6 to 2.9 diff ratio in either 185mm (swap it into the orignal housing) or a 210mm and swap it into the R107 housing. So basically did mercedes ever offer a 2.6 to 2.9 LSD diff?
(02-03-2011, 05:05 AM)bmwpowere36m3 I would like to retain an LSD... so ideally I would need to find a 2.6 to 2.9 diff ratio in either 185mm (swap it into the orignal housing) or a 210mm and swap it into the R107 housing. So basically did mercedes ever offer a 2.6 to 2.9 LSD diff?
I saw a post by a user GXSR, that mentions using a 1995 E300 ASD diff and a '85 300D/SD diff to have a 2.88 LSD.
(02-06-2011, 11:19 PM)winmutt I have a 2.88 in my 85, love it.
(02-06-2011, 11:19 PM)winmutt I have a 2.88 in my 85, love it.
Yes but it would be of no benefit. It would make the car very slow to accelerate, lug the engine too much on the highway for it to increase economy and too tall to raise top speed with stock engine power.
(02-02-2011, 05:33 PM)ForcedInduction The W123 diff mount has only the 3.96, 3.69, 3.58, 3.54, 3.46, 3.07, 2.88, 2.47, and 2.24 ratios.I'd love to find a 2.88 here in Australia,as we only got the regular 300D with the 3.46 diff .
Your best option is to change to a 2.88, that will retain decent 4th gear acceleration and have a matching speedo available. The 617 just doesn't have enough torque to use a 2.47 or 2.24 adequately and the MPG difference over a 2.88 is very small.
(02-02-2011, 05:33 PM)ForcedInduction The W123 diff mount has only the 3.96, 3.69, 3.58, 3.54, 3.46, 3.07, 2.88, 2.47, and 2.24 ratios.I'd love to find a 2.88 here in Australia,as we only got the regular 300D with the 3.46 diff .
Your best option is to change to a 2.88, that will retain decent 4th gear acceleration and have a matching speedo available. The 617 just doesn't have enough torque to use a 2.47 or 2.24 adequately and the MPG difference over a 2.88 is very small.
For simplicity sake is it possible to swap over a 3.07 (just) ring and pinion gear set from a W124 300E diff into my W123 diff (currently 3.46). Both are 185 mm, I'm just not sure on the spacing on the carrier.
(06-20-2011, 01:26 PM)bmwpowere36m3 For simplicity sake is it possible to swap over a 3.07 (just) ring and pinion gear set from a W124 300E diff into my W123 diff (currently 3.46). Both are 185 mm, I'm just not sure on the spacing on the carrier.
(06-20-2011, 01:26 PM)bmwpowere36m3 For simplicity sake is it possible to swap over a 3.07 (just) ring and pinion gear set from a W124 300E diff into my W123 diff (currently 3.46). Both are 185 mm, I'm just not sure on the spacing on the carrier.
(06-22-2011, 12:30 AM)charmalu(06-20-2011, 01:26 PM)bmwpowere36m3 For simplicity sake is it possible to swap over a 3.07 (just) ring and pinion gear set from a W124 300E diff into my W123 diff (currently 3.46). Both are 185 mm, I'm just not sure on the spacing on the carrier.
W123 already has the 3:07, why go to all that trouble? 82 - 84 w123. maybe the W126 SD of those years have the 3:07 also.
Charlie
(06-22-2011, 12:30 AM)charmalu(06-20-2011, 01:26 PM)bmwpowere36m3 For simplicity sake is it possible to swap over a 3.07 (just) ring and pinion gear set from a W124 300E diff into my W123 diff (currently 3.46). Both are 185 mm, I'm just not sure on the spacing on the carrier.
W123 already has the 3:07, why go to all that trouble? 82 - 84 w123. maybe the W126 SD of those years have the 3:07 also.
Charlie
(11-22-2010, 02:33 AM)ForcedInduction(11-22-2010, 01:19 AM)Mylesofsmyles w123 TD
If you want power or plan on ever swapping a 606 get a W124 300TD.
(02-02-2011, 08:25 PM)DeliveryValve(02-02-2011, 08:09 PM)dieselboy What cars came with the 2.88, 2.47and 2.24? My 3.07's are annoying.
2.88 came on 1985 300D/300SD
Here is a list of w126 differentials I compiled. (may need additional updating) 1st generation will fit the w123, 2nd gen will not.
1st Generation
Years, Model, Engine, Differential Ratio, Differential Case Size
1981-1984, 300 SD, OM617.951 3.0L I5, 3.07, 1.1 Liter
1985, 300 SD, OM617.951 3.0L I5, 2.88, 1.1 Liter
1984-1985, 380 SE, M116.963 3.8L V8, 2.47, 1.3 Liter
1981-1983, 380 SEL, M116.963 3.8L V8, 2.47, 1.3 Liter
1982-1983, 380 SEC, M116.963 3.8L V8, 2.47, 1.3 Liter
1984-1985, 500 SE, M117.963 5.0L V8, 2.47, 1.3 Liter
1984-1985, 500 SEL, M117.963 5.0L V8, 2.47, 1.3 Liter
1984-1985, 500 SEC, M117.963 5.0L V8, 2.47 /(Euro) 2.24 LSD/(Euro) 2.47 LSD, 1.3 Liter
2nd Generation
Years, Model, Engine, Differential Ratio, Differential Case Size
1989-1991, 300 SE, M103.981 3.0L I6, 3.46 1 Liter
1988-1991, 300 SEL, M103.981 3.0L I6, 3.46, 1 Liter
1986-1987, 300 SDL, OM603.961 3.0L I6, 2.88, 1.1 Liter
1991, 350 SD, OM603.97 3.5L I6, 2.82, 1.3 Liter
1990-1991, 350 SDL, OM603.97 3.5L I6, 2.82, 1.3 Liter
1986-1991, 420 SEL, M116.965 4.2L V8, 2.47, 1.3 Liter
1986-1991, 560 SEL, M117.968 5.6L V8, 2.47 ASR/2.47 LSD/2.47, 1.3 Liter
1986-1991, 560 SEC, M117.968 5.6L V8, 2.47 ASR/2.47 LSD/2.47, 1.3 Liter
(11-22-2010, 02:33 AM)ForcedInduction(11-22-2010, 01:19 AM)Mylesofsmyles w123 TD
If you want power or plan on ever swapping a 606 get a W124 300TD.
(02-02-2011, 08:25 PM)DeliveryValve(02-02-2011, 08:09 PM)dieselboy What cars came with the 2.88, 2.47and 2.24? My 3.07's are annoying.
2.88 came on 1985 300D/300SD
Here is a list of w126 differentials I compiled. (may need additional updating) 1st generation will fit the w123, 2nd gen will not.
1st Generation
Years, Model, Engine, Differential Ratio, Differential Case Size
1981-1984, 300 SD, OM617.951 3.0L I5, 3.07, 1.1 Liter
1985, 300 SD, OM617.951 3.0L I5, 2.88, 1.1 Liter
1984-1985, 380 SE, M116.963 3.8L V8, 2.47, 1.3 Liter
1981-1983, 380 SEL, M116.963 3.8L V8, 2.47, 1.3 Liter
1982-1983, 380 SEC, M116.963 3.8L V8, 2.47, 1.3 Liter
1984-1985, 500 SE, M117.963 5.0L V8, 2.47, 1.3 Liter
1984-1985, 500 SEL, M117.963 5.0L V8, 2.47, 1.3 Liter
1984-1985, 500 SEC, M117.963 5.0L V8, 2.47 /(Euro) 2.24 LSD/(Euro) 2.47 LSD, 1.3 Liter
2nd Generation
Years, Model, Engine, Differential Ratio, Differential Case Size
1989-1991, 300 SE, M103.981 3.0L I6, 3.46 1 Liter
1988-1991, 300 SEL, M103.981 3.0L I6, 3.46, 1 Liter
1986-1987, 300 SDL, OM603.961 3.0L I6, 2.88, 1.1 Liter
1991, 350 SD, OM603.97 3.5L I6, 2.82, 1.3 Liter
1990-1991, 350 SDL, OM603.97 3.5L I6, 2.82, 1.3 Liter
1986-1991, 420 SEL, M116.965 4.2L V8, 2.47, 1.3 Liter
1986-1991, 560 SEL, M117.968 5.6L V8, 2.47 ASR/2.47 LSD/2.47, 1.3 Liter
1986-1991, 560 SEC, M117.968 5.6L V8, 2.47 ASR/2.47 LSD/2.47, 1.3 Liter
The euros did. You are probably better off finding one in a 116. Either way you are going to have to rebuild them and that is $$$$.
(07-27-2011, 08:21 AM)winmutt The euros did. You are probably better off finding one in a 116. Either way you are going to have to rebuild them and that is $$$$.
(07-27-2011, 08:21 AM)winmutt The euros did. You are probably better off finding one in a 116. Either way you are going to have to rebuild them and that is $$$$.
(01-07-2012, 01:24 AM)NGARover(07-27-2011, 08:21 AM)winmutt The euros did. You are probably better off finding one in a 116. Either way you are going to have to rebuild them and that is $$$$.
I have a complete 2.24 sitting here I got from vstech. Anyone ever put one this tall into their w123? I was thinking about putting it into my 82 300td...
(01-07-2012, 01:24 AM)NGARover(07-27-2011, 08:21 AM)winmutt The euros did. You are probably better off finding one in a 116. Either way you are going to have to rebuild them and that is $$$$.
I have a complete 2.24 sitting here I got from vstech. Anyone ever put one this tall into their w123? I was thinking about putting it into my 82 300td...