Noob needs help with a decision!
Noob needs help with a decision!
I've loved w123's for a while, my grandfather had a 82 300d and that car was great, made me always want one.
So I'm looking to get into a new project and I thought a 300d would be good because they're bomber and pretty easy to work on. I just have no idea where to start! I don't know what model years were the best; whether to get a 300d, or 300sd (has to be a turbo); what to look for when buying one (which transmission?). I've seen some guys who have 300hp+ ones. And that's where I'd like to eventually get to. But I did a little research and that seems pretty difficult & somewhat expensive. 7mm elements, bigger turbo, etc... I just want to ask what is needed, and how much is involved with doubling the stock HP. That seems like a good place to start, anywhere between 220 and 260hp would be fine with me. I have plenty of fab experience and wrenching experience so I'm not worried about that part. I just wanted to see if that is feasible! Always thought it would be cool to have a diesel that could get smokey and sideways.
Thank you all,
-Ben
derpstarr
09-03-2012, 02:28 AM #1Hey guys, figured this would be the best place as any to ask about this.
I've loved w123's for a while, my grandfather had a 82 300d and that car was great, made me always want one.
So I'm looking to get into a new project and I thought a 300d would be good because they're bomber and pretty easy to work on. I just have no idea where to start! I don't know what model years were the best; whether to get a 300d, or 300sd (has to be a turbo); what to look for when buying one (which transmission?). I've seen some guys who have 300hp+ ones. And that's where I'd like to eventually get to. But I did a little research and that seems pretty difficult & somewhat expensive. 7mm elements, bigger turbo, etc... I just want to ask what is needed, and how much is involved with doubling the stock HP. That seems like a good place to start, anywhere between 220 and 260hp would be fine with me. I have plenty of fab experience and wrenching experience so I'm not worried about that part. I just wanted to see if that is feasible! Always thought it would be cool to have a diesel that could get smokey and sideways.
Thank you all,
-Ben
I think you covered what is needed performancewise. Bigger elements and a bigger turbo. Toss in an intercooler and fabbing the charge piping. It's doesn't sound like you'd have trouble putting this together, the main deterrent is cost.
The models are more or less the same, all the turbo models (D and SD) had the same transmission. The '85s had a taller diff gearing which is nice on the highway.
I think you covered what is needed performancewise. Bigger elements and a bigger turbo. Toss in an intercooler and fabbing the charge piping. It's doesn't sound like you'd have trouble putting this together, the main deterrent is cost.
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