1983 300SD, just how stout is the stock drive train?
1983 300SD, just how stout is the stock drive train?
And after 3000 miles of driving, I have come to several conclusions:
1.
These old Merc's are feats of engineering, really puts modern rigs in their place.
2.
120 hp is fine for in town driving and the 6K redline really lets these things fly in the top end.
3.
I want more.
So, getting to the point here, just how strong is the stock Mercedes 300SD powertrain?
What can I expect those rag joints to hold up against?
How can I upgrade the rear axle?
Is going with a solid axle an option (regardless of ride)?
Any strength improvements to be made in the transmission?
I would like a 200 HP OM617.951 powered Mercedes 300SD that can be expected to travel 400K miles before giving up.
*DD*
1983 300SD 226K Miles
*in repairs*
1991 Plymouth Laser RS 210K miles
(Needs Cam Angle Sensor)
Odd Fellow
10-11-2013, 06:30 PM #1I recently bought my first Mercedes (my first diesel).
And after 3000 miles of driving, I have come to several conclusions:
1.
These old Merc's are feats of engineering, really puts modern rigs in their place.
2.
120 hp is fine for in town driving and the 6K redline really lets these things fly in the top end.
3.
I want more.
So, getting to the point here, just how strong is the stock Mercedes 300SD powertrain?
What can I expect those rag joints to hold up against?
How can I upgrade the rear axle?
Is going with a solid axle an option (regardless of ride)?
Any strength improvements to be made in the transmission?
I would like a 200 HP OM617.951 powered Mercedes 300SD that can be expected to travel 400K miles before giving up.
*DD*
1983 300SD 226K Miles
*in repairs*
1991 Plymouth Laser RS 210K miles
(Needs Cam Angle Sensor)
I'd say I am moderately hard on my drive train.
" straighten up that star on the grill, assholes."
lgreeley83
10-12-2013, 11:23 AM #2I blew my differential but that was probably more a fault of not maintaining it. A few months with a Dieselmeken IP and nothing broken yet in the getrag 4 speed manual. The rubber joints seem good so far.
I'd say I am moderately hard on my drive train.
" straighten up that star on the grill, assholes."
*DD*
1983 300SD 226K Miles
*in repairs*
1991 Plymouth Laser RS 210K miles
(Needs Cam Angle Sensor)
Odd Fellow
10-12-2013, 10:43 PM #3wow, are there any alternative diff's that could be thrown in?
*DD*
1983 300SD 226K Miles
*in repairs*
1991 Plymouth Laser RS 210K miles
(Needs Cam Angle Sensor)
I wouldn't worry about it really though. I'm sure the blown diff situation is rare. Just make sure you do your preventive maintenance. I have a thread where I post about my blown diff and it may give you some ideas.
Also for axles there are two types. I forget what they are called. Homo something.... Some like the bolt on axle for ease of replacement not requiring removal of the diff cover. The bad thing is the bolts holding it the axle could come loose. Again though....preventive maintenance, put thread locker on bolts and torque em right. Check once in a while that none are loose. My car has one of each style axle and neither has fallen apart.
" straighten up that star on the grill, assholes."
lgreeley83
10-13-2013, 10:30 AM #4You'd have to do a little research. Yours is 126 chassis right? I think maybe deliveryvalve has a differential thread maybe. And maybe there is a limited slip that fits...don't quote me.
I wouldn't worry about it really though. I'm sure the blown diff situation is rare. Just make sure you do your preventive maintenance. I have a thread where I post about my blown diff and it may give you some ideas.
Also for axles there are two types. I forget what they are called. Homo something.... Some like the bolt on axle for ease of replacement not requiring removal of the diff cover. The bad thing is the bolts holding it the axle could come loose. Again though....preventive maintenance, put thread locker on bolts and torque em right. Check once in a while that none are loose. My car has one of each style axle and neither has fallen apart.
" straighten up that star on the grill, assholes."
stock differential, driveshafts and cardanshaft. stock driveline except for engine and gearbox.
and the w116 and early w126 uses the same, and i wouldnt think the later w126 is less strong.
i changed to an LSD 2.47, and still had wheelspin in 80mph on both 225/45r17 wheels at the back, althou the gearbox gave up after a couple of laps.
id say, do not worry..
---------------------------------
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
10-13-2013, 02:34 PM #6the differential still holds up on a w123 with 3.69 welded rearend and 530whp om606, so a om617 shouldnt break any differentials, if healthy from the start.
stock differential, driveshafts and cardanshaft. stock driveline except for engine and gearbox.
and the w116 and early w126 uses the same, and i wouldnt think the later w126 is less strong.
i changed to an LSD 2.47, and still had wheelspin in 80mph on both 225/45r17 wheels at the back, althou the gearbox gave up after a couple of laps.
id say, do not worry..
---------------------------------
daily driver
w115 240d 72hp 3.07 rearend
w123 om602 turbo 200whp 7.5mm pump fivespeed 3.07 rearend
+ a few more.
mbturbo.com
(10-13-2013, 02:34 PM)swampmonkey the differential still holds up on a w123 with 3.69 welded rearend and 530whp om606,
id say, do not worry..
Woot!!!!!!
" straighten up that star on the grill, assholes."
lgreeley83
10-13-2013, 02:50 PM #7(10-13-2013, 02:34 PM)swampmonkey the differential still holds up on a w123 with 3.69 welded rearend and 530whp om606,
id say, do not worry..
Woot!!!!!!
" straighten up that star on the grill, assholes."
(10-13-2013, 02:50 PM)lgreeley83stock 240d w123 rearend. welded.(10-13-2013, 02:34 PM)swampmonkey the differential still holds up on a w123 with 3.69 welded rearend and 530whp om606,
id say, do not worry..
Woot!!!!!!
wheelspin on both 225/45r17 tires at 60mph,
accelerating and reaches 60mph fourth gear, the turbo starts to boost and twists loose both tires. no help from clutch, dry asfalt and wide good tires.
if healthy and enough oil, the durability of these rearends should be no problem at al.
friend in stockholm with r107 560 biturbo, 730whp.. hasnt broken his 3.07 yet. he hasnt even looked at it.
---------------------------------
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
10-14-2013, 03:29 PM #8(10-13-2013, 02:50 PM)lgreeley83stock 240d w123 rearend. welded.(10-13-2013, 02:34 PM)swampmonkey the differential still holds up on a w123 with 3.69 welded rearend and 530whp om606,
id say, do not worry..
Woot!!!!!!
wheelspin on both 225/45r17 tires at 60mph,
accelerating and reaches 60mph fourth gear, the turbo starts to boost and twists loose both tires. no help from clutch, dry asfalt and wide good tires.
if healthy and enough oil, the durability of these rearends should be no problem at al.
friend in stockholm with r107 560 biturbo, 730whp.. hasnt broken his 3.07 yet. he hasnt even looked at it.
---------------------------------
daily driver
w115 240d 72hp 3.07 rearend
w123 om602 turbo 200whp 7.5mm pump fivespeed 3.07 rearend
+ a few more.
mbturbo.com
But, I have to ask, are we certain that these other rigs did not come with a different axle?
*DD*
1983 300SD 226K Miles
*in repairs*
1991 Plymouth Laser RS 210K miles
(Needs Cam Angle Sensor)
Odd Fellow
10-16-2013, 03:00 AM #9Cripes, Looks like there has been some serious power thrown through the W126 chassis.
But, I have to ask, are we certain that these other rigs did not come with a different axle?
*DD*
1983 300SD 226K Miles
*in repairs*
1991 Plymouth Laser RS 210K miles
(Needs Cam Angle Sensor)
the w126 have the exact same suspension+rearend as the w123, w115, and w116, changed differentials from w116 450SE 6.9 to a 300d w115, and the mad w123 is having a w126 rearend at the moment..
they are "exactly" the same, higher geared=larger housing, and those that have LSD, but your expected 200whp shouldnt be a problem at al
stock you still have the 560SE engine in those cars, with the same type of rearends.
---------------------------------
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
10-16-2013, 05:10 AM #10althou the one im refering to is an w123,
the w126 have the exact same suspension+rearend as the w123, w115, and w116, changed differentials from w116 450SE 6.9 to a 300d w115, and the mad w123 is having a w126 rearend at the moment..
they are "exactly" the same, higher geared=larger housing, and those that have LSD, but your expected 200whp shouldnt be a problem at al
stock you still have the 560SE engine in those cars, with the same type of rearends.
---------------------------------
daily driver
w115 240d 72hp 3.07 rearend
w123 om602 turbo 200whp 7.5mm pump fivespeed 3.07 rearend
+ a few more.
mbturbo.com
Thank you very much lgreeley83, swampmonkey, and aaa!
I will update the thread on my findings when I reach my power goal.
*DD*
1983 300SD 226K Miles
*in repairs*
1991 Plymouth Laser RS 210K miles
(Needs Cam Angle Sensor)
Odd Fellow
10-17-2013, 01:34 AM #11Huh. Sounds like I will be fine then.
Thank you very much lgreeley83, swampmonkey, and aaa!
I will update the thread on my findings when I reach my power goal.
*DD*
1983 300SD 226K Miles
*in repairs*
1991 Plymouth Laser RS 210K miles
(Needs Cam Angle Sensor)
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