W124 OM606 STD in California
W124 OM606 STD in California
Hey guys, i figure i should start a build thread as im halfway through my project. I always take lots of pictures when im working on my car/getting parts so hopefully you enjoy the documentation!
The day i picked up the car, my first diesel! 1995 E300, OM606.910, 220,000 miles and very clean! Paid $2200 after some negotiation
Then after looking up a bunch of stuff on the W124 platform i bought wheels. W211 E500 17x8.5j ET 38. At this point i know i wanted the car to be an STD eventually but hadn't done any serious research yet.
Got some decent tires on them for super cheap from a friends shop. 225/45 Federal 595. Test fitting on the front of my friends W210 E55 to see the brake clearance. Eventually i would like to run AMG calipers so now i know the ML55/E55 brakes will fit under the wheels
Around november i found out the headgasket was leaking so i made the decision to do an OM606.962 swap and begin the super turbo diesel journey. One of my coolant hoses burst just doing normal daily driving so instead of filling it with coolant once a day i parked it on my driveway and began ordering parts.
Got my HX40W Super from Petter
Grabbed some parts from a local junkyard. Full amber side markers and a glovebox. My car came with an airbag on the passenger side and i wanted the glovebox fitted so i can relocate the radio inside and use the radio space for my gauges.
Taking the airbag unit out, always makes me a bit nervous.
All removed
And as you can see the glovebox door is not the same size as the airbag unit...... So now i must use a dremel and cut down the lower dash to fit the glovebox
Next up was getting new suspension components because my shocks are old and soft, and the mounts are all cracked.
E36 M3 Bilsteins from a friend for $200, only done 50,000 mi.
Febi/Bilstein R129 shock mounts that allow for more shock travel (stroke) when the car is lowered.
Some more parts arrived! Ford ranger front Bilsteins that can be fitted to the rear of the W124 without modification.
All my other parts stacking up in the garage. Bought a decent toolbox since i was pretty un organized before this.
My upside down 8mm Dieselmeken 200cc pump here
Gauges from PPE and a triple din panel to go where the original radio is. Will be set up Boost/EGT/EGT (one egt probe per 3 cylinder)
Just messing around put the turbo on my MX5 Miata in the garage hahaha, a bit much for the 1.8!
I guess my mother was jealous of my Mercedes so she went and bought a GLA 250 4 matic! Amazing color and such a nice car.
Draining out coolant, gear oil and other fluids trying not to make a mess haha.
Making some progress taking the car apart
Manifold and other bits off
Intercooler arrived from ebay! All black piping and black core, 2.5 inlet.
Exhaust manifold taken off, surprisingly easy! None of the studs were seized nor broken.
Wiring harness disconnected, engine is just about ready to come out! Need to borrow a friends hoist.
Measuring the EGT probe for F.R.A.S so he can put the fittings in my manifold before its shipped
More updates to come soon when i take the engine out! New motor should be here in a couple weeks (hopefully).
Awesome
Looking like some good parts will go on this beast... What part of CA are you from? I'm up in the north bay (Napa).
AMAAAAAZZIIINNNGGGGGGGGG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Also, what Capflya said, what part of California? I'm right smack dab in the middle of the valley, there are superturbo guys all over the state though
AWSOME project man. I have the same plans. I have a 99 e300 i bought for 1700$ to rob engine that runs great, now I've been in search for a 95 e300 w124 to do the same swap. I've got an 8mm pump cant wait to get it together
Some small update for you guys. Got my damaged EGT gauge replaced by the vendor i purchased it from which is awesome. And they sent an extra EGT probe and wiring which will be good to have as a spare.
Cut up the foam in my dashboard to fit a glovebox - my car was originally equipped with a passenger airbag.
I just need to trim the vinyl and then glue it back down. It wasnt a terrible process but you need a steady hand and patience to take out the foam and make it nice and even.
Got an awesome shirt in the mail from Blip shift
Found the holy grail of LSD for high tq/hp german cars. Its from a 750li BMW - the v12. Factory LSD with 37% lock, and 3.15 gears, perfect for the diesel merc! This thing was a beast, 105lbs it weighs, should be very hard to break.
Just a quick pic of the W124 and my miata in the driveway
I also decided against using the american T56 as the cost is very high and the gearboxes are still somewhat "weak" for the torque the 606 puts down. Instead i talked with Fred at F-tune Performance and he is getting a 53DZ gearbox ready for me so i will have the best ZF gearbox for my build!
Definitely going to have to see this one in person once it's finished..
(04-25-2015, 10:12 AM)ak47is1337 Any updates? How's the build coming along?
(04-27-2015, 09:54 AM)tjts1 I just pulled the glovebox dash out of my 87 because I installed a later dual airbag dash in my car. If you want it let me know before I throw it out. I'm in the east bay.
(04-25-2015, 10:12 AM)ak47is1337 Any updates? How's the build coming along?
(04-27-2015, 09:54 AM)tjts1 I just pulled the glovebox dash out of my 87 because I installed a later dual airbag dash in my car. If you want it let me know before I throw it out. I'm in the east bay.
Big update time!
Pulled out my old OM606.912 this weekend with the help from some friends.
Driveshaft out, man that center support bearing was completely gone.
Up and out!
Split the gearbox off after and drained the torque converter.
Time to put this up for sale as it wont be needed!
But this i will be keeping for a new project later
Swap is finished hahaha
Running out of room in the garage with all these parts!
On Monday i picked up my OM606.962 that Amar - forum member hooblah - shipped to me from the UK
At the airport customs paying my duty fees
Thankfully they loaded it by forklift at the airport because it was 253kgs!
Back at home waiting for a friend to help me unload it (had to wear my W123 diesel shirt of course)
Opened up the crate to make sure everything is okay, had a crack on the plastic engine cover but not bad for coming all the way from London!
Took the side of the crate off and pulled it out with the hoist! My friends E55 AMG parked in the background.
Straight onto the engine stand, man this thing is heavy and not very well balanced on this stand. Just have to be slow when moving it. Time to start taking it apart this week!
Stock turbo hanging out there, i got it for my friend but he already thinks its too small for his mazda haha. Will probably end up selling it with other spare parts.
Heres another update, not a ton of progress since last time but im finally putting parts onto the car now instead of removing!
Bunch of parts arrived!
Nice package from KMcams
All the suspension bits on the car were old and need replacing so with the help of a friend we tore apart the front end of the car.
All new control arms
Old vs new. Not that much shorter but it should be a nice 1.5 inch drop.
Modifying the E36 M3 shock to fit the W124
R129 shock mounts
New pads and rotors going on too. Will probably fit 4 piston brake upgrade later this year.
New parts always look so good!
Also picked up a new set of wheels. Some Keskin KT1 in 16x7.5 and 16x9, they came with some nice new tires and i think they look great on the car!
Sadly they dont quite fit on my MX5
Rear suspension will be done this week as well as working on fitting the interior gauges etc. Also now that i have the majority of parts and tools that i need, i will open up both motors, get the head done, fit springs etc.
"New pads and rotors going on too. Will probably fit 4 piston brake upgrade later this year."
I can guarantee that you will move that 4 pot conversion up the priority list one you have the car running. I thought I would be ok as long as I don’t go mad, however in reality these things build up so much speed that after overtaking and a half decent stop to filter back into traffic the brakes are HOT.
I’m hunting down some early R129 500 SL 4 pots for my car at the moment.
If you go the r129 route you can buy centric reman calipers fairly cheap.
I got a complete R129 front axle for 150€, with 134kkm on it. Rear end damage, folding top hydraulic pump cought fire
(05-28-2015, 05:14 AM)Duncansport If you go the r129 route you can buy centric reman calipers fairly cheap.
(05-28-2015, 05:14 AM)Duncansport If you go the r129 route you can buy centric reman calipers fairly cheap.
W209 S500 4-pots fit my W202 so they might fit the W124? Worth investigating as they are aluminium, brembo and £50 each on ebay (in the UK anyway..)
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GENUINE-MERC-M...4aea596f98
(05-28-2015, 06:52 AM)maxypriest(05-28-2015, 05:14 AM)Duncansport If you go the r129 route you can buy centric reman calipers fairly cheap.
have you a part number?! i would love to by a set ready to go!
(05-28-2015, 06:52 AM)maxypriest(05-28-2015, 05:14 AM)Duncansport If you go the r129 route you can buy centric reman calipers fairly cheap.
have you a part number?! i would love to by a set ready to go!
(05-27-2015, 09:50 AM)maxypriest "New pads and rotors going on too. Will probably fit 4 piston brake upgrade later this year."
I can guarantee that you will move that 4 pot conversion up the priority list one you have the car running. I thought I would be ok as long as I don’t go mad, however in reality these things build up so much speed that after overtaking and a half decent stop to filter back into traffic the brakes are HOT.
I’m hunting down some early R129 500 SL 4 pots for my car at the moment.
(05-28-2015, 05:14 AM)Duncansport If you go the r129 route you can buy centric reman calipers fairly cheap.
(05-28-2015, 07:32 AM)Hario W209 S500 4-pots fit my W202 so they might fit the W124? Worth investigating as they are aluminium, brembo and £50 each on ebay (in the UK anyway..)
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GENUINE-MERC-M...4aea596f98
(05-29-2015, 05:04 PM)Booster Forgive me if Im being a moron, how come you have swapped motor? What was wrong with the 606 that was in the car??
(05-30-2015, 01:50 PM)hooblah He swapped for a 606.962.
That's some good progress Jon! Would you like me to send you another engine cover?
(05-27-2015, 09:50 AM)maxypriest "New pads and rotors going on too. Will probably fit 4 piston brake upgrade later this year."
I can guarantee that you will move that 4 pot conversion up the priority list one you have the car running. I thought I would be ok as long as I don’t go mad, however in reality these things build up so much speed that after overtaking and a half decent stop to filter back into traffic the brakes are HOT.
I’m hunting down some early R129 500 SL 4 pots for my car at the moment.
(05-28-2015, 05:14 AM)Duncansport If you go the r129 route you can buy centric reman calipers fairly cheap.
(05-28-2015, 07:32 AM)Hario W209 S500 4-pots fit my W202 so they might fit the W124? Worth investigating as they are aluminium, brembo and £50 each on ebay (in the UK anyway..)
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GENUINE-MERC-M...4aea596f98
(05-29-2015, 05:04 PM)Booster Forgive me if Im being a moron, how come you have swapped motor? What was wrong with the 606 that was in the car??
(05-30-2015, 01:50 PM)hooblah He swapped for a 606.962.
That's some good progress Jon! Would you like me to send you another engine cover?
Started taking apart the .692 engine the other day
Vacuum pump, manifold, tensioners and other bis off
Set the IP timing before, then took that out. Anyone need an electric pump?
Injectors out!
Cams ready to come out, but i need to get a 12pt 9mm socket. Apparently this is the only socket i have that isnt 12pt lol.
Also got a new "avant garde" grill from an ebay seller in Latvia. A nice cosmetic piece to update the front end.
(07-23-2015, 01:58 PM)diesel dave Nice project, what about om606 in the Miata would it fit?
(07-23-2015, 01:58 PM)diesel dave Nice project, what about om606 in the Miata would it fit?
Holy cow that's some serious clutch. If you use 2/3 of that holding power, it's going to be a beast.
Any news Jonathan?
(05-28-2015, 07:32 AM)Hario W209 S500 4-pots fit my W202 so they might fit the W124? Worth investigating as they are aluminium, brembo and £50 each on ebay (in the UK anyway..)
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GENUINE-MERC-M...4aea596f98
(05-28-2015, 07:32 AM)Hario W209 S500 4-pots fit my W202 so they might fit the W124? Worth investigating as they are aluminium, brembo and £50 each on ebay (in the UK anyway..)
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GENUINE-MERC-M...4aea596f98
Sorry guys no real progress to update you with. Its been very busy at the new job and we have a bunch of cars that need to be finished up and delivered to customers before i can bring my W124 to the shop.
I did pick up 4/5 pieces of a geniune AMG kit for my car from a local though! Rear bumper, rear spoiler, and sideskirts. I just need to keep my eye out for a front bumper and ill have a full kit. He also threw in some 400E 4 pot calipers so i've got my brakes sorted now!
That is ok, I am also one who cannot make any progress on my STD wagon either because it is in storage.
So I decided to make a pact and buy at least 1 performance part every month until the car build can resume.
Understood - been there, done that. Even though the (mine) car is 'finished', its not. Some snagging issues to be sorted, like speedo, tacho, boost pipe repair, longer diff, new LCA's etc etc....
Any progress?
I know you got your 606 turbo sent over from the UK - do you mind writing a couple of sentances about what you had to do on the receiving end on the 'states to collect it?
i.e. how much paperwork was there, how much did it cost, how long did it take? Did you use a broker?
Thanks!
-Dan
As far as I know, Mr_Robs got his engine from hoobla, who will send an engine for £1500 all said and done. Check out http://www.superturbodiesel.com/std/show...p?tid=5463
(09-16-2015, 12:01 PM)97e300 As far as I know, Mr_Robs got his engine from hoobla, who will send an engine for £1500 all said and done. Check out http://www.superturbodiesel.com/std/show...p?tid=5463
(09-16-2015, 12:01 PM)97e300 As far as I know, Mr_Robs got his engine from hoobla, who will send an engine for £1500 all said and done. Check out http://www.superturbodiesel.com/std/show...p?tid=5463
Hey I got directed here by Harry.
Correct me if im wrong Jon but If I remember correctly it was around $60 or so in import tax and fees. No broker was involved, he turned up with a pickup and they helped load it on. The paperwork was signed and the money paid, then he was on his way
Btw Jon I haven't forgotten about that engine cover. Will send one over when I can find one that's sensibly priced lol.