I am about to being increasing power to my 603. Starting with getting an intercooler setup and putting a larger turbo as I wait to hear from derv or tomnik on the injector tuning. I am not going to go crazy with this vehicle since it is my primary and I just want more power and easier accelerating. So with that in mind:

I need to know what I can check to make sure the engine will hold up. It is in great condition and has only 175,000 miles on it. It has been on Mobil 1 Turbo Diesel Truck Synthetic oil for the past 15,000 miles or so.

What can I do? I am going to be pulling the engine to get transmission rebuilt and pull the injector pump (leaking).

Should I change timing chain?
Lifters?
Camshaft?

It has hydraulic lifters so no need for adjustment, the only problems with the engine setup is the injector pump, which will be addressed with rebuild. And as for the transmission, I am looking into that before I get it rebuilt because that would make sense. If anyone has any more info on that, that would be great. Ive heard a couple different scenarios on beefing up a 722.3, one of which is a clutch pack from an S600.

I will check out the cam lobes when I get it off, any pics on what I should be looking for?

While that trans is being rebuilt, and since you are already looking into beefing it and doing things like a clutch pack from a S600, I would find out if you could replace your stock 3.68 ratio first gear with the 3.87 first gear that MB started using in that trans family starting in the fall of 88. 3.68 X 2.65 = 9.75 overall first gear ratio vs. 3.87 X 2.65 = 10.26. Quite an improvement in your ability to holeshot your victim at the light!
Regards, Eric

And this is simply a part in the transmission? At first glance, I thought you were referring to swapping out the differential.

I am in the process of putting a GT2256V on my 603...although it is a sloooooooow process for me

Anyway, I found that getting a bigger turbo into the "area" where the current turbo is looks like it would be a nightmare, so I would recommend finding an exhaust manifold from the later model w140 diesels (same as the euro manifold, basically), as they do not have the trap ox pipe. I managed to find one rather easily, despite most people, myself included, thinking that they are impossible to find (someone online got it for me)

The way things are going, you'll probably beat me to getting your's set up first.

I'm mostly doing it for increased economy and some more low end response; the GT2256v is kind of bare minimum, but finding a bigger VGT that isn't overkill without pump mods can be difficult and expensive.

A 2359 or 2559 would be a much better match for a 603. The 2256 is easily maxed out on a 617 and the 603 has significantly higher VE.

I actually have a Euro 140 manifold on the way (turbo not included):



I just started looking the other day and found this one in CA. It just happened to be a Euro model.

Forced, the GT are VNT right? Should I go VNT or Wastegate? I am ultimately wanting to get more drivability in the lower range, yet also some impressive track times. What can be checked or reinforced internally?

Garrett and Holset turbos are only VNT/VGT if they have a "V" on the end of the name.

(02-21-2010 10:27 AM)jonbobshinigin Wrote:  And this is simply a part in the transmission? At first glance, I thought you were referring to swapping out the differential.

Yes, MB changed the ratios of the first two gears in that trans family starting in the fall of 88. You only want the first gear though. It's a cool way to reduce your overall first gear ratio for quicker take offs without changing the rear gear ratio which would hurt fuel economy.
Regards, Eric

Ok, I need some more data:

Someone please help me out with the 3.87 first gear. My transmission is leaking copious amounts of transmission oil now (as opposed to just "a lot"). So I need to find this part while I have it out AND I need some more info on beefing up my transmission with internals from another trans...PLEASE help me if you have some guidance.

I've got a spare trans that may be the late 88 trans but don't know how to tell if it is or not (not sure what it came out of). Does anyone know how to identify these transmissions?
Thanks,
Derek

Jettmar - That would be great, I am located in Ocala, you? Planning on going to the GTG later this month?

(03-04-2010 12:04 AM)jonbobshinigin Wrote:  Jettmar - That would be great, I am located in Ocala, you? Planning on going to the GTG later this month?

Won't be able to go to the GTG, and I should point out that I'm in the process of modifying a 603 motor and my curiosity as to how to identify the trans is that I would like the low first gear too! I didn't mean to lead you on that I wanted to sell mine. Sorry...
Good chance mine isn't the newer one anyway.
I'm interested in following along with what you're doing. I'm still gathering info on how to best accomplish all this.
Derek

You guys may be interested in this build. http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/show...438&page=3

I think a manual trans swap would be a bit too over the top but to each his own. It's certainly not a job I would want to tackle.

My computer won't let me "copy/paste" right now but it should in about 18 hours. (My nephew is on it!) I'll copy you the info from GSXR's (a member here) site about the trans number break that reflects the trans ratio change. If you can't wait or don't want to wait it's under: Index of /docs/mb/other
Regards, Eric

Well, all I can find there now is the month/year the change in ratios took place (09/88). You are just gonna have to find a donor trans that was built after that date. I thought he had the part numbers of the transmissions there but there are only the trans number prefixes there. So there is nothing to copy/paste. Sorry.

Maybe you or your trans guy can get just the first gear set for a reasonable amount of dough?
Regards, Eric

Thanks for trying. Any clues on where you might find the production date?

I did ask GSXR and he felt that the 09/88 changeover date was a car production date not a trans production date so that would mean a trans built a little before 09/88 could still have the newer, lower ratio first gear. You do know where the car production date is right? Maybe a dealer parts counterman/woman can help with the trans production date location.
Please post here what you find out. I'd like to know that info myself.
Regards, Eric

The extra trans I have came with the car in the trunk as a replacement for the trans in it that was supposedly bad, which it's not. So I don't know what it's out of and can't check the production date. I well look into it in ways you suggest and post what I find out.

Derek

Wait, is this the 1987 300D that just sold in Orlando? Black with Palomino interior. 240k miles or something?

Hey, you're paying attention to Craigs List pretty closely! Yes, that's it. I snapped it up fast because I lost out on the last one that surfaced. I've sold a bunch of stuff off it already and recouped most of my investment in buying it. Motor in it is, or seems to be mechanically sound. No blow-by or leaks.
I'm a little chicken about adjusting the pump timing and wanted to hear back from others here before I fooled with that.

Yeh...I was gonna get it as a parts car! What did you wind up picking it up for if you don't mind me asking? And do you have the passenger's side pillar between both doors with vinyl intact? I need that piece!

What are you going to put the 603 in?

I got it for $900.00 which was more than I wanted to spend but it ran and had some good parts. I sold the wheels and tires for $250.00, the exhaust for $300.00 and some other small stuff too.
I have the vinyl piece. pretty good. One bad spot in it that could be repaired.
I've got a 123 wagon that it's going into. I'll post some pics when I get them.
I solved the trans identification problem. The number you need is stamped on the passenger side of the trans just above where the pan meets. Call Mercedes and they can tell you what it came out of and what year. My extra trans is an 87 124 body car. Dang.

Could you please post a pic since you are gonna be posting pics anyway?

Well, I gotta get out there and take some pics of it. Until I do, here's a car I put together a few years ago, before the diesel bug bit me...
http://www.ritzsite.nl/280SL63/01_SL63.htm
Make sure you look at all the pages.
Derek

That's really a brilliant swap! Nicely done! That's got me wondering how hard it would be to do a 6.9 450 SL. Just what I needed! Another sick idea! Just think of it, nobody would ever dream of a 450 SL as being quick. I would keep it as stock looking as possible for just that reason. Did you know there is a guy on Mercedesshop who put an M120 V-12 in a 560 SL? I'll link you if you want.
Regards, Eric

Thanks. Glad you liked it.
There is a guy who put a 6.9 in a '70s SLC. Built his own intake manifold as I recall. Beautiful job. Hood clearance is the biggest issue I believe. Don't know car owners name.
I've got a 6.9 engine laying around for just such a project but lately I've been into figuring out how to make these diesels run hard.
Never heard of the 560SL with the V12. I'd be interested in seeing some pics of it.
Best,
Derek

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/show...p?t=178997
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/vbpi...iew&g=2172
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/show...p?t=266366
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/show...p?t=255618
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/show...p?t=242976

This is a thread I started about your car: http://www.500ecstasy.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7087
Regards, Eric

That 600SL is really cool. It fit with no hood issues. Very nice. Got the electronics to work too. Whoa!

Thanks for spreading the link around about my sl.

Well, I see Gerry is still haunting about. As far as how the car handles, I'll make a comment or two. I ran into a guy who had owned about 40 Pagoda body SLs over the years. He bought and sold them etc. He came by one day and I gave him a pretty good white knuckle ride around town and aside from all his hyperventilating after the ride, about all he could say is that it was the best handling Pagoda he'd ever been in! He LOVED it. Remember, this car has the whole full size Benz axles under it (with springs, no air bags). I put the big front and rear sway bars on it and that helps it to handle damn good. I can do great 4 wheel drifts with it and squirrelly things like that.
But Gerry is right in some respects. For instance, when you nail it the back end wants to come around to the front because of the short wheelbase. Also, it gets a little scary at high speeds with no ground effects (can you say airborne?) but it is one hell of an adrenaline rush to drive. It has the same type of rear suspension as the old 300SL which was, from what I've read, quite a handful to keep on the road at speed.

I still have the car and it's about due for cosmetic resto. Other projects have got my interest for now though but I'll go through it again hopefully pretty soon.

(02-21-2010 11:52 AM)ForcedInduction Wrote:  A 2359 or 2559 would be a much better match for a 603. The 2256 is easily maxed out on a 617 and the 603 has significantly higher VE.

No way can a 617 max out a GT2256V.
They run around 20psi and intercooled on a 4 valve 2.7L motor.

(03-22-2010 08:04 PM)Kiwibacon Wrote:  No way can a 617 max out a GT2256V.

Tell that to mine.

(03-24-2010 08:20 PM)ForcedInduction Wrote:  

(03-22-2010 08:04 PM)Kiwibacon Wrote:  No way can a 617 max out a GT2256V.

Tell that to mine.

Why do you think it's maxed out?