Poor mansw124 sportline conversion
Poor mansw124 sportline conversion
The V8 rear subframe (should be same between 400/420 & 500) is a bit heavier duty & requires the updated 12mm bolt links, which have superceded the 10mm (IIRC) ones.... but prolly not worth the swap, especially since you have to upgrade the diff to 210mm, which to maintain factory 300D (OM603) ratio means you have to find a 93-95 E320/E280 (may be others) to get a 2.65:1 210mm one, the cover is significantly different between the smaller 185mm one that comes stock behind the 603. Ive got pics somewhere that Ill put in my yet to be constructed build thread for my w124 that show the physical differences between the two subframes and diffs...the larger diff is physically about 1.5" or so wider, but the axles enter the case within a 1/2" of the smaller one, so the axles swap without issue...
the rear brakes are slightly larger diameter, but much thicker & vented, which is the important facet of the upgrade...calipers are more difficult to come by tho...
Regarding interior swaps, the V8 models have different seat bottom brackets (trans tunnel is larger apparently) which make the rear carpet(under the front seats and back) different as well. You can cut new holes to make it work with the non-V8 seats, but the old holes will still be there...also the wiring between the old and new seats requires the old seat brakets&motors(at least witout mods)... the rear "C" pillar panels are different as well and would necessitate welding in different seat belt brackets to utilize, best bet would be to find the older style in the proper color.
Rear sway bar requires removal of subframe (al least partially) to be swapped. I installed an S600 one, even though it was similar dimensions to the stock one...not sure if its better or not yet as my suspension isn't finished enough for me to really flog yet.
W123 Mods: 4 speed ** manual climate control ** '85 Kalitucky intake ** manual windows & full tint ** Euro headlights retrofit w/bixenon projectors ** 4 brake light mod ** Vogtland 50mm drop front & Lesjofors S600 drop rear springs ** 16" rims ** late w126 brake spindles, rotors & calipers ** full suspension rehab ** Bilstein HDs ** AL129X alternator & 1/0 starter and charging cables ** 300GD clutch/flywheel ** AFCO 80103N radiator & Earl's 41610 oil cooler ** custom block-off plate, remote oil filter & t-stat ** MW IP w/ tomnik's 6.5mm 'Holly' elements **
S124 Mods: 400E Rear subframe ** SL600 Brakes ** Late 300E 210mm diff ** SLK230 6 speed ** 17" CLK rims ** Vented RF Fender ** Facelift Hood, Headlights, and Lower Cladding **
OBK# 62
SurfRodder
06-17-2013, 01:40 PM #26A couple of things...
The V8 rear subframe (should be same between 400/420 & 500) is a bit heavier duty & requires the updated 12mm bolt links, which have superceded the 10mm (IIRC) ones.... but prolly not worth the swap, especially since you have to upgrade the diff to 210mm, which to maintain factory 300D (OM603) ratio means you have to find a 93-95 E320/E280 (may be others) to get a 2.65:1 210mm one, the cover is significantly different between the smaller 185mm one that comes stock behind the 603. Ive got pics somewhere that Ill put in my yet to be constructed build thread for my w124 that show the physical differences between the two subframes and diffs...the larger diff is physically about 1.5" or so wider, but the axles enter the case within a 1/2" of the smaller one, so the axles swap without issue...
the rear brakes are slightly larger diameter, but much thicker & vented, which is the important facet of the upgrade...calipers are more difficult to come by tho...
Regarding interior swaps, the V8 models have different seat bottom brackets (trans tunnel is larger apparently) which make the rear carpet(under the front seats and back) different as well. You can cut new holes to make it work with the non-V8 seats, but the old holes will still be there...also the wiring between the old and new seats requires the old seat brakets&motors(at least witout mods)... the rear "C" pillar panels are different as well and would necessitate welding in different seat belt brackets to utilize, best bet would be to find the older style in the proper color.
Rear sway bar requires removal of subframe (al least partially) to be swapped. I installed an S600 one, even though it was similar dimensions to the stock one...not sure if its better or not yet as my suspension isn't finished enough for me to really flog yet.
W123 Mods: 4 speed ** manual climate control ** '85 Kalitucky intake ** manual windows & full tint ** Euro headlights retrofit w/bixenon projectors ** 4 brake light mod ** Vogtland 50mm drop front & Lesjofors S600 drop rear springs ** 16" rims ** late w126 brake spindles, rotors & calipers ** full suspension rehab ** Bilstein HDs ** AL129X alternator & 1/0 starter and charging cables ** 300GD clutch/flywheel ** AFCO 80103N radiator & Earl's 41610 oil cooler ** custom block-off plate, remote oil filter & t-stat ** MW IP w/ tomnik's 6.5mm 'Holly' elements **
S124 Mods: 400E Rear subframe ** SL600 Brakes ** Late 300E 210mm diff ** SLK230 6 speed ** 17" CLK rims ** Vented RF Fender ** Facelift Hood, Headlights, and Lower Cladding **
OBK# 62
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