SDC build (turbo diesel SEC)
SDC build (turbo diesel SEC)
A few years ago I transitioned from VW's to mercedes. I bought my first one and the build quality had me sold. My first one was a 300SD I still drive it daily I have done a bit to it including run it partially on vegetable oil.
I figured the way this car was built it could last me forever and I intended it to. But I had a couple issues: I had to put another main pulley/balancer on the car, since MB balances them as a unit the new one isnt balanced. In this robust diesel this may never be an issue, but I know it will bother me so I picked up another turbo diesel engine just in case.
Since getting into the benz's, online I would see the 2 door version of my car The SEC)and I fell in love with the body style. Beings as the the SEC was Mercedes flagship sport/luxury car, they never bothered to put the pig diesel motor in it, they only came with V8's. Well there is only one thing to do now isn't there...
I started my quest for my SEC donor. They are not too common as they were a $90,000 car to begin with. I found one up in michigan and fell in love with it. I brought it home and with the history of it and the uniqueness of this particular car, not to mention a smooth purring 560 V8, I couldn't bring myself to desecrating it by putting an oil burner in it, so now I just keep her clean and looking pretty.
A few months after I found one in the cleveland area with a couple engine problems and a bashed in door, this one seemed a little more deserving. So now trying to juggle a hundred other projects I pulled her in the garage this week and started tearing into her. I will try and keep up with pictures if anyone is interested. Here is the donor:
cool which diesel are you putting in it?
Cool take some pictures! That would be a screamer with an om606 probably faster than a stock 560sec
awesome project! always a fan of those big comfortable coupes, should be a great conversion.
what awards do you have on the 4door in the pics?
Nice looking sd
There is a slight variance in the timeline onthis project. I actually just copied that from a local site I popsted it some time ago, so I have a few months under my belt rather then just getting started. I'll post up some pics here and there.
Here is the 560 coming out:
Here is the 617 that is now partially in it.
Dropnosky, I am very proud of those prestigious awards, out of almost 50 other Benz's I was graced with: Baldest tires, Worst Mod (guess they didn't like the roof rack) and The survivor award.
That is a pretty motor.
I want to do this to a older slc.
(10-26-2011, 10:35 AM)Offalot Dropnosky, I am very proud of those prestigious awards, out of almost 50 other Benz's I was graced with: Baldest tires, Worst Mod (guess they didn't like the roof rack) and The survivor award.
(10-27-2011, 01:54 AM)dieselboy I want to do this to a older slc.
(10-26-2011, 02:25 PM)mike-81-240d That is a pretty motor.
(10-26-2011, 10:35 AM)Offalot Dropnosky, I am very proud of those prestigious awards, out of almost 50 other Benz's I was graced with: Baldest tires, Worst Mod (guess they didn't like the roof rack) and The survivor award.
(10-27-2011, 01:54 AM)dieselboy I want to do this to a older slc.
(10-26-2011, 02:25 PM)mike-81-240d That is a pretty motor.
I just thought it was silver spray paint lol
PS The "awards" had me falling out of my chair with laughter! They are the kind that I would win with my off road tires, fender exhaust, broken bumper lol
The awards came from OhNo Ohio North) Mr bills get together. A good time with some laid back folks if anyone is near the area.
I never noticed a difference in headroom while driving my other SEC from my SD. I am 6'1". the backseat is about worthless though for such a big car.
The tranny is "polished". Aluminum cleans up real quick and easy with wire wheels. Thats the treatment on about all the shininess you see on the motor, except the hot parts of the exhaust which is high temp stainless paint.
I'll update some more pics soon.
Thanks for posting. Looking forward to seeing the finished product.
.
I started Shaving the bay a bit but kept myself from getting carried away as this will be a daily driver that will see salt and need to be worked on occasionally, so I just welded up most the holes I didn't need, cut off un needed brackets and relocated a bunch of crap:
Weld/bondo stage:
Primer Stage:
Finished stage:
A little update. I have been working on the underbody. Put the car up on the tilter to make my life easier. Taking care of any rust that may become a problem, Treating it with POR_15, seam sealer then undercoating so hopefully I won't see any rust for a while. Also dropped the diff and am giving once over. Patched a couple holes, all with stainless sheetmetal.
(11-04-2011, 04:12 PM)DanielK well there's your problem, your car flipped on its side.
(11-04-2011, 04:12 PM)DanielK well there's your problem, your car flipped on its side.
Thats dope!
bad ass I am surprised that the suspension hand handle the stress of the whole body on only 2 spindles
(11-04-2011, 04:37 PM)dropnosky(11-04-2011, 04:12 PM)DanielK well there's your problem, your car flipped on its side.
I think I want that rolling contraption for christmas. What a convenient way to repair floor holes.
Where did you get it?
(11-04-2011, 04:37 PM)dropnosky(11-04-2011, 04:12 PM)DanielK well there's your problem, your car flipped on its side.
I think I want that rolling contraption for christmas. What a convenient way to repair floor holes.
Where did you get it?
Whoa that thing is awesome!! I think I want one lol
Somebody posted that similar setup at peachparts a few years ago with information on the manufacture/seller. But I can't seem to find the link.
Here is video of it in action. Very neat tool to have.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CK3-PHVe0...re=related
.
(11-08-2011, 02:21 AM)DeliveryValve Somebody posted that similar setup at peachparts a few years ago with information on the manufacture/seller. But I can't seem to find the link.
Here is video of it in action. Very neat tool to have.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CK3-PHVe0...re=related
.
(11-08-2011, 02:21 AM)DeliveryValve Somebody posted that similar setup at peachparts a few years ago with information on the manufacture/seller. But I can't seem to find the link.
Here is video of it in action. Very neat tool to have.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CK3-PHVe0...re=related
.
(11-08-2011, 08:25 AM)OffalotThat's the one I was thinking of from the peachparts link! Again awesome tool!(11-08-2011, 02:21 AM)DeliveryValve Somebody posted that similar setup at peachparts a few years ago with information on the manufacture/seller. But I can't seem to find the link.
Here is video of it in action. Very neat tool to have.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CK3-PHVe0...re=related
.
That's a different one. Pretty nice though with the ratcheting system. Mine uses a built in screw jack and a drill motor to lift it, then you use jackstands as your safety device. I was a bit nervous at first but it seems pretty darn solid. Ive seen pics of a guy using this same one working on a F250. Not to mention, look at the car they use to advertise it http://www.liqui-technik.com/kipp2_e.html
(11-08-2011, 08:25 AM)OffalotThat's the one I was thinking of from the peachparts link! Again awesome tool!(11-08-2011, 02:21 AM)DeliveryValve Somebody posted that similar setup at peachparts a few years ago with information on the manufacture/seller. But I can't seem to find the link.
Here is video of it in action. Very neat tool to have.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CK3-PHVe0...re=related
.
That's a different one. Pretty nice though with the ratcheting system. Mine uses a built in screw jack and a drill motor to lift it, then you use jackstands as your safety device. I was a bit nervous at first but it seems pretty darn solid. Ive seen pics of a guy using this same one working on a F250. Not to mention, look at the car they use to advertise it http://www.liqui-technik.com/kipp2_e.html
Since there's so much interest, here's a couple more pictures.
It didn't really like the gravel driveway, that's why the other pictures are in the garage. Was trying to avoid that since a little rust would be flying around, but it was a little better then I thought.
Holy crap, It's been like 3 years since Ive gotten into this. What a slacker! In my defense, I've tackled a couple other projects, then there's all that other crap that gets in the way, work home and making babies. But I will try to catch up on the slow progress I've made on this and get up to date... I'll kinda pretend I am posting as its happening so it seems like I'm working much faster than one improvement every 6 months'
Engine is in (can't find any pictures just now) Bolted up pretty easlily. A bunch of work wnet into the plumbing and wiring that I may get into a little more shortly, probably when I have pictures to explain it. The SEC driveshaft didn't bolt up to the diesel tranny so I had to pick up a SD shaft and make a hybrid. Here it is getting assembled. As of now (3 years later) I am not sure if I trust my assembly and might end up pulling it back off and having a proper shop check it.
Back up on its side for installing the driveshaft and fabbing up the exhaust. Did some R&R on the Diff while at it. Found out it was an LSD while in there, Bonus!.
Went with a 3" madrel bent exhaust, not stainless, mainly because I had the mandrel bent steel laying around and free is better than several hundred dollars.
Slapped a stainless dual outlet muffler on there and I think she'll flow pretty good. Painted it up with barbeque paint.
Nice project! I'm collecting parts and getting close to a europian SDC with a 603 and a 5 speed, hopefully it'll be a blow and go project in a week this winter, the base car is in great shape already, one owner.
(10-26-2014, 02:37 PM)NapaBavarian Nice project! I'm collecting parts and getting close to a europian SDC with a 603 and a 5 speed, hopefully it'll be a blow and go project in a week this winter, the base car is in great shape already, one owner.Yeah, if I had done just an engine swap it wouldn't take me nearly this long, but there are a bunch of other little things I am tackling while at it. Off the top of my head, the biggest issues in just the swap were, the driveshaft, changed out the ignition, Wiring (I eliminated all the wires I didn't need. Filled a box), obviouly exhaust (One from the donor car would probably work) and fuel lines, I'm sure there's more but that's all I could think of.
(10-26-2014, 02:37 PM)NapaBavarian Nice project! I'm collecting parts and getting close to a europian SDC with a 603 and a 5 speed, hopefully it'll be a blow and go project in a week this winter, the base car is in great shape already, one owner.Yeah, if I had done just an engine swap it wouldn't take me nearly this long, but there are a bunch of other little things I am tackling while at it. Off the top of my head, the biggest issues in just the swap were, the driveshaft, changed out the ignition, Wiring (I eliminated all the wires I didn't need. Filled a box), obviouly exhaust (One from the donor car would probably work) and fuel lines, I'm sure there's more but that's all I could think of.
Sweet project man! I am almost directly south of you, except in the bottom of the state
Love the attention to detail, the exhaust fab looks wonderful.
My choice for that engne was largely based on manual transmission options, and I really got lucky finding a euro 300d w124 in the junkyard and an engine donor with a #22 head and a fresh ip. I wanted the best parts of my 300sd crossed with the best parts of my 190d turbo 5 speed.
(10-29-2014, 09:27 AM)NapaBavarian My choice for that engne was largely based on manual transmission options, and I really got lucky finding a euro 300d w124 in the junkyard and an engine donor with a #22 head and a fresh ip. I wanted the best parts of my 300sd crossed with the best parts of my 190d turbo 5 speed.
(10-29-2014, 09:27 AM)NapaBavarian My choice for that engne was largely based on manual transmission options, and I really got lucky finding a euro 300d w124 in the junkyard and an engine donor with a #22 head and a fresh ip. I wanted the best parts of my 300sd crossed with the best parts of my 190d turbo 5 speed.
State route 26 is a beautiful and fun ride on a bike, and it's right by our farm
It's coming along nicely, can't wait to see the finished product
Okay, I'm going to jump around a little because I'm working on this part at the moment and get back to what I've done previously later.
About a week or so ago, I decided I wanted to add an intercooler, you know, to delay the completion even more.
I had an large IC off of a Isuzu NPR box truck laying around that seemed like it would be a pretty nice fit to this thing. Well it looks good but is by no means an easy fit. First I had to eliminate the stock oil cooler so I will need to get an aftermarket one and plumb it in. I will be using the method from another member and braze in AN fittings to the hardlines and put a universal cooler in front of the radiator. I did this so I could center the radiator, so I'll have to change some hoses and I redrilled new mounting holes in the base support and milled new grooes for the clips on the top support. The in/outlet of the IC are too wide so I had to cut te uprights holding the radiator support off, which caused it to drop, so I'll have to support that somehow. As of last night I did that and am making mounting brackets for the IC. I am also going to have to do some decent cutting/spacing of the front bumper. And I haven't even gotten to the plumbing yet! SHeesh.
(11-03-2014, 09:05 AM)mbz123 That cooler looks fine. Already has fittings too.Good to know. Thanks. I might head up to a local yard Saturday morning, I'll check out whats available. In the meantime I can still set up the lines with 10AN's and be set up for just about anything. It will be fitting in between the IC and radiator so slimmer would be better.
If you're in pnp's at all, I noticed 80's era bimmers have oil coolers that would work and are super slim to fit virtually anywhere.
MBZ123
(11-03-2014, 09:05 AM)mbz123 That cooler looks fine. Already has fittings too.Good to know. Thanks. I might head up to a local yard Saturday morning, I'll check out whats available. In the meantime I can still set up the lines with 10AN's and be set up for just about anything. It will be fitting in between the IC and radiator so slimmer would be better.
If you're in pnp's at all, I noticed 80's era bimmers have oil coolers that would work and are super slim to fit virtually anywhere.
MBZ123
Neat. You gonna weld those knuckles? I bet they're forged and safer to weld that cast iron.
Yes I cut the spindle arms and knocked out about 2" as those are the limiting factor of going very low. I carefully mig welded them, they seemed to take to it fairly well. To be a little safe, I also welded some extra steel rod along the length of it to give it a little more strength.
Yes Petar, this is for air suspension. It certainly wasn't easy fabbing this and getting it right. I went through a couple different styles of bags until I have something that works, and even then I am not fully happy with the lift and drop of it. I may mess with it later, for now it works. Here they are installed.
(11-14-2014, 11:28 AM)MFSuper90 How's the ride with bags?
(11-14-2014, 11:28 AM)MFSuper90 How's the ride with bags?
What rear muffler is that? I want it.