OWNER hsumeet (400E)

[hsumeet]

I think I won this round? Flogged on it a little bit through a 30 mile country course and then sat and idled in front of the house for 10 minutes. I can't replicate the car shutting down, even when the temps get close to the 100C mark. Got both wheels to shoot out a smoke screen for good measure at the end. Guess I'll have to pucker up and test her out in traffic when the sun is at its peak?

 

[Kyiv]

And let us know the results!

 

[hsumeet]

And let us know the results!

Of course! Y'all are the reason I don't feel alone in my part throwing shenanigans. It would be beyond frustrating for me to diagnose and bounce ideas off of my brain dead self.

 

[hsumeet]

I changed the FPR and it runs a lot smoother than before? There was a slight engine bucking when starting cold and idling before that I thought could be an engine mount that's not as tight anymore. But after changing the regulator absolutely no more shaking when first starting up. Does this sound right? Oh and it was a 3.8 bar regulator that came out, so already replaced before?

 

[hsumeet]

Little by little it's getting there. New diff, flex disks, subframe bushings, suspension arms, Bilstein Sport and Sportline springs are all installed. Feels like a totally different car, easily cornering and passing astonished new car owners, leaving them in the dust. I'm finding excuses to go out and drive.

New problem has occurred though. Wheels turned all the way to lock and reversing the car dies. Wth is going on?!

Oh and any recommendations for alternatives to yellow box? They're backordered for up to 14 weeks

 

[Kyiv]

New diff

2.65?

subframe bushings

How bad were the originals?

Wheels turned all the way to lock and reversing the car dies.

Does it happen every time? Is that the only scenario the engine will die under?

 

[hsumeet]

2.65?


How bad were the originals?


Does it happen every time? Is that the only scenario the engine will die under?

Yes sir, 2.65 out of a 500SL. This one actually made it to me and it looked nice. Was expecting rust but none to be found. Took a little persuasion and pulling but finally got the front input shaft out of the driveshaft. Well worth the upgrade and the engine can drive at 80 all day long. Pulls everywhere in the powerband now.

The subframe bushings looked new but since I already had them I replaced them. The shocks and the arm replacements were badly needed. The harsher ride of the Bilsteins took a few miles to get used to but everything is nice and tight, close enough for now for me to drive like a hoonigan when the urge hits. Sway bars are next!

Yep only full lock turn and putting it into reverse. Otherwise the car was idling perfect, pulled like an angry pitbull to redline every time, sat in traffic without even a hiccup with A/C blowing full blast. After a long drive and tankful of gas later, I went to reverse into my driveway and went full lock and she said "I'm done". Took a couple of seconds for my formerly happy self to realize the engine had turned off (it was running so smooth that you could barely register the car was on). Put it into park, cranked engine and couldn't get it started. Cranked engine while giving gas and yanking the steering wheel back, it sputtered on. Rolled it back and put it in facing forward feeling semi-deflated. I replicated the problem several times by turning the steering wheel full lock either direction and putting it into reverse. My solution is not taking too steep of a path backwards until I figure this one out...

 

[kegmankipp]

Glad to hear the 2.65 is singing for you too. Pretty soon you’ll start forgetting stuff at the grocery store just so you can’t drive back

Sorry to hear about the reverse issue, I have no idea on that one.

 

[hsumeet]

Glad to hear the 2.65 is singing for you too. Pretty soon you’ll start forgetting stuff at the grocery store just so you can’t drive back

Sorry to hear about the reverse issue, I have no idea on that one.

I went to a grocery store about 50 miles away from me because they have a specific dip I like

 

[Kyiv]

Yes sir, 2.65 out of a 500SL.

Took a little persuasion and pulling but finally got the front input shaft out of the driveshaft. Well worth the upgrade and the engine can drive at 80 all day long. Pulls everywhere in the powerband now.

Please be a tad more elaborate in details. For simpletons like myself. How hard was the job? What turned out to be easier/what turned out to be more difficult. Any downsides to 2.65 ratio? If you were paid a million dollars to explain to a deaf, semi blind grandmother that worked all its life on a farm and raised 7 children, and knows nothing about "things mechanical": what does a 2.65 feels like on an E420 after 2.24. I'm all EARS!

 

[Kyiv]

The subframe bushings looked new but since I already had them I replaced them. The shocks and the arm replacements were badly needed.

Any pictures? Did you go with TRWs?

 

[hsumeet]

I will try to write out a detailed step by step with pictures ASAP. Away from the garage at the moment and I want everyone who hasn't done this switch to do it if you drive like I do. It isn't overly difficult, even easier for anyone else if I can explain it properly. And if a 120lb wafer like me can pull it off, there shouldn't be any excuses of weight of the thing. This swap is indeed what is missing performance-wise, especially to keep up with traffic and how people drive in the city, stop light to stop light. With the 2.24 I didn't feel like I had a V8 in the car because of how sluggish it was off the line. I know there's bound to be some performance loss over 30 years but it was rated at 300 lbft new and I didn't feel a push until much too high in the RPM, which isn't useful for most city driving. With the 2.65 it just goes. First time from a stop sign I floored it, and instant gratification. New tires gripped and engine power was there from the start. No waiting for the VTEC like sensation of torque I was getting before. Little "screech" and bye bye. Highway passing is hilarious. Dad actually smiled instead of yelling at me when I gave it more right pedal and passed a line of grandmas that were clogging the left lane. While staying in 4th gear. It was good at passing before but noticably better now. The RPMs are not at all worrisome (75 I was pushing little over 3k I think) and the engine can't be heard and showed no signs of strain. Soooo smooth, love the M119!

Before with the 2.24 I was able to achieve 21-23ish mpg with 50/50 city and highway. I will try to get more data with the 2.65 since I only have one tank on it thus far. And it's not representative because there may have been a little too much fun had. 17mpg so some economy given up for lots more smiles per gallon. To sum it up, 2.24 to 2.65 will make you happy. But it will also erase any gas friendly habits you may have picked up from driving a hybrid.

I'll try to get pictures of the old arms if they weren't thrown out. Subframe mounts I kept in the spare box so I will get a picture of those. It was the kit from FCP, Lemforder.

Mercedes Rear Control Arm Kit - Lemforder W124RSKIT

Mercedes Rear Control Arm Kit - Lemforder W124RSKIT

www.fcpeuro.com

Also for the subframe

Mercedes Subframe Mount - Lemforder 1243510242

Mercedes Subframe Mount - Lemforder 1243510242

www.fcpeuro.com

I don't remember seeing TRW?

 

[Kyiv]

I don't remember seeing TRW

It's my English. I thought that by "arms" you meant front control arms. To me, rear suspension arms are "links". Looking forward to the description of the differential swap job

 

[hsumeet]

I'm also not the best with technical names of parts. I just point and say "that thing." I was looking into doing the front but my indy shop advised that everything is new so it would be a waste of money. I'll take their word for it since they let me know the moment they see something that needs to be replaced and won't do the alignment if it will affect their work. I'm keeping an eye out for another 2.65 candidate as well.

 

[hsumeet]

Sorry I haven't been able to get to a writeup or any updates. I had to take a slight break and deal with unfortunate personal matters that ended up involving quite a bit of driving (Texas-Ontario). Big Blue was the chosen companion and handled everything from the 26 hour drive (4 times!) to the hours spent in traffic in Toronto. Over 9000 miles in the last 2ish months and didn't even break a sweat. She drove over 20 hours at a time without rest and not a sputter or complaint. Then got up the next day looking pretty as always and ready to roll.

Since the YellowBox is still on backorder I had to use a portable GPS to track speed and mileage. For the long stretches of the road trips I was able to achieve 25mpg at average speeds of 80mph, with minimal time spent at autobahn velocity. Even got as high as 27mpg when I had to slow down a bit. Once in the city, that number took a big dip. I stopped tracking my efficiency in Canada after I dipped into the lower teens. The right foot pedal was the best therapy and too great at achieving high smiles per gallon so I just made sure the tank never sunk far below half.

This car has been one of the few bright spots in life and I can't wait to get back to finishing the restoration. The stereo and speakers still need to be replaced with working units but after driving with only the sound of the beautiful M119 for hours on end, that is not high on the concern list. Yes I've enjoyed the sound of the old V8 that much. And the trunk clear coat is the last major blemish to take care of but honestly I've been enjoying the driving too much to care.

Still looks good enough to make me want to look back at her when I walk away