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Is "feathering the throttle" common for automatic drivers?

Started by Ilike300sd, 28 September 2011, 09:32 PM

Squiggle Dog

My 300SD seems to have more power than I will ever use. I'm rather impressed with its hill climbing ability, too. Not slow by any means! When the light turns green I'm way ahead of traffic in a matter of moments.

And actually, my 1968 200D with 55 horsepower that used to be my daily driver was more than adequate for freeway driving. I found that most of the time I was tailgating cars in front of me while merging into traffic and most of the time I was cruising at 70-80 MPH in the fast lane. Even this car was faster than several cars I have driven. It felt like having a small V8 under the hood! It was peppy and the only times it ever seemed slow was when I had to climb a steep grade starting at low speed. After driving a 200D as a daily driver for over a year I will never call one slow again!
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1967 W110 Universal Wagon, Euro, Turbo Diesel, Tail Fins, 4 Speed Manual Column Shift, A/C
1980 W116 300SD Turbo Diesel, DB479 Walnut Brown, Sunroof, Heated Seats, 350,000+

1980sdga

Quote from: Squiggle Dog on 02 October 2011, 01:59 AM
My 300SD seems to have more power than I will ever use.

It's adequate for me. Kind of like modern econobox acceleration. Still, the chassis makes it feel zippy.

I'd like to try an honest 300 hp in one. Under my right foot  8)

Casey

Quote from: 1980sdga on 02 October 2011, 03:48 PM
I'd like to try an honest 300 hp in one. Under my right foot  8)

My 450SE has a hundred more horsepower than the 300SD, but it's, erm, different.  I guess it's the torque that matters.  It sounds beautiful and once it's going accelerates pretty good and has a higher top speed, but it eats through over twice as much gas per mile and I don't feel that it would handle additional weight (e.g. towing) as well.

Squiggle Dog

Quote from: 1980sdga on 02 October 2011, 03:48 PM
It's adequate for me. Kind of like modern econobox acceleration. Still, the chassis makes it feel zippy.
I'd like to try an honest 300 hp in one. Under my right foot  8)

If you increase the boost on the turbo, back off the ALDA all the way (or remove it completely), and advance the pump and cam timing, you could have a good 200 horsepower, at least. That's not bad considering the torque!
Stop paying for animal cruelty and slaughter. Go vegan! [url="https://challenge22.com/"]https://challenge22.com/[/url]

1967 W110 Universal Wagon, Euro, Turbo Diesel, Tail Fins, 4 Speed Manual Column Shift, A/C
1980 W116 300SD Turbo Diesel, DB479 Walnut Brown, Sunroof, Heated Seats, 350,000+

Ilike300sd


Ilike300sd

Quote from: Squiggle Dog on 02 October 2011, 08:54 PM
If you increase the boost on the turbo, back off the ALDA all the way (or remove it completely), and advance the pump and cam timing, you could have a good 200 horsepower, at least. That's not bad considering the torque!

Has anyone done a "cookbook procedure" DIY to do this?  I would do the procedure it if it's not too complicated or expensive.  Does a DIY already exist?  Very interested in this just to see what max potential is for this car.  Must be safe for engine though.

1980sdga

Quote from: Ilike300sd on 02 October 2011, 09:26 PM
Quote from: Squiggle Dog on 02 October 2011, 08:54 PM
If you increase the boost on the turbo, back off the ALDA all the way (or remove it completely), and advance the pump and cam timing, you could have a good 200 horsepower, at least. That's not bad considering the torque!

Has anyone done a "cookbook procedure" DIY to do this?  I would do the procedure it if it's not too complicated or expensive.  Does a DIY already exist?  Very interested in this just to see what max potential is for this car.  Must be safe for engine though.

I would suggest getting all the performance you can through maintenance before doing any mods.  Filters, valve adjustment, etc.  Establishing a good stock baseline would be a good start.

Squiggle Dog

Stop paying for animal cruelty and slaughter. Go vegan! [url="https://challenge22.com/"]https://challenge22.com/[/url]

1967 W110 Universal Wagon, Euro, Turbo Diesel, Tail Fins, 4 Speed Manual Column Shift, A/C
1980 W116 300SD Turbo Diesel, DB479 Walnut Brown, Sunroof, Heated Seats, 350,000+