W116 S270 CDI

[Jackhammer]

Hi everyone!

This forum helped me A LOT with my W116, so i finally decided to share with you all my project.

I bought mine W116 300SD in 2018. It sat since 2005 in a garage, and was in a quite sad condition. Many parts missing, interior was dirty, all seat springs were shot. Brakes seized, shocks non-existent, half of the ac components non existent etc. But the worst crime,- engine converted to naturally aspirated om617, with 4 speed manual box.

Since it wasn't nowhere near it's original state, I was inspired to make something interesting out if it, Over the years I sourced most of the missing parts, completely overhauled braking system, as well as suspension and interior. I always had another mercs, and did engine conversions for my self and other people,- mostly to om60x engines, with performance injections pumps. But I personally don't like the powerband of IDI engines, so om612 CDI was chosen. I chose om612 instead of om613 mostly due to space constraints.
I started with the conversion in July of 2023. My goal was not to hack up the chassis and/or body, and to look as original as possible from the outside to the untrained eye. After lots and lots of fabrication, trial and error, as well as tinkering with the wiring, - engine is in the place, mated to 6 speed manual gearbox, powering the 2.47 rear end.

It's not done yet, I still need to clean up the wiring, hide the ecu, connect the AC system, and a sea of other bits and pieces, (interior and exterior wise) but it's finally coming together.

I will deliver some high quality photos, as well as videos,- as soon as i have it registered and pretty much complete

[rumb]

Great project!

How did a 300sd end up in Siberia?

[raueda1]

Beautiful! And a 6 speed!  Please keep posting progress.

[Jackhammer]

Great project!

How did a 300sd end up in Siberia?

Not Siberia, Serbia, very different country 
at that time, it was Yugoslavia, and the first owner was government of Yugoslavia. Unfortunately, I  don't know it's history. It was probably used for high profile politicians, or secret police


Thank you raueda1! Will do, as I'm slowly finishing up. The 6 speed box is soo smoother and more precise than 5 speed, however it comes with it's cons, that being no mechanical speedo reading

[Jackhammer]

Here's some progress, still not finished, but getting there. The combination of engine, gearbox and differential is excellent. Has a good acceleration, and low revs at higher speeds.
Penta wheels, H&R springs, Sachs advantage shocks. Drives like a much more modern car.

Btw what's the deal with 1mb picture limit? Pain having to downsize every single photo

[Randys01]

Take a bow!!..fabulous project!

[LazyLightning]

Wow!!!  A gated 6-speed in a 116!  Killer build - nice work!

[Neil4speed]

WOW! Speechless... When I saw the gated I almost fell off my chair. Exceptional work. I am floored by the talent of the members of this forum.

[Jackhammer]

Haha thank you all for support, I appreciate it!
 
As for the gated shifter, due to modifications to shifter assembly, i had to remove reverse lock, so it was really difficult to find the 1st gear, and then it hit me... why not make the gate for it. It was a lot of work, but definitely worth it