PJmak

Love what you did with the car man. Good work

She looks quick out there


More info on how to refinish the wheel would be appreciated and can u please post close up pics of sanded wheel lips?

johnhef

I Think I posted the only pic of the lip I had already. I may do another set for track use so I may have more pics then.

as far as the steering wheel goes, I removed it, gave it to my friend, he taped it off and sprayed it, I put it back on.

RANDY_P

Excellent work- saving a C36 is good stuff.

Also, mbpartswarehouse.com rocks.

Ordered parts Sunday, got parts TODAY.

I've never, ever seen any deal that fast. Thanks for the tip..

PS wasn't sure if it was here or the other site you posted that link for the struts.

rjp

johnhef

time for some updates, first all the autocross vids I've missed posting. Front suspension was still out of wack in these early ax's so it really created a lot of extra work during tight maneuvering as evidenced in this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5cfH9zC4Aw

The car was parked for a bit after destroying its brakes after 2 days at VIR and waiting forever for EBC to ship pads that never came. I eventually went with Porterfield instead. Skip ahead to more recently and heres the video from the September autocross: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-dkz_WIAiI

jumph4x

Looks good! Were you shifting in the first one?

Also, looks like you can gain a bit of time with rigorous hand positions. These cars don't provide a lot of feedback, so every bit of muscle memory will go a long way!

johnhef

Yes, was trying out leaving it in 1st, but it doesnt shift up to 2 and back down like my SEC did. We enlarged the holes for the LCA's to get a bit more negative camber and now it turns with much less effort. Here's the video from last months national MBCA event autocross, Starfest: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxvsz9gEmxg

jumph4x

Just noticed yours is the 1997.

Mine has the good ole 722.328 4-speed. Definitely never downshifts back to 1st in the 2 mode. However, the shorter gearing cures that issue. 2nd now tops out at 60mph, the perfect cutoff for SOLO II.

EDIT: Nevermind, what I meant to say is that it won't downshift as per the ECU command, I believe the kickdown still activates second if I'm sufficiently low in the RPM band.

johnhef

Starfest Acceleration Runs, the lame version of the quarter mile that not a full quarter mile...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2Q0xXzt4Xc

johnhef

HPDE track days at Summit Point. Day 1 wet:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBOAf3OuPwQ

Day 2, dry:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFPZZ5-eHRI

siideways

Are those OEM C43 seat covers? If so, how'd you source those? Or are they custom-made to look like the 2-tones in the C43?

steve s

nice restore.. try using a soft/plush cover on the mic of the video cam to help minimize wind noise during those runs... just wanna hear the engine clearer

johnhef

Steve, I had something like that, but it was more along the lines of a piece of TP folded over and taped over the mic The last few vids were with a new camera and it didnt have the cover in place.

Here's the last vid from that event, me alone on the track trying to crank out my fastest lap time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3-nxeY48dE

johnhef

Not just OEM seat covers, theyre the whole C43 seat. Had to reprogram my SRS module and rewire the seat heaters to work with the earlier harness and I still have yet to run the lines for the ortho front seats. The rears needed the latches installed in the trunk for the folding seat backs, but other then that its a pretty much straight bolt in swap.

PJmak

Thats a lot of tire noise. what kinda tires you use?

siideways

Did you get them through the dealership? I ask because I had passed up on a C43 due to torn leather in the seats and I figured they were gonna run me an arm and a leg.

johnhef

No, Potomac German Auto got a C43 in and put the interior up on ebay, after relisting the auction 4 or 5 times and it not selling, I made them an offer and they accepted.

johnhef

Tried Toyo RA-1's this season and not liking them a whole lot. Had Toyo R888's last year and I think I will go back to them.

tasho3

dude great work and i love your collection of cars, the only thing missing i would say is a 190 cossworth and 320ce

siideways

I see, well it sounds like you scored (although I don't know what you paid for them)! Anyway, other than for buying new seats altogether like you did, do you have any suggestions on how else to repair/correct/re-upholster worn/torn leather in those unique 2-tone C43 seats?

I've checked with various aftermarket Mercedes interior leather specialists, and none seem to carry that same pattern or color. Are all C43 owners w/ these seats doomed when their seat leather eventually breaks down?

johnhef

it might be kind of expensive but you should be able to buy new seat covers from mercedes if you cant find an upholstery shop to repair yours.

johnhef

Nope got one of those too


also theres my friends 300CE-24 sportline with Lorinser bodykit sitting out back here, does that count?

siideways

BTW, did you re-use the front bumper like you did with the rear?

johnhef

yes, it was patched, sanded sprayed and put back on