next newMBie question.....Diff swap?
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 356
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From: Glendale, AZ
'95 E420 SE
next newMBie question.....Diff swap?
After having logged a few miles piloting the 420, I have discovered that the car is a bit sleepy up to about 50-60 mph. But, from those speeds the thing starts to pull.....HARD! Before I know it the car could well be going 160 mph if I had the desire to keep in it. Uh oh. 
Obviously, the car is tuned for high speed blasts typical of an romp on the autobahn. Great for Hockenheim, not so much for Glendale, AZ. So then I get to thinking.....
....in the MB world, is there such a thing as a differential swap or at least a gearset swap that would shift some of the bias to improve 0-60 mph times and maybe take away a bit of the top end. Of course, the key here is to try and keep the majority of the drivability and efficiency as the stock setup, but just shift the envalope a bit. I would prefer to not have the engine turning 800 rpm faster in all driving situations if possible...and I think I would be OK by swapping the diff. and leaving the trans. as-is...yes/no?
Any tried this with any success? TIA.
Obviously, the car is tuned for high speed blasts typical of an romp on the autobahn. Great for Hockenheim, not so much for Glendale, AZ. So then I get to thinking.....
....in the MB world, is there such a thing as a differential swap or at least a gearset swap that would shift some of the bias to improve 0-60 mph times and maybe take away a bit of the top end. Of course, the key here is to try and keep the majority of the drivability and efficiency as the stock setup, but just shift the envalope a bit. I would prefer to not have the engine turning 800 rpm faster in all driving situations if possible...and I think I would be OK by swapping the diff. and leaving the trans. as-is...yes/no?
Any tried this with any success? TIA.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Oct 2006
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From: Glendale, AZ
'95 E420 SE
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From: Santa Clara, CA
95' E420
ok, here is what you may be looking for...
http://www.tom.actionfit.com/2_82_Differental_Swap.html
http://www.tom.actionfit.com/2_82_Differental_Swap.html
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Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 356
Likes: 0
From: Glendale, AZ
'95 E420 SE
ok, here is what you may be looking for...
http://www.tom.actionfit.com/2_82_Differental_Swap.html
http://www.tom.actionfit.com/2_82_Differental_Swap.html
Almost a Member!
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: Santa Clara, CA
95' E420
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 356
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From: Glendale, AZ
'95 E420 SE
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Joined: Mar 2006
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From: Virginia
Range Rover Classic
Parts came from Rusty at BuyMBParts.com. Cost ran about 1600 w/o shipping. My mechanic is sourcing a used differential for the swap.
The Sportline E420 was not sold outside of Europe. I looked for but couldn't get the Steering Box that it was fitted with(tightest of the W124s.) It also came (as all the Euro 400s/420s did) with a 2.65 geared differential. Steering wheel was changed for the standard Sportline version. Those are still around for purchase but they will run 1000 USD (so I postponed that for a later date).
Forgot to mention that the kit also includes stiffer swaybars (aka Torsion Bars).
The Sportline E420 was not sold outside of Europe. I looked for but couldn't get the Steering Box that it was fitted with(tightest of the W124s.) It also came (as all the Euro 400s/420s did) with a 2.65 geared differential. Steering wheel was changed for the standard Sportline version. Those are still around for purchase but they will run 1000 USD (so I postponed that for a later date).
Forgot to mention that the kit also includes stiffer swaybars (aka Torsion Bars).
Last edited by Eliot; Nov 28, 2006 at 04:34 PM.
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Joined: Mar 2006
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From: Virginia
Range Rover Classic
Im thinking diff swap and engine swap cause im reading the engine swap thread lol
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