Differential Swap
12-11-2023, 06:20 PM
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2000 mercedes benz S500
Differential Swap
Hallo everyone,
i need some help. i have a 1996 Mercedes Benz S320 W140 according to the title, but we call them (log book) in Kenya. The car has M104 engine and a round plate like air intake. It is difficult for me to tell if the car is a 2.8L, 3.0L, or a 3.2L since back then when the original owner bought the car the title didn't really specify. I believe since the car is right hand drive, it will be slightly different from American models but similar to Europeans. I have been working on the car and it is running much better that i got it. I drove the car the last time i visit my born country Kenya and i noticed the RPM were too high compared to other cars. Driving 80 KPH the car raves at 3000 RPM or more. Is this normal and if yes, what can i do to lower the RPM a little bit to 2500 or 2000 at higher speeds. Is there a differential from another model of Mercedes with a lower Ratio that could fit my car. Am really thinking about swapping the differential. I don't mind loosing a little bit of take off power, in Kenya the roads are too small and soo many cars there is no space to take off at high speeds anyway. Please help.
i need some help. i have a 1996 Mercedes Benz S320 W140 according to the title, but we call them (log book) in Kenya. The car has M104 engine and a round plate like air intake. It is difficult for me to tell if the car is a 2.8L, 3.0L, or a 3.2L since back then when the original owner bought the car the title didn't really specify. I believe since the car is right hand drive, it will be slightly different from American models but similar to Europeans. I have been working on the car and it is running much better that i got it. I drove the car the last time i visit my born country Kenya and i noticed the RPM were too high compared to other cars. Driving 80 KPH the car raves at 3000 RPM or more. Is this normal and if yes, what can i do to lower the RPM a little bit to 2500 or 2000 at higher speeds. Is there a differential from another model of Mercedes with a lower Ratio that could fit my car. Am really thinking about swapping the differential. I don't mind loosing a little bit of take off power, in Kenya the roads are too small and soo many cars there is no space to take off at high speeds anyway. Please help.
12-11-2023, 11:45 PM
#2
MBWorld Fanatic!
OP your 1996 should have the five speed transmission in it.
Verify that the transmission is getting into fifth speed before shopping for a different final drive ratio.
Verify that the transmission is getting into fifth speed before shopping for a different final drive ratio.
12-12-2023, 01:31 AM
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2000 mercedes benz S500
Thanks for the response Johnlane, but my car has a 4 speed with no overdrive or any wire harness connected to it. It only has a downshift cable and vacuum line. That's why I want to try out a lower ratio differential.
