Billy's W124 Coupe Project

[WDB124066]

Somebody mentioned elsewhere [Think it may have been RBYCC] that the 126 subframe with a little mod or two is a step up from the 500 in terms of power transmission ability, and can be fitted to a 124. Just something I read a while back....I have no experience with this at all - may be worth checking in case you had visions of big turbo's and superchargers....

 

[Deadly Dave]

Its terrible to see the damage done to your car Billy. I hope it doesn't slow down your progress too much. I was reading somewhere that 124s with big power outputs suffer from cracking around the front mounts of the rear subframe. It might be worth strengthening them while the frame is out.

 

[BillyW124]

Its terrible to see the damage done to your car Billy. I hope it doesn't slow down your progress too much. I was reading somewhere that 124s with big power outputs suffer from cracking around the front mounts of the rear subframe. It might be worth strengthening them while the frame is out.

Good point Dave ^

I'll check them out once the subframe has been removed.

 

[BillyW124]

CVJ Axles - Remanufactured Axles & Power Racks

CVJ Axles - Remanufactured Axles & Power Racks

These guys know Mercs well!!

Here's the best part,

Warranty
CVJ warrants its Mercedes Benz axles to be free from defects in material and workmanship for a period three years.

That's THREE times better than what you get out of MB for new ones.

Got some info back from CVJ tonight regarding building me a stronger than standard axle and it's looking promising

These are original Mercedes Benz axles that have been completely remanufactured by them. The axles have a three year limited warranty as stated so all good.

In terms of building me a stronger axle:

"We can Race Prep these axles - upgrade the joints (stronger chrome-moly cages), and far superior grease, friction reduction, etc"

I've also got the option to upgrade to a stronger shaft to go with these Race Prep axles as well.

Problem solved. Thanks for the link W!

 

[BillyW124]

On Page 16, http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/mbclub-projects/143857-billys-w124-coupe-project-16.html we were discussing exhausts, picked up a new/old stock Stainless Steel system from a forum a member and it will be replacing my current set up.

The system is an original MB system for a Hughes Turbo Technics install. I will have to get about 6 inches chopped off at the top of the pipes and weld new pieces to fit standard 320 manifolds. Actually, I think the down pipes may need to be reshaped to fit as they look different compared to my current pipes owing to the differences in a TT mainfold. I'll also be welding on the AMG square tips to the back box of this system.

As for the CAT, its staying on.

...for now?

 

[Terry_]

We can arrange for the fabricating from the mould of the old system if it helps fella!

 

[BillyW124]

We can arrange for the fabricating from the mould of the old system if it helps fella!

Nice! yea i'll take you up on it. That's what it needs really, just a carbon copy of the original down pipes. Not sure if its a cause for concern but these pipes are bigger in diameter than standard and so i'm thinking the tips of the pipes where it will meet the manifold flange will have to be smaller?

 

[millo777]

Why not just fit a set of the TT manifolds as well, and block off the section for the turbo fitment......ya know....just in case

 

[WDB124066]

Leave those pipes for a TT setup Biily, go and buy the right pipes.

 

[RBYCC]

Leave those pipes for a TT setup Biily, go and buy the right pipes.

The TT exhaust is very similar to the AMG exhaust used on the NA motors.
It's a true dual exhaust like the AMG.
Stock exhaust is a two into one and is more restrictive.

 

[WDB124066]

Seems a pity to chop up ends made for a TT install.

 

[BillyW124]

Seems a pity to chop up ends made for a TT install.

I suppose so, I could chop about 3 qtr's down and someone could have the correct pipes for a TT.

Any gains for having TT maifolds on a 'stock' engine?

 

[WDB124066]

I suppose so, I could chop about 3 qtr's down and someone could have the correct pipes for a TT.

Yes, and give them to Akash, he has a TT kit...

 

[RBYCC]

Seems a pity to chop up ends made for a TT install.

It's just an exhaust system, not the holy grail...
In 2007,Hughes considered the exhaust system along with the twin turbo so valuable that they sold their remaining stock for 1000 sterling.

The down pipes are swaged to the cat and may or maybe not welded.
Either way they can easily be removed at that point, no different then changing out a converter and saved for the rare TT turbo build that doesn't have the exhaust.

The M103-12V kit I bought from had a separate pair of downpipes.



Billy should first see if the down pipes mate up with his stock manifolds.
If not an exhaust specialist has the bending and swaging tools to replicate the down pipe with any modification that Billy requires.

Anyone installing a TT kit today will probably modify this section and use twin metal spun metal cats for higher flow/lower back pressure.
Also a second "tuning" bung has to be installed as the stock O2 sensor that controls the K-Jet and HFM uses a narrow band sensor, so a wide band sensor must be installed to program AFR's.

Not rocket science, just some SS tubing that needs to be cut, bent, swaged and flanged....happens many times a day across the U.K...

Cheers

Ed A.

 

[WDB124066]

That right Ed and he has them already and Akash has a kit with only the exhaust missing, when I see one and one I'm getting two, that's alright isn't. I don't need the flaming devil for that now do I, or do I?

You ought to see the mandrel bending types here mate, not a pretty sight & neither are their Management. Best to buy donuts and fab them = expensive-ish.

And, don't forget some of us [from the factory] don't have cats, o2 sensors and all that jazz, makes these attractive.

 

[RBYCC]

That right Ed and he has them already and Akash has a kit with only the exhaust missing, when I see one and one I'm getting two, that's alright isn't. I don't need the flaming devil for that now do I, or do I?

Don't know how the flaming devil got there, not intended as it should have been the "wink" which is next to the "devil"..so apologies
Understand that Simal has a TT kit but if Billy wants it then Billy can buy it, much like Simal. The exhaust is very similar to the period AMG exhaust used on the 124 so it's not "boost" specific.

You ought to see the mandrel bending types here mate, not a pretty sight & neither are their Management. Best to buy donuts and fab them = expensive-ish.

That's a sad commentary not having any exhaust specialists....!!!

And, don't forget some of us [from the factory] don't have cats, o2 sensors and all that jazz, makes these attractive.

You may not have cats on some of the 124's but if you don't have an O2 sensor either on K-Jet or HFM, then system is not fully functional as the AFR maps aren't working as designed.

Cheers, no "Devil"

Ed A.

 

[BillyW124]

My regenerated axles arrived from the States today.

Went for their race preped axles with upgraded joints with stronger shafts. They are nicely made and i'm happy with them.

I'm surprised how weighty these axles actually are, at a guess probably around 8kg each.

Thanks again WDB for link.

 

[WDB124066]

No worries Billy, you really out to be thanking this guy too, he did the initial leg work to find these guys.

Mercedes-Benz Forum - View Profile: Real1shepherd

Makes my new ones look like chicken sticks.

From your pictures it looked like the failure may have been more to do with the diff unit twisting itself out of the subframe, I think the axle failure may have come as a result of that??

 

[BillyW124]

I much prefer this look

..stripped away the paint on the shafts.

 

[V12]

What are you re painting them with?