Mercedes w123 rally car advise

[Temujin]

Hi,

I'm toying with the idea of turning a regular w123 into a rally car.
To start with I need a saloon/coupe 280e with manual transmission.
This is a problem, these 280e's with manual gearbox are very rare.
My question is:- if I get hold of a w123 200 saloon with manual transmission and replace the engine with a 280e(M110) unit, will this work? will the manual gearbox fit the 280e engine.

any advice will be greatly appreciated!

kind regards,

 

[grober]

Not really a good idea. These cars are heavy! meaning their suspension will take a pounding on rough roads and their power to weight ratio is going to make them non competitive. If you want to transplant a "big powerplant" better to use a V8 which will fit the engine compartment- quite a few people have done this conversion.

 

[Temujin]

Hi Graeme,

Thanks for the quick response, will the manual transmission from a standard w123 fit the V8.

Thanks

 

[nb_racing]

Interesting choice of car for a rally car! It will make a nice change to the ump-teen Escorts ans Imprezas about...
What the reason behind a 123?

 

[Temujin]

Hi,

I am inspired by the London to Sydney rally which was won by a w123!

cheers

 

[C36fan]

Not really a good idea. These cars are heavy! meaning their suspension will take a pounding on rough roads and their power to weight ratio is going to make them non competitive. If you want to transplant a "big powerplant" better to use a V8 which will fit the engine compartment- quite a few people have done this conversion.

if you change it to a v8 engine bear in mind that needs a lot of chop and weld to make it fit and also with the v8 your front end becomes very heavy and that is not good for a rally car .
I love your idea I think is great but if I was you I would do a bit of research to make sure you doing the right mod!

Sent from my iPhone using MBClub UK

 

[bas358]

Try to get in touch with Peter Scott. He navigated in and oversaw the build of one for the London capetowm rally a couple of
Years ago.

You can find him on several social media sites.

Currently from Leeds, has just sold / retired from his fish restaurant - Brett's

Peter is a well know Irish navigator.

Sent from my iPhone using MBClub UK

 

[Temujin]

Hi,

Thanks for your interest!
I know that a w123 280e won the 1977 London to Sydney rally, the link is below, I'm not going to be that adventurous, I just want a car that I could use for some classic trials

The 1977 London to Sydney Rally - The Entrants and Results

Cheers

 

[Temujin]

Hi,
Thanks for the contact, really appreciate it!

 

[Charles Morgan]

Tony Fowkes, who drove the W123 that came second on the London to Sydney run is regularly to be found at the body shop he founded in Park Royal, Tony Fowkes Automobiles. Knowing them well, if you ask nicely, I am sure he will share some helpful tips. The last couple of times I was there they had a W123 that a customer was preparing for rallying.

My only tip would be make sure the bodywork and suspension are robust as anything - 37 years is a long time for a car to last!

 

[grober]

According to this engine weights there's only about 10lbs difference between the alloy blocked V8 and the grey iron straight 6- which will also have a slightly further forward weight distribution???

ps you will enjoy this.

[YOUTUBE HD]Kb8Qxuslorg[/YOUTUBE HD]

 

[C36fan]

According to this engine weights there's only about 10lbs difference between the alloy blocked V8 and the grey iron straight 6- which will also have a slightly further forward weight distribution??? ps you will enjoy this. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kb8Qxuslorg[/YOUTUBE HD]">YouTube Link</a>

i would think the best engine to go with it would be a revi m102 stroked and also the dog box thar brings the engine back and lower and with throttle body's that thing is awesome and will be very light and there's many parts available for upgrades unlike the others everything as to be hand made but that is only my opinion

Sent from my iPhone using MBClub UK

 

[Vlad]

ThE W123 is a great long distance rally car, due to its toughness.....in recent years a number have been used on the London-Sydney rally's and also on the Peking to Paris rally. It seems to be the weapon of choice for German, Dutch, South African and Australian competitors.

PS: I've got a 280TE with manual transmission for sale by the way, but its probably not going to be suitable as its a minter.

 

[C36fan]

ThE W123 is a great long distance rally car, due to its toughness.....in recent years a number have been used on the London-Sydney rally's and also on the Peking to Paris rally. It seems to be the weapon of choice for German, Dutch, South African and Australian competitors. PS: I've got a 280TE with manual transmission for sale by the way, but its probably not going to be suitable as its a minter.

check the mercedes enthusiast magazine there's a w123 5.0l conversion there ,July edition .

Sent from my iPhone using MBClub UK

 

[bas358]

Don't forget classic rules are period mods, so engine swaps etc have to be as they were in the relevant age class such 74 to 81 and 82 to 84.

Sent from my iPhone using MBClub UK

 

[jaymanek]

Will reply properly when I'm not using my phone but model specialist mark COSOVICH has just done exactly this and it's a replica down to nuts and bolts.. Would be worth speaking to him.. Think he calls himself w123 world nowadays...