Pagoda SL Group
W113 Pagoda SL Group => Research & Development => Topic started by: perry113 on April 07, 2009, 13:33:07
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As much as I've grown to love my 230SL auto, when I drive my friends 230SL 4 speed manual I start getting an itch to own a manual. I like the way they drive. You can drive it spiritly around town and car just feels more agile on the road. I love my car and I know what I have under the hood. i know the history and I love the colors.
Rather than sell my car to buy a 4 speed. I would like to put togther an estimate parts list and explore the possibility of converting it. The only way I would do it would be to do it exactly as the factory set them up. I'm not interested in a 5 speed conversion unless its and original ZF. It would have to be an original setup.
As a purist, I'm going against my own religion. But thinking about isn't a sin, is it?
Has anyone done a conversion and documented the process?
What do I need to change other than gearbox and linkage, flywheel, pedal assemblies, etc.
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well I guess its been done but you will have problems to resolve - it would be a bit easier if you were doing this to a 280sl
1 the flywheel needs changed to a manual version - however you cant just use any 230 flywheel (without modification) since the 230 versions are counterbalaced ie. specifically balanced with their original crankshaft and damper - you will need to use your existing auto flywheel (as a reference) to re-engineer a donor 230 manual flywheel. the crankshaft will need a new bearing inserted in the flywheel end ( the auto version does not have this).
2 you need a manual pedal set - the clutch master cylinder is attached to the clutch pedal.
3 propshaft altered - possible to lengthen an auto version but better if you could just acquire an original when you acquire the manual gearbox.
personally I think this would be a lot of pain for little gain. ----- put a 5 speed getrag in there........( I think I am allowed to suggest such heracy inside R and D).
Good Luck
Mark
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Hi Peter,
I know where you're coming from, I have a 230 auto too. I was underwhelmed with the performance until I learned to drive it like an "autostickshift" As I'm sure you know, the transmission shifts on both RPM and vacuum. But it also holds in the gear you want. I typically start out in "3" which actually starts in 2nd and automatically shifts to 3rd depending on how hard I lean on it. But it stays in 3rd all the way to redline if I want. When I flick the lever to "4" it shifts there much faster then I could with a clutch. I typically drive around town shifting up and down between "3" and "4" depending on traffic. Start in "2" (which starts in 1st) and floor it for a nice adrenaline rush. I shifted my way through the Autocross last year at Starfest here in California and it worked great.
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Perry,
You may ant to check the website of this company: http://www.pagoden-center.de/
Go to the customization page. They do the conversions of this type and enjoy a very strong quality image. While they are located in Germany, they may recommend somebody closer to you.
Stan