Modifications aren't about knowing more than Mercedes or re-inventing
the wheel- fitting a proper rate spring and damper to give you the
handling you want isn't magic or rocket science- there are dozens of
books about it and it's done properly on almost every car made,
including the vast majority of W123s. The ONLY difference is that the
wagon has more weight in the rear end and cargo capacity, requiring a
different spring rate and dampener valve. How different? Look at the
same engineering books as the "magic" mercedes engineers looked at,
and calculate it the same way they did for the sedan. Why did they go
to all of the extra trouble and expense of the hydraulic system then?
Because it gives a smoother ride, and it's a good marketing gimmick-
not because a spring is dangerous or less reliable. I for one prefer a
stiffer ride and better handling than most car buyers, so it's
reasonable for me to modify the suspension on my vehicles accordingly-
and I do careful research and make conservative changes to ensure that
the result is safe and reliable.
There's nothing wrong with modifying a vehicle to suit your needs, if
you know what you're doing and why you're doing it. It doesn't have to
mean that you think the origional engineers were wrong to do what they
did, or that you know more, just that the circumstances are extremely
different. I have had excellent luck adding and removing features, and
making minor changes to many different brands of car to allow them to
work properly under the conditions I use them in, which are often
somewhat different from those they were designed for. I don't, for
example consider the fact that I prefer to add a loud audible alarm to
my oil pressure and coolant level sensors an assault on the competence
of the company who decided not to include one from the factory.
Sincerely,
Tyler
On Oct 9, 2009, at 6:54 PM, Loren Faeth wrote:
I have done quite a few engine swaps, even put a v-8 in a body made
for 6 cyl inline ONLY. That was an adventure.
I have worked on everything from tractors to medium duty trucks,
houses, commercial buildings concrete, etc.
I do not presume to know more about suspension than the team of
German-trained engineers (real engineers) that designed the 123 SLS
system.
tyler, have at it, but I sincerely hope you are never coming toward
me with your frankenheap on an Icy curve with a bump on a rainy night.
At 06:34 PM 10/9/2009, you wrote:
*Ahem*
I believe the term here is "put up or shut up". If its so easy just
take a long weekend at Andrew's and show us how awesome you can
make his car. I'm sure he'd give you dinner...
-Curt
Date: Fri, 09 Oct 2009 15:48:30 -0700
From: tyler <casi...@usermail.com>
Subject: Re: [MBZ] Great car but it needs a motor
To: Mercedes Discussion List <mercedes@okiebenz.com>
Message-ID: <4acfbdbe.4020...@usermail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
It IS trivial to use a spring with the correct spring rate... Anyone
that can do an engine swap, could do this much cheaper and easier.
Tyler
Peter T. Arnold wrote:
> GO for it! Redesign it. I'm sure that the effort would be
trivial to
> a fellow like you.
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Loren Faeth
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