Manual 6-Speed SEC - Benzworld.org

Jim Rothrock · 12-29-2003, 03:10 PM

I'm planning a host of upgrades to a Euro 1985 500SEC. It all starts with a Euro 560 engine, and I also hope to add a 6-speed manual transmission. Keeping it all-Mercedes is not essential, but I don't want to cut holes in the car, etc., so I can return it to all-factory in the future.

Does anybody have any experience with a manual transmission in a V8-powered W126? To my knowledge, only automatics were ever installed in the cars. If the project involves too many "one-off" modifications, it's too costly for me to consider it any further.

Thanks in advance.....Jim Rothrock, Windermere, Florida

**cyberdrakon** · 12-29-2003, 08:30 PM

Sounds awesome!

General consesus seems to be that Camaro/corvette tranny would be easiest and cheapest to modify. w126 cars were offered with manuals, just not for the v8, so clutch pedals, oil reservoirs, etcetera are available stock.

One person has seen a nearly stock v8 w126 with manual, however details were never confirmed.

Keep us updated, i am very interested in your project.

edward

andy380SEC · 12-30-2003, 07:38 AM

AMG did make a 6.0L with a 5-speed Manual. The car was made for the Saudi Emire of the UAE. I posted it on 190Revolution not to long ago. The car used the Getrag 604 from the MB 109E 2.3-16. The dog leg 5-speed in the 16 valve is rated to 426 HP. The transmission was the same one used in Racing and Street versions of the 190 2.5-16 EVO II. As far as I know it bolts right up, but the drive shaft will have to be midified to fit. I was thinking about doing this myself. Another possibility is the Getrag 602 from the 190E 2.6 or 300E those are difficult to comeby also. those trannies are rated to about 320 hp though. You might be pussing it with that tranny.

ANDY

MacDubois · 12-30-2003, 03:30 PM

hmmm, I didn't know that little tidbit. I thought there was a manual 126 in europe for taxis? Not with the V8, but I think the diesels.

**cyberdrakon** · 12-31-2003, 12:22 AM

Hey, can you post some more information regarding that getrag tranny? I can't seem to find any information on it on google. Perhaps with more details i can look it up?

Thanks.

edward

GreenGiant · 12-31-2003, 07:15 AM

I did see a 5 speed manual 500 SE parked at a place called "Mario's" (in Houston, on Richmond, just off Hillcroft). I think it was a customer's car. I stopped by a couple of months ago, but no one knew anything about it. It was blue, with European bumpers. Don't know if it was stock or a 5 speed conversion. Since almost nobody has seen a manual tranny 126, I doubt you could find the parts. I like the Camaro/Corvette tranny idea.

mattman · 12-31-2003, 02:08 PM

I was quoted 10k US to convert my 560SEL to a 5 speed manual using a Supra gearbox. Fabricating a bellhousing, flywheel and input shaft bearing are major and costly pieces of work.

Matt.

chriss · 01-02-2004, 02:54 AM

Well Jim the first Brabua was a 190 fitted with a modified 500 SEC engine and 5 speed manual. Carlsson also fitted a manual box to their version of the 190 with the 500 V8.
The problem with asking these people is that they have usually lost all records or they will not give out information only modify your car for you.
I think the getrag route is the best as it probably fits easiest but personally I would trust a US manual more because they have always been made to take a lot of power and torque.
Keep me post please because I am also looking to do this someday. Regards, Chris.