Awesome Idea of the Day
this one came to me in a stroke of brilliance yesterday after, I don’t know, perhaps my 7th cup of coffee. Want a fast car? But also want to be ecologically responsible and reduce our dependence on foreign oil? Well you’re going to need a few things.
1) 1980’s (W123) Mercedes Benz diesel wagon (300TD)
The W123-generation Benzes are undeniably badass. They’re rock solid, reliable as the changing of seasons, and classy in a way that no modern Benz ever will be. They’re just a bit short on power. So what they need is…
2) 5.9L 24v Cummins Turbodiesel
The Cummins ISB has been in production since 1984 powering various things, including (but not limited to) the Dodge Ram. Find a way to fit one under the hood of a W123 and you’re in business. A good starting point would be the 5.9L 24v HO motor, which made 305bhp and 625 lb-ft from the factory, with the newer Bosch electric rotary injection pump and Bosch high-pressure common rail direct injection. Plus the ISB has connecting rods the size of my forearm, a crank that looks like it could withstand nuclear combat, and gear-driven camshafts. But 305bhp clearly isn’t enough, so you also need…
3) Compound Turbocharger setup.
One clearly isn’t enough. Two would be nice, but why bother going to all the trouble of custom plumbing for only modest (a few hundred horsepower) gains? No, what you need is a turbocharger for your turbocharger. Call up ATS Diesel Performance and order yourself a compound-turbo setup. ATS’s Aurora Compound setup uses both an Aurora 3000 and 5000 turbochargers in a compound setup - the smaller turbo feeds the bigger turbo - to produce absolutely insane amounts of power. As in, 800+ wheel horsepower at or above 100psi. Oh, and 1400+ ft-lbs of torque.
5) Other goodies: Tubbed rear end, rebuilt Aisin AS68RC automatic trans, Ford 9″ rear differential, 11″ drag slicks, flat black paint, cut-off front bumper to fit intercooler
6) Run it on Biodiesel.
oh yes.
7) Baby-On-Board sticker
That’s crucial. Maybe a sticker for your local biodiesel cooperative, too. Just to piss off all the Mustangs you are going to eat alive at the drag strip.
So, yeah. Pretty much the most awesome car I can think of. Someone needs to go ahead and do this, or I’m going to do it.