Weekend Edition – Black Smoke Racing Mercedes-Benz W203 Wagon

Antti Kautonen

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blacksmoke_mercedes_w203_4

The prize-winning drifting weirdos/heroes from the region, Black Smoke Racing, were also present at the parking lot where the May 1st cruise started off. I didn’t notice if they did a lap around the town, but I made sure to snap a couple of photos of their new drifting weapon when they were showing it off.

This orange W203 wagon replaces the older W123 warhorse in their stable, and it’s been tweaked a lot.

blacksmoke_mercedes_w203

The specification listing is impressive reading. The AMG-bodied wagon has had the original lump replaced with an OM606 turbodiesel, which combines a Holset HX50 turbo with an Eaton MP90 compressor. A lot of stuff under the hood is custom, from the diesel pump to the intake and exhaust manifolds. The compressor/turbo regulation valve is a Volvo truck part. The gearbox is a modified 5-speed 722.6/W5A580 automatic from the E55 AMG, and it’s shifted manually.

The Black Smoke Racing guys have done a complete custom front suspension and steering system, and the rear axle is from a Toyota Supra. Interesting stuff.

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This is what the thing sounds like on idle.

[Images: Copyright 2013 Hooniverse/Antti Kautonen]

About

Antti Kautonen

Antti Kautonen

The resident Finn of Hooniverse. Owns old Peugeots and whatnot, writes long thinkpieces on unloved cars. These two facts might be related.

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12 responses to “Weekend Edition – Black Smoke Racing Mercedes-Benz W203 Wagon”

  1. lilpoindexter Avatar
    lilpoindexter

    Jeezuz…that front wheel is almost turned 90 degrees.

    Reply
    1. julkinen Avatar
      julkinen

      65° from what I read. Nice.

      Reply
    2. ToLiveNDieInNJ Avatar
      ToLiveNDieInNJ

      I'll just leave this here.
      <img src="http://upg.bg/statimg/WISEFAB.jpg&quot; width="600">

      Reply
      1. Kogashiwa Avatar
        Kogashiwa

        A dab of oppo

        Reply
  2. ToLiveNDieInNJ Avatar
    ToLiveNDieInNJ

    It'll be interesting to see how this car does in the British Drift Chamionship especially with the lack of a clutch pedal. Clutch-kicking is pretty integral to drifting and while there are other ways to loosen the car up, it does come in handy.

    Reply
    1. Perc Avatar
      Perc

      The W123 had a similar transmission.

      Reply
      1. ToLiveNDieInNJ Avatar
        ToLiveNDieInNJ

        Well then they should be solid. It would still annoy me if I eliminated a good way to disturb the driveline.

        Reply
    2. I Think Not Avatar
      I Think Not

      I think in this case, twincharged diesel torque is probably sufficient to break the rears loose at the slightest tap of the throttle.

      Reply
  3. dukeisduke Avatar
    dukeisduke

    Sounds a lot like a Cummins in a Dodge, er Ram, Heavy Duty.

    Reply
  4. Rust-MyEnemy Avatar
    Rust-MyEnemy

    That's some tidy engineering, and the straight-six diesels always sounded better than the Vees anyway. Shame about the obvious need for sponsorship livery; what an amazing Q-Car this would make in Obsidian Black…

    Reply
    1. dwegmull Avatar
      dwegmull

      Speaking of the sponsors: Bahco makes some very good quality tools…

      Reply
  5. smokyburnout Avatar
    smokyburnout

    Diesellandia sounds like a show I'd watch

    Reply