Diesel Powered Car of the Week: 1981 Drift Mercedes-Benz 300D

In 2019 Car Buzz posted a story by Ian Wright titled "Crazy Diesel Powered Cars". It's a pictorially rich overview of some really cool cars and the cats who drove them. As spring yields to summer, we'd like to follow suit and share stories about a few of our favorites.

The first car out of the chute is a fancy drift racer driven by Teemu Peltola of Finland. According to a 2010 story in Jalopnik, Peltola built this diesel-powered Mercedes station wagon in his second year of competition. It would have been easier to go with a Japanese car because of the availability of aftermarket parts. On the other hand, why be like everybody else?

When Peltola found this 1981 Mercedes Benz 300D Estate, he was in Seventh Heaven. His first decision was to drop in a 3.0-liter 24-valve diesel from a 1998 Mercedes E-class. A Garrett GT40 turbo from a heavy truck and Tremec TKO 600 tranny took care of the basics. But he didn't stop there. 

If this was going to be a drift racer, he needed a suspension that was up to snuff. This led him to take a modified rear suspension from a Mazda RX8. Next task to tackle getting an Aristo front axle installed, which took many hours over a period of 2 to 3 weeks.

When all was said and done, Peltola could take a measure of pride in knowing he'd produced something unique that was also competitive, usually finishing in the top half in serious competition. Though his Facebook page hasn't been active since 2018, he managed to attract more than 7000 followers there and has some pretty cool shots and vids if you take time to scroll down his wall.

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Here's a story from November 2012 at Speedhunters that shows you just how far you can go with a unique ride. The team name is Black Smoke Racing and there are oodles of sponsors adorning the body, hood and even the rearview windows. By this time he's become one of Scandinavia's hottest properties. Check out the story here: Diesel Fury: The Black Smoke  300td Wagon. The photos are many with details a-plenty. If you're a builder, you'll either get some new ideas or will be envious of what he's accomplished. Either way, check it out. Modifications galore!

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Special thanks to the Car Buzz site that turned us on to this unusual treat.
Car Buzz: Crazy Diesel Powered Cars

And to Jalopnik for its 2010 contribution.
Jalopnik: Building a Diesel-Powered Mercedes Station Wagon Drift Car 

Be sure to check out their 10 Awesome Drift Videos

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When Do Diesel Engines Need To Use A Break-In Oil And Why You Should Choose Champion PowerShield

Champion PowerShield: A Premium Break-In-Oil and Top Choice of Diesel Engine Builders

Champion Oil, with the help of testing from top-tier diesel engine builders from around the country, now offers three different motor oils specifically designed to reduce the potential of engine failure during a hard break-in. These purpose-built “mineral based” lubricants are offered in SAE 30, 10w-40, and 20w-50 viscosities.  

Champion’s PowerShield Break-in oils are specifically formulated to seal the piston rings against the cylinder wall for maximum engine compression and power. Break-in-oils typically use conventional base stock without friction-modifier additives to allow controlled wear between the rings and cylinder wall. They also contain a high level of zinc and phosphorus additives to protect the camshaft and other components during break in.

How PowerShield Works

Break-in oil is different from regular motor oil because it is designed to allow the rings to wear down the peaks on the cylinder wall to form a good seal. Regular motor oil, in contrast, is designed to prevent wear.  

Sealing the piston rings when breaking in an engine requires allowing the rings and piston skirt to carefully wear down the peaks on the cylinder wall. Although a new or freshly honed cylinder appears smooth to the naked eye, it contains microscopic peaks and valleys. If the valleys are too deep, they collect excess oil, which burns during combustion and leads to oil consumption.

The sharp peaks provide insufficient area to allow the rings to seat tightly. That means highly pressurized combustion gases can blow past the rings and into the crankcase, contaminating the oil and taking potential horsepower with it. The result is maximum compression and minimum oil consumption.

Plus, Champion’s PowerShield Break-In-Oil helps harden the camshaft so it’s more resilient to wear. The solution is to use a properly formulated break-in oil that contains conventional base oils and high-quality ZDDP additives. These additives are heat-activated, meaning they provide wear protection in areas of increased friction. The additives form a sacrificial layer on the surface of parts, which absorbs contact and helps prevent cam and tappet wear. 

Champion Brands Engine Builder Products 

Compared to synthetic oils, conventional base oils result in a thinner, less durable protective oil film on engine parts. The thinner fluid film allows controlled wear at the cylinder wall/ring interface.

When Do You Need Break-In Oil?

New diesel trucks don’t need break-in-oil. Some OE manufacturer might still require you to drive under light-to-moderate load for a few hundred miles, then change oil.  But diesel rebuilds or competition engines should use a designated break-in-oil. 

A simple guideline is run the diesel engine above 1,500 rpm for 15 minutes. As for seating the rings, testing has shown it can take multiple dyno passes or more. That time varies depending on the engine, ring tension, cylinder hone, temperature, and other factors. The dyno provides the best method of determining exactly when the rings are seated. Your screen data from the dyno will show a boost in horsepower as the rings seat. 

Another guideline for Champion PowerShield Break-In-Oil might be to run the rebuilt or competition diesel engine under light-to-moderate loads for about 500 miles. Then, drain the break-in-oil, install your diesel specific oil and commence driving.

About PowerShield Break-In Oil

Champion’s robust formulations contain a proprietary technology contains unique high levels of zincthiophosphates (ZDDP), in combination with Champion’s proprietary TVS® (Thermal Viscosity Stabilizer), which extends oil film capacity for proper ring seating.

These top selling break-in-oils are also formulated with polymers and viscosity modifiers. During break-in and heat cycles, as the oil heats up, the friction modifier thickens and allows the oil to behave more like a heavier viscosity oil at operating temperature.

Dispersants and other additives are put in the break-in motor oils to help keep the engine clean. Any wear particles generated by the piston rings, cylinder walls and other moving/sliding parts as the engine breaks in will be suspended and carried away by the oil to the oil filter.

Professional engine-builders that use Champion PowerShield Break-In-Oil will experience the difference provided by numerous barriers of protection. These robust products are field tested and suitable for use in all types of diesel engines. 

https://www.championbrands.com/power-shield-engine-products/

RELATED 
Special Offer For New Champion Diesel Oil Distributors

Highlighting A New All-Season Air Brake Anti-Freeze from Champion Brands

Water is one of the most important substances on earth, essential for all plant and animal life. It is as essential as the sun. If there were no water, there would be no life on earth. It has many uses including cooking, washing and cleaning. But it can also be problematic, as it can also be destructive. It can rot wood, corrode engines, freeze in pipes and cause them to burst, and more. 

When it comes to air brakes, moisture can shorten the life of components and in winter can freeze to cause ice jams. For this reason Champion Oil has introduced a professional grade air brake antifreeze for trucks and off-road equipment to prevent freezing of the brake-system and protect older braking systems against damages caused by the frozen water of condensation.

Champion Air Brake Anti-Freeze is a methanol-based antifreeze designed to prevent frozen air lines and remove moisture from air brake systems. Special additives leave an anti-corrosive film which will help extend the life of air-line components and ensure positive protection to all steel, rubber, and brake line parts. https://www.championbrands.com/air-brake-anti-freeze/

 

Cold temperatures and water can lead to only one outcome – and ice has no place in a truck's air system. Frozen moisture can disable compressors, along with any of the multitude of air valves in the system. Plunging temperatures, like we have seen across the United States in recent weeks, will put air systems to the test, especially in older vehicle applications.

 

Compressed air always contains moisture, and when the air leaves the compressor, it’s hot. But as it travels through the line from the compressor to the air dryer, it cools, and that’s when the moisture in the compressed air condenses to liquid. If it's cold enough, that liquid will freeze, threatening the air supply to various systems, including transmissions, suspensions and of course, brakes.

 

A heavy truck's air compressor puts out 4-6 ounces of water during an average day’s operation; more when operating in regions of high relative humidity, and less when air is cold and dry. If all that water is sloshing around in your air reservoirs or some other spot further downstream, you could be in trouble when temperatures plummet.

 

Your first line of defense is the air dryer, but many older trucks do not have one. If the vehicle uses an alcohol injector/evaporator, fill it up with approved air brake anti-freeze. Typically, these are not needed in today’s air systems using air dryers but they can be a good supplement to the air dryer that may not be working properly in colder climates. Never add air brake anti-freeze directly into air lines.

Air Brake Anti-Freeze is specially developed as an additive for air brake systems of trucks and other heavy vehicles to prevent freezing of the brake-system. Protect system against damages caused by frozen-water of condensation.

 

Champion Air-Brake Anti-Freeze is recommended for use in air brake lines to prevent line freeze ups, and to absorb moisture in the system. It contains a mixture of balanced additives that lubricate the moving parts (valves, packings) of the brake system. Safe for rubbers-, plastic- and metal parts. It protects and keeps air brake systems clean. Champion Air-Brake Anti-Freeze protects the system from rust and corrosion when used regularly in both the winter and the summer.  https://www.championbrands.com/air-brake-anti-freeze/

• Part# 4137H 12/1 QT.
• Part# 4137N 4/1 Gal.
• Part# 4137AP 55 Gal.

About the company: Champion Brands, LLC, is a globally recognized industry leader in specialty lubricants for over 65 years. Champion also produces and blends over 350 products including fuel, oil, engine additives, and lubricants for the racing, automotive, heavy truck, agricultural, industrial, and specialty markets. For more information call Champion at 660-890-6231. Champion Brands, LLC; 1001 Golden Drive, Clinton, MO, or go to http://www.championbrands.com

Motor State Distributing Offers Blue Flame Performance Diesel Engine Oil

Motor State Distributing, headquartered in Watervliet, Michigan, offers the complete line of Champion Motor Oils, Chemicals, Additives, and Lubricants including Blue Flame Performance Diesel Engine Oils.

“It is extremely important for Champion to identify a wholesale partner that shares the same goals and has the ability to provide our customers with first class service, support and distribution,” said Karl Dedolph, Director of the Racing and Performance Division for Champion Oil. “Motor State clearly fits the stringent criteria we identified to distribute our motor oil, chemical, additive and lubricant line in key enthusiast demographics, applications, and strategic markets.”

“Celebrating over 55 years in business, Motor State Distributing has set the pace for worldwide distribution of high-performance automotive components for diesel, racing, street, and off-road use; the standard for fast shipping, customer service, and technical expertise”, added

Dedolph.

With a huge selection of performance truck, tractor, Jeep, and off-road parts and accessories, Motor State is a great source for many of the most recognized and sought-after brands in the industry. From convenience accessories to complete suspension systems, they stock a wide range of customization and restoration components for both classic and late model trucks and SUVs.

Motor State offers their industry-leading line of high-quality products to speed shops, auto parts merchants, machine shops, and chassis and engine builders. Their web site has been designed as a resource for dealers. For more information about Champion Blue Flame Products visit http://www.motorstate.com/ or at their corporate office located at 8300 Lane Drive, Watervliet, MI 49098 - 800-772-2678