Speed / Revs : is this about right ?

[Por911t4]

New owner getting to grips with my newly purchased ‘66 Pagoda 230 : I’m surprised by how hard my car revs on the motorway, at 60mph it’s showing 3000 rpm.....engine sounds like it’s really working hard . Is this the norm for that speed ...
Thanks
Barry Clarkson
Glasgow Scotland UK

[rjmarco]

What you observe is very consistent with my 4-speed 1965 230 SL.  Basically, the speed is two times the tach when in fourth gear.  Attached is a file that I downloaded from the forum that is consistent with this. 

I routinely run the car at 80 mph and 4,000 rpm on the freeway.  You'll get used to the high revs.  Even with this, the car still accelerates well at this speed. 

Regards,

Rich

[ja17]

On most USA delivery Pagodas, the rpms are even higher!

[JamesL]

The engines were built to run at high revs and sit there for long periods. I've certainly had mine sit at 4000+ for hours on end on the autoroute.  Hard going on the old ears - esp with the roof down

So yes, it's normal and why, if you hang around here long enough, you'll see posts about changing the diff/final drive (lowers the revs), the holy grail 5 speed (and conversions) (lowers the revs), reconfiguring the auto/overdrive or whatever (lowers the revs) etc...

Noise aside, it will sit with modern traffic in the "outside" lane all day. You just feel like it's working harder

[Paul & Dolly]

Hi  Barry,

Welcome to Pagoda ownership, I am sure you will enjoy your Pagoda, and this is a brilliant site for contacts and finding information , whether it be in the Technical Manual here, or in the posts.

Here is a chart that was posted some time ago, there were various different differential ratios fitted, so you can see that what you have is quite normal, and as James said, only a problem on the ears.
Is yours a 4 speed manual ?

Have fun

Paul

[Peter h]

That's the extreme way to drive,
5 speed manual and 3.46 RA and a strong 280 engine . With automatic you need a 3.46 RA.
If you don't have a automatic look for 5 speed getrag. I have the original 4.08 RA
and it's also OK.
Happy driving to all pagoda guys
Peter.

[Por911t4]

Being the new guy I'm constantly bowled over by the kindness and willingness to help here on the group - an incredible resource.

Yes the final drive really caught me by surprise - just not what I expected. Well it is what it is and good to know at least that this is the norm. For the record my car is a 66 230 Auto.

Can the final drive / diff be changed or upgraded ?

Thanks Barry

[neelyrc]

Barry, welcome to the forum.  The simple answer is yes, you can change the final drive / diff.

I recommend the "Search" function, fourth button from the left above to search across the entire forum.  Just type in something like "differential change" or "differential ratio" and you will find lots of reading.  While researching something in this way I often run across additional information not related to my original search but very useful in increasing my knowledge of the car. 

Again welcome to the forum.

     

[MikeSimon]

European engines generally rev higher than their US cousins. In Europe, it was always the norm to make horsepower from rpm, in the US, they make it from displacement.
That is changing right now a little, with DFI and turbo-charging which spells the death of the V8.

[Pawel66]

All you need is a good radio. Or even better - a good portable speaker for your phone (less expensive). Then the revs related noise becomes negligible.

[MikeSimon]

All you need is a good radio. Or even better - a good portable speaker for your phone (less expensive). Then the revs related noise becomes negligible.

You're kidding, Pawel, aren't you.. I WANT to hear the engine. One reason, I will not own an electric car in my lifetime.

[Pawel66]

I was deadly serious.
Radio helps eliminate all the squeaks, rattles and excess engine noise. 

[Benz Dr.]

Being the new guy I'm constantly bowled over by the kindness and willingness to help here on the group - an incredible resource.

Yes the final drive really caught me by surprise - just not what I expected. Well it is what it is and good to know at least that this is the norm. For the record my car is a 66 230 Auto.

Can the final drive / diff be changed or upgraded ?

Thanks Barry

I would look on your diff to find out what gear ratio you have. Most 230SL's either have 4.08 or 3.75 as a standard ratio choice. If you have 3.75, I would be inclined to leave it as is because that's actually a fairly high gear ratio for a 230SL and it works well enough.

[Por911t4]

Hi how do I actually check the diff ratio is it stamped on the casing ??

Thanks in advance
Barry

[Benz Dr.]

It's on the back of the diff near the bottom. You should be able to see a half moon cut in that area and that's where the ratio is stamped. It should say  SL / 3.75  if it is a 3.75 ratio.

[Por911t4]

Appreciate that … thanks for the reply. Ill get it up on the ramp and have a peek.

Thanks
Barry