Mercedes engine conversion

[Rick Dorion]

I have a line on a very clean 1991 Benz wagon. Has anyone done a chevy V8 conversion? I've looked around a little but don't see any offering similiar to what JTR offers for Volvo's, etc. TIA.

[oestek]

What's wrong with the Benz engine?

[Rick Dorion]

Owner drives and puts gas in. I think the head gasket is gone from overheating. He told me he just added 8 qts the day before I test drove it and it was puking antifreeze when we parked it. Didn't overheat though but I looking at it as a nice rolling body at this time!

[craigs73]

any pics of the car don't know what they look like

[oestek]

Woof. That sounds bad. LS1, here you come!

[Rick Dorion]

I was hoping someone has taken that path before me!

[steinepstein]

I've been looking for a while, I haven't seen anything yet. The engine bay will definitely fit a V8 (e420, e500) and I've seen a gen 3 motor in one on you tube under "w124 v8". The research I've done indicates these wagons are like tanks and have all the upgraded heavier duty parts. Of a much larger concern is all the electrical sensor and components. I'd want to go through and eliminate as much as the unnecessary sensors and extra amenities as possible and make sure the other harnesses are isolated from the "new" engine harness..and just simplify in general.

[Rick Dorion]

Agreed. I can get this for almost nothing. I was hoping I could shop for things like motor mounts.

[steinepstein]

It is surprising how cheap they are for how much you are getting. I am picking mine up on saturday. I will take pictures and post them, but I'm expecting to fab my own engine and trans mounts. I will probably drive it for a year, and start going through it while it is still drivable, labeling all wiring, removing things I don't need, and bagging the rear, because it has the sls suspension. Let me know if you have any requests, thanks.

[Rick Dorion]

Thanks. I'll be interested in your designs for the fab items. I agree on the value. Here's a $50K wagon that Edmunds says is worth $1700. I can get the car complete with puking antifreeze for $500-ish. And the car body itself is rust free, solid, great paint and interior, etc., etc.

[garys 68]

I was looking at an LS1 in a 380SL. Problem with those cars is the oil pan and steering box. Front sump oil pan would require big mods to it or crossmember. The steering boxes were massive too. Good news vette or GTO pedistal mounts look like they'll work.
Good luck and post pics.

[steinepstein]

If you notice the 320 series motors (3.2 I6), the oil pan is like the LS2 GTO oil pans with the sump in the front. It is probably not that easy, but it is promising.

This is a link to a V8 conversion swap. Though it is a swap to the 400 series V8 motor, the motor is much larger due to the DOHC setup. There are some good photos and documentation on the swap and he also does a very nice job. I'm thinking you can tap into those factory, fluid filled, engine mounts in the crossmember, or at least, that would be ideal.

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w124...-v8-400ce.html

[Rick Dorion]

Thanks. Benzworld has become my new friend.

[amcya]

I put a 1990 Mustang 5.0 and T-5 into a smaller Mercedes 190E. You shouldn't have to eliminate much because the engine management is separate from the rest of the systems. You are going to find out that the accessories on that car are very simple.

[Rick Dorion]

Cool. Can you share info on details such as motor mounts, etc? Pics!

[steinepstein]

Rick, you will enjoy peachparts.com even more than the other benz sites, they are much more technical and much more focused on the older MBs and DIYers.

amcya, I'd love to see some pics also. What other mods did you do? I believe the 190s were similar in chassis design to some of the w124s, correct?

Jon

[amcya]

The 190 (w201) has the exact same suspension except the frame rails and rear subframe are wider. I used energy suspension urethane engine mounts for a mustang and I would say that that was one of the few things I regret. I should have used a double stud mount and fabbed up a block mount. The urethane mounts work great but vibrate a little at idle.

I have a 500E front sway bar cut down to fit (28mm) and an EVO2 rear bar (18mm). The front sway bar mounts are weak and only held with one bolt in the frame (which tears out with big bars) so I made new mounts with two bolts. Lowered it on eibach springs and 16 X 7.5" 400E wheels. You really can't get a much bigger wheel under the 190 without cutting the wheel wells. I also have the rare 190E 16V body "kit" with an AMG "ducktail" spoiler. Urethane adjustable upper strut mounts.

I suggest checking out www.190rev.net. They have A LOT of info on suspension and brake upgrades. You can put really big brakes on these cars from bigger mercedes sedans. Most of the info is good for the W124 series too.

I will get some pics on here later.

[steinepstein]

amcya,

Is it actually possible to get a much larger tire in the rear with tubbing? The 5-link rear suspension has a link that appears to be mounted to the edge of the inner wheel well. I was thinking about removing the shock and placing a Ride Tech shockwave in the coil spring location, so at least I could get something fatter in there. I've seen guys go as wide as 235 with fender flaring but that is it. With an LS in there, I'm gonna be loose.

[amcya]

There is a lot of discussion about the strength of the diffs in these cars. If you are considering a lot of power and big tires then i hope you are thinking about another center section and custom half shafts. I have seen them with 8.8 ford and dana 44 corvette centers.

You could tub it but the shock will need relocating.

You could consider a solid axle set up like whats being done on all the muscle cars here. Once you get the sub frame outta the way it wouldn't be any different.

[steinepstein]

I signed up for 190rev.com. It is a great site and there are some amazing builds on there, very cool and informative, thanks. I drove my e320 wagon from the east coast over the weekend. Quite happy with the car. It is difficult to explain the experience of those cars on the highway, they are truly built for not only cruising but cruising at higher speeds. The car drove like it had 30k miles: solid engine, no slack in the trans, no rattling, very tight...I turned 200k miles during the trip, no problem. The guy I bought the car from had an e320 and turned 526k on it, impressive.

Anyway, my first step will be to focus on the rear suspension, because I want to eliminate the hydraulic sls and get a wider tire under there. You may be right, the best option may be a solid axle, but I want to exhaust the other options before I do that...the 5 link suspension is a superior design and I was considering installing a Ride Tech shockwave in place of the coil and shock......but not having any success so far, because there are still suspension links in the way and I don't want to run fender flares. I'm starting to think it would be cool to have some meats and a solid axle under the rear, these cars would look so trick with some fatties in the back (and front).

Jon