Project Indecision - Mercedes 190E, Toyota V12, T56, GT4088R Turbo

[bahaimus]

Something a bit out of the ordinary, but I think it fits the Pro Touring mold.

It is currently a a friends workshop having the conversion done.

I’ve been down a couple of paths with plans for the car, what I’ll document here is the current specification of the build. I've bought and sold a heap of bits for various different plans, but I won't bore you with those details.

The aim for the car was to use as many Mercedes components as possible, remain circumspect in appearance from the outside and to be an animal on the inside. Well, that ambition has gone out the window somewhat LOL



1990 190E 2.6 Sportline - This is a Japanese import with 97k kms when I bought it and in very good condition.

At purchase:






I'll quote the posts from Al on the conversion itself and fill in some of the blanks on the other stuff as time permits.

[bahaimus]

A little present arrived today. Ooh, what's in here I wonder?


Six on this side


And six on this side


In the shape of a vee

[bahaimus]

So, 2000kms in two days to drive down to Sydney and pick this up. Shhh, it's sleeping


But I woke it up to introduce it to the V12 bitch.

[bahaimus]

Do you know why I like knowing someone who knows how to use the $125k CNC mill in his shed at home and who loves making car ****?





This is the adapter plate that will sit between the 1GZ bellhousing and the T56 gearbox. It was the last essential piece I needed to allow the mounting of the engine and gearbox to start on Monday.

[bahaimus]

Pushed this ****ter out on to the road yesterday morning


And loaded it onto a trailer


And drove it two hours north to the chop shop where it now sits on a hoist with an already half stripped engine bay.

[bahaimus]

So work started on this last Monday

Fits pretty good once I chopped off a thousand alluminium lumps of the engine and gearbox and brutally beat the tunnel. Steering box has aids so it will have to be single turbo.
1.19 GT4088 with Turbosmart 50.

[bahaimus]

Next update

Engine mounts done.







Started thinking about radiators and other pipe routing. I found this radiator in my shed, it's been there for years so must be mine. It fits great. Changed the outlet to the top and remodelled the top hose outlets with the aid of some commodore thermostat housings.





Starter is the only real headache atm. Needs to be changed to clear the idler arm. Working on that.

[bahaimus]

Then this happened

Manifolds and stuff. Been a bit lazy.



Devils steering box.



Will never spool up with log manifolds.








Some parts and materials not yet arrived.

[bahaimus]

And to round out the first week of conversion work - note this update contains sarcasm...

600x300x73mm tube and fine vertical flow core with fabricated tanks. Clayto can get his own Krautwerks front bar to clear it.

Today.

Made Clayto a bong.







Crossover pipe.





Water pump outlet(replaces factory water pump housing).



Bottom hose into DC EWP.



Wastegate outlet on exhaust housing. Yes the housing will surely crack. Yes the leads and valve covers will surely melt. Yes the turbulence in the dump pipe where it reenters will cause armageddon.

[bahaimus]

Today's update

More unfinished stuff









Intercooler core. Need to space out the grille for this.

[andrewb70]

Cool project!

Andrew

[BulldawgMusclecars]

Wow, thats something you don't see everyday! I didn't know Toyota even had a V12...what did it come in?

Answered my own question:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Century

[CruizinKev]

OMG that is sick!!!! WOW! I really can't wait to see more of this thing!

[rfalker1]

nice, so what are u gonna do with the front of this car????

[exwestracer]

Wow, IMO, one of the coolest builds I've seen in a LONG time.

Where do I get one of those "twin sixes"???

[wellis77]

Very cool build. Looking forward to seeing more!

[Bowtie racing]

I had never knew toyota had V12 too.. And please keep the pics coming, really intresting project!!!

[neki67]

Imagine this: Back in the day I was already impressed by the power of the original 190 2.3 16v!!!

Very, very cool build. You have to keep us informed. Thanks for sharing.

[neki67]

Oh and some more WIKI-info on that V12: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_GZ_engine

[ryeguy2006a]

That is a crazy project. I love it. I am interested to see more!