big engine conversions for a W124- has anyone done this?
big engine conversions for a W124- has anyone done this?
Author
Discussion

harry kular

Original Poster:

2,784 posts

255 months

Tuesday 29th March 2011
quotequote all
Hi,
I've been thinking of putting a 500 V8 into my E320, but have now come across a low mile 6.0 v12 and gearbox for sale- I've seen a few pics of 500e's with v12s, but has anyone here done it- and on a rhd car? I've just finished a project and really like the idea of the v12-but is it lunacy to attempt it?

Thoughts and advice appreciated!

bolide

582 posts

283 months

Thursday 31st March 2011
quotequote all
I think it depends on what era engine you want to fit. There's a chap on the 190 forum who has a V8 190E which, electronically, is the same as the donor car - he has transplanted all the ECUs & etc. If you use an earlier engine which doesn't have complex electronics it'll be an easier conversion

There's a bloke in Somerset who built a V8 560 W123 - that should work nicely!

Personally I'd look in Europe for a cheap E400/420E and transplant the engine, box & ECU and butcher the (LHD) loom to fit. But I can see the attraction of a 5.0 or 5.6 V8. Or even a V12, though I think it might end up being an understeering beast. Check the weight of the various engines

Have a look on the two Mercedes forums - there is a fair amount of info if you look

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/

http://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/

Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

harry kular

Original Poster:

2,784 posts

255 months

Friday 1st April 2011
quotequote all
Hi,

I've got a few friends in the trade, with a workshop and bodyshop who are keen to help, so we are going to go all out for the v12. Parts have been sourced and we're researching the ECU options now. We're in no rush (its a spare time project) but fingers crossed it'll be up and running by the end of the year!

bolide

582 posts

283 months

Saturday 2nd April 2011
quotequote all
Unless you are planning to use an aftermarket ECU I'd make sure you have the complete electrical system of the donor car plus the gearbox, back axle, steering angle sensor (if fitted) and any yaw sensors, etc. It's the "little" things like this that will cause hassle later

V12 into W124 has been done so there are precedents, though probably no RHD cars have been built

Good luck & keep us posted!

Nick Froome

harry kular

Original Poster:

2,784 posts

255 months

Saturday 2nd April 2011
quotequote all

I found one in asia somewhere in rhd so I know it can be done. I'm going for an alternative ECU- looking at OMEX and MOTEC at the minute...
I'm posting my progress on the W124 forum on benzworld, so look in for updates...

mario64

134 posts

201 months

Sunday 3rd April 2011
quotequote all
I came here to post a very similar question!

How much of a challenge is to swap a V8 into a W124? I recently moved to Singapore, and am trying to figure out a way to get a decent car for affordable money. Due to high taxes, car prices are really sky-high here. The locals get round the import tax by buying really cheap Imprezas & Lancers, and turning them into STIs and EVOs with tax free spare parts. Seeing as W124s are the cheapest cars around, could I create a 'replica' 500E for a reasonable cost?

I understand that Porsche modified the firewall and the tunnel to fit the 500 into the W124. Other than that, it looks like much of the power-train is identical to a 500SL. If I could get a donor SL, how big a job would the swap be?

ClassicMercs

1,703 posts

210 months

Sunday 3rd April 2011
quotequote all
Passing through Newlyn today we came across a black S124 parked up with E500 badging on the back.
I'm not sure though. The windows were cheaply tinted, the bodywork was poor all round. And the interior was like a mobile dustbin.
The web suggests its a 280 fitted with some 'bling'. M809XRO was the plate.
Not the only strange car in Newlyn. A very early R129 in 'cream' with matching leather. Only personally seen that colour on W201's before. A symphony in magnolia !

braddo

12,267 posts

217 months

Monday 4th April 2011
quotequote all
mario64 said:
I came here to post a very similar question!

How much of a challenge is to swap a V8 into a W124? I recently moved to Singapore, and am trying to figure out a way to get a decent car for affordable money. Due to high taxes, car prices are really sky-high here. The locals get round the import tax by buying really cheap Imprezas & Lancers, and turning them into STIs and EVOs with tax free spare parts. Seeing as W124s are the cheapest cars around, could I create a 'replica' 500E for a reasonable cost?

I understand that Porsche modified the firewall and the tunnel to fit the 500 into the W124. Other than that, it looks like much of the power-train is identical to a 500SL. If I could get a donor SL, how big a job would the swap be?
There's a twin turbo kit which was made by Turbo Technics in the UK for the 6 cylineder W124s - I'd have a look at getting hold of one of those for a 300E.

Good luck!

bolide

582 posts

283 months

Tuesday 5th April 2011
quotequote all
ClassicMercs said:
Passing through Newlyn today we came across a black S124 parked up with E500 badging on the back
Officially there were no E500 Estates, unfortunately. I believe a couple were made at the factory - one sold recently on German eBay. E500 VIN, Estate body, big arches. Estate rear arches are unique to the estate so they must have been one-off fabricated items

Nick Froome

SprintV8

261 posts

261 months

Wednesday 6th April 2011
quotequote all
The enquiry is complete

The vehicle details for M809 XRO are:

Date of Liability 01 09 2011
Date of First Registration 01 08 1994
Year of Manufacture 1994
Cylinder Capacity (cc) 2799CC
CO2 Emissions Not Available
Fuel Type Petrol
Export Marker Not Applicable
Vehicle Status Licence Not Due
Vehicle Colour BLACK
Vehicle Type Approval