I've started this thread so that I can update my progress on the project as and when it happens, for those that are interested!
I'll start with a brief outline of the project: Basically I intend to transplant a 4.5 litre Mercedes V8 engine from a 1979 S-Class W116 into my (smaller) 1975 Mercedes 200 W115.
The project, however, has become a little more complex than just a simple engine swap....
First of all, I have to rebuild the engine as it's origins are a little sketchy - it was bought, together with the automatic gearbox, from eBay for £32. All the guy knew was that a head gasket had definitely gone, but the engine ran and the auto box was good. A good once-over should see it alright.
After getting the engine I started thinking about power. From standard the V8 kicks out around 220bhp and a whole heap of torque - more than enough for anyone, surely! Well, yeah, but as I've got the thing in bits I might as well do a bit of tweaking... gas-flowed heads, simplified induction system, that sorta thing....
First to go is the K-Jetronic injection system. It's a good simple system but technology has moved on since '79 and there's more power to be had! I've plumped for an electronic fuel injection system controlled by a mappable Megasquirt build-yourself ECU (www.msefi.com for more info). This ought to unlock several more horses and ease the installation of...
Twin turbochargers. Whilst doing some research on the net about the M117 V8, I came across what Team Sauber had done to the engine when they raced it in the Le Mans 24Hrs. It was pretty much the same basic lump as mine, just increased to 5.0 litres and the addition of twin KKK turbochargers. This sparked off my imagination and before I knew it I had dug out all the research I had done some months ago when I wanted to turbocharge the current 2.0 Merc lump, and started adapting it to work on the V8. The fuel system can be mapped to deal with boost and give peak performance.
I've plumped for two KKK K14 turbochargers. These are pretty small (much smaller than the ones Sauber used) but I want to have them spool up sometime before the redline! They are used mostly on diesel engines (mine are from a couple of Rover 218SDi's), but despite what people say, there is not a lot of difference between a diesel turbocharger and a petrol one - just size, and possibly the amount of boost they're set up to give (which can be adjusted). I just thought that two Garrett T3 turbos would be too large for the low amount of boost I'd need (6-8psi), and the lag would be epic!
So that's the state of affairs at the moment - plenty of boxes of parts, plenty of parts waiting to arrive, but hopefully progress should now get well under way!
I promise further updates will have pics, and be less long-winded!
I'll start with a brief outline of the project: Basically I intend to transplant a 4.5 litre Mercedes V8 engine from a 1979 S-Class W116 into my (smaller) 1975 Mercedes 200 W115.
The project, however, has become a little more complex than just a simple engine swap....
First of all, I have to rebuild the engine as it's origins are a little sketchy - it was bought, together with the automatic gearbox, from eBay for £32. All the guy knew was that a head gasket had definitely gone, but the engine ran and the auto box was good. A good once-over should see it alright.
After getting the engine I started thinking about power. From standard the V8 kicks out around 220bhp and a whole heap of torque - more than enough for anyone, surely! Well, yeah, but as I've got the thing in bits I might as well do a bit of tweaking... gas-flowed heads, simplified induction system, that sorta thing....
First to go is the K-Jetronic injection system. It's a good simple system but technology has moved on since '79 and there's more power to be had! I've plumped for an electronic fuel injection system controlled by a mappable Megasquirt build-yourself ECU (www.msefi.com for more info). This ought to unlock several more horses and ease the installation of...
Twin turbochargers. Whilst doing some research on the net about the M117 V8, I came across what Team Sauber had done to the engine when they raced it in the Le Mans 24Hrs. It was pretty much the same basic lump as mine, just increased to 5.0 litres and the addition of twin KKK turbochargers. This sparked off my imagination and before I knew it I had dug out all the research I had done some months ago when I wanted to turbocharge the current 2.0 Merc lump, and started adapting it to work on the V8. The fuel system can be mapped to deal with boost and give peak performance.
I've plumped for two KKK K14 turbochargers. These are pretty small (much smaller than the ones Sauber used) but I want to have them spool up sometime before the redline! They are used mostly on diesel engines (mine are from a couple of Rover 218SDi's), but despite what people say, there is not a lot of difference between a diesel turbocharger and a petrol one - just size, and possibly the amount of boost they're set up to give (which can be adjusted). I just thought that two Garrett T3 turbos would be too large for the low amount of boost I'd need (6-8psi), and the lag would be epic!
So that's the state of affairs at the moment - plenty of boxes of parts, plenty of parts waiting to arrive, but hopefully progress should now get well under way!
I promise further updates will have pics, and be less long-winded!
;D
.
