|
|
|
Picked up a spare 126 brake pedal bracket today to see what can be done with the W201 pedal box, and it looks like I may have an idea!
More will follow as I take a closer look after recovering from the heat today.
|
|
'85 Euro 190E 2.3-16 '84 Euro 500SE ~100k miles '51 Euro 170S M117 Swap Project?! '97 Jeep Wrangler Sport ~42k miles '09 E350 ~51k miles '98 Dodge Durango SLT+ 5.9L Magnum V8 ~Josh
|
|
|
|
|
Aug 29, 2016 14:24:10 GMT
|
Haven't had the time I'd have liked lately to really work on this project. Now that classes have started up I'll have even less time!
I often regret continuing to go to school for so long in pursuit of more than a single degree while trying to run a business.
|
|
'85 Euro 190E 2.3-16 '84 Euro 500SE ~100k miles '51 Euro 170S M117 Swap Project?! '97 Jeep Wrangler Sport ~42k miles '09 E350 ~51k miles '98 Dodge Durango SLT+ 5.9L Magnum V8 ~Josh
|
|
|
|
Aug 29, 2016 14:43:09 GMT
|
Haven't had the time I'd have liked lately to really work on this project. Now that classes have started up I'll have even less time! I often regret continuing to go to school for so long in pursuit of more than a single degree while trying to run a business. Persevere. It will be worth it!
|
|
1986 Mercedes 200 (W124) (Standard and daily) 1976 Peugeot 404 1800 Stickshift (Standard - awaiting complete resto, engine done) 1984 Ford Cortina (P100) LDV - Cab and chassis restored, interior and glass not fitted, brand new 3 liter engine (last 110kw Sierra XR6 engine fitted and married to 5 speed Toyota Gearbox), load body needed.
|
|
|
|
Aug 29, 2016 15:13:30 GMT
|
I appreciate it!
My biggest hold up on this is that I'm still leaning toward having 6 gears instead of 5.
T56s are pricey, so I'm wondering what other 6-speed alternatives there are out there to handle this V8. I do want to push this motor to around 300hp at the wheels at some point too, so I'm not sure of many boxes that would hold that better than a T56.
I just really want to be able to swap my own gears in this fantastic V8! So much power and driving pleasure is lost for me through the autobox.
I know I'm not the only one who desires a manual setup in any of the the 126-bodystles, so my goal is to document this to pass it on for other enthusiasts who wish to do this themselves as well.
|
|
'85 Euro 190E 2.3-16 '84 Euro 500SE ~100k miles '51 Euro 170S M117 Swap Project?! '97 Jeep Wrangler Sport ~42k miles '09 E350 ~51k miles '98 Dodge Durango SLT+ 5.9L Magnum V8 ~Josh
|
|
|
|
|
Progress on the pedal box! Although there's still a lot more to be done with it.
|
|
'85 Euro 190E 2.3-16 '84 Euro 500SE ~100k miles '51 Euro 170S M117 Swap Project?! '97 Jeep Wrangler Sport ~42k miles '09 E350 ~51k miles '98 Dodge Durango SLT+ 5.9L Magnum V8 ~Josh
|
|
|
|
|
Picked this up today: Borg Warner T5 out of an 80s 280ZX Turbo. Now to figure out adapter plate, flywheel, and prop shaft alterations.
|
|
'85 Euro 190E 2.3-16 '84 Euro 500SE ~100k miles '51 Euro 170S M117 Swap Project?! '97 Jeep Wrangler Sport ~42k miles '09 E350 ~51k miles '98 Dodge Durango SLT+ 5.9L Magnum V8 ~Josh
|
|
|
|
|
So, I've been doing A LOT of thinking about what I ultimately would like to do with this car.
I never plan to sell it, so the more I can do to reduce the need for sourcing replacement M117 parts, the better.
I initially thought about swapping up to an M119 running Megasquirt while swapping over my transmission setup once I had gotten it complete since the bolt-pattern is shared between the two motors.
I got to further thinking... instead of dorking with an aging motor design, and working to adapt a manual transmission to it, why not source a domestic V8 that accept a manual box as a straight bolt-on.
This has lead me to consider rolling with a small block Chevy, like an LM7, and throwing a T-56 behind it. The aftermarket support for the L-series motors is through the roof, they are everywhere, and one can make GOBS of power with one.
Factor in better economy/emissions, it's a no-brainer!
I'll get a lot of flack from the purists, but I want to enjoy this car and have it the way I want it; it's not a show car or an all-original cream puff.
|
|
'85 Euro 190E 2.3-16 '84 Euro 500SE ~100k miles '51 Euro 170S M117 Swap Project?! '97 Jeep Wrangler Sport ~42k miles '09 E350 ~51k miles '98 Dodge Durango SLT+ 5.9L Magnum V8 ~Josh
|
|
|
|
Nov 22, 2016 12:19:14 GMT
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nov 22, 2016 18:07:06 GMT
|
That would be impossible to come by here in the United States, unfortunately. Hence the sudden decision to do a domestic V8 swap with a T56!
|
|
'85 Euro 190E 2.3-16 '84 Euro 500SE ~100k miles '51 Euro 170S M117 Swap Project?! '97 Jeep Wrangler Sport ~42k miles '09 E350 ~51k miles '98 Dodge Durango SLT+ 5.9L Magnum V8 ~Josh
|
|
|
|
Nov 23, 2016 10:05:53 GMT
|
I think that makes perfect sense. Domestic V8 and a t56 is going to make the car amazing and super easy to maintain
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nov 23, 2016 14:22:44 GMT
|
That, and the aftermarket availability of parts is just out of this world!
Not sure when I'll be able to get started, but now I must start the acquisition of parts!
Looks like I'll be putting this T5 up for sale.
|
|
'85 Euro 190E 2.3-16 '84 Euro 500SE ~100k miles '51 Euro 170S M117 Swap Project?! '97 Jeep Wrangler Sport ~42k miles '09 E350 ~51k miles '98 Dodge Durango SLT+ 5.9L Magnum V8 ~Josh
|
|
|
|
Nov 29, 2016 19:27:56 GMT
|
Today has just added another reason to get this Merc V8 out of this car.
Starter gave up! Whacked it with a wrench and no joy; ordered a replacement and will be doing the swap in the parking lot.
|
|
'85 Euro 190E 2.3-16 '84 Euro 500SE ~100k miles '51 Euro 170S M117 Swap Project?! '97 Jeep Wrangler Sport ~42k miles '09 E350 ~51k miles '98 Dodge Durango SLT+ 5.9L Magnum V8 ~Josh
|
|
|
|
|
Pick a SBC and start the swap already!!!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Working on it!
Managed to get a starter from O'Reilly and the car is now back and running as it should be! New starter definitely makes a difference in how quickly it starts.
Well, now I know the starter will be good for another 30 years when I swap this motor into the 170S!
|
|
'85 Euro 190E 2.3-16 '84 Euro 500SE ~100k miles '51 Euro 170S M117 Swap Project?! '97 Jeep Wrangler Sport ~42k miles '09 E350 ~51k miles '98 Dodge Durango SLT+ 5.9L Magnum V8 ~Josh
|
|
|
|
|
I've begun trying to talk my buddy out of an refreshed LQ4 he has sitting around in hopes of doing something with it with this car.
While the M117 is a great motor, parts (especially for a European market car) are getting scarce in the US.
After becoming intimately familiar with CIS, and realizing that many of these components are going to start failing soon with no replacements in sight, it's time to start thinking about the future.
I still wish to have a manual box in it, that hasn't changed. But now I've spent the last few months wondering what to do about the motor.
Should I attempt to EFI, tune, and swap my T-5 behind it? Or should I search for a domestic motor, with an ungodly aftermarket support, incredible ease of tuning, and the ability to accept a manual without having to machine a single part?
Those of you who follow my 170S thread might have seen where I announced my decision to look for an LS for this car, and use this current motor for the 170S.
I'm now making that declaration here, but as fitting my spare M117 has shown in the 170, this motor is not an easy fit for that chassis, so I'll be going a different route for that project.
I enjoy taking this car on long trips, and it cruises above 100mph with such ease and stability; my concern, long term, is drivetrain reliability. Sure, you can still find plenty of parts in the yards, but those replacements themselves are approaching their last dance.
For a time I considered the M119, to keep it MB, but that put me back in the same boat for adapting a manual transmission, and if I went with an early model, running CIS, or figuring out a base tune and setup with an aftermarket engine management system.
The LS family of motors get swapped into EVERYTHING, and I can see why, as cliché as it may seem, they offer the best value in overall economy, reliability, and power potential.
While there's no such thing as a quick swap (unless you're swapping one identical motor for another), I'd like to get this done in a matter of weeks once I begin so I can keep this on the road.
|
|
'85 Euro 190E 2.3-16 '84 Euro 500SE ~100k miles '51 Euro 170S M117 Swap Project?! '97 Jeep Wrangler Sport ~42k miles '09 E350 ~51k miles '98 Dodge Durango SLT+ 5.9L Magnum V8 ~Josh
|
|
|
|
|
Go with LSX and T56, you won't regret. It's smaller, lighter, more powerful, more reliable, better on fuel and parts in the states are readily available. I've done 6 LSX swaps over the years and every time been more than pleased with the outcome. Keep us posted.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Feb 22, 2017 20:26:54 GMT
|
Will do!!
This will be my first motor swap involving replacing the motor with an entirely different motor.
Wondering about things like wiring for the MB accessories, as well as wiring the ignition and engine management for the LS... seems daunting!
What swaps have you done, if you don't mind me asking? I'd like to pick your brain, and may have a few questions down the line.
|
|
'85 Euro 190E 2.3-16 '84 Euro 500SE ~100k miles '51 Euro 170S M117 Swap Project?! '97 Jeep Wrangler Sport ~42k miles '09 E350 ~51k miles '98 Dodge Durango SLT+ 5.9L Magnum V8 ~Josh
|
|
|
|
Feb 23, 2017 10:54:26 GMT
|
Just do the boring LS swap, more driveability, power, ease and price of service etc adds up, even though a m119 would be a really cool build. The Ceginus wheels are a nice design, but they need to be like 3" larger
|
|
|
|
|
|
Feb 23, 2017 17:03:57 GMT
|
Just do the boring LS swap, more driveability, power, ease and price of service etc adds up, even though a m119 would be a really cool build. The Ceginus wheels are a nice design, but they need to be like 3" larger Yeah, I know the LS-swap has become a cliche, but it works! The M119 would just get expensive in the long run, and having to make more custom parts for the sake of adapting a manual transmission just adds more time to the swap! I dunno, 20s look weird on a 126! I've seen some who've done it, but I'm just not a fan. It's TOO much wheel for the design IMO. 17" is the sweet spot, maybe some nice 18s. What I really want to get are some 17" Borbet Type A wheels. They look different, and more stylish, without looking out of place on an older chassis like this. I'm hoping to also get an AMG body kit eventually, to give the car a more aggressive look. A buddy of mine in FL has an '81 500SE with a genuine kit that I'm trying to convince him to sell to me since his car is becoming a basket case from sitting for so long.
|
|
'85 Euro 190E 2.3-16 '84 Euro 500SE ~100k miles '51 Euro 170S M117 Swap Project?! '97 Jeep Wrangler Sport ~42k miles '09 E350 ~51k miles '98 Dodge Durango SLT+ 5.9L Magnum V8 ~Josh
|
|
|
|
Feb 23, 2017 19:59:33 GMT
|
Respect!
|
|
|
|
|