Returning a "USA" Euro 107 back to true Euro spec...

[bondavi]

My euro SL has a mess of wiring that was done for the import federalization when bringing the car into the USA to pass EPA/DOT.

I'd like to return the car back to Euro spec, except leaving the Lambda system computer on the motor intact. Here's what I've seen so far on my car:

Headlight height adjustment system disabled
Two buzzers added behind dash cluster
Third brake light (late 560SL type)
'Fasten Seatbelts' idiot light added
Left/Right parking/driving lights disabled (both dim orange)

The main reason I'm tackling this is because there was a Viper 300 alarm system previously hooked up under the car, piggybacking on some of the main wiring. The unit has since been disconnected, but seeing that my clock operates ONLY when the ignition is turned on, and seeing some voltage wires rerouted/cut for the buzzer system makes me want to clean out all the 'alien' wiring up and take out all the unnecessary stuff. Hence, I looked inside the dash and found some OEM wires snipped.

I was thinking of removing the buzzer system, rewiring the euro headlight height adjustment, parking lights, and clock voltage back to their successive OEM wiring where it was snipped (I can see both ends). Also the third brake light would be tossed in place for a correct spoiler, at a later time.

My questions are:

What is legal, what is illegal to retrofit back to euro OEM configuration (remember this isn't 1983 anymore, and the car is considered a 'historical car', would any laws apply aside from smog?

To be driving with the rear amber lights lit continuously, was that present on Euro 107's, or am I mistaken, it only having the left-right parking marker lights, which USA models had?

Thanks in advance for any help!

David

[ljmauricio]

Only thing I can comment on are the headlights. I too retrofitted a federalized euro 500. The headlight height adjustment is vacuum operated, not electrical. If your headlights are US and you wish to convert to euro, be sure you buy headlights with the vacuum adjustment. They are available with or without. Obviously the switch is different as well. On mine the euro switch was still there. No reason to change it as the US lights also operate with that switch. All I needed to do was reconnect the vacuum lines. Good luck on the rest of it. Sounds like a mess.

[bondavi]

Actually, I figure I can get the Viper alarm and wiring removed cleanly and solder/resleeve the OEM wiring. Its the buzzer hookup that will be a bit harder.

The car has the Euro lights, so I will need to check the vacuum lines at the height adj. switch.

Does anyone know the procedures for federalizing a euro car, what components were required for retrofit?

[Nimrodthewombat]

Are you going for looks or performance? For looks you would need to replace the bumpers (VERY difficult from what I understand), turn signals would be up on the sides of the headlight cluster, third brake light, headlights. The other things you wouldn't need to worry about (glass, bracings in door,etc).

The smog system would be difficult for a DYI'er from what I understand.

ALL of the above could be illegal depending on your state. Removing the pollution control system would be illegal in ALL states and could be big time in the federal pokey as well as massive fines depending on how much Bush has spent this week in Iraq!

FWIW- The euro lights ARE illegal in Kentucky

[flyboyike]

DaimlerChrysler - 1/11/2006 12:10 PM

FWIW- The euro lights ARE illegal in Kentucky

How many local yokels in Kentucky know a Euro light from a lantern?

[Nimrodthewombat]

Ahem, just so you know I am a native Pennsylvanian. However, I feel compelled to say that yes, we have some "local yokels", however I live in Lexington which has a population of over a quarter of a million. Louisville, the largest city in the state has over a million people. Kentucky is the home to Humana Healthcare, Toyota Motor Maunfacturing (Camry), as well as Maker's Mark Bourbon and Churchill Downs, the home of the Kentucky Derby (BTW- it's estimated that more money is spent in Louisville during Derby week than most state governments spend in a year.) We also have a Webasto plant the manufactures sunroof assemblies for you got it, Mercedes-Benz.

In addition Pike County, Kentucky( considered by some to be redneck capital USA) has more Rolls-Royce automobiles registered per resident that any other location outside of Beverly Hills.


To answer your question, my neighbor is a state trooper and when I put the Euro lights on my 380SL he mentioned without any prompting from me that they were illegal. The local yokels, as you put it aren't the ones that you need to watch out for...it's the police!

So there![:D]

[flyboyike]

DaimlerChrysler - 1/11/2006 2:12 PM

Louisville, the largest city in the state has over a million people. Kentucky is the home to Humana Healthcare, Toyota Motor Maunfacturing (Camry), as well as Maker's Mark Bourbon and Churchill Downs, the home of the Kentucky Derby.....

I've been to Louisville. Nice airport, probably the nicest FBO I've ever landed at. Fresh coffee and cookies, mind you it was 3 am.

I'm surprised that in your rather lengthy tirade about all the wonderful things Kentucky is home to, you managed to omit a certain shipping company, United Parcel Somethingorother.

To answer your question, my neighbor is a state trooper and when I put the Euro lights on my 380SL he mentioned without any prompting from me that they were illegal.

Gimme his name and address, I'll send him an award for being the most 107-savvy law enforcement official I know of.

Oh, BTW;

1. Local Yokel - City Cop

2. County Mounty - County Cop

3. Statey, Statie - State Trooper.

[bondavi]

DaimlerChrysler - 1/11/2006 1:10 PM

Are you going for looks or performance? For looks you would need to replace the bumpers (VERY difficult from what I understand), turn signals would be up on the sides of the headlight cluster, third brake light, headlights.

My car already has the Euro headlights (they were never removed to begin with), bumpers, and turn signals. It was mainly the wiring that was modified to make the car USA compliant.

David

[Greg450SL]

Hey, how 'bout the Home of the Corvette in Bowling Green? Nice museum.

[bondavi]

Who said it couldn't be done? The buzzers turned out to be part of the alarm system not the USA federalization package as I originally thought. Came out cleanly with only about 4 pairs of OEM wiring ends snipped to reattach/resleeve.

So, what about European driving lights, anyone? Were the ambers lit continuously, either switched on or off?

David