280SE tuning?

[w116fan]

Hey everyone! Im a 16 year old considering buying a 1979 280SE for cheap. It looks like its in good condition with a new engine. My question is is it possible to get respectible performance (o-60 around 7 seconds w/o nitrous injection) with the I6 it comes with? Would it be best to save up for a V8 or later 6 cylinder or tuning the I6 it comes with? I dont want to spend a huge fortune and it must remain street legal. And yes, I am willing to do internal work if nessary. I just don't want to be slower than my friends 5000 pound 4 cylinder S10 lowrider.

Also, I dont want to remove allot of stuff from the cabin if i can avoid it.

[Nutz 4 Benz]

Swap the 280SE airflow sensor for a 450SE/SEL airflow sensor.The trick to squeezing more power out of the K Jetronic fuel injection is more airflow.

[nomada]

Nutz 4 Benz - 9/23/2005 6:39 PM

The trick to squeezing more power out of the K Jetronic fuel injection is more airflow.

Really?, tell me more, I read your sticky on rebuilding the airflow sensor, but, is there anything else that can be done for more power?[:p]

[Nutz 4 Benz]

That modification will really unleash some impressive
power and is relatively cheap.The only thing you'll have to do is add your 6 cylinder fuel distributor to the 8 cylinder airflow sensor.Make sure that the transmission and engine mounts are solid too[}:)]Hint!

Other than that,gut the cat,buy a freeflow muffler and cancel the airbox.Fab a cold air box instead and use a cone type filter with the largest hose to the airflow sensor that will fit.Maybe also find some 8mm
spark plug wires and an R107 differential (380SL/SLC)to increase the acceleration tremendously.

Without rebuilding the engine,there is not much that can be done but with these mods I suggested,the ride will become a lot more interesting.[;)]

[nomada]

Cool man, I'll try these things with my 280 sometime

I'm wanting to power up my 500 (for nada of course)
I've gotten rid of the cats and have put on a cone filter, slightly better gas mileage and coarser exhaust note is all I've noticed from that though

Got any tips for an M117? Apart from the obvious and expensive exhaust system mods

[Nutz 4 Benz]

I'm assuming that the filter is absent inside the air box?! I would isolate the cone filter from any engine heat for starters(cold air box).And in the inside of the airbox,remove the mesh screen that goes around the
inside area too.Maybe even mirror and fab the same setup on the other side of the airbox and add a second cone filter.More air equals more power![8D]

[nomada]

Yeah, I did remove the old filter[^]

I might try and put together another neck and second filter or try to get a filter box from a 560 W126 as they have twin necks

Cheers Nutz

Damon

[Turbo_Phil]

I would not change the differential on the 280SE, it has a 3.69 final drive and the 380 has a 3.07. A Euro 280SE was my first benz. Is the one you are looking at a euro or american? Get a euro, they have higher compression, and no emission crap. 185HP from a 2.8L is not too bad. A good euro 280 can and will beat an american 450SEL (it whipped circle around my 450). The 2.8L engine gets good gas milage and would be an excellent canidate for turbocharging. The only other car I would recommend, but probably isnt the best for a 16 year old is a euro 6.9. A euro 6.9 is hell on wheels.


Good luck,
Phil

[Nutz 4 Benz]

Turbo_Phil - 9/29/2005 5:07 PM

I would not change the differential on the 280SE, it has a 3.69 final drive and the 380 has a 3.07. A Euro 280SE was my first benz. Is the one you are looking at a euro or american? Get a euro, they have higher compression, and no emission crap. 185HP from a 2.8L is not too bad. A good euro 280 can and will beat an american 450SEL (it whipped circle around my 450). The 2.8L engine gets good gas milage and would be an excellent canidate for turbocharging. The only other car I would recommend, but probably isnt the best for a 16 year old is a euro 6.9. A euro 6.9 is hell on wheels.


Good luck,
Phil

A 380 has 2.47 ratio[:)]

[Turbo_Phil]

a 2.47 will give you top speed but will be slow as all hell off the gun, keep the 3.69.