1973 450 SE
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It was burgundy in color and it had 95K miles on the odometer. We thought it was a brand new car until we happened to see the window sticker. The condition was that good. He was actually test driving a Subaru GL sedan that day but he ended up buying the Benz!
71 300SEL, 16 BMW Z4, 58 MGA, 80 Triumph TR7, 85 Porsche 911
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These things weren't zippy, even when brand new. If you want more power, go with a turbo with 5-7lbs of boost, and even then, much of what you'd be doing would be custom. No one (third party vendors), and I mean NO ONE, makes kits, performance parts or upgrades for these engines.
Another option is to pull the native power plant and install a US engine - personally, I'm partial to Chevy small blocks. Tons of power, tons of performance options, tons of vendors who make things for them.
Another option is to pull the native power plant and install a US engine - personally, I'm partial to Chevy small blocks. Tons of power, tons of performance options, tons of vendors who make things for them.
It's all about cushy lazy power delivery in one of these I would say. I haven't seen the power delivery curve for one of these but I would bet it makes good use of the power it has, making it available through the rev range.
Kind of the opposite feel to a turbo car.
Kind of the opposite feel to a turbo car.
I've got a Jag with a SBC 350 which would pull a freight train out of a bog but unless its totally cactus I'd encourage the OP to retain the Merc V8 and tune its capabilities. There isn't a sweeter engine made IMHO nor one that made better use of its power band.
HP/Torque curve:
You could put a 6.9 in it for more power.
You could put a 6.9 in it for more power.
F R A N K E N B E N Z . C O M
frankenbenz.com
W116 Engine options
This seems to be a common issue with the MB crowd... I'm unhappy with the performance of my 4.5, (1975 450 SEL) and want to explore engine swap options. Or, squeeze more power out of what I got. The motor runs pretty good as is with low compression on #8, about 90-102 psi. (the others are about...
www.benzworld.org
71 300SEL, 16 BMW Z4, 58 MGA, 80 Triumph TR7, 85 Porsche 911
Joined
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2,485 Posts
I have a 4 cylinder with twice the HP 
No idea about a 383, but the narrower the engine, the better. My dad and I swapped a Mustang 289 into a 108 chassis years ago and had to contend with exhaust system differences, steering system issues and draft shaft issues.
The exhaust will have to be custom, from the manifold to the pipe. The stock Benz muffler will still do its job.
The steering linkages were built with another engine in mind. I've since read that the rack from a Chevy Lumina will fit perfectly, but again, you'll need to come up with a custom linkage setup.
Splicing the non Benz tranny's yolk to the Benz driveshaft is easy, but it's a specialized thing that not many folks do. I live in a rural area and the nearest shop that could do this is about 90 miles from me.
Chevy engines are wider than Fords - they can be swapped in but you'll need a contortionist to change the spark plugs, or remove the engine to do so. Chevies also have a different foot print for the oil sumps - they're typically in the way (the Benz cross member is too far back). However, a custom oil pan is not rare and can be ordered from a ton of places (see Hot Rod magazine, for example). An engine from a late model Mustang makes tons of HP and controllers for just the engine, or for the engine and tranny together, are easily found (see Summit Racing, for example).
You'll also need to contend with motor mounts that will either need to be fabricated, or customized to fit the car the engine is going into.
This is a very doable swap, by the way. If you have an angle grinder and a welder, it's just one step in front of another..
No idea about a 383, but the narrower the engine, the better. My dad and I swapped a Mustang 289 into a 108 chassis years ago and had to contend with exhaust system differences, steering system issues and draft shaft issues.
The exhaust will have to be custom, from the manifold to the pipe. The stock Benz muffler will still do its job.
The steering linkages were built with another engine in mind. I've since read that the rack from a Chevy Lumina will fit perfectly, but again, you'll need to come up with a custom linkage setup.
Splicing the non Benz tranny's yolk to the Benz driveshaft is easy, but it's a specialized thing that not many folks do. I live in a rural area and the nearest shop that could do this is about 90 miles from me.
Chevy engines are wider than Fords - they can be swapped in but you'll need a contortionist to change the spark plugs, or remove the engine to do so. Chevies also have a different foot print for the oil sumps - they're typically in the way (the Benz cross member is too far back). However, a custom oil pan is not rare and can be ordered from a ton of places (see Hot Rod magazine, for example). An engine from a late model Mustang makes tons of HP and controllers for just the engine, or for the engine and tranny together, are easily found (see Summit Racing, for example).
You'll also need to contend with motor mounts that will either need to be fabricated, or customized to fit the car the engine is going into.
This is a very doable swap, by the way. If you have an angle grinder and a welder, it's just one step in front of another..
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