My 1995 E320 has serious rust/rot issues particularly in the front suspension area. A 1973 220 with a good body but a blown engine is available. My question is would an engine/transmission swap from the W124 to the W115 vehicle be feasable?
pdurff
It's definitely do-able but it's not a simple swap.
There are a couple of threads regarding the swap and I myself have been contemplating the same conversion if the M110 in my W114 ever gives up the ghost.
Does the '73 W115 have the fender cross bracing? If so, they need to be removed. A new fuel system has to be installed along with some form of engine control unit to handle both the fuel and ignition.
There are a couple of threads regarding the swap and I myself have been contemplating the same conversion if the M110 in my W114 ever gives up the ghost.
Does the '73 W115 have the fender cross bracing? If so, they need to be removed. A new fuel system has to be installed along with some form of engine control unit to handle both the fuel and ignition.
If it is a 220 then it has the cross bracing. I know the 280's ('73 and later) do not have it.
I suppose you could adapt the existing ECU but it'd be a real nightmare dealing with all the inputs and power supplies. You'd be better off using an after market ECU such as the MegaSquirt system.
You'd have to beef up the front springs to handle the added weight if this is on a 220 gasser. You'd probably be okay using a 220D chassis but the standard coils from a 220 WILL collapse from the added weight.
I know this because I replaced the entire subframe assembly from a 220 into my '74 W114. The additional weight of the M110 was too much for the 220's springs and it now sags. Bummer, something else to fix!
The sub frame was completely rebuilt with all new bushings and mounts.
I suppose you could adapt the existing ECU but it'd be a real nightmare dealing with all the inputs and power supplies. You'd be better off using an after market ECU such as the MegaSquirt system.
You'd have to beef up the front springs to handle the added weight if this is on a 220 gasser. You'd probably be okay using a 220D chassis but the standard coils from a 220 WILL collapse from the added weight.
I know this because I replaced the entire subframe assembly from a 220 into my '74 W114. The additional weight of the M110 was too much for the 220's springs and it now sags. Bummer, something else to fix!
The sub frame was completely rebuilt with all new bushings and mounts.
The w115 has a short engine compartment that has room enough for an inline 4, but may not allow a six without major remodeling. If you are going to tackle the job, have the cars side by side and swap whole systems at a time. The drive shaft may need to be chopped to fit transmission, so may as well use the w124 drive train.
Suspension up front is the same as used in the R107, but the bushings are probably rotted out. Rebuild that, and it will support a V8 with no troubles.
Suspension up front is the same as used in the R107, but the bushings are probably rotted out. Rebuild that, and it will support a V8 with no troubles.
All this stuff is why I like the idea of putting a euro k-jet 185hp mechanically controlled fuel injection (no wires or computer) into a 1973 w114/115, whatever doesn't have the cross braces. Eliminate the carbs and get most of the power of more modern engines without the hassle of computers. Just my opinion. You still need a car without the cross braces, but I think a 1973 280c or 280 sedan (US Spec carbed m110) would be the perfect candidate for this conversion since it's got the gen1 good looks, but no cross braces in the engine bay.
Oh... And I find myself thinking of this more and more having the full manual trans setup from a 1975 240d plus a euro m110 with a similar manual trans attached to it sitting in my garage doing nothing. Basically if someone placed a 73 w114 under my nose, It would be hard to stop me from trying this apparently easy conversion.
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
