[HooniverseJeff]

So, we finally found the engine/trans on eBay and made the purchase.

We should have the package at the shop by early to mid-week. It's a 5.7-liter HEMI with just 47k on the odo. Seller is including the trans, harness, and ecm as well. Got it for much less than I had hoped, which is great.

I'll have pics and video soon (have to fly to Detroit tomorrow but back Tuesday).

This is really just to start a thread on the build because I know a few folks had expressed interest.

There will be more info soon, sorry this first post is a bit sparse.

 

[HooniverseJeff]

So I finally have a real update.

Video: Our Mercedes-Benz Wagon Project Heads Into The Shop|Hooniverse

We shot video showing the shop, the car, and the engine that's going into the car.

Additionally, I'll give you guys a bit more news since the video was shot and edited a week ago. The engine is now officially out of the car, and the new one was test fit into place. It fits... but we need to find a new oil pan with a forward facing sump.

More importantly (at the moment), we need to figure out the steering box - because the one on this car is fairly large. We're going to need to put a new rack in the car.

On top of that, I've got wheels and tires coming. Magnaflow is going to help us with an exhaust system, and I'm going to order that rear coil setup to replace the SLS, which will be removed.

 

[HooniverseJeff]

Oh... and I know what engine comes in the W123, I just done goofed on the video.

 

[JoshW123]

Well this looks interesting. Looking forward to the rest of your build.

 

[Deemo13]

Can't wait to see how this turns out! Would love to see the progress when I'm down there to pick up the motor.

EDIT: Also subscribed.

 

[mike-81-240d]

Subscribed. What wheels did you end up ordering?

 

[John31s]

In for the lulz/ this is what I'm planning except with a sbf. Sub'd.

 

[HooniverseJeff]

Subscribed. What wheels did you end up ordering?

Axis Wheels OG San - the gold ones.

 

[ssk831]

Build thread subscribed...all about that instagram/hooniverse/forum/twitter/podcast info feed.

 

[HooniverseJeff]

Question about brakes

So I've heard that a good swap for the W123 wagon is S-Class brakes.

Anyone have any insight here?

Thanks!

 

[Deemo13]

This is what I have gathered in the past 5 minutes:

Apparently, the vented brakes in the W126 will last much longer, as the ones in the W123 tend to warp.

The stopping distance is marginally increased, and the brakes will not heat up as much as the W126 ones are vented.

You will also need at least 15"-16" rims if you get brakes from a 560SEL or the later W126 (87-whatever), which do not seem to be a problem as you have a new wheel/tire setup. To use old wheels (14"), you would need early W126 brakes.

The 1981-1985 brakes are a direct bolt in. 1985 had the largest brakes of the generation at 300mm (as opposed to 280). While the rear brakes for the W123 will seem similar in appearance to the W126 (81-85), they are vented.

You also would need from the W126, some sort of plate on the back of the brakes. It is used for cooling as a cooling duct.

W123 Brake Upgrade. - PeachParts Mercedes ShopForum

W123->W126 Brake Upgrades, what fits? - PeachParts Mercedes ShopForum

Brake upgrade W123 to W126 (humor me and read it please 500E guys) - PeachParts Mercedes ShopForum

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w123-e-ce-d-cd-td/1625388-w123-w126-brake-hardware-interchange.html

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w123-e-ce-d-cd-td/1542523-vented-rotors-w123.html

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w123-e-ce-d-cd-td/1366382-whos-put-w126-caliper-rotors-their.html


Heck, I kind of want to do this now. Seems simple enough.

-Josh

 

[HooniverseJeff]

This is what I have gathered in the past 5 minutes:

Apparently, the vented brakes in the W126 will last much longer, as the ones in the W123 tend to warp.

The stopping distance is marginally increased, and the brakes will not heat up as much as the W126 ones are vented.

You will also need at least 15"-16" rims if you get brakes from a 560SEL or the later W126 (87-whatever), which do not seem to be a problem as you have a new wheel/tire setup. To use old wheels (14"), you would need early W126 brakes.

The 1981-1985 brakes are a direct bolt in. 1985 had the largest brakes of the generation at 300mm (as opposed to 280). While the rear brakes for the W123 will seem similar in appearance to the W126 (81-85), they are vented.

You also would need from the W126, some sort of plate on the back of the brakes. It is used for cooling as a coolind duct.

W123 Brake Upgrade. - PeachParts Mercedes ShopForum

W123->W126 Brake Upgrades, what fits? - PeachParts Mercedes ShopForum

Brake upgrade W123 to W126 (humor me and read it please 500E guys) - PeachParts Mercedes ShopForum

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w123-e-ce-d-cd-td/1625388-w123-w126-brake-hardware-interchange.html

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w123-e-ce-d-cd-td/1542523-vented-rotors-w123.html

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w123-e-ce-d-cd-td/1366382-whos-put-w126-caliper-rotors-their.html


Heck, I kind of want to do this now. Seems simple enough.

-Josh

Awesome thank you!

 

[Deemo13]

As I dug a little more, I found this thread, which is a thorough go through of how to replace the pads and rotors.

How to guide to replace front Brake Pads and Rotors on a W123 - PeachParts Mercedes ShopForum

If the later comments are read, it seems that there is some sort of part that needs to be precisely within some sort of spec, which can only be accurately be judged by a dial indicator (metric). Some seem to have different views on this topic, but I would rather have it done the right way.

-Josh

 

[HooniverseJeff]

Was at the shop today to shoot two quick videos on the wagon. The new oil pan is in so we attached it to the engine to see how it sits in there. Nice and low!

The SLS Conversion springs have arrived as well, along with the wheels and tires. The biggest item at the moment is figuring out how we're going to route the steering, as there's no room for the older box.

I may be giving Unisteer a call.

The videos are being edited right now and will be up soon, and I'll hopefully pick up the pace on the updates as we move into 2014.

 

[HooniverseJeff]

Here's a video of the engine in the bay...

 

[POS]

I'm a regular hooniverse reader - been watching your build there. Glad you're bringing the story here. Great following.

 

[HooniverseJeff]

I'm a regular hooniverse reader - been watching your build there. Glad you're bringing the story here. Great following.

Much appreciated, thank you!

More updates soon... I have to upload video showing the wheels we picked. Also the SLS conversion parts are in as well.

 

[HooniverseJeff]

Quick video of the wheels and we talk about the tires and suspension.
It's not much, but it's an update... also, haven't run the post on Hooniverse yet, but thought I'd share with you all first.

 

[swampmonkey]

Awesome thank you!

get the brake shield (larger + intake of air), calipers, and disc from a gen2 w126, they are vented and an inch larger than stock w123, larger than the vented gen1 brakes.

fits straight away, except you need to run 15" wheels from then on.

1. remove al the old parts, but be careful with the bearings+hub part if you gona reuse that, (i did)

2. remove the old disc from the hub+bearing, clean the "contact surfaces" realy good, and put the new disc on...

3. change the brake-shield before you put the disc back, disc on, new calipers on, brakepads, bleed the system and you are good to go

i made the change from crossdrilled 11inch stock w123 brakes to gen2 vented w126, made a difference.
looked up the front tires doing 90mph, so the limit is your control of your foot rather than brakes not beeing sufficient.

might put up some more pictures up at mbturbo.com if you want, but realy, the change is pretty straightforward, done in 15min.

 

[John31s]

Could you post up some pictures of the motor mounts when you get them made up? I'm planning on a v8 conversion for my wagon and want to see how you do it.