V8 5 lt engine question

2 replies [Last post]
jdelis
jdelis's picture
Offline
Joined: 14.06.2016
Location: Ireland
GWOA Groups: Members

Hi again from a new member. I have just got a 230GE petrol and looking at some engine options. It happens that I had bought a few years back an M117 engine (and auto gearbox) for another project, which was never completed. The engine must be this one:

http://www.automobile-catalog.com/car/1979/1469000/mercedes-benz_450_slc_5_0.html

I know that some people worldwide have installed the engine in a G but not sure how much work is involved. Since it is my home country (Greece) I wouldn't like to bring it here, before I know that someone can do this job.

The specs are quite impressive but there are many details involved except the actual conversion (like gearing ). 

Any information/opinions on the matter would be welcomed.

Yannis

Pistonhead
Pistonhead's picture
Offline
Joined: 16.12.2006
Location: Loughborough
GWOA Groups: Committee, Members
Re: V8 5 lt engine question

Projects like these in my opinion are a subject of love and money need not be factored in as it will always be expensive. It may be another matter if your own labour is to be employed other than than that commissioning this work will sky rocket costs of conversion.

Having said that there is a lot of work involved. The club secretary has first hand experience of this conversion. The brake pedal box and servo needs to be moved to room for the wider engine fitting. Naturally the plumbing, engine mounts will need some work s to measurements and rerouting. Theoretically the prop-shaft in between the gear box and transfer box may need replacement to size to fit, I am not certain of this. How the gearbox console fairs, I don't  know. My suggestion would be to keep it where it is as I suspect the labour will be cheaper and after your research I have every confidence the work conducted there would be just as professional as can be done here but cheaper. 

On  the whole ditch this conversion and go for a diesel OM 60? conversion. The V8 route will give you gear box issues in the long run. Fuel consumption will always be an issue and overall you will never recoup money if investment value is what you are after. 

jaymanek
jaymanek's picture
Offline
Joined: 25.07.2014
Location: Nuneaton UK
GWOA Groups: Members
Re: V8 5 lt engine question

I had a converted W460. It had a 5.6.

The conversion itself was done by a company in the south of the UK who has done more than one of these. Mine was one of the first i believe. The conversion requires all the above and will cost quite a lot.

However the main issue is that no one seems to have come up with a solution to the gearing issue. My car was unbearable at 70 mph. The loud exhaust didnt help!

I sold it and bought a G500 for not a lot more money!