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Originally Posted by Zulfiqar
I think he chose the wrong car, the car of choice should have been an 8 cylinder W124 model, their steering boxes are fit lower, their transmission tunnel and front floor pan is also different to accomodate the fat engine and also to accomodate two exhaust systems.
MB really packed that V8 in there
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There is more than enough room in the MB bay for the cam in block SBC. Remember, all those merc v8's are DOHC.. heads are almost twice as big!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jooseppi Luna
But would there be a huge difference in steering linkage? I would assume that it would still be a front sump oil pan...
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The merc v8s ARE still front sump oil pan, and the linkage isnt enough to make up the space that I need. because of the difference in length of the merc motor/trans and the vette one, The linkage actually resides now underneath the trans bellhousing, so the oil pan is only an issue for the crossmember, which I cut out and replaced anyways.
Quote:
Originally Posted by tilac1
I would love to put an LSX engine into a W124. Can you use the corvette rack and pinion?
I had a C4 with a Z51 fast ratio R&P and it had great road feel.
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Unfortunately, for the reasons listed below, and adding in the fact that I would need custom knuckles etc.. it makes it unreasonable to do. Also, the intermediate shaft would have to go directly through the LCA mount LOL
Quote:
Originally Posted by zukgod
Really looking forward to watching this progress, I have a 190e that I have been eye balling to put a LS1 in. These cars are so much fun to drive but, they are stupid expensive to repair and all the vacuum lines rot out. I have been trying to get mine running right for over a year now. So the vette engine with a 6 speed is looking really nice. There are a couple out there on you tube already so I know it can be done.
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If you have an LS.. do it! They make front sump oil pans for the LS that would most likely fit with the factory crossmember! I wanted to go manual as well.. but cant find a stupid pedal box.. grrr. So auto for now till I can gather the parts.
Quote:
Originally Posted by zukgod
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interesting read! thank you.
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Originally Posted by lear60man
Zukgod, thank you for saving me the mental anguish of finding that thread hahaha. I knew there was some fitment issues with dropping in a LS engine into a 190/300 chassis from reading the other guys thread. IIRC the 190 and 300 have similar sized engine bays.
OP, I wish you luck and hope you see this through to the end. We love engine swaps!
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I am nothing if not stubborn and persistent. quite frankly, I don't understand how people give up on projects, or lose interest. when I was doing my research, I only found one person who had done this into a w124. Its a pretty viable power option for a beautiful car.. may as well try and encourage some other hooligans.
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Originally Posted by charliebob
It will not work. Corvette is front steer, MB is rear steer. Turn left to go right! Also the pivot to pivot width on the C4 rack would lead to bump steer on the MB .... as you are turning left to go right!
I would like to do the swap since I have a non running W124 and an LS engine/trans. From what I have gleaned from the web and from measuring and eyeballing my stuff, the steering box is the main limitation, especially on the left exhaust. Oil pans can be modified.
Some have attempted replacing the steering box with a rack & pinion. Rear steer racks with the proper pivot to pivot width are available. The problem is that the Mercedes steering arms are too long, something like 7" while most are about 5" This means that using other racks, like from a Dodge Omni, or even later Benz will have slow steering and limited turning radius. I suspect that this is why many of the swap attempts found on the web have not been completed.
One could swap the complete Corvette front suspension, or a Supra/Lexus front suspension, but that is a heck of a lot of fabrication and welding, and then MB wheels would not fit.
Hope these observations help. The LS swap can be done, but it is a heck of a lot of work.
Bob
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I considered doing a mustang II front end, as they are easy enough to come across and its a super common hot rod front end.. alas, too narrow and too pricey for what I was looking to accomplish. As far as racks go, I think the dodge dakota racks are the way to go. they offer manual and power version, and they are a similiar width to what the merc needs.. then you would just need some custom tie rod ends, which could easily be done with some Heim joints and proper strength threaded rod.