Engine Swaps: What fits into what?
 

I'm mildly curious, what are the most interesting engines that one can put into a 1983 W123 (240D) and not require a whole lot of custom fabrication?

I'd want a diesel, obviously -- but whether it's a Chinese diesel, a Force OM616a, or an OM603, or something else, doesn't really matter that much.

What engines from other cars have you shoved into your Mercedes? What are other things you've shoved a Mercedes engine into, that wasn't a Benz?

Big Block Chevy: fits into almost ANYTHING...

Small Block Chevy: Fits into the rest of them...

Both with minimal modifications to 123 cars, and almost no fabrication.

'Nough Said...

Personally I would not put a big or small block chevy into a benz. I would stick in the benz family. In a 240d I would consider a 300d na or turbo and really nothing else. Lots of other things will fit in physically but the interface of all the systems gets complicated and after all that work, a non benz hybrid will have virtually no value.

Tom W

I'm looking at a 616a to put into it actually, should bolt up to my existing tranny and driveshaft with no problems :p

but, I was just curious in general, what have people done.

A turbo 240 stickshift would be an awesome car. Wow....*drool

I'd like a 606 turbo (chipped) or a 2.7 inline 5 cdi (sprinter) diesel in my car, that would be a sweet setup. :D

Since they offered the M110 in the 123, I think almost anything would "fit". If the 617 ever fails in my wagon, I'd like to put an injected M110 in, maybe put a blower or turbo on it NICE!

I would like a M100.985 matched up to a 5 speed in a 123.:D

It is a pretty sweet setup.

Tom W

An engine from a TT Supra would be nice.

It really isn't that much work. You can do a complete conversion over a weekend, and it would look and operate as if the the factory set the thing up themselves atleast on the Mercedes Vehicles, especially a small-block 123 car.

Aside from this, What's the actual value of the car from the start..?

I mean a twenty year old 123 car of any type is only worth anywhere from $500.00, to $900.00, in the blue books, especially if it needs an engine to begin with...

We only feel that they are worth anything because we collect them. The reality however is that you couldn't give one of these old clunkers away to most of the rest of the population or anyone who isn't an enthusiast to begin with, they have no value. We like them, but to the most of the rest of the population they are just old worthless loud, stinky Diesel Pigs.

Point is you wouldn't actually do the Chevy V-8, swap on a mint example to begin with..and nobody would bat an eye if you did except for some hard core guys like many of the ones here.

If anything, the average joe would take a bit of a liking to an old slow stinky, diesel, pig Mercedes that now sounds cool, runs on gas, and is as easy to work on and atleast as fast as a Camaro.

"Sleepers Rule"

Just my Justification for the statement.

Nick :D:D:D

Sad-but-true point, unfortunately...you *couldn't* even give the cars away unless someone really needed it.

But I love my W123, fresh repaint to factory color, getting Euro lights for it, a new engine soon, it's going to look and work like it did back in 1983.

I doubt it. You would have a full weekend pulling and swapping a stock engine, and that does not require any modification or fabrication.

I'd like to see a turbo 617 stuffed into a very tiny , lightweight vehicle. Maybe something like a honda crx. more mpg and tossable. almost a sports car.

I agree 100%. It took me a solid 36 hours of non-stop work between when I pulled the 300TD into the shop and driving the 240D out the door under it's own power. Thats having all the hard bits already done (driveshaft shortened, shift rods shortened, etc), the engine and tranny already out of the 240D and some decent skills as a professional mechanic.

There is no way a weekend mechanic could put in a non-stock engine over the weekend unless they have some great hidden talent or multiple helpers pulling their weight.

I know someoene halfway there. Just awaiting an engine rebuild and the trans swap. We'll see how it does.

There is just nothing here I can agree with.....and, Nick, you haven't actually done one, have you?

The thought of the reinforcing necessary to install a rat motor in a benz...the extra 300#, alone, even an expert with all the tools and materials right at hand would be hard pressed to do in a weekend not to mention adapting every other sub system.

Swapping in a non original manufacturer engine in any car is pretty time consuming, and when you get done, a huge pain to service as nothing fits or works like it would if sticking with same manufacturer engines.

Tom W

It would have to be mid-engine to keep a desirable weight balance. :D

you obviously arent familiar with destruction derby:rolleyes: these guys put chevy motors in everything. and its usually done in a weekend

a 454?

done properly? Not.

Tom W

Just for your information I have my 81 300CD, of which has a 450+hp, Fuel injected, 383 stroker small block, backed by a T-56 Six Speed Standard Transmission and a Jag. Dana 60 Possi Rear-End in it.
I did the conversion a few years ago, and it looks and functions as though Mercedes themselves had put it together in their factory.



The car runs one hell of a fast quarter mile time and is reliable, balanced and handles as though it were factory. I pre measured the length of the driveshaft, location of the tranny crossmember, and a few other things. She's got block hugger headers, and 3 inch dual exhausts.
To solve the oil pan issue I needed to use a front sump, 62-67 Nova oil pan, and pick-up, a Corvette short style Edelbrock Alluminum water pump, The stock radiator is more than sufficient and the A/C compressor is standard G.M. unit.

Front and rear springs are stock 123 diesel springs. With the Alluminum heads, intake, and water pump, High torque Mini starter, and other assorted Alluminum components. The Chevy V-8 actually weighs a little less than the stock 5 cylinder Diesel and automatic that came out of the car.

This whole project was completed from Friday night, and finished on Monday night. So we're talking about a three and a half day job. I planned everything and measured ahead of time. There was almost no cutting or welding and the car could be put back to stock in the same amount of time it was converted in and nobody would be able to tell it was ever more "endowed" at any point in it's life. Or I could pull the small block and drop in a Big Block having to change a few details and maybe the front springs this time around.


I talk of the car all the time, and have talked about it here in the forum before. Atleast three other members here have even ridden in the car on a few occasions.

Nick

Sounds cool Nick. Got any pix?:D

Yeah, In fact I remember posting them here a while back at some point. I'll put them back up, or better yet. I'll stick a few in my Gallery area.

Currently, I'm Sitting over at M+M's Pool Hall in Hillsborough North Carolina at the moment having a few beers with friends though. Anyone in the area want to come down and join us, feel free, I'll buy you a beer. My turn at the table though.

Nick

Sorry, Nick, but although you tell a fine story, it would take a huge amount of credible evidence to convince me such a car exists or that it was all accomplised in 3.5 days.

I have done too much wrenching personally on things that were simply stock to be convinced of any of that.

Tom W