Ok here is the deal I have a 86 420SEL and I am planning to remove the cat. Please spare me the legal and enviro warning. Has anyone done this and have you noticed a big difference and how. I am also replacing the O2 sensor and I cut the belt on the smog pump already. Has anyone experimented on a better air filter on the 4.2 V8 or other engine mods?

Jake
Ottawa

You can run the dual intake from a 560. You might also replace the O2 w/ a 4 wire (run the extra ground wire to your negative batt terminal) for faster response times.

My better half can't help but say that running a set of high flow cats will result in a loss of less then 2 HP. It's Really time for people to think globally on items such as this... I do as much not because of regulations/legality but because it's the reputable/responsible thing to do.

Jonathan

__________________
Blue Ridge Mercedes
Jonathan Hodgman
http://www.blueridgemb.com/
Enthusiast Service, Restoration & Tuning.
Follow Us on Facebook!
Located in the Atlanta area
Specializing in all pre and post merger AMG's including Hammers and DOHC M117 engines.
Mercedes Repair Atlanta

x2. the gain in performance will be small compared to the cost financially and environmentally.

Tom W

__________________
[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Illegal both Federal and State. Why bother.

__________________
Regards

Warren

Currently 1965 220Sb, 2002 FORD Crown Vic Police Interceptor

Had 1965 220SEb, 1967 230S, 280SE 4.5, 300SE (W126), 420SEL

ENTER > = (HP RPN)

Not part of the in-crowd since 1952.

Yes I know it's illegal. as I said above that was not the point of the inquiry. LOL This car will use less fuel without the cat and it's one less dollar in the hands of the Saudi Gov. Plus my cat is starting to get worn out and it's big $$$$ to replace.

thanks jhodg5ck for the advice. I am sure proper tire inflation will effect gas consumption more. I think the dual intake is a great idea, I will add those new K&N style air filters to the end of each intake tube... Just an idea. If this makes enough of a difference with the new 02 sensor then I will keep the old Cat. New wheels are on the list too.

Nothing you do will ever make it an economical car on fuel....unless you swap in a diesel with a five speed.

Tom W

__________________
[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

I just completed a 7 week trip around N.America in this car... The gas was Cheap in the US not so much in Canada. But it was sooo worth it. I really want the Euro power that this car originally had. There is no better feeling when that car is running perfect and you merge onto the Highway like lighting... Move over Lexus a real car is coming through. As for Diesel, I would make my own, the driver of the speaker of the House of Commons here in Canada drives a W126 and he makes his own fuel... Take that Exxon. A little less funding for those who forsake human rights in the middle east.

Stay away from the K & N on the 420 SEL. They are an oil bath air filter and you are stuck and you forever after have to use THEIR oil. Great for them, but not for you - or your car.

They let in more air, but with that, they don't filter as well, will drag more grit and particulate into your engine. I don't believe their claims for a moment.

Yes, it is illegal to get rid of the cats but a few performance minded individuals do it. If you live in certain states like Michigan, where they don't inspect, you could get away with it, at least until you sell the car, so if you are in that situation, at least save the old one in your garage, as you might have to re install it when you sell it, or it will fail the visual inspection, and will cost you PLENTY of $$ to biy and install another one for the sale.

In other states, like California, the smog Nazis will fail you if you remove equipment like the cat. There can be big fines, and there is NO financial limit on what you have to spend to make it VISUALLY smog legal and correct.

If you REALLY want more power, why fool around with the 420 engine?

Buy a new crate full Euro spec high compression 300 hp
ECE 560 engine, get mandrel bent stainless steel headers, proper downpipes, crossovers, a good Remus box, get rid of the pre cats, (keep the O2 sensor) and put in a good Gleason Torsen ltd slip rear diff, with a streetable quick ratio (2:82 is excellent), and a first gear start, and your car will be real street sweeper.

That is what Satish did, after he took the cats off his 560SEC, and it was not enough for him, so he went further. I have seen the car in Las Vegas a few years ago, and it is simply awesome. Though I think someone in Georgia or in the East owns it now. Jack got rid of it when he got married. Read about it and see the pictrures here.

Here it is

http://www.mbcoupes.com/euroconversion/conversion.htm

Nice, isn't it?:

Wheels for your W126:

Use tire Rack for the wheels, their offerings are the best bang for the buck, plus they bolt right on to the 420SEL, no hubcentric spacers needed, the offset is perfecton them, lug bolts included, the wheel locks are ugly so don't buy them, you can choose the style of Mercedes Benz center caps you like best, get them off ebay, they are for sale there all the time.

Use a co operating tire dealer in your town that does business with Tire Rack, and get an idea of fees for mounting up front. If the car is already aligned you won't need another one, have the dealer order from Tire Rack on THEIR account, then pay the tire shop direct.

Word of caution, make sure the tire Rack wheels are IN STOCK, or you will be waiting for months, with delay after delay and excuse after excuse being given to you.

__________________
1991 560 SEC AMG, 199k <---- 300 hp 10:1 ECE euro HV ...

1995 E 420, 170k "The Red Plum" (sold)

2015 BMW 535i xdrive awd Stage 1 DINAN, 6k, <----364 hp

1967 Mercury Cougar, 49k

2013 Jaguar XF, 20k <----340 hp Supercharged, All Wheel Drive (sold)

Jim I really appreciate the time you took to write me. I like the idea about the motor swap. I have to look into that first gear start, I was just under the car replacing my trani-filter and the little grey piston at the end of the vacuum valve. I am not sure if my linkage adjustment has made my shifting soft or what or a bad vacuum line.
Man a new motor with no leaks... I dream of that. Plus i won't have 20 yrs of some jerks mistakes to fix. I will take what you say about the K&N air filters as gospel, as for the oil filter I will stick with a MB filter. I am running AmsOil 5w30 right now and its -15c here in Canada and it will go to -44c (-44f) before the winter is done. I will explore some options for the airfilters. If you have any info on 1st gear starts please pass it on. I am not afraid to try anything. I have thought about H&R lowering springs too.
You have me thinking about making this a real humm dinger. I have been in some new cars and yes there is the odd nice thing about them, but my God what crap, my friend tried to keep up with me the other day in his new Hyundai and he crashed it when he tried to take the same corner I took at the same speed. For 20k I could buy a used SEC and turn it into a monster... For 20k I could also buy a piece of Mexican plastic with the personality of a soup can. It's strange how people think completely different.

Yes the SEC is sweet... A man's car

Attached Thumbnails

   

You should really look around at the archives and articles in www.mbcoupes.com which is primarily dedicated to the performance and handling aspects of the W126 coupes. Most of it easily translates easily to the W126 sedans, as they are W126 coupes with 2 extra doors, and otherwise pretty much the same.

Another really good resource is the W126 section of www.benzworld.com as it is there where the a VERY large selection of W126 enthusiasts congregate.

Jonathan H. at Blue Ridge Mercedes, has a tricked out 560SEL that can REALLY run with the big boys, listen and look at it go, on the track at Road Atlanta, and pay attention to how it roars at about 130 mph on the backstretch!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJyC_lugMJw



At Benzworld.com the W126 questions come flying in, and answers fly out.

I got the First Gear Start when Bergwerks was making them, about 4 or 5 years ago, but they are not in business now.

There is someone who posts sometimes at benzworld (can't recall his name - is it "coupe", perhaps? - not sure) who sells and ebays them.

I have heard a persistent rumor that there is a man in Belgium who bought up the very last run of factory manufactured crate long block crate 560 Euro engines, the last ones made, and he has 30 of them, all crated and ready to sell, at the price of $5,000 each. I have heard about this enough times to believe it is true, but for the life of me, can't recall the exact source that I heard it from.

That is a smokin' bargain, and would even be worth it to get one, with transatlantic shipping costs factored in.

Or, you could do what
Satish Tummala in Michigan did: cram a V 12 engine in a 560 SEC, and get this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QpytnbbMfyw

__________________
1991 560 SEC AMG, 199k <---- 300 hp 10:1 ECE euro HV ...

1995 E 420, 170k "The Red Plum" (sold)

2015 BMW 535i xdrive awd Stage 1 DINAN, 6k, <----364 hp

1967 Mercury Cougar, 49k

2013 Jaguar XF, 20k <----340 hp Supercharged, All Wheel Drive (sold)

I know my car has plenty of leaks and what not and modifying this car might not be the smartest thing, but for 5k on eBay I can get one in far better shape. From there I will start modifying. I have replaced many small things on my 420sel and it works well, but I know I will just be transferring all the mods I want to do to the new car... I like the look of the coups, so either that or a 560sel is in the cards. Ah who knows, all I know is that I want to go faster and look cooler... But don't we all? I did do one mod, and that is I installed Zimmer vented break rotors... Saved my life when and Elk decided to follow a chicken crossing the road at midnight in Yellowstone National Park.
I will go to MB wreckers and find that 560sel intake... I like those AMG Monoblock rims on Buddy's Coupe... I have got to get me some of those.

well the Cat has been removed and new O2 sensor installed... What a difference. This car feels like a someone took a gag off its mouth . Much faster off the line and I can tell its running the way it should. I would recommend doing this if you are a real driver and would like to spend less on gas. It's a shame that this car came in the US with cats... Now it feels... right. the Sensor was $150 CDN and the custom exhaust a whole $200 ooohh $200. Do it, this Xmas give the gift that says "I love you" and have the Cat removed.

Jake, do you not have to get emissions inspections where you live? We have to get them in Virginia every other year. Can you bolt them back on if you have to?

__________________
" We have nothing to fear but the main stream media itself . . . ."- Adapted from Franklin D Roosevelt for the 21st century

OBK #55

1998 Lincoln Continental - Sold
Max 1984 300TD 285,000 miles - Sold
The Dee8gonator 1987 560SEC 196,000 miles - Sold
Orgasmatron - 2006 CLS500 90,000 miles
2002 C320 Wagon 122,000 miles
2016 AMG GTS 12,000 miles

Did you knock out the precat or the main cat?

Random Tech and Magnaflow both now carry HIGH flow spun cats, they flow tons better than the older higher flows from 10 years back.

__________________
I'm not a doctor, but I'll have a look.

'85 300SD 245k
'87 300SDL 251k
'90 300SEL 326k

Six others from BMW, GM, and Ford.

Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty.[/IMG]