Here's a properly done job....

http://www.larrykay.com/80MBWagon/index.html

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Well it looks like a nice job, but I dont picture an MB wagon being the choice of a car to put a Chevy engine into. $28,500 ?????

John Roncallo

How can you tell its a nice job? There aren't any pics from underneath the car, showing the trans crossmember or motor mount setup.
$28,500 for a carb'd smallblock with a 3 speed transmission without overdrive?
This guy is hitting the pipe. And to say it would cost 30k to build one it's crack he's smoking.
It has a 480 area code.....so he is in Scottsdale.....maybe i'll get a better look at this car.

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LS190
190e with 5.7L aluminum V8
LS190 runs!

It's probably that much because it was a major PITA to complete!

I would think something like a Ford or a dry-sump chevy would be easier, but who knows. Probably just easier to mod the hell out of the current motor in a Benz.

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Nathan
'74 280C - gone to a new home for the finishing it deserves.
'64 356SC
'74 914 2.0

I'm sure it would be a PITA to put the MB diesel engine into a Corvette but that doesn't mean its worth anything.

John Roncallo

I'm sure if your accounting goes like 1 brand new 1980 MB 300TD + 1 brand new Chevy create motor + odd and ends you can creatively work this up to $30,000 easily.

He said $28,500 was a good place to start. I do beilive that $2,850 might actually be on the high side of a good place to end.

My guess is it would cost about $10K to build that car with a quality GM engine + the car.

John Roncallo

The trouble is you have a car that chebby guys won't buy and mb buyers will not touch either.

Very limited market.

TruckY!

Tom W

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[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.

Wow....I've read many of your posts. You seem to be alittle "....retentive". I't seems your "ok" modifing your "84" for autocross but not modifing another "MB" ? Actually its "Chevy" not "chebby" for your records. Wheather you beleive a "Chevy" guy or a "MB" guy would not touch these cars is not your choice.....It's the person buying the car. Many of my freinds found the conversion impressive...great looks, more power,4 speed auto,rack and pinion steering and "smoking" at least one tire at will. Please if you don't like these forum topics.......don't post on them .

HEY Have raced a 65 111 coup with 350 4/11 gears car was total reworked under neath. motor to heavy have to center towards rear. Car would smoke tires. On turns and hilly terrain. My1960 190 4 cly.Made him look bad. Have 69 280se want to will race not on1/4 mile.But on any back road. Out ran 4 cop cars in town in 240d.

I know the guy's price is insane. I didn't say a word about it. All I said was that the job was done correctly. Unlike the hack who built the Chevy powered SEC, in the post about things you don't want to see in a Mercedes. This one is built the way it should be built. The only six things about this car that suck are;

1.) The automatic Transmission

2.) The mere 325HP....What the hell are you going to do with 325HP..?

(Should be more like 450+H.P., or don't even bother at all.)

3.) The obvious, ridiculous price on the thing.

4.) The lack of fuel injection.

5.) The lack of the Dana 60, possi rear end it should have in it.

6.) The lack of a nice stainless steel, 2.5" dual exhaust system with two chamber mufflers, so as not to quiet it down too much..

So after all of this is done, the way I said, the whole job would only put someone in the hole for about $12k depending on how much H.P. You actually decide you'd like to have. There's no way in the world it could possibly cost $30k to build the car the way it is though.

With carb. auto trans, stock rear end, and probably a half assed exhaust system, and a $3,000.00 325 HP Crate engine (If it was even a new crate engine to begin with.) being a little generous, the car probably realistically cost him $6, to $7k total, to build, including buying it in the first place.


Trucky '07

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Hey, go for it!

I like catsup on my scrambled eggs. You like sbc in benz.

Tom W

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[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 dont think Tom is off base here. I agree exactly with what he is saying.

The only reason to re-engine any car with a Chevy engine is to be able to own a VERY HOT CAR that may otherwise be unaffordable to run with it's original engine due to the complexity and cost of parts and the inability to troubleshoot due ti the impracticality of purchasing something like the Star Diagnostic System.

The other reason is because you may want to be able to tune the engine with a wealth of after market or even support from second hand parts availability at swap meets or junk yards.

Notice the term VERY HOT CAR. A 1980 300TD is not something LARGE MASSES of people consider a VERY HOT CAR. Nor is a station wagon something that LARGE MASSES of people would care to modify. Yes as you say it's a mater of personal choice. But the people that see this as a $28,500 car are very limited. Therefore the limited market.

There are plenty of people that could never afford a Ferrari 308 if you gave it to them. But swap the engine to as Chevy and the car becomes reasonable to own and operate.

I did this to a 308 20 years ago. Not only did I successfully make a car that was economical to own and faster than original (a lot faster) but I also saved a fire consumed Ferrari that would have only ended up as a parts car.

But the Ferrari is a car worth alot of money and worth putting the effort into. The 300TD is worth the most to Bio Diesel converters. Therefore keep the diesels.

John Roncallo

Nick may I add one other thing to your list. Lack of 107 Chassi.

If you come back up north this week stop by for a bear.

John Roncallo

LOL 107 Chassis... Seriously John, I've Got my flight up there for friday 21st morning @ 05:00 here in Raleigh-Durham airport. Will be arriving in Hartford @ 08:45. I'm driving back down here though, so my return date here in North Carolina is not set in stone. I'll call you as soon as I get there, or how's saturday morning sound to you?
I'll be up there for atleast the whole week John. A beer sounds nice. See you then..

Nick

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Black, Brown or white?

Bear....I mean.

Tom W

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[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.