Any Interest in Chevy powered kits - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Gen3Benz · #1 12-09-2007, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roncallo

1) How many would want me killed for bastardising a Benz.

Think of it as "improving" not "basterdising"

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roncallo

2) Which models would you like to see kits for. I happen to be a 107 fan in case you havent noticed.

I'd be interested in a W203 kit with operational gauges

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roncallo

3) Would you be willing to pay say $6000 for a kit including modified sub frame, all engine and trans mounting hardware, modified drive shaft, custom aluminum or brass radiator, AC hoses, PS hoses and exhaust down pipes.

Brass radiator....they still make those?

For $6000 the kit would need to be top-notch and complete.
They sell BMW E36/LSx kits for $6000 so its possible

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roncallo

4) I have also considered turn key installations, but with the overall cost of installing a used Chevy engine about the same as a used M120 benz engine, I belive I would be better to focus the high end turn key solution to the MB engine installations only, a C06 vett engine may be an ecception to that rule.

2004 Z06 = 5.7L LS6....not much diff powerwise than a modded LS1
2006 Z06 = 7.0L LS7....good luck finding a used engine for anywhere near the price of an M120

Building an ironblock 400+ with L92 heads and an L76 intake would be a much cheaper alternative than an aluminum LS7

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roncallo

5) How do most Chevy conversions take place. Is it something like, I have a used MB that I really like but it has a blown engine and my dad just wrecked his Caprice. Then the I start the project not realizing what I steped into and either completed it, because I had so much time and money into it and I had to do something, or I abandond it and learned never to do that again.

OR someone buys an LSx and looks for a car to stuff it in.
I know if I find a deal on one of these....

Ill start looking for a recipient.

Roncallo · #2 12-09-2007, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gen3Benz

Think of it as "improving" not "basterdising"

I'd be interested in a W203 kit with operational gauges

Forgive me for being a bit nieve, I havent worked on MB's except for the 107 for 20 years. What is a 203, and what do you mean by operational gages.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gen3Benz

Brass radiator....they still make those?

My 107 has an aluminum core 3 inches shorter than the M-120 129. Otherwise all dimensions are the same. Therefore I need to make up with quality. I found a radiator maker that will make radiators out of brass with tubes 5/16" on center verses MB 10mm Alumninum. Between the brass and reduced spacing I'm golden.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gen3Benz

For $6000 the kit would need to be top-notch and complete.
They sell BMW E36/LSx kits for $6000 so its possible

Do you have a web sight. One of the problems is there is more demand for modified BMW's than MB's. It has been a problem with my life. I always go with what I like rather than what makes the money. If I had an agent he'd shoot me.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gen3Benz

2004 Z06 = 5.7L LS6....not much diff powerwise than a modded LS1
2006 Z06 = 7.0L LS7....good luck finding a used engine for anywhere near the price of an M120

The 7L Z06 is the only Chevy I would propose as a turn key solution. In fact that is what my project was going to be until I thought of the M120 solution. I must say I do prefer the M120 option to the Z06. Both of them have as Rolls Royce puts it "Sufficient" power.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gen3Benz

Building an ironblock 400+ with L92 heads and an L76 intake would be a much cheaper alternative than an aluminum LS7
OR someone buys an LSx and looks for a car to stuff it in.
I know if I find a deal on one of these....

Ill start looking for a recipient.

Here in lies the beauty of the Chevrolet engine. You can buy an elegant 7.0L for $14K or go to the junk yard get some pig engine out of something and bolt on a bunch of aftermarket stuff for maybe $2K and have 700HP. When it blow up just get another bottom end.

John Roncallo

Gen3Benz · #3 12-10-2007, 01:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roncallo

Forgive me for being a bit nieve, I havent worked on MB's except for the 107 for 20 years. What is a 203, and what do you mean by operational gages.

W203 =

2001-2007 c-class

What i mean by operational gauges is they use a CAN-bus for the body module to talk to the engine module, that talks to the instrument panel cluster.

I'd like a GM e-38 PCM that talks to the mercedes can-bus so all the factory gauges work like the do with an M112 engine.

oh....$14k for an LS7 is not including a PCM(powertrain control module), wiring harness, or dry sump tank and lines.
Not to mention.....no forged pistons. hyper-cast...weakest part of engine.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roncallo

Here in lies the beauty of the Chevrolet engine. You can buy an elegant 7.0L for $14K or go to the junk yard get some pig engine out of something and bolt on a bunch of aftermarket stuff for maybe $2K and have 700HP. When it blow up just get another bottom end.

OR
You spend $7K on a forged 440 shortblock and spray a 250 shot on it all day and all night.
Elegant or not, it will hold up alot better than an LS7.

Roncallo · #4 12-10-2007, 03:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gen3Benz

W203 =

2001-2007 c-class

I guess that would be a C230, C240 C280. I tried to talk my wife into one of those but no luck. She ended up with a Altima.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gen3Benz

What i mean by operational gauges is they use a CAN-bus for the body module to talk to the engine module, that talks to the instrument panel cluster.

I'd like a GM e-38 PCM that talks to the mercedes can-bus so all the factory gauges work like the do with an M112 engine.

For that I will have to go back to school. But I am about to take a crash course in CAN bus so who knows.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gen3Benz

oh....$14k for an LS7 is not including a PCM(powertrain control module), wiring harness, or dry sump tank and lines.
Not to mention.....no forged pistons. hyper-cast...weakest part of engine.

OR
You spend $7K on a forged 440 shortblock and spray a 250 shot on it all day and all night.
Elegant or not, it will hold up alot better than an LS7.

440 are we still talking Chevy or are we talking Mopar. Am I dating myself?

John Roncallo

t walgamuth · #5 12-10-2007, 06:53 AM

The 440 mopar is one stout motor...well built with a forged crank, but very very heavy, and fairly bulky too.

I saw a 107 up at Auburn one year with a 426 Hemi in front. The amount of subframe modification make your v12 project look simple!

I wanted to see what it sold for but it never crossed the block. I never found out whether it was withdrawn or bought before the auction began.

Tom W

Gen3Benz · #6 12-10-2007, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roncallo

440 are we still talking Chevy or are we talking Mopar. Am I dating myself?

440 cube gen3 shortblock.
I should have called it a 439 and had you really confused.
SDPC2000.com sells alot of gen3/gen4 shortblock/longblock/crate engines for good prices.
Definently NOT mopar.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hit Man X

If you do, just stick with the GenIII and newer motors. The early Gen I and II are of no comparison to ease of wrenching, swapping, and insane power levels.

Ease of wrenching is for sure.
Takes 5 minutes to yank the intake(on my car), 7 minutes to yank a water pump(on a gm truck).
Not to mention the parts compatability between all the engines of the generation, which is what im sure you meant by swapping.