I'm a noob to this forum and have a couple of questions.

I own my euro 500 sec for close to 10 years now, though I have'nt driven it around 6 years...I love the car, wanted to sell it, but it's just not worth it.
I'm seriously considering doing an ls2 swap, though i'm sure some purists will want to hang me, a 6.0L MB motor is way more expensive and the money spent will see little to no return when/if sold.

1. Does anyone know a shop in the tri-state area that can handle a swap of this sort?

2. What do you guys think a fair price would be for labor only?

3. Is there anyone that has done this that can shed some light?

Any input is appreciated
-Joe

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Ha; I have a Corvette and a SE w126 with a baby 6-cylinder in my garage right now. So I have often dreamed of dropping an LS in the MB.
But I have never heard of anyone actually replacing an MB engine with something else, ever. Physically, it would certainly fit, but the interface of mechanicals and electronics could be challenging. There was a shop in Dallas years ago that did nothing but drop Chevy engines in Jags; but that was because the Jag engines lasted only a couple of years, and a valve job was more expensive than installing a Chevy crate engine with twice the power and reliability.

DG

It could probably be done.
Check out this link regarding putting an aluminum Chevy V8 into a 190E..
How to install 400hp 16 valve engine *writeup with pics*
It may give you some ideas of what you may be in for.

You should probably ask in the "Performance Paddock" area of this site.

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1993 190E 2.6 135k
1989 Ford Thunderbird SC 5 Spd 79K

That is one heck of a swap...I figured I'd be posting in the wrong forum.
I used to be on a forum called mbcoupes.com about 10 years ago and I remember the web host dropped a 1991 500SL motor (M119?)in his 126...all he needed to do was cut the fire wall, seems easier.

I was almost positive that people have dropped LS powerplants into this car before, but guess I'm wrong.
I'm still considering it cause I can get my hands on an LS2 with tranny for a pretty good price.

I think it "could" be done. But as S-Class-Guru pointed out there will be numerous electrical and mechanical gremlins to chase down and sort out. Physically fitting the engine and the transmission would be the easy part. It would probably help a lot if you got the harness, ECU and just about everything else with that engine and transmission.

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1993 190E 2.6 135k
1989 Ford Thunderbird SC 5 Spd 79K

I believe user mramay is in progress of stuffing a LS2 in a 126 currently, but it's being slow.

From what I was seeing on the 126, you end up with the steering interfering with the oil pan and block, as well as having very tight routing for the exhaust. It also required some creative modification of the cross member to allow space for an oil pan.

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-Josh
Testing the cheap Mercedes axiom, one bolt at a time...

LOL @ Jag FTL

It could be done, but I don't see how it could possibly be cheaper than using a good used benz motor.

The v8 equipped cars are cheap to buy now because of gas prices.



I would think one with a chevy motor would be worth even less.

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.

You are right...
I would assume that doing an m119 swap would be more cost effective, but for the sake of swapping, I would want to throw in a 6.0L MB V12 which is probably way more expensive then your average small block swap.
Keep in mind that with a small block, parts are inexpensive and you have endless options if you choose to modify.

I have owned different german cars and the BMW's and MB's are way too expensive to modify and you dont get much in return (unless they are TC'd)
For the pricing I've been offered for my car, I cant help but laugh at what the market has become...I guess when I would be done with my LS2 swap, my car should sell for more, but not enough to justify the money spent. I would just do it as a fun project to a car that is just not worth selling, maybe it will give me a reason to actually drive the car.

LS6 and I wish that "slow" was the proper description rather than "glacier speed". It is a lot of work - steering rework, which includes new engine cross member, new motor/tranny mounts, new wiring harness for the engine, custom exhaust, custom engine computer, remove the M117 wiring, etc. etc. etc.

But..... 480hp/450ft.lb and lighter

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There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."
FrankenBenz: '87 560SEC with an '02 cammed LS6 and custom 4L60E.
Bling: '87 560SEC, ported/polished, lowered
Lisa: '87 560SEL, lowered

If it doesn't already. the LS series of engines will have more aftermarket support than anything in history. For instance, MSD makes a tuneable ignition driver you can use with a carb and manifold. There are also stand-alone kits to operate the engine/trans as produced . http://www.speartech.com/ These folks do engineering type adapter harnesses. LS2GTO.com ; LS1tech.com are full of more info than anyone can possibly read

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There's no substitute for cubic inches

There is one substitute for cubic inches. It's number of cylinders.

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To see my 129 parts for sale visit:
http://stores.ebay.com/The-Mercedes-SL-Store
John Roncallo

Or a blower !

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There's no substitute for cubic inches