Though I love my 1980 280SL, due to the 4spd trans without overdrive, and the low rear axle ratio, it turns to high an rpm at hwy speeds. At 70 mph, it is turning over 4000 rpm. I did consider a swap to the later 5 spd, but they are not exactly growing on trees.
I have two other issues that pushed me towards a swap. The FPR was removed and bypassed, so the car runs rich. I also have worn guides or seals on the head causing smoking, especially when coasting down against engine braking.


I decide to swap to a newer drive train and electronics.


I purchased a 2005 Chrysler Crossfire with the 3.2 and a 6 spd. I am going to install them along with all the electronics. This includes the ABS, BAS and ESP systems.
The victim:


The recipient:https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BxvWA9tW28MfYnkxMDlVSGp4YVE/view?usp=sharing.

If you did not see the exterior, you would not know this is a Chrysler. The obviously Mercedes parts look strange with Chrysler numbers. I work in used auto parts, and I am very familiar with parts numbers and interchange. Though the parts are the same with this being an R170 chassis, none of the interchanges show the parts fitting from Mercedes to Chrysler or vice versa.


I should have it on the ground tomorrow, and can finish pulling all the wiring and electronics.

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Got it on the ground and did some measuring. It is going to fill up the engine compartment side to side. The 3.2 is about 6 inches shorter. It looks like I will have to shorten the shift linkage by about 8 inches.


Now to get the rest of the wiring and modules out. I will probably use the instrument cluster from the Crossfire.


Actually found the wiring harness and a/c lines all have Mercedes emblems and part numbers on them.

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This is an exciting swap. Keep us informed!

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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.

Bad knee slowing me down a bit, but set the engine on my spare subframe today.
There is 3/4" minimum clearance between the front of the subframe and the rear face of the oil pan sump. I think that clearance is fine as the motor will rock side to side, but not move front to rear. There is a lot of room between the top of the subframe and the oil pan.
The mounts sit right over the opening in the subframe under the old mounts. I will just make a small plate to go over the opening and bolt down to the existing holes. Then I can drill a hole to put the mount bolt up from the bottom.

I measured from the mount to the front of the engine and mount to rear of engine, so will take a tape measure to the 280 tomorrow and see exactly where that places the engine in the engine bay. That will then tell me how much I have to shorten the shifter linkage.


Not sure if the manifolds will clear everything. I am tempted to build a set of long tube headers. Give me an excuse to use my new plasma cutter to make the flanges.


Over the next half year or so, I am going to build a cnc plasma table. At that point, I am going to start building a library of header flanges particularly the less popular or available ones.

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So I am not always as smart as I think I am.

I took the measurements from the mount to the front and rear of the engine to see where it will be situated in the engine bay. On getting home to measure the 280, I realized I had the sub frame backwards under the motor.
Turned it around and remeasured. The engine has much more clearance to the sub frame now with the exception of the alternator hitting the control arm mount.
After measuring everything, I need to move the engine 4" forward on the sub frame due to the throttle body protruding so far from the rear. This will give me 2" clearance on each end and allow the alternator to clear the bracket it is hitting. I also need to lower the engine. From the frame to the hood is 18.5" and the 3.2 currently sits at 20 inches. I am not sure if I am going to make new block to mount brackets, or add a beam to the cross member for the existing parts to mount to.


I also checked the speedo cluster, and they are the same size, so I should be able to transfer it with no problem. I will probably silkscreen a new face for it.


I would love to be moving quicker, but with this corona virus stuff, I can not get in to see my knee doctor for 3 weeks, so I am moving slow.

Cool project. Engine is probably lighter than your 2.8 with about as much power as a 5.6 and 6 speeds.

Might actually be a better and easier solution that fitting a 6 speed to a 5.6.

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

Project coming along. Just took a break to completely rewire a mans 1974 TVR 2500M to generate some cash.
Hope to be back on it in a couple weeks.

Good to see you back. I was getting worried.

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

I've previously considered this swap into a 190SL. They have the same wheelbase, and my "car guy" and I toyed with it for a while. Now 190SLs are so dang expensive, I'm actually considering selling mine.

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Bill Streep
San Antonio
'57 190SL (toy)
'08 S5500 (mine)
'09 CLK550 (wife's)
'06 SLK350 (daughter's)
'11 GLK350 (daughter's)
'03 CLK310 (spare)

so you're saying an M113 would fit too?

IIRC, somebody fitted an OM617 under the hood of a W107 car by putting a spacer between the subframe and the chassis. Never was sure how good an idea that was.

-CTH

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- cth350@gmail.com
http://www.111lakeside.com/