I was going down the A1 to London today, and I spied a red W124CE in my rear view mirror. He pulled up along side, and together we cut thru the traffic and cruised along at 100 - 120 mph. Was awesome. Like 2 cruise missiles on their way to their targets. (The W124CE looks REALLY long!!) People gave us the most amazed looks, as 2 high speed projectiles blasted past. Anyhoo, we got to a clear straight, and I floored it. He did the same and rumbled right past m.... yes, *rumbled*. Sounded like a V8. It was certainly quick enough. Just as he passed me I saw the '400CE' and AMG badge on the back. Did they make this for real, or did I see a rich mans toy car???

I need more power!!

Bri



------------------
Brian Drought
1991 300CE
http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~drought/
ICQ: 2180069

I know AMG did a 3.6 motor in the 300CE, but the only W124 I was aware they'd put V-8s into were "Hammers"; mostly sedans but, as I understand, a few coupes as well. However, those likely would've been 5 litre (or better) V-8s unless AMG slipped in a 420 motor (which at the time, as you're surely aware, was referred to as a 400 in the SEL).

With the right sum of money, I'm sure you could get AMG to stuff any motor you want in there; however, if you were going to the trouble of modifying the car for a V-8, why stop at 4 litres? Maybe to retain the rest of the drivetrain, as a 5 litre would need the whole drivetrain replaced?

Best of luck getting to the bottom of this...sounds like a very cool car.

------------------
Best regards, Michael
'92 500E
'88 300TE

As far as I've been told, the CE engine bay is a little tighter than the saloon.

The 500 engine is a really tight squeeze into the saloon, so it might not fit well in the CE without serious front end work.

Maybe, tho I'd love someone to tell me the 5.0 conversion is simple!!

Bri

------------------
Brian Drought
1991 300CE
http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~drought/
ICQ: 2180069

Due to the modifications necessary to get the M119 V8's to fit in the W124 a factory correct fit is pretty much impossible on anything but a sedan. That is why there was never a factory V8 coupe, cabrio, etc. I'm not saying a tuner can't fit a V8 in there, as they certainly could... Michael brings up a very good point, if you have the bucks to pull off something like that why stop at 4.2 liters? In the factory sedan, the 400E's drivetrain is fortified over the I6's so you would think that some fortification would be needed for daily use if you were converting a 6-cyl coupe. The more popular mod for those I6's is a forced induction kit good for about 300HP. Or a 2 or 4 valve per cyl 3.6 conversion. Who knows, there are certainly some strange things out there. (A C36 engined 190 16v springs to mind) Too bad you were not able to talk to the driver.

Hope this helps...Lee

I did try to wave/flash him over..... but he thought I wanted to race...

I lost. <G>

Bri

------------------
Brian Drought
1991 300CE
http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~drought/
ICQ: 2180069

I have seen one CE that had an interesting
little hole in a right fender, near the turn light and under the hole there was written "Turbo". Did'nt have a oportunity to race
with him so can't say was it for real.