I am purchasing a non-Calif 1993 300ce that has had an engine swap. It now has a 1995/96 e420 V8, which was installed without all the required smog stuff. I haven't had the opportunity to drive it myself, though my car guy informs me it is a fast, sweet set-up.

I want to bring this car in to California.
My guys that are trying to get this car smogged are having no luck getting the aftermarket cats to fit on the car, or to interact with the O2 sensor.

Could I not have the 95/96 OEM Calif smog equipment for an e420 fitted to this car to pass smog? Any ideas as to where and how to locate them? any idea as to how badly I will get hit $$ wise?

I really want this car. HELP!!

I have also read in one of the forums here that some APR-equipped cars require only static testing. Is this car one of those cars? How do I tell?

Thanks for any help you could offer.

Theoretically you should be able to install all the emissions related components from a '95 E420. I don't think it's legal to buy/sell used catalytic convertors so I'm not sure where you'll find them. Dealer prices on new stuff will be very expensive! Your best bet would be to find an E420 to see what size cats it uses and the shape of the piping. Then find some aftermarket cats that are about the same size...then fabricate an exhaust system.

I don't understand what you mean by the O2 sensor not 'interacting' with the cats. When the engine conversion was done the entire engine management system should have been installed. If not, you're looking at a really expensive proposition.

Cars with ASR (traction control) are tested the old way, not on the dyno. The easiest and most fun way to tell if your car has ASR is to accelerate really hard from a stand still. With the V8 you shouldn't have any trouble spinning the tires. If it's equipped with ASR you won't be able to spin the tires and you'll see an orange triangle appear above the odometer.

Anyway, once everything is in place you'll have to take the car to a 'referree' station to have it certifed.

Personally, I think you're looking at a major headache...

__________________
Glen Tokuhara
Beauty & the Beast and the wagon that could!

For what it's worth, if you choose to to retrofit further pieces from a e420 to assist smog compliance etc., there appears to be a host of MB salvage yards throughout the US that may be great parts sources other than "new".

For technical knowledge on testing and how-to's, you may wish to get friendly with a grey market DOT certification station staffer....

Good luck, theoretically sounds like a nice sleeper (probably a tad slower vs. an E420 though due to the extra weight of the cab package).



-fad

If you get that car into california, I would be dying to go for a ride in it.

I think you should have no trouble getting the right equipment on the car so it can pass.

Check out the partsshop or fastlane on this site for parts, and if you need a donor car for parts, there are a few really good salvage yards as mentioned before.

I know of one called http://www.silverstarrecycling.com which is located in Rancho Cordova, California.

They can ship parts to your mechanic and they have some very good prices on parts salvaged from other vehicles.

It is my dream to convert my 300CE to a 500CE, but I also like the idea of a C36 to CE36 upgrade as well. Either way, at some point I will do one or the other.

Alon

__________________
'92 300CE - Sold
2004 C240 - 744 - C7 Wheels - Android Radio
2002 C320 - 816 - Sport Wagon

Geez! Thanks for the incredibly quick assistance!

I called the silverstar people. Very helpful, though they only sell complete motors with all smog, and don't seem to have the seperate smog parts. If you have any other suggestions I would be most appreciative. And yes, assuming success in getting the beast out here, arranging a ride is no problemo.

I also spoke to the Calif BAR referree people. Their attitude on the phone seems to be " this is no big deal, this is what we want". Very easy-going folk, much easier than the actual BAR people (alot of "oh dear, oh no!").

As long as the motor is a newer, updated motor that carries all original Federal smog equipment, and passes federal smog, I am set.

As to the O2 sensor, my car guy says the o2 sensor and hot wire temp sensor that goes in the exhaust plenum that controls all the computer functions (rich lean cold start all pollution controls ) won't work with the after market system.

I would think that simply using EOM parts should do the trick, no??

THe idea of swapping a c36 motor and adaptive tranny into the 300ce sounds very hip. And now you know that as long as a more modern motor is installed, with original Federal or California smog, you will be cool with the BAR.

Any idea whether the '96-99 adaptive 5sp auto trannies could be retrofitted to this e420 motor?

Has anyone ever tried to swap out or rebuild the steering box on an e320/300ce to achieve a quicker ratio? I test drove a C43 and an e320 Cab, and the c43 response is much preferred (duh!).

Anyway, thanks again, guyz.

Quicker Ratio Steering can be found in the Sportline Models of Mercedes W124 Cars. It has a smaller ratio and Should be easily interchangeable from my understanding.

As for the parts, check to see what prices partsshop and fastlane has here for the parts needed. they might have everythign you need new for a great price.

A Friend's dad just bought a 95 E320 Cabriolet, and he loves the car to death. He just switched back to benz after having an acura and two lexus. Years ago he had a 380SL, but never felt it had the power it should have.

I love the Convertible 300CE/E320 it is a gorgeous machine.

Last week I was out camping with some friends and waterskiing. We had the car at the camp grounds, and There was a full moon. Maybe its just me, but My car is one damn beautiful work of automotive engineering.

After seeing the car in the moonlight, I am even more in love with my car. I get happy when I picture the image in my head of how it looked.



Alon

__________________
'92 300CE - Sold
2004 C240 - 744 - C7 Wheels - Android Radio
2002 C320 - 816 - Sport Wagon

DavidTeri:

in order to have your car meet CARB approval you *must* install every emission related equipment, including computers.

If this is an OBD II engine, you must include all the necessary computers and interfaces.

It took me 4-visits to the CARB inspector to pass the engine swap of a 1995 C36 into our 1988 300TE wagon.

I provided the VIN# of the engine, pn# of the computers, including OBDII module.

They will check if you have the correct catalytic converter, fuel-evaporative system, and even plug in a generic OBD reader to make sure you have it setup correctly. Many cars fail even the gas-cap test, so purchase a new one before you go to the CARB inspector.

Unless you have the resources (time, money, connections) to do this, I suggest purchasing a 500CE or 560CE instead, especially if this V8 converted 300CE does not have a 500CE tranny, drivetrain, and brakes.

Best of luck,
:-) neil
1988 360TE AMG