Here's the latest on the 500 project. As everyone knows, the car was a high mileage '92 with a broken timing chain. While I was deciding whether to replace or rebuild, I found a motor/trans/rear end on eBay. It was advertised as a '93 500E motor, but upon running the VIN, it turned out it was indeed a closed-deck '92 motor. Everything is in great shape and here's the best part.......
According to CarFax, the donor car was salvaged in North Carolina with 7,876 miles on the odometer. Further inspection of the motor and trans bears this out. I took a picture inside the valve cover, and this is indeed the cleanest motor I have ever seen. So call me a happy camper. I'll post more pictures when I get around to installing this bad boy.



Now if I could just find cheap ASR, and E-GAS modules

Congrats!! Nice score...

As to the modules, you might want to see if 400Es and 500Es had common parts...according to one forum member, he uses a 400E LH board to get through emissions testing.

Something to consider, as 400Es in boneyards may be more plentiful...

__________________
"If God had meant for us to walk, why did he give us feet that fit car pedals?" Sir Sterling Moss

Michael
2014 E63S Estate
2006 SLK55
1995 E500
1986 Porsche 944 turbo

Michael,

Thanks for the advice. I do know that there is some similarity between the 400E's and the 500E's so I fully intend to explore that. Right now, my search is in the casual mode until I get the motor/trans/rear installed, if you know what I mean.

I have an LH controller if needed.

__________________
Benzmac:
Donnie Drummonds
ASE CERTIFIED MASTER AUTO TECHNICIAN
MERCEDES SPECIALIST 11 YRS

Benzmac,

What do you need to have for the LH module? Is it a 500E one or one from a 400E? Which one is more desireable? I already have the body module and I have access to an ASR module. I just need the LH and the E-gas ones. Potomac German is the only place that I have found that seems to have any of these parts. Anybody know of any other place?

try silverstarrecycling.com in CA
-fad

Hey, I haven't posted for a while because of work, but I had another question. Does anyone make a software tool so that users can reprogram our Mecedes computers. I'm not talking a chip, but a real software interface that can be used with a laptop. The reason why I am thinking this is that I still have to buy LH module and it's looking like it will be cheaper just to buy an aftermarket system like DFI. I'm not sure if I want to do this, but hey the car won't be a collector item anyway and I do have a V1 S-trim and all the needed parts to replace the air pump with an air pump of a different kind

As I understand, if you had the right equipment you could reach in and re-program the current computer-I can't even begin to imagine the engineering it'd require to obviate/replace the LH module.

I'm thinking that you'll need to get all the modules in place to get it to run & everything to work-from there, you can look into tapping into the CAN (Control Area Network) & doing some fuel re-mapping.

When done, though, I doubt you'll do any better than a RennTech re-program

Let us know how it's going!!

__________________
"If God had meant for us to walk, why did he give us feet that fit car pedals?" Sir Sterling Moss

Michael
2014 E63S Estate
2006 SLK55
1995 E500
1986 Porsche 944 turbo

There's a book on Mercedes at most bookstores that ranks the collectability of each model.

The 500E was ranked 5 stars, the highest ranking for collector status.

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

The ILLIUSTRATED BUYER'S GUIDE TO MB shows the 500E as two stars for collectibility. As a new owner, I would like to know what book rates it at five stars.


Tom

Could be my mistake. Next time I'm in a bookstore, I'll check to make sure.

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

The reason why I would be willing to experiment with this car is I don't think that a '92 500E with 350K will ever be that collectible. There are too many other cars out there with a LOT less miles. Given that, the car is certainly worth fixing and making a fun toy out of.

Michael,

What have you found out about accessing the factory programming. That would certainly be the easiest way to go. I will need to manipulate the fuel maps and timing in the stock chip to accomodate 8-10 lbs of boost. That's why a Renntech chip won't work. I just tuned a Vortech install on a 351W and it's making 415 rwhp with the intercooler. Thus, I've gotten a few new ideas for the 'Benz. I would love to see what a better breathing engine would do.

I've found out nothing, yet, but I'm tracking the guy in "The Know".

__________________
"If God had meant for us to walk, why did he give us feet that fit car pedals?" Sir Sterling Moss

Michael
2014 E63S Estate
2006 SLK55
1995 E500
1986 Porsche 944 turbo

I should have read your first post, anyway.

With a salvage title, nothing is collectible anyway, and with that much mileage! Wow! I guess it's a testament to Mercedes' durability.

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

Paul,

The salvage title was for the powertrain donor car

__________________
"If God had meant for us to walk, why did he give us feet that fit car pedals?" Sir Sterling Moss

Michael
2014 E63S Estate
2006 SLK55
1995 E500
1986 Porsche 944 turbo