3.8L or 4.0L or 5.0L in a 300CE - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Mike300ce · #1 02-05-2003, 07:38 AM

Interesting concept.

Down under in australia my self and a few of my mechanic friends have madde interesting friends, who like not only to go all out on their cars but also, people who import all sorts of funny stuff from places all around the world.

Namely i have seen very cheap half cuts of certain cars coming out of Japan. the most interesting I saw was a 600SEL half cut (Gearbox, engine, wiring harnesses, control units) AUD3500 which in the green stuff is a little over half, say at most USD1900 interesting eh.

Now I have been doing all sorts of research on the topic of 5.0L in 300CEs and all signs point to no.

Now I think i understand that the 4.0L is essentially the same dimension wise as the 5.0L is this true?

Is so then hows about the 3.8L out of the 380SEC/SEL or is that the same sort of block as the previously mentioned blocks.

Could everyone please throw in all Info they have on these conversions. I search back in the achrives and no one seems to have any conclusive evidence, as to wether or not these ideas came into being.

I know there would be a lot of interest people who would look at this page if we could work out which other engines fitted into the 300ce. I suspected that in may not be to different to the 300e but i may be wrong.

Also another major sway point in the whole conversation is will the V8's fit in the bays with the RHD setup that we have downunder??

cheers - Mike.

mbdoc · #2 02-05-2003, 12:54 PM

The M119.960 engines in the 1990-92 500SL's was a "wide" block engine, however the M119 engines with electronic fuel injection are the same size, 4.2 liter OR 5.0 liter.
Should fit in the 300CE chassis.

Ashman · #3 02-05-2003, 02:17 PM

But maybe not in a RHD car is that so. I thought the steering items would interfere with a V8 in a RHD 300ce...

Mike, got a question. is your drivers (right side) external mirror the smaller one like ont he drivers side int he U.S?

If so, could you price one out for me, I'm tempted to do this to my coupe, to have both mirrors match on both sides.

Alon

Mike300ce · #4 02-06-2003, 06:33 AM

Yes Alon my mirror is smaller on the drivers side and it is manual, and the passenger side is larger and automatic. Which would you like me to inquire about, keep in mind you could wire up yout car to have both mirrors electric if you got the electric one from here because you could use the speaker fader switch it would take a little bit of time but it would be a very cool conversion, and every time you need to adjust the mirror you wouldn't need to move back and forth.

gotta run i'll continue later
cya

Ashman · #5 02-06-2003, 03:00 PM

mike I would like to know the price on your right hand drivers side mirror that is smaller.

Manual op is no problem I set mine and hardly ever need to adjust them.

Let me know what price you can find.

Alon

Mike300ce · #6 02-07-2003, 02:57 AM

will do, i can find out till Monday because everything is closed for the weekend but i'll find out for you.

EuroCoupe · #7 02-07-2003, 01:48 PM

I've done a 3.8L conversion on a 190E so I know that will drop in to your 300CE. The 3.8L puts out about 218bhp and 225lb/ft of torque. This is about the same specs as a 3.2L or a 24v 3.0L so not really worth it for you I would think. Its a good, fast revving motor but if you have access to the 4.2L and 5.0L, I would go with those especially for the bigger chassis 124 cars. E-mail me your contact for the front clips. I have been interested in doing a 6.0L conversion in my coupe. mvischer@cox.net

Thanks- Mike

BlackBeauty · #8 02-09-2003, 10:29 AM

I have a 300CE too. I thought the M119 engines ain't gonna fit without serious work to the firewall and tranny tunnel???

How about the 500/560 V8 engines from the W126?? This is some serious work!!!

Mike300ce · #9 02-09-2003, 08:13 PM

I've heard that you do indeed hav to do a serious amount of work to but a 5.0l or 5.6l in the w124 and the other problem is the chassis strength. What i think i will end up doing is finding a C36 AMG engine from a wrecker here, and installing that. It had around 280hp standard which would be great in my car. Only problem is fitting the later model box in my tunnel. I may have to go for the manual option.

EuroCoupe
best bet is to try your local importers of japan stuff. Speak to them i don't know what the American import laws are. So ask them if you can import those parts that you want. Its a great idea, you could pick up a late model 600SEL half cut cheap most likely. She guy i'm going through in Australia is only really small and is only located within sydney. So contacting him would do no good. but you should be able to find someone who could help you.

If your willing to wait. When i'm ready to do it in about 6 months i may fly to japan to look around and see what they have to offer and then i'll probably buy one whilst i'm over there and organise shipping aswell. So if you want me organise something for you i can probably do that.

Mike300ce · #10 02-11-2003, 08:14 AM

so can anyone tell me if the 4.0/4.2/4.3 liter engine is the same block & head dimensions as the 5.0 liter block and head.

are they both m119s just stroked and bored differently

i think i want a v8 in my car. i don't know.

obvoiusly the block can't be to wide because mercedes wouldn't have chopped up so many E400s they would have just done E500s.

i wouldn't really know though no one has any information in australia.

Ashman · #11 02-11-2003, 01:46 PM

the e400/400e has the same block, an m119.

The 4.3 v8 from a c43 may be the newer v8 block.

Either way, I don't think it will be easy.

I would look into the C36 engine conversion. thats what I want to do to my car one day. I love the feel of the I6.... Of course a V8 would be nice, but you would have to modify the firewall, relocate the battery, do some other various items int he car, Maybe adjust the steering linkage etc etc. And wident he trans tunnel for the V8. You may even have to swap the rear end too.

It seems like a lot of work, but if you have the $$$$ anything is possible.

C36 motor should be a simple drop in as far as fit goes, but you would have4 to change computers wiring etc as well.

Alon

franj · #12 02-11-2003, 07:16 PM

Ashman,

Try www.mbspares.com.au. Hopefully they can find you the RHS mirror.

I would love a CE, but good ones are so hard to find here!!

Cheers

Franj

Mike300ce · #13 02-12-2003, 05:40 AM

franj
i live in sydney, and i picked up mine for AUD$17000 initailly advertised for $24000
you can find them. they are hard to find but you may have to look interstate. the best ones often come out of melb or bris. sydney ones tend to hold their value longer they are in more demand.

do you drive a MB at the moment.

Ashman · #14 02-12-2003, 05:35 PM

franj, thanks for the link. but I figured mike knows some people and may be able to get it for a good price. plus I like buying things from members if possible.

Alon

#15 02-12-2003, 08:39 PM

hey mike we are in the process of installing euro 5.0 liter in my wifes 86 124 chassis its coming along good so far nexy week hopefully we will start mock fitting block and trans housing.