I am thinking through the transplant of a 1995 C36 AMG engine & tranny (complete
with wiring harness and brains), into a 1988 W124 wagon vs. an M117 V8 transplant.

I already have the brackets & pumps (e.g.,
power-steering/self-levelling; A/C); air-clearner housing; A/C manifold
& exhaust manifolds from a 1995 W124 wagon which has the M104 engine (I
believe the core of a C36 engine).

Mechanically, I don't see any problems.

However, I'm not too sure about the electrical and fuel delivery.

Although I have the engine wiring harness and the brain, what else
electrically needs to be interfaced? What about the fuel delivery?

A trusted MB technician has quoted me COST NOT TO EXCEED $2K for
installation and interfacing of the C36 engine & tranny into the W124
wagon. Total projected cost including parts ($12K) & labor ($2K) is $14K.

HOWEVER, Barry Taylor of AMG West is estimating $14-15K to install an
AMG 5.6L M117 V8. Price does NOT include tranny. HP output is about
the same, torque is higher.

What's the lists' experience in up-keep and maintenance of the C36
engine?
How about with the M117 V8 (e.g. 1988 560SEC)? Is the M117 fairly easy
to maintain and work on?

Thanks in advance,

:-) neil

I very much doubt the M117 will fit....remember, the M119 in the 400E/500E required extensive chassis modifications (right down to modified frame rails) to fit, and its bottom end (lower motor) I understand is essentially the same as an M119 motor. Not a good sign fitment-wise.

I hope you get some solid input on the 3.6 conversion, as some day I'd like to do the very same thing to my 300TE!

BTW, didn't the 3.6 have more HP anyway? As I recall, a C36AMG puts out 268bhp, and the old 560 SEL/SL only had 245 or so. Was it the torque that you wanted?



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Best regards, Michael
'92 500E, Almandine Red
'88 300TE: Arctic White

Heh, actually M117 can be fitted in W124 Wagon. There was a guy selling a W124 Wagon, tuned by AMG, with M117 engine in it....I think I did save some pics, let me dig them out, and post them here ASAP....

Andy Kuo

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• 1992 Mercedes-Benz 400SE
  
• Pearl Grey/Black Leather
  

ICQ#26950002
Mercedes Owners ICQ ActiveList ID#61730549
Mercedes S-Class Page
http://akry.web.com

The tranny would have to go if you did the M117. The C36 powerplant is a better bet as it is LESS likely to trash your stock tranny. Still it will stress it a good bit but torque is the tranny killer. One other added bonus is that the C36 motor should do MUCH better on gas than the AMG'd 117. EPA for a 4-speed C36 is 18/22mpg

The M104 block is the heart of the C36 and both M104's used HFM engine management. (though with different parameters) You will almost certainly have to up fuel delivery. I bet the fuel pumps from a E420 or 500E would be up to the task.

The C36 motor is still a M104 so it still has problems if the head gasket hasn't been updated, ditto with the wiring harness. Aside from that they are pretty solid I guess.

I'd recommend going with the C36 but you will also have to upgrade the exhaust system as well.

Hope this helps...Lee