The 103 motors that were put in the r129 SL were rated at 190hp. How were the extra 13hp achieved over our US car. I see the euro 103 motors are rated between 179-188hp in other applications.

Also, what transmission did the r129 300SL with the 103 motor use?

__________________
'90 300SE 298k
-300K and it gets put into retirement.
'80 300D 255k Purchased new by family in 1980.

Had a:
1973 220 (gas)
1980 300SD
1992 400E

There was one version of the M103 - a 3.0L that had a 10:1 CR, but I think it only was available in the first couple of years and not in the US. All others are 9.2:1.

Also, European power is rated under a slightly different standard than US SAE net, plus the ratings of catalyst and non-catalyst engines are usually different.

Duke

correct me if i am wrong, but the 103 was never intalled in a 129 U.S. europe or otherwise. only 6cyl was the M104

As far as I know, no 103 powered 129s made it to the US.

Thanks for your answer Duke. I agree on the emissions equiptment. Do you know anything else about the German POS rating and how it converts to american HP?

Anyone know about the transmission used. I can't imagine the same 4spd was used in the convertable...I think they are much heavier, no?

__________________
'90 300SE 298k
-300K and it gets put into retirement.
'80 300D 255k Purchased new by family in 1980.

Had a:
1973 220 (gas)
1980 300SD
1992 400E

Euro 129s came with either 12 valve or 24 valve 3.0 liters - that is 103 or 104.

LMAO. I think you mean "PS". We all know what POS means! I've seen some conversion factors, but don't recall them and didn't make a note of them. Sorry.

Duke

I believe the german rating ( DIN ) is about 2 % higher than our SAE.

__________________
2007 C 230 Sport.

Yes, "PS"

__________________
'90 300SE 298k
-300K and it gets put into retirement.
'80 300D 255k Purchased new by family in 1980.

Had a:
1973 220 (gas)
1980 300SD
1992 400E

no egr or air pump. never heard of a 10.0:1 m103, i would think that a compression ratio that much higher than 9.2 would yield more than 190hp.

PS is just the german translation for horsepower. Pferdestaerke.

P=pferde (horse)
S=staerke (power)

__________________
Jonathan
1998 S600
2001 E430
1994 E320
1991 560SEL
1994 Turbo R

The 10:1 3.0L is listed on the 124 CD (07.3-0004 Vehicle features) - 103.980 for model 124.030. It was not available with a catalyst and requires 98 RON fuel, which would be in the range of 93-94 PON rating used in the US. Output is not listed.


Duke

i never would have believed it if i hadn't seen it this morning, a european model 129.060 300SL came in to the shop, it has the 103 engine installed, the engine is 103.984 and the transmission was 722.363

Well that is settled.

Thanks for reporting.

__________________
'90 300SE 298k
-300K and it gets put into retirement.
'80 300D 255k Purchased new by family in 1980.

Had a:
1973 220 (gas)
1980 300SD
1992 400E

Is it a regular 103 or an obscure 24 valve 103? I remember reading about a 24 valve 103 that wasn't a 104.

Sixto
95 S420
87 300SDL

no it is physically the same 103 i have in my 1990 300SE, i will post some pictures tomorrow

here are the pictures i took of the engine