what is the, if any, difference between a eurospec engine and a us spec engine? Car in question is a 76 450 se.

Older cars might not have that much difference between Euro and US..

However, as emission standard in US/Canada getting more restrict, US/Canada Spec Mercedes usually has different, or different tuned, engine managements. Mercedes sometimes has to De-Tuned(Lower Hp/Torque rating).... :(

Andy Kuo

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<UL TYPE=SQUARE>
<LI>1992 Mercedes-Benz 400SE
<LI>Moonstone Grey/Black Leather
<LI>Blue/Red Headlights
<LI>Xenon-Look Foglights
</UL>

ICQ#26950002
ICQ ActiveList ID#61730549
http://drive.to/akry

European-spec cars are generally more powerful thanks to higher compression engines. On the 6.9, for instance, US-spec horsepower is 250bhp while a Euro-spec equivalent puts out 286bhp and also 405Lb./ft. torque versus 360Lb./ft. torque from a US-spec engine. Euro-spec cars are definitely more desireable if your goal is to drive REALLY fast, but beware of them because most of them were thrashed hard on the Autobahns before being dumped on us when they would no longer pass the rigid German TUV inspection. Hope this explains it a little better!


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Rgds,
Aaron Greenberg
MB technician
Precision Motorcars, Cincinnati, Ohio
'67 250SE Cabriolet
'77 450SL
'79 6.9
'80 300SD
'85 380SE
'89 420SEL
'93 300E 2.8

It IS better..... :D

Thnx..... :)

Andy Kuo

------------------
<UL TYPE=SQUARE>
<LI>1992 Mercedes-Benz 400SE
<LI>Moonstone Grey/Black Leather
<LI>Blue/Red Headlights
<LI>Xenon-Look Foglights
</UL>

ICQ#26950002
Mercedes Owners ICQ ActiveList ID#61730549
http://drive.to/akry

The 1975 and 1976 US spec 4.5s had catalysts mounted under the hood. Not a good idea.If its a US version, an earlier or later model would be a better choice. If its a European version,it would be great. All of the US spec 4.5s had 8.0:1 compression, the Euro cars had 8.8:1. That's quite a difference. The higher compression European spec 4.5 didn't appear in any of the TDMs until 1974.
Regards,
Randy D.

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W.R.Durrance
ASE Master Tech
Mercedes Tech 19 Years

thanks for all of the replies. How do you tell if you have a eurospec or us spec car?

One of the more simple ways to tell is to familiarize yourself with what normal M-B door jamb ID plates look like. All US version cars since 1969 have a production date stamped on a small plate in the door jamb (Month/Year). Some of the Euro cars will have an ID plate added with the name of the importer(usually an individual) and a date on it....but the size and design of the plate are different. None of the European cars will have an "official" production date on the car.
There is also a difference in the ID tags on the radiator support. US cars have an emissions label(unless they have been in an accident and had the support replaced). European cars will have a black and silver ID plate on the radiator support with headlamp angle information.
Other differences include bumper and door reinforcement bars that had to be added to Euro cars for the required DOT conversion.


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W.R.Durrance
ASE Master Tech
Mercedes Tech 19 Years

these catalyst that are under the hood of 75 and 76 450 se, what does one look like? Is there one on both sides of the engine? Are they right on the exhaust manifold or between the manifolr and exhaust pipe?