Yes, the M103 engine had more horsepower (177 @ 5700 rpm) than the M116 380 (155 @ 4750 rpm) but less torque (188 ft/lbs @ 4400) vs. 196 ft/lbs @ 2750 rpm. The differences may seem trivial but believe me they are significant. The US 380 V8 is tuned for low end torque (accomplished by the installation of camshafts with less valve overlap and duration than the Euro engine) and by MB standards a low redline (5300 rpm compared to 6450 rpm for the 103 engine). It accelerates briskly off the line and consequently performs quite well in US driving and gets respectable gas mileage if not better mileage than the 103 powered 126 bodied cars. Of course, the trade off is that it runs out of breath at higher speeds. I own a 1983 Euro 380 SE that is rated to develop 204 hp @ 5250 rpm and 225 ft/lbs torque at 3250 and redlines at 5950 rpm. Obviously, this engine is tuned for for more horsepower which is better suited to the high speed driving found in Germany. Consequently, although torque is ultimately higher on the Euro engine, it is developed at a higher rpm. The 103 engine is much the same. Due to its smaller displacement it must be tuned for more horsepower which means higher rpms and less low end torque. The lower displacement also means lower ultimate torque. Both the Euro 380 and 103 engines feel sluggish off the line and don't really "come on cam" until 3500 rpm. Having driven 126 bodied cars with each version of the 380 engine and the 103 engine I prefer the US tuned 380 engine for US driving. An even better combination would have been the 104 engine in the 126 body but according to my spec. book MB never did that. As is often the case, raw statistics rarely tell the entire story. Mark