Well, it's been 4 months and the conversion is working like a champ!

Took the car on a run down to Tombstone the scenic route, with 4 adults and it got 18.5 MPG. It was a WINDY day and I fought crosswinds all day so I'd figure the car's MPG on the Interstate to be about in the low 20's range. Pulls to about 80 mph with no hesitation. It's got a bit of stutter between 80 and 85 but that could be the MS's rev limiter. It is only a M115 after all. 6000 rpm's might be right at that speed.

Took it up Mount Lemmon (I've been playing the tour guide gig all week!) and took a few pics. Now THIS was the performance workout test. The road goes from 2300 feet elevation to 9200 feet in 23 miles and none of it straight!

Took the stop at Ski Valley just to see the snow. Yeah, yeah, I know I need to replace the chrome strips on the grill. You never remember that detail stuff UNTIL you take pics to show off!


Had a sandwich at the Iron Door Lodge (the "claim jumper", roast beef, melted swiss cheese with an au jus dip, German potato salad and sweet red cabbage salad). Probably increased the weight of the passenger compartment by about 10 lbs!


Took a few breaks on the way down to enjoy the views and the smell of that pine forest. AAAhhhhhhh!


Now THESE are the kind of roads the Benz'es just LOVE! One hand on the wheel, the other arm pointing out the window depicting various landmarks, passengers looking over the sides of the roads at the 500 foot drops, smacking the back of my seat saying," we'll look at the sights, YOU look at the road!"


Here's the beauty of living in Tucson. 45 minutes after being in the snow (including a stop at the grocery store for "relaxing" beverages after the ride) this is what the thermometer was reading in my cabana area.


Car ran great! I was a little concerned with the stutter I had during the Tombstone trip but I believe it was indeed the rpm limiter because I had zero problems pulling up the mountain inclines. In fact I pulled probably 95% of the climb in 4th gear. I cruised the entire way at about 35 mph and only on the steepest switchbacks did I have to drop into 3rd gear.

The car started immediately every time we stopped. Much better than when it was carbed. I was a little concerned with the thinner air starts (9200 feet at the lodge) but the MS's on-board map sensor made the adjustment flawlessly.

I did notice a slight "gas" smell on the long, steep inclines while I was essentially just "coasting" using the engine as a brake but it could have just been some fumes from the "vent" tube which I haven't completely re-routed. It wasn't leaking anywhere and there was no effect on the engine. It was probably just a result of the fuel cycling through the fuel lines and forcing the fumes out the vent tube.

I did notice I am going to have to replace the valve seals. After a long downhill coast (4 or 5 miles) I came to a stop sign and I noticed some blue smoke upon acceleration. It cleared up as I went into fourth gear and never re-occurred. I figure the oil was pooling up at the number one cylinder and when I reached the flat ground it seeped down through the old stem seals. Hunh, I JUST replaced them in '96!