To belabor the point, the SBC will have more power for less money than any MB conversion. I looked into putting a 6.9 or 560SL motor into the 123, either of which would have been ideal, but the cost of a good used one is high enough, let alone a rebuilt version. Higher still for any type of performance upgrades. It just didn't make financial sense.

The SCB and it's derivatives may be primitive, but so is a 123 motor. Either way, primitive does not necessarily mean unreliable or cheap, and sophisticated designs definitely do not guarantee mountains of power.

Admittedly, the motor I'm going with will cost more than 4 grand, closer to 8 in fact, but it is no rebuilt wheezer from JC whitney. It's a brand new, balanced and blueprinted motor with loads of performance goodies pushing nearly 500 horses. Expensive, yes, but considering the power and the two year warranty, I'll have no regrets. I'd hate to do this conversion with a "used" anything and then have to start all over again when it blows blue smoke 10K miles later.

I didn't go with TPI because the electronics are even more money and not as tuneable as a carbureted setup, which is what I'll have. Fuel economy will not be as good as the diesel, but with 9.5 to 1 compression, I can get away with cheaper (but not the cheapest) gas instead of $$$ diesel, so it evens out somewhat. Frankly, with all that hp, I give a rat's tail about fuel economy, but the overdrive tranny should help a bit (GM 700R4).

Best of all - a quiet passenger cabin and no more plug-ins during the winter!

__________________
Gil

2004 ML350
1984 300CD; Ivory (sold)