FYI, the GM LSx series engines (LS1 - 345 HP, LS2 - 400 HP, LS6 - 405 HP, & LS7 - 505 HP) are all Small Block Chevy sized and weigh approximately 434 pounds complete (LS6 value). These are all aluminum engines and very recent designs. The oldest one in the list (LS1) came out in 1999, the LS7 is about a 3 year old design.

More HP, less weight, better fuel mileage than an MB engine.

This is my LS6, silver and blue since my 560SEC into which it's going is a silver car with a blue interior. This engine has a cam and some valve train work and has been measured at 410 RWHP, about 475 HP at the crank. It's about 1/4" wider than my M117 engine and 3/4" longer, and since the intake is on the front of the manifold, it's lower than the M117.

YMMV

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I looked into an LS7 $15,000 for the engine. then I need a trans (The idea of a 6 speed standard was apealing). Then I need all the wireing harnesses. Then I need all accessoris. And on top of all that just as much work for the install. Approximatly $22K for all the hard parts less any custom fabricated stuff. I got a complete SL600 wrecked delivered from CA for $8300.00. Its got all hard parts I need. From that point on the cost is approximatly the same.

The MB SL600 engie advertises only 389 HP however it has been my observation over the years that MB uses a bigger horse.

When I am done I will have a Mercedes with a Mercedes engine a 12 cylinder MB engine. Also the engine is not too over powered that I will have to be concerned with the rest of the drive train. I will have the weight of this engine shortly.

John Roncallo

[QUOTE=Roncallo;1397218

.... however it has been my observation over the years that MB uses a bigger horse.


[/QUOTE]

What do you mean by saying it? There are more horses than the factory says? ..or.?

good luck with the project, I hope you take a lot of pictures.

yes.

i never heard that before, but i will say this....my 185 hp rated with 250 torque 500sec weighs 3650# and it will scoot pretty well!

i have beaten much newer vettes at the autocross. but the driver may not have been as experienced as i am.

tom w

__________________
[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

It has just been my observation that cars of equal weight and advertised power from USA and Germany are not so equal in performance. I have always found the German cars to have more performance. So I would really like to see a stock LS7 vs a stock M-120 in equal weight cars. It may not beat it but you may find the 120HP advantage to be somewhat questionable.

John Roncallo

If I EVER get my FrankenBenz SEC done, we may be able to answer that. I had a shop dyno the stock SEC (194 rwhp) and once the LS6 is in there, that same shop will dyno it again. Then, with a GTech Pro, we'll have acceleration numbers. According to my GPS unit, I live at 2100' MSL. With some temperature and barometric pressure data, it's possible to to adjust to sea level figures. There will be some place that can get me an accurate weight value of the car, then we have all of "F=MA" and can compare apple to apples.

Or maybe we can just meet somhere between Vagas and CT and we can really answer it. "FrankenBenz" I like the name.

John Roncallo

Now THAT I would like to do! All I need to do is finish the car!!

I'm working in DC at the moment and looks like I'll be here for a month or more. I can pay for more parts this way but no chance to work on my car. :-(

Mike R.

Good points all. The LS7 is "only" $13K now, I got my wiring harness for $500, the custom tuning in the PCM was $350, and had a custom heavy duty 4L60E 4-speed automatic built for $1500. My engine was used (~5K miles) and didn't have most of the auxiliaries but it cost $6000 ("friend price" for a built up engine). A crate LS6 is around $7500. Yours will cost less, mine will have more HP, yours still say's Mercedes on it. FYI, I'm thinking of getting a set of blank engine covers and have "Mercedes" added to them, just to confuse the uninitiated. Gonna be fun for the both of us.

I already put a rebuilt 3.07 limited slip differential in there, so, with fingers crossed, I should be fine as long as I don't put on too wide rear tires and just let them spin.

3.07 LSD ? where did you get one? I mean from which car? Or is it a full custom?

Full custom from Barry Taylor Enterprises in Richmond, CA.