I’m back and bought something fun to fix up



‘83 380SL w/ 140k on it. It’s not too bad especially for the price I paid. Interior is like 7/10 and exterior I’ll give a 7/10 only because of two rust spots on the rockers I need to address. Everything else is solid no rot and paint is in great shape.


But the fun part



Dude remove all of the fuel injection stuff to try and fix a poor running issue. As well as did the double row timing chain conversion which I need to go over with a fine tooth comb. Hopefully I can have it up and running in no time and get everything in order.

It looks very nice Joe! I imagine you can get help here to get it running.

Cheers!

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[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.

I hope so. Otherwise I’ll just LS swap it

You would need to rebadge it 380LS. Nice find.

I'm sure it would be a harder swap but my fantasy engine to drop into such a project is the M5 motor from the early 90s vintage, the E34. Over 300hp of NA inline 6 power. Would have more of a Euro flavor. Surely that's worth an extra $10K.

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Te futueo et caballum tuum

1986 300SDL, 362K
1984 300D, 138K

looks very nice .

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-Nate
1982 240D 408,XXX miles
Ignorance is the mother of suspicion and fear is the father

I did then what I knew how to do ~ now that I know better I do better

That sounds amazing. My ultimate fantasy build along those lines is the V10 out of the e60 M5 in an e31 8-series with maybe some dinan bits for good measure.

A v12 r107 is up there too, one of our members actually swapped it (I cant remember off the top of my head, begins with R and the car is named Sampson IIRC). I remember seeing it at a gtg years back. These 107s just ooze class.

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TC
Current stable:
- 2004 Mazda RALLYWANKEL
- 2007 Saturn sky redline
- 2004 Explorer...under surgery.

Past: 135i, GTI, 300E, 300SD, 300SD, Stealth

I'm guessing that would be the 6L M120. I think it was Big Swede here who years ago would quietly rave about the surprising acceleration of his S600. He told a story of a guy who brought one to a local amateur drag race and blew off all challengers while running the AC. In what looked like a family sedan.

The BMW S38B36, the version that found its way to our shores in the early 90s M5 is an unusual combo of refined engineering and naked hot roddery. Has a really bad look to it also which is, of course, very important. I've read of it referred to as the last genuine racing engine that BMW sold to the general public.

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Te futueo et caballum tuum

1986 300SDL, 362K
1984 300D, 138K

Engine swap from a 560 SL?

What do you mean by LS swap it?

- Peter.

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2021 Chevrolet Spark
Formerly...
2000 GMC Sonoma
1981 240D 4spd stick. 347000 miles. Deceased Feb 14 2021
2002 Kia Rio. Worst crap on four wheels
1981 240D 4spd stick. 389000 miles.
1984 123 200
1979 116 280S
1972 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
1971 108 280S

GM, LS "lots of speed"

Why the **** would someone wreck a Mercedes Benz with a GM engine?

- Peter.

__________________
2021 Chevrolet Spark
Formerly...
2000 GMC Sonoma
1981 240D 4spd stick. 347000 miles. Deceased Feb 14 2021
2002 Kia Rio. Worst crap on four wheels
1981 240D 4spd stick. 389000 miles.
1984 123 200
1979 116 280S
1972 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
1971 108 280S

Jaguar aficionados are not impressed with such motors in old Jags either. I can understand it though. It can be incredibly expensive to get one of those older motors back in fine fettle. The Chevy engines are relatively easy to swap in, so I'm told, have not done it, and give good bang for the buck.

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Te futueo et caballum tuum

1986 300SDL, 362K
1984 300D, 138K

Because an LS is a lot less finicky than an old M116 and it’s K jet fuel injection system and timing chain woes.

But an LS swap is far to much work now that I’ve looked into it. A simple 5.3 swap would be all I would do. Nothing crazy. Just a stock LS and nothing more. But it involves some cutting and possibly a subframe swap so I’m forgoing that.


My plan of action now is to just dump the K Jet and rotary distributor based ignition and do. Megasquirt conversion with wasted spark ignition. I’ve already got the existing FI system off the car in an unknown state.

I dunno, ask the Don