Hot Rod of dreams: Small Block Chevy swapped Mercedes W123 Wagon.

"Fred (FreddsterExprs)" (freddsterexprs) 01/19/2014 at 06:09 • Filed to: Mercedes, W123, LS, V8, Wagon

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This Mercedes was just featured on BaT and is currently for sale on !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! for 12 grand. While I think the price is way too high for a car with tacky wheels, ugly bumpers and a 4 speed slushbox, the idea is as awesome as it gets.

The W123 was nearly undestroyable and offered huge amount of space. It even had a super cool 7-seater option with a folding third seat row. But it never was fun or powerful. With a swapped in LS this car gets close to what I imagine a 6.3 SEL Wagon would feel like. But I'm a !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! anyway, so probably I am biased.

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So my verdict on the Benz is clear: Buy it for 7-8 grand if it is really as clean as pictured, install Euro Bumpers and rear lights right away, change the wheels to something more vintage (I am thinking !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! ). And then enjoy it with as many friends as you can fit.

(Bonus points to the seller for keeping the factory Mercedes air cleaner.)

Edit: It was pointed out that this is an 1st gen SBC swap and not a LS. Sorry for that, the original BaT ad said it was an LS and I believed their expertise. In the meantime they edited !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! as well.

DCCARGEEK > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 01/19/2014 at 06:34

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This would be much better had he/she used a newer GM motor (LS2 / LS3). But like you I love the idea.

Otto-the-Croatian-'Whoops my Volvo is a sedan' > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 01/19/2014 at 08:12

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YES.

Pdexter > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 01/19/2014 at 08:47

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That interior looks pretty damn amazing for the age of the car.

i am kllot duh!! > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 01/19/2014 at 08:47

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done right!!!except the wheels should remain stock.

and yes,i am a proud mercedes w123 and 115 owner,and no,i don't plan to swap engine....maybe with a m100...if i have the $$$$..

MrFondue > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 01/19/2014 at 08:50

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Wait. Only farmers drive W123's. It's even called "Bauernmercedes".

theart > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 01/19/2014 at 08:52

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The only appropriate wheels for this.

JJS119 > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 01/19/2014 at 08:58

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I like how they used the Mercedes-Benz air cleaner, but I would like it better if it was swapped with the V8 from the 560SEL.

grayhairedpete > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 01/19/2014 at 09:01

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New GM ad...."The LS family of motors...making the world more entertaining, one car at a time".

Angry Dorito > theart 01/19/2014 at 09:20

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There can be no other.

IOC > DCCARGEEK 01/19/2014 at 09:22

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It would be even better if it was actually an LSx engine at all and not an old school 350. The valvecovers, air conditioning compressor, and the rest of the accessory drive all look like GenI pieces, not GenIII. There's no feasible way to make that air cleaner functional on a GenIII with the throttle body at the front, not the center. There's also no coils to be seen, and the seller refers to the gearbox as a 700R4, not the computer controlled 4L60E that comes practically free with any junkyard GenIII.

So this is a near 13k wagon with a lump at the front that might be good for 220hp.

Angry Dorito > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 01/19/2014 at 09:24

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It's got a "trubo 700 transmission" whatever that is...

DirtyVDub > theart 01/19/2014 at 09:32

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Slightly later AMG wheels would be ok too. Personally I like them with the W115 style hubcaps. Steelwheels4lyfe, or something.

DirtyVDub > i am kllot duh!! 01/19/2014 at 09:34

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I own my W115 mostly for the clatter it makes. If it made more pedestrian noises I don't think I'd love it as much.

bobrayner > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 01/19/2014 at 09:35

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JJS119 > theart 01/19/2014 at 09:40

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Bundts are the way to go. I love that wheel.

cone killer > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 01/19/2014 at 09:52

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That doesn't look like an LS-motor to me! Looks like a gen-I SBC.

Lars Vargas was hoping 2020 would be quieter > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 01/19/2014 at 09:53

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I LOVE the concept. In this particular case, I'd be worried that it took the Mercedes mechanic 10 years to get this car in place.

And if I was doing this conversion from scratch, I'd probably use an AMG mill of some sort, if only to keep it in the family. Yes, it's a lot more money to do so, but a W123 with a legit AMG badge? Hells yeah.

Sith Lord Sexy Pants > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 01/19/2014 at 10:04

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Not an LS swap like your heading suggests. This is Gen 1 SBC. Cool, but not near as cool as an LSX swap.

Wheels look like late F-body. Look just plain wrong.

Filmlandgrab > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 01/19/2014 at 10:23

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YES! Ok, I'm compelled and caffeinated to enter new-and-improved dream hot rod garage (yes, I know many of these exist thanks to those with tools, time, and know-how that I don't have *sob*...):

This w123 bizniss.

Volvo 240 wagon w/Ford Coyote 5.0.

Datsun 510 wagon w/370z mo'er.

'66 Pontiac wagon GTO-ized (there's one by my house that I shall steal).

VW Squareback w/Jake Raby modified flat 4.

VW Dasher wagon with VW2.0T.

International Travelall (sp?) with 6.1 Hemi

Ugh, there's so many...

Fred (FreddsterExprs) > Sith Lord Sexy Pants 01/19/2014 at 10:24

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Thanks for the heads-up! I edited the article a bit, BaT changed their ad as well.

Captain_Spadaro > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 01/19/2014 at 10:24

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Okay, I hate to be 'that guy', but that is NOT an LS engine, its a Gen I small block, not that a Gen I is a bad engine or anything. Valve covers give it away.

Cool idea, though.

Have Jeep, will travel. > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 01/19/2014 at 10:24

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Been wanting to do this for years. Here in California these are smog exempt. Personally I would use an LS3 and automatic since it will be a cruiser but I would keep the outside as stock as possible.

Ecklesiastik > theart 01/19/2014 at 10:28

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or these hubs

William Kane > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 01/19/2014 at 10:33

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I imagined this, but just throw a star over the Volvo badge ;)

CPT Speedbump > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 01/19/2014 at 10:53

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I'll just leave this here.

Skeen > Sith Lord Sexy Pants 01/19/2014 at 10:58

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What wheels off of any F-body look like that? None that I'm aware of.

GR1M RACER : Wrong Most of the Time > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 01/19/2014 at 11:04

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BobWellington > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 01/19/2014 at 11:14

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I kind of like the wheels. They aren't perfect, but they give it a sporty look. I also think the color suits it quite well.

Sith Lord Sexy Pants > Skeen 01/19/2014 at 12:00

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These came to mind at first glance:

Route100 > JJS119 01/19/2014 at 12:21

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I have a 560SL, and while that motor has gobs of torque and respectable (for the late 80's) horsepower, i'd still go for a SBC or LSx swap. A bowtie might cost you more out of the crate than a bulletproof used one would be out of a hi-mileage junked 86-89 560SL, but you'll make it back in parts... I need to replace the water pump on my SL, and was quoted $1,500 from a reputable shop - $2k from the dealership!

Ike B > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 01/19/2014 at 12:52

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Yeah assuming he didn't make some modified up pipe needed to connect with the intake on absolutely every V8 GM has put into a car in the last 20 years (except the bottom barrel TBI Caprice), that's clearly not an LS anything.

That car probably has a holley four barrel, gets like 10mpg and runs a 16 second quarter mile. Not my definition of teh sex. I don't think anybody with ten grand burning a hole in their pocket is looking for an old Mercedes "show car" that has terrible wheels, marginally better performance than stock, substantially shittier gas mileage and has been transformed from bulletproof to needing an engine rebuild every 100,000 miles.

1337HPMustang > theart 01/19/2014 at 12:53

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I think some amg wheels would be more appropriate, don't cha think? Monoblock baby!!!!!

Ashley C. Moss > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 01/19/2014 at 12:57

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my best friend's sister-in-law makes $61 hourly on the laptop . She has been out of a job for 8 months but last month her income was $15533 just working on the laptop for a few hours. visit their website

­a­s­h­4­6­.­­­­

Ike B > Captain_Spadaro 01/19/2014 at 13:04

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I was on board with this until you said that a Gen 1 small block isn't a bad engine. Of all the American V8 swaps the guy had to choose from, he picked the lowest performance, least fuel efficient one imaginable. If you're going to go to all the trouble to engineer a swap, for the love of God have a reason.

If that's the 350 I'm thinking it is, it puts out somewhere in the realm of 140hp and gets gas mileage in the low teens if you take it easy.

The JYs around my place will charge you the exact same price for an LS1 as they will for a bottom of the barrel iron head 350. And that price is ~$250. The choice is easy.

BigGatorChris > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 01/19/2014 at 13:08

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Seems pretty silly to put that much effort (and time!!) into a vehicle and not go LS on the motor.

Ike B > DCCARGEEK 01/19/2014 at 13:11

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Yeah the idea is great but talk about the devil being in the details. Considering that at JYs around my place any engine is the same price, that he passed up a 300hp LS1 for a best case scenario 200hp 5.7 TBI truck engine (and more likely a carbureted car engine with even less hp than that) is inexcusable.

Ike B > Angry Dorito 01/19/2014 at 13:48

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That's him misspelling his way through bragging that the car has four gears (!) And with the attention to detail he showed in the ad description on that $12,900 car, you know that transmission's gonna be in solid shape.

fintail > 1337HPMustang 01/19/2014 at 13:49

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Exactly. Those two piece Aero I models are legitimate collectibles now, too.

Ansel > Ashley C. Moss 01/19/2014 at 13:54

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my ballsack makes $69 an hour by posting pictures of your mom getting teabagged

Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 01/19/2014 at 14:03

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God what are these things...burn them immediately. Are those...GM wheels? Gross.

Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment > theart 01/19/2014 at 14:04

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If you like sidewalls the size of prison walls, sure :p This is a performance car, needs performance wheels and rubber I would think.

AwesomeVark > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 01/19/2014 at 14:04

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I wish he hadn't used a SBC, you see them in everything. It would been cool if he put something like the V6 out of a C32 or a Hemi (like Hooniverse is doing with their "Wombat" W123). I'm trying to say this isn't awesome, because it is, I just wish he had been more creative with his engine choice.

Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment > i am kllot duh!! 01/19/2014 at 14:05

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Now that's a swap I'd actually want to see. I'd drive that forever.

Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment > Ike B 01/19/2014 at 14:05

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Basically my thoughts

i am kllot duh!! > Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment 01/19/2014 at 14:28

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hahaha...but m1oo is damm pricey to maintained!

Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment > i am kllot duh!! 01/19/2014 at 14:53

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Yeah that is very true! Not for the faint of heart.

Jeff Glucker > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 01/19/2014 at 15:35

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Looks nice... but needs moar HEMI

http://hooniverse.com/2013/12/19/the…

zz383mero > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 01/19/2014 at 15:35

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Why is this not Nice Price or Crack Pipe? I know why, the car looks good and well sorted. (even with the poor choice of wheels.)

Richard Langis > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 01/19/2014 at 15:59

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Oh boy, another carbed V8 with an auto behind it.

/yawn

theart > Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment 01/19/2014 at 16:25

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Unless some serious work has been done on the suspension as well, I don't think the sidewalls are going to matter much.

theart > Ecklesiastik 01/19/2014 at 19:08

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Only with the color matched centers.

Chris Zimmer > zz383mero 01/19/2014 at 21:18

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I don't think grave robber does eBay cars, does he?

XJguy > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 01/19/2014 at 21:34

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Real AMG version...rarer than sand snot. Though this kills the sleeper look and says race me...I dare you.

JJS119 > Route100 01/19/2014 at 22:02

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Doesn't 560TE just sound so cool though? And with the M117 its a thoroughbred Mercedes.

PS9 > William Kane 01/19/2014 at 22:11

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The original design was a w123, but blipship no haz Merc licensing.

OffKilterBob > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 01/19/2014 at 22:11

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I found this a couple days ago when I was investigating buying a local 300TD. The old guy didn't want to sell it to me. I found the ebay car particularly interesting because of the 350 SBC we have sitting in our barn.

If only the old guy would sell me his car...

Captain_Spadaro > Ike B 01/19/2014 at 22:28

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It's hard to tell which one it is underneath the Benz air cleaner and shit, and I agree, in this day and age of 430 bhp crate engines, its hard to justify a 350. Still, parts are easy to find, and the aftermarket is rife with solutions for power.

HonorableCountrySquire > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 01/20/2014 at 02:10

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Has anyone swapped an LS3 into a 560 SEL before? I'd love to own an 560 SEL, but the complexity, maintenance costs, fuel inefficiency, and mediocre power of the M117 always drives me away.

P.S.: Why does GM never sell 6L80s as crate transmissions? When you buy an engine/transmission package from GMPP you always get the crappy antiquated 4L65E.

DailyTurismo > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 01/20/2014 at 02:47

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This car was sold for something around $5,200 in Oct via craigslist.

http://www.dailyturismo.com/2013/10/5k-alr…

TinFoil Knight > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 01/20/2014 at 07:16

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they gotta be Pontiac oraftermarket, but you're right kill it with Fire

Skeen > Sith Lord Sexy Pants 01/21/2014 at 18:16

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I see what your saying now.

Stiiles > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 01/28/2014 at 22:37

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That car is very sketchy, particularly since it is registered in California. Technically, since it started life as a 1980 diesel, it is exempt form smog testing. That said, if you ever get pulled over by a cop who knows anything or get a notice from the DMV for a simple visual inspection, you're toast. To be legal, any engine swap in California on a 1973 or newer car must include all the newer engine's emissions control parts, and pass a visual and tailpipe check for tailpipe emissions and tampering. This car would almost certainly fail and most likely couldn't be made to pass. The other huge red flag is that it seems to have covered a total of 500 miles in the last 10 years.