Needs Moar Powah

"Richtofen, Baron von Pickup" (thehoonbaron)
05/30/2016 at 00:07 • Filed to: None

I have a W108 sitting in my garage with a straight 6 under the hood and over 180k miles on the clock. It has just enough power to drive, but in the Texas hills it barely climbs. My dad, being a lover of old-school muscle, thinks we should drop a 350 or 396 in it and a transmission to match. I love the car, and it needs a lot of work, but this looks like the only way it will be really fun to drive. What say you, Oppo?

DISCUSSION (41)

415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) > Richtofen, Baron von Pickup
05/30/2016 at 00:10

As a Mercedes owner, never put some American engine in it. If you want a newer Mercedes motor, fine, you can move up to a newer petrol engine, I’ve seen an OM617 swap.

Sovereign, Purveyor of Coupes > Richtofen, Baron von Pickup
05/30/2016 at 00:11

Do it nowwwww.

Übel > Richtofen, Baron von Pickup
05/30/2016 at 00:12

Keep it straight 6 at least, go with a 6BT.

Sovereign, Purveyor of Coupes > 415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°)
05/30/2016 at 00:12

As a former Mercedes owner why? American power is cheaper, more relaible, and easier to find parts for.

415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) > Sovereign, Purveyor of Coupes
05/30/2016 at 00:13

It’s tacky

slipperysallylikespenguins > Richtofen, Baron von Pickup
05/30/2016 at 00:16

I would vote for a newer fuel injected motor like the Chevy 5.3 or 6.0. Nothing fancy but good reliable power.

Sovereign, Purveyor of Coupes > 415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°)
05/30/2016 at 00:17

No, it’s not.

It may not be your first choice, but that doesn’t make it “tacky”, that’s rediculous.

gmctavish needs more space > Richtofen, Baron von Pickup
05/30/2016 at 00:20

Which engine is it? My friend has 250CE and a 4 speed that makes like 160hp or something, plenty for the sort of cruising these were intended for.

Part of me feels like an American V8 would take away some of the class of an old Mercedes. Counterpoint being that Mercedes shoved the 6.3 in the 300SEL, so a big V8, regardless of country of origin could be going with the spirit of one of those beasts

Kinja'd!!!

Birddog > Richtofen, Baron von Pickup
05/30/2016 at 00:20

Kinja'd!!!

Hi!

I weigh about the same as that doggy six shooter and can make close to five times the original horsepower for peanuts.

My name is LS. Bask in my glory!

415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) > Sovereign, Purveyor of Coupes
05/30/2016 at 00:24

It’s ridiculous to ruin classics. I have a 240Z as well and the people who cut them up and weld in coil overs and throw LS motors in them are idiots. Buy a different car! Buy a car you are in a position to maintain, don’t ruin it for the future, they don’t make them anymore.

RTeeJay > Richtofen, Baron von Pickup
05/30/2016 at 00:32

I just recently saw an old SL with an LS, and it wasnt terrible. If you do go LS, make sure it has generic valve covers and intake cover. Or you could find an old AMG thats been wrecked or a V12 for the lolz

Sam > Richtofen, Baron von Pickup
05/30/2016 at 00:32

Ditch it and get something else. Let someone appreciate it for what it is, since these are becoming rarer and rarer.

Sovereign, Purveyor of Coupes > 415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°)
05/30/2016 at 00:33

“They don’t make them anymore” that could be said for literally any car that’s not brand new.

It doesn’t ruin them in any way, shape, or form. Its still on the road, it still performs the task it was intended for. It’s just not your taste. By your own logic, installing a newer Mercedes drivetrain would be “tacky.” The car does not need to be original for many car people to still enjoy it.

You can suggest someone keep it original without insulting others taste.

Alfalfa > Richtofen, Baron von Pickup
05/30/2016 at 00:42

Get a junker w210 and pull the V6.

415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) > Sovereign, Purveyor of Coupes
05/30/2016 at 00:45

I guess it’s hillbilly garage time

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > 415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°)
05/30/2016 at 01:09

ETHICS IN AUTO MODIFICATION FIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIGHT!

Kinja'd!!!

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Richtofen, Baron von Pickup
05/30/2016 at 01:17

Turbo!

V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches > Richtofen, Baron von Pickup
05/30/2016 at 01:18

Nien. You have to throw a M100 6.3 V8 in there

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Richtofen, Baron von Pickup
05/30/2016 at 01:25

Why not an engine from the W123 280E or something?

fintail > Richtofen, Baron von Pickup
05/30/2016 at 01:40

I vote AMG 6.2 or 4.6 Biturbo. These cars weren’t meant to be fun to drive, but insanity can be fun.

Maybe the engine is tired? Back in the day, the M127 (220SE) in my fintail was feeling neglected, and it felt especially slow on some hills. It eventually got overhauled, and it felt like a new car. An engine swap might end up being so much work that rebuilding the original (yourself) or dropping in another period MB unit could be easier.

I am on the fence about dropping in a V8. I think it would look wrong, and probably always have fettling issues, but it would be fast as these aren’t insanely heavy cars, and it would keep it on the road. Tons of 108s are still wasting away, better to have it on the road than off.

Berang > Richtofen, Baron von Pickup
05/30/2016 at 01:40

No V8. Find another straight six... maybe something Japanese.

I do have a hard time believing it won’t climb hills, is the compression shot?

Even my Saab’s little V4 pulls up hills in 4th.

DeLM > 415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°)
05/30/2016 at 08:09

I was thinking the early 2000's c32 engine and drive train.

DeLM > Sovereign, Purveyor of Coupes
05/30/2016 at 08:11

it really is tacky, butting a ls in every thing is just getting stupid. Nah, he should find the c32 as a donor, restomod the benz. much better than putting an LS in it.

Sam > Richtofen, Baron von Pickup
05/30/2016 at 10:00

Oh, and I think something might be mechanically wrong with it. My W123 diesel wagon climbed hills just fine. It had about 80hp. This should have at least 130hp. They still make new cars with this much power.

Richtofen, Baron von Pickup > fintail
05/31/2016 at 02:36

Is it feasible to put something so modern in without going bonkers on the modifications?

Richtofen, Baron von Pickup > gmctavish needs more space
05/31/2016 at 02:38

Putting a 6.3 in feels right, and would look consistent despite the 280SE badge.

Presently it has the 2.8L and auto transmission, but it has no pep at all. Our Corvair will beat it once it’s finished, and the MB has 12 years on it.

Richtofen, Baron von Pickup > RTeeJay
05/31/2016 at 02:38

Oooh, an AMG V12. That sounds good, better than the 6.3... but will it fit?!?

Richtofen, Baron von Pickup > 415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°)
05/31/2016 at 02:42

My intent is to preserve the car as much as possible. Any changes would have to be reversible, which means I will keep the original drivetrain stored away.

Further, where do you get off calling people hillbillies because they want to outfit a vehicle they own and love with whatever engine they are most familiar with? Opinions are cool, but being a prick is not.

Richtofen, Baron von Pickup > Birddog
05/31/2016 at 02:43

I refuse to put fuel injection in this car. It has Bosch mechanical injection, but it needs a carb.

Richtofen, Baron von Pickup > Sam
05/31/2016 at 02:47

Possibly, as it is old and the adjustment on the Bosch mechanical injection system is a horrific mess of candle rituals and human sacrifice.

Richtofen, Baron von Pickup > Sam
05/31/2016 at 02:48

I disagree, as I appreciate the car.

Richtofen, Baron von Pickup > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
05/31/2016 at 02:49

That’s doable. Probably easier than any other swap, would you say?

Richtofen, Baron von Pickup > V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches
05/31/2016 at 02:50

The 6.3 is alluring, that’s for sure. How hard is an old engine to come by?

Richtofen, Baron von Pickup > Berang
05/31/2016 at 02:50

Why no V8?

Richtofen, Baron von Pickup > Alfalfa
05/31/2016 at 02:52

Noted. I’ll need to research that platform though, only the 108 and 123 ring any bells at present.

Berang > Richtofen, Baron von Pickup
05/31/2016 at 02:55

A straight 6 is what this car calls out for.

If you want a V8 buy a gremlin or a rambler or something.

Alfalfa > Richtofen, Baron von Pickup
05/31/2016 at 03:07

It mostly came to mind because it’s one of the last ones that were known for durability, also getting pretty cheap and make over 200 hp. I have no clue how easily one could be worked into a w108

V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches > Richtofen, Baron von Pickup
05/31/2016 at 08:03

Well, I should think they made quite a few, you could try finding one in a salvage yard. I'm not sure how much an M100 would run though.

gmctavish needs more space > Richtofen, Baron von Pickup
05/31/2016 at 10:16

Oh damn, is it a three speed? That’s the only way I can imagine a decently sized straight 6 getting beat by a Corvair

fintail > Richtofen, Baron von Pickup
05/31/2016 at 13:14

The M103 I6 as used in most W124 might be good, it is modern, relatively powerful (~180hp ), and still a MB unit. Probably as powerful as a period 3.5/4.5, lighter, and more efficient.

I assume you have a 6cyl car. As you know powerful American V8 or modern MB V8 would be more than dropping in an engine, there will be transmission and cooling system mods or replacement, engine mounts, and maybe structural or suspension issues based on weight or torque.

Richtofen, Baron von Pickup > gmctavish needs more space
05/31/2016 at 18:49

Four speed auto, I believe. Haven’t been behind the wheel of it in months.