Old chestnut: m119.960 engine into w126 chassis

[jjrodger]

I have a 1986 500 SEC which of course has a M117.965 engine.

I would like to transplant the later 32-valve m119 engine into the car. I have two reasons: first, despite very extensive works, my engine has never run particularly satisfactorily and, second, I want significantly more power.

I appreciate it would be easier to fit a 300bhp motor from a late 560 and thereby obtain much of the performance increase with fewer installation difficulties. However, this seems somewhat half-hearted (if I am going to *******ise my car, I might as well go all the way) and, anyway, I prefer the smooth characteristics of the m119.

I have done many hours of research on this, from the w124 works thread here to Satish Tummala's excellent pages on the mbcoupes site. I know I need a m119.960 from a 1990 or 1991 R129!

My question is quite straight forward: who, if anyone, can I entrust this work to on a commercial basis? Is there anyone who specialises in this kind of stuff or has the necessary experience? I don't think I am up to doing it myself and I am not convinced my usual specialist can do it or would want to do it. I expect it is the kind of thing that can only be done profitably the second time.

Thanks for your help.

 

[NW_Merc]

Why not give it a go yourself, I suppose the only thing you may not have is the engine hoist but apart from this you will probably know the car and its problems better if you give it a go yourself.

 

[BTB 500]

I know PCS (owner Olly is 'BlackC55' on here) have done several successful C43 to C55 conversions recently. They might be up for it.

 

[carat 3.6]

That sounds like the sort of job that you would realy need to do yourself, as I would imagine most places will shy away from it due to the time it will take to do properly. Getting the engine and gearbox to fit in the car is fairly straightforward, but it is going to be the wiring that will give you a headache.

I have read Satish Tummala's pages about his car and it is very impressive.

Just a thought but what about buying a w140 v8 or v12 donnor car, and using one of those engines? From what I've read, Satish used the m119.960 simply because it still used cis injection, so was an easier swap than the later efi engines.

Sounds like an intresting project what ever you chose to do!

 

[khimani_mohiki]

there are too many differences between a '86 K-Jet wiring and '91 K-Jet wiring for it to be plug and play.

 

[jaymanek]

Its VERY difficult.

Remember that its doable on a LHD car, on a RHD ive yet to see a working conversion.

Even with a LHD car there is a LOT of wiring and of course the steering box has to be sacrificed.

A good mod that the japs have caught onto is using M119 heads on M117 blocks.

 

[carat 3.6]

A good mod that the japs have caught onto is using M119 heads on M117 blocks.

I looked into this once before, as it had often puzzled me how AMG japan did this. What they did in reality is fit the m117 front timing cover, distributor, and accessories on to the m119.980 engine, and run it on the normal m117 harness and ecu's.

Hey presto, quad cam m117 amg.

I wanted to do this in a w124.

 

[jjrodger]

This is getting interesting and already more information is emerging than I have found so far. Thanks for all of these contributions to date.

I had assumed that the LHD/RHD difference would not be significant.

I knew that a wiring transplant was also required, with the ECU and ignition system from the donor car being carried over wholesale.

 

[khimani_mohiki]

considering the amount of work required to install an M119 would it be anymore effort to fit an M113 or any of the slightly newer V8's

 

[Red C220]

I've often thought the same about fitting an M113 E55 engine.

It would suit the car, being normally aspirated.

My lottery car would be a 560SEC fitted with a E63 engine, transmission and running gear, built at the AMG factory of course