W126 / M119 engine transplant

[Mercv8]

Hello chaps,

I am going to have some extensive engine work done by the highly recommend Ian Walker, and i just wanted to get some opinions and ideas on what could done without spendings 10's of thousands.

Ian has put many ideas to the table, and i will go along with what he suggests thats within my budget, however i thought it would still be fun to get some ideas and opinions from people nonetheless as Ian has mentioned there some very good knwoledge on this site.

Bascially i have an M119 5 Litre engine, that Ian is going to completely rebuild.

I would like to get some opinions from some of you as to how you would go about increasing the power of this engine, through gas flowing, skimming, porting, re-bore etc?

Which method do you think would be best, while still maintaining the reliability of this engine, and roughly what would people estimate the approx BHP/Torque gain from each method.

Mostly im looking for increasing the torque.
This engine is going to go into a W126 500 SE..:bannana:

Cheers,

Al.

 

[BlackC55]

I would leave the engine alone. If you wish to re-bore it with uprated rods, pistons etc it will cost you thousands. You will also have to have the fuel system, exhaust system etc modified It really is not worth it. Your best bet is to leave the engine well alone. If its worn out now a standard re-build will be possioble but also expensive too.

If I was doing this conversion and wanted to uprate the power I would get some uprated cams made to your own spec from Emerald Cams , Cat Cams, Piper and Kent. Or you could use 100-200 bhp shot of Nitrous to get you that extra power. The bottom end of the 119 engine will be plenty strong enough but just be prepared to wear the gearboxes out quickly.

If you do decide to rebuild the engine do not forget the gearbox too.

My overall opinion is to leave the engine alone. It will bring untold reliability issues and cost thousands in parts and labour.

 

[KLP 92]

Make sure its an engine forma 1990-1991 500SL R129. If not the fuel injection system is different and will need alot more wiring.

I agree with the comments made with BlackC55, its alot of money to modify one of these engines, minimum £1-2k+ even with Mr Walker's discount.

This project should set you back £3k+ when completed so i wouldn't start modify the engine as well unless you have deep pockets.

 

[Mercv8]

Cmon guys, be abit more ambitious! lol

Make sure its an engine forma 1990-1991 500SL R129. If not the fuel injection system is different and will need alot more wiring.

Thats already sorted..

Ian has a lovely 1992 500 SEL to break up with the earlier M119 fuel injection set-up.

 

[BlackC55]

Whats wrong with nitrous and uprated cams? How many 126's have NOS?

I also forgot to mention. Don't forget to uprate your brakes and suspension too. That 119 engine is HEAVY.

 

[Mercv8]

Whats wrong with nitrous and uprated cams? How many 126's have NOS?

I also forgot to mention. Don't forget to uprate your brakes and suspension too. That 119 engine is HEAVY.

I actually wanted to steer clear of Nitrous mate. One i dont like the temporary factor of nitro and also the fact id have to keep refilling! lol

Yes mate, the brakes will indeed be sorted out too along with the suspension, Ian has already mentioned thats imperative.

What's your opinion on skimming/polishing/gas flowing the heads etc? Would they not bring out decent gains?

 

[BlackC55]

I suspect not. I would expect a good tuner (mountune) to charge at least £500 per head for this. I would only expect a moderate gain. Why don't you just try a set of cams then? I would expect 30-40bhp gain maybe more. When it has been done the fueling and timing must be checked so it can take maximum advantage of the modifications.

 

[Mercv8]

Thing is ive heard that uprated cams make v'8s run abit lumpy?

 

[BlackC55]

Yes they can but it depends on how wild you want them. If you tune an engine there maybe things that wont be so good as a standard engine such as cold start and idle issues.

How about twin turbo?

 

[supercharger]

what about a supercharger ive got one on my 380sel w126.it goes like buggery.

LOL


supercharger

 

[BlackC55]

what about a supercharger ive got one on my 380sel w126.it goes like buggery.

LOL


supercharger

Like buggery???

 

[KLP 92]

Cmon guys, be abit more ambitious! lol



Thats already sorted..

Ian has a lovely 1992 500 SEL to break up with the earlier M119 fuel injection set-up.

I've done alot of research into this myself so i know whats involved.

The W140 according to MB did not have the CIS KE fuel injection system but the later design. BEst way to check is that you should have a visible fuel distributor at the back of the engine.

 

[KLP 92]

Thing is ive heard that uprated cams make v'8s run abit lumpy?

Slightly, not by much though. I'm running a set on mine, its noticable slightly on idle, but you can live with it.

 

[KLP 92]

Whats wrong with nitrous and uprated cams? How many 126's have NOS?

I also forgot to mention. Don't forget to uprate your brakes and suspension too. That 119 engine is HEAVY.

Yep you'll need stiffer front shocks for a start.

Personally on my SEC, if i wanted more power i would nitrous first or put in a supercharger. These mods are reversible so can always be put back to stock later.

The other thing you have to remeber is that you will struggle to sell a car thats had a engine transplant. You may find a fellow enthusiast that wants it but it will be hard work.

 

[supercharger]

only got this picture on this pc im afraid

 

[supercharger]

goes like buggery means swiftly round these parts.
LOL

 

[A210AMG]

Hello,


From what I have seen about modified cars they do seem unleiable compared to the factory set up. Then there is the uprating of everything else, brakes, suspension etc etc

Nos sounds like the easiest and possibly cheapest way of getting a lot of power. Lets me honest how often are you going to need the extra?

Even that Brabus CLS broke down on 5th gear.

If it were me I'd spend the money elsewhere, maybe a westfield type car and use that on the track...

 

[fredfloggle]

Make sure its an engine forma 1990-1991 500SL R129. If not the fuel injection system is different and will need alot more wiring.

I agree with the comments made with BlackC55, its alot of money to modify one of these engines, minimum £1-2k+ even with Mr Walker's discount.

This project should set you back £3k+ when completed so i wouldn't start modify the engine as well unless you have deep pockets.

With due deference to Ian's undoubtable experience I would suggest that £1000 wouldn't get much of a rebuild on any engine , yet alone a 5 litre V8

 

[grober]

I would personally go for a couple of nice free flow tubular exhaust manifolds and exhaust system. Should give a useful power hike, increase driveability, maybe even MPGs?? and a nice burbly exhaust note. Wouldn't touch the innards of the engine unless really necessary from a rebuild point of view. I once put a JANSPEED "BUNCH OF BANANAS"on a 2litre ford capri in place of the standard cast item --transformed the car--so much smoother a power take up at low revs and better MPGs.

 

[Fryer]

Mercv8, did this transplant work ?