V8 - V12 W124 Conversion
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 42
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From: Surfers Paradise
Many Mercedes, Mini Coopers, Mokes
V8 - V12 W124 Conversion
Greetings,
My 124 is heading towards 500 000 km, I've had it forever and won't part with it. My wife says she will bury me in it.
I've made the commitment to take it to 500k on the original engine, this is about 6 months away, and then do a major conversion with a V8. I will / would take a E500E and swap it all over. But, as I will semi retire it from everyday use at that time, I've pondered a V12... I know there are V12s out there, sure not a lot, but it can be done. Any info on this conversion? I would take out the electronics, use a Motec transmission and engine management system. The main question I have is regarding the firewall mods. Do they require firewall or just pre-firewall mods??? Transmission tunnel mods?
You will all probably say just buy a E500E and use that. But, that would not be the same. I've had this car for almost 20 years, and it looks like it's done 50 000 km.
A E500E would add $6k to the conversion for freight alone, plus the cost of the car in the first place.
I have complete workshop and brains access, so it is all do-able.
Your thoughts on the V12???
Kevin
My 124 is heading towards 500 000 km, I've had it forever and won't part with it. My wife says she will bury me in it.
I've made the commitment to take it to 500k on the original engine, this is about 6 months away, and then do a major conversion with a V8. I will / would take a E500E and swap it all over. But, as I will semi retire it from everyday use at that time, I've pondered a V12... I know there are V12s out there, sure not a lot, but it can be done. Any info on this conversion? I would take out the electronics, use a Motec transmission and engine management system. The main question I have is regarding the firewall mods. Do they require firewall or just pre-firewall mods??? Transmission tunnel mods?
You will all probably say just buy a E500E and use that. But, that would not be the same. I've had this car for almost 20 years, and it looks like it's done 50 000 km.
A E500E would add $6k to the conversion for freight alone, plus the cost of the car in the first place.
I have complete workshop and brains access, so it is all do-able.
Your thoughts on the V12???
Kevin
Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 154
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From: SoCal
'91 C124 300CE,'06 ML 500 W164, '00 BMW MCOUPE, '65 COBRA REPL.
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 534
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From: Beirut, Lebanon
2006 C55 AMG 6 speed
To my knowledge, the 6.0 V12 installed in the SL600 and CL600 is a tricky beast. I'd go for a 500. It's not THAT much weaker.
If you don't want to stay in the MB family, go for a Chevy LSx swap
If you don't want to stay in the MB family, go for a Chevy LSx swap
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 78
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MG TC
The V12 was a money pit of an engine, not that good not much more power than an E500E. Of course you COULD Get an 7,3 AMG-Pagani engine...
Having said that.... ANYTHING is possible if you throw enough money at it.
If you are serious... get the EPC, both Euro and NA, and start looking at what parts are different and make a list. You'll need a cross member and fire wall but those are the least of the problems.
It would be easier, and cheaper, to strip your car down to the bare shell and get a junk 500E and start moving parts over. Doing it that way will insure the electronics are correct and you'll have every part you need.
This question gets asked about once every 6 months on the various forums throughout the world. People see a Brabus, Kicherer, Vaeth, RENNTech or whomever conversion and think THEY could do it. What most people don't seem to grasp is that all those companies have contacts within MB for both parts and tech assistance.
Vaeth builds many of AMG engines ("Two Companies - One Engine"), Brabus is somewhat factory authorized, Feyhl at RENNTech was with AMG-NA, Kicherer has a long standing relationship with M-B. They all have contacts, officially and unofficially both within M-B and with their suppliers, that provide "help."
Do you...?
Little things like calling up Sachs and getting the proper spring wire and diameter damper settings for this much weight.
Putting an engine in is easily, getting it to work properly in a well balanced and useable car is not.
Kind Regards,
Ron
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 83
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From: Minneapolis
2002 CLK55, 1993 190E, 1975 230C, 2007 E350
Money pit is an understatement - I have never had one, but my uncle had an S600 (I think it was a 93 W140 chassis), and the thing was forever getting worked on - great car, but needed a lot of "factory maintenance", and he traded it on an Audi - he loved the car, but did not like the maintenance schedule and cost. He would not give or sell it to me, as he was adamant about it costing too much for me. My dad also had an S600 in France for several years, and my mom called it his "*****" - spent more time and money on that thing than her. I wish he still had the car, but his S430 is a much better car for him - reliable and comfortable, and he and my mom love it. If you want performance and reliability, a V8 is the way to go in my book.
