Probably a truly dumb questions
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Probably a truly dumb questions
Does anyone know what it would take to swap out the V6 in my GL 320 CDI for the V8? I mean, is it truly that prohibitively expensive?
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2018 E63S
Is it doable - I'd say yes! You would probably need a motor, cataylic system and engine ECU/PCM and wiring harness. Costly - yes, I think if you can find a complete setup at a wrecker you could do it. Honestly, I'd say you probably have better luck selling this the diesel and picking up a gas version. As well, you'd need a gas version cluster (as the rpm's are different as well as diesel glow plug telltales etc).
Other thing in doing something like this would make the truck difficult to sell. Just imagine the questions and then when its in need of repair, imagine that going into a dealership (if the individual isn't handy).
Other thing in doing something like this would make the truck difficult to sell. Just imagine the questions and then when its in need of repair, imagine that going into a dealership (if the individual isn't handy).
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From: Hudson Ohio
2014 slk55 amg, 2011 gl350, lambo gallardo, 800hp supercharged viper
why? it would cost $10,000 + if you really want more power (less mpg) maybe a bigger turbo or ecu boost?
Last edited by pteam; Dec 23, 2010 at 01:00 AM.
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From: Winnipeg, MB Canada
'13 MB GL350 BLUETEC, '10 MB E63 AMG, '95 MB S600, '84 MB 380 SEL
I would love to see the V8 Diesel engine in NA. Don't know why they wouldn't sell it here. They sell it in all other markets. That was the reason why i bought the 550 initially (when the GL was my primary driver), with the hope that they would eventually get the V8 Diesel here. But they never did, and it doesn't look like they ever will... So i did trade the 550 for the 350 BLUETEC, but only after I gave it to my wife.
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GL550
Reminds me of the 1970's when the 5.7 liter Oldsmobile diesels blew up and were replaced by 5.7 liter Chevrolet gas engines. I was stupid enough to own 3 of them in Chevy trucks.
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From: Denver, CO
'09 SL Black, '12 ML63, '13 SL63, '14 E63 Wagon, '14 458 Italia
I'd echo the point about the tune / other modifications if power is your concern. I think the combination of 1) cost of parts, 2) time spent to figure out if this is even physically possible, 3) time spent on tracking down reasonably priced replacement / substitute parts, 4) finding a shop that's competent enough to pull this off, etc. etc. etc. wouldn't outweigh the cash lost in trading up / over to a GL550.
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buncha MB's
I would LOVE to have a GL420CDI. I would think that it would be prohibitively expensive to import it, depending on what they use to value the vehicle at the point of importation and then servicing it would be another headache unto itself.
500 lb/ft TQ would be lovely to have though.
500 lb/ft TQ would be lovely to have though.
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From: Scottsdale, AZ
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It's not ... big? I'd like the extra torque and HP. Without going the "let's push it well beyond the design limits with 'programming' <wink-wink> or a Kirby Vacuum Cleaner motor bolted to it".
PS The ECUs and add-ons have always been, at best, questionable in their actual performance increases.
PS The ECUs and add-ons have always been, at best, questionable in their actual performance increases.
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From: Scottsdale, AZ
2004 RX330, 2008 Scion xB, 2001 Honda Insight Hybrid, 2010 Toyot Prius v ATP
I actually read somewhere they're phasing out the V8 diesel altogether because it doesn't sell as well ... in markets where 8 cylinders never sell well anyway. Unbeflippinleivable.
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You're kidding, right? Have you actually looked in to the process of importing a car not already permitted in the US? I was going to try and import a Land Cruiser diesel before I bought the GL. Same chassis, easily swappable bumpers/shocks/lights, simply not permitted. I was actually about to import "parts" (the front end of a Cruiser from Australia) before I gave up.
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From: Scottsdale, AZ
2004 RX330, 2008 Scion xB, 2001 Honda Insight Hybrid, 2010 Toyot Prius v ATP
Precisely my thoughts. But importing a car that is less than 25 years old (at the time of manufacture) and is not on the "list" to be allowed to be imported is just not allowed. The closest I could get would be if I were a diplomat who owned one when I came to the U.S., brought it over for my own use only and took it home with me rather than selling it.
The true mo%#$^$*I@*er of it is that the damned things are assembled in country! They have the engine here! If one were to, say, fall off the truck ...
The true mo%#$^$*I@*er of it is that the damned things are assembled in country! They have the engine here! If one were to, say, fall off the truck ...
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2011 GL350 Bluetec, Irridium over Black Leather
NA engines are a totally different story - I agree with you here.
- Mark
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2008 GL 320 CDI, 2004 VW V10 Touareg TDI
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Umm, no, they are not. It's trivially easy to get a LOT more power out of a turbocharged engine. Trivially. You just decide how much longevity you want to give up in exchange for more power now and you set the boost level accordingly. The V6 TD will have a relatively low ultimate power limit as these things go due to the very small turbos used
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Just trade it in and get the V8 model and call it a day. In the end, if you modify your vehicle, you will have a Frankenstein with little to no resale value and possible registration issues. It will be cheaper to get one the way if was made from the factory.
The second option is get the Kleeman KD box and see what it will handle. I don't think it will affect the longevity of the engine by any significant measurement. If you don't like the power after the KD box, sell it and get a 550 or 450.
The second option is get the Kleeman KD box and see what it will handle. I don't think it will affect the longevity of the engine by any significant measurement. If you don't like the power after the KD box, sell it and get a 550 or 450.
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2011 GL350 Bluetec, Irridium over Black Leather
Okay, so ... I'm currently over 100,000 miles in a 2007. How much longevity do I have versus how much should I give up? Chances are a "significant" boost in power will result in an exponentially more "significant" drop in life expectancy, especially at this point. Then there's the fact that, as you stated, the V6 will have a relatively low ultimate limit anyway. Hmm, sounds like the kind of thing that makes a guy want a V8 instead!
I'd love a V8 diesel myself. My old 2002 Duramax pickup was spectacular and that only had 300hp/520lb-ft. They are up to 397hp/765lb-ft now out of the same displacement!
I've often coveted the V12 turbodiesel that VW put in the 45-state Touaregs some years back, too.
- Mark
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From: Hudson Ohio
2014 slk55 amg, 2011 gl350, lambo gallardo, 800hp supercharged viper
I still stick by my comment that it would cost $10k+ to take the engine out, buy a new bigger engine and put it in especially at a shop charging $100 an hour labor or something like that. Plus signifcant downtime.
If you want more hp buying a 550 might be a better option, but honestly who needs more HP in a 7 passenger SUV? If you want more hp and actually be able to use it I suggest buying a sports car. Heres one of mine you might like:
800 horsepower supercharged v10. I spent well more than 10k just supercharging and engine work, not actually replacing the whole motor.
If you want more hp buying a 550 might be a better option, but honestly who needs more HP in a 7 passenger SUV? If you want more hp and actually be able to use it I suggest buying a sports car. Heres one of mine you might like:
800 horsepower supercharged v10. I spent well more than 10k just supercharging and engine work, not actually replacing the whole motor.
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From: Scottsdale, AZ
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Blown, I know you love your V8s, and I do to, but I'm more interested in "oomph" than "vroom" when it comes to my SUV.
Oh, and seriously? A Vette? Nah. Pony car for me.
