benz-tech

I just bought a 560sel and would like to get a little more power and fuel economy. I did a search and found euro headers. someone mentioned advancing the timing but i'm not sure how to do that with a crank sensor and EZL. i will be removing the 2 side mufflers, one is damaged and the pipes are crushed a bit so that might help. more than anything is if there are inexpensive ways to do it. i paid 3k for an unmolested 200,000 mile car that will be a daily driver for my wife and don't want to take much money budgeted for my Datsun 510 project. i know how to repair them but have no clue how to extract some extra power other than the basics - more air in/out.
i appreciate any help for our "old school bling" ride.

The Doggfather

Hey benz-tech,

Euro headers are a great source for that little bit of extra power. Team that with a custom exhaust system, and you should see gains between 15-25hp.

A dyno specialist should be able to help you out with ignition & valve timing.

If you really want more power, your gonna have to pay for it! Forced induction is a good avenue to pursue. Not the cheapest thing to do to these car, but well worth the effort. I have heard these engines can handle 800hp on an unmodified bottom end, which is very impressive to say the least! You can quite easily get good power out of this engine, providing the appropriate mods are made to your fuel and ignition system to support the supercharger's added force.

You can also try a 3.07 LSD to get things moving a little quicker!

Hope this helps.

Ashkan's C43

where would you get the 3.07 lsd from, and how do you know the engine and tranny could handle all that power? would fi really be able to get you there without upgraded internals?

The Doggfather

Hey Ashkan's C280,

A 3.07 LSD can be sourced from a W107, and the gears can be swapped over into the W126 diff housing without too much trouble. 3.27 & 3.46 diffs are also available, but with a stock 560 engine, a 3.07 would be the most suitable ratio.

I've read quite a few people have s/charged their W126s, mostly 560s, and haven't had any trouble in doing so. I did alot of research on different types of s/chargers, and I found the ATI Procharger company in the US makes particualarly good s/charger kits. Decently priced and offering huge power gains, I wouldn't go with any other name personally.

The M117 engine has a forged steel crankshaft, 6 bolt mains, and even a trans cooler mounted in the engine bay. I've read ages ago about a 560 SEC in Germany that a bunch of guys turned into a race car. It was pumping out 800bhp with an unmodified block and some head work. I can't comment on the transmission much, but they seem to be able to support 450bhp without too much trouble. Support is one thing, deliverance is another! While the trans may be able to handle the power from the engine, it is not the best when it comes to transferring that power to the rear wheels, hence why I'm fitting a fully kitted GM TH400 auto tranny to my soon to be s/charged & intercooled 560 SEC.

Did you also know that any ratio W126 diff has a bigger crown wheel then a Ford 9", which is a popular choice for most drag racers! This car really is an awesome piece of German machinery!

Ashkan's C43

what kind of cost are you looking at for this, would it be cheaper to just swap it with a 210 e55 engine or a c43 engine, I know the tranny and diff would have to come in too, as well as the ecu and such, as well as engine mounts but a v8 is a v8 it has the room, what do you think the costs compare to? And do please postmore about this project, I am in love with the w126 560 seland would love to see a project like this take place...

Ashkan's C43

I have heard that the exhaust system on these 560's are very, very restrictive, can anyone confirm this? How much would be gained if you were to have two high flow lets say 400 cell cats, no res with just straight pipes to a muff, are there 4 cats or 2 and 2 pre cats? Would there be room for you to make custom headers?

egxpimp

With a Euro spec engine, header wrap, euro log headers, advance timing, striaght pipe. I can keep up pretty good with a Camaro SS 2001-2 from 40-60/70 and lose only by 2 1/2 cars to 120mph. Next mods are Y manifold headers, which im suppose to gain about 20 hp and cold intake...

Ashkan's C43

if you had a euro spec engine would you not have the euro long headers?

Ashkan's C43

and how much hp could you get out of the engine without having to start upgradeing internal, i.e porting tb and manifold, better intake ect ect

The Doggfather

I haven't done or heard of anyone doing a 210 e55 or c43 engine conversion into a W126, so I'm not aware of the cost in doing so. Professionaly done, I can't imagine it to be very cheap at all, due to the high number of computers, relays, and technical wiring that must be fitted and tuned.

To s/charge the W126, it will set you back around $2000-$5000 USD*, depending on the level of tuning (i.e. fuel & ignition systems) and furthur modification involved. A basic s/charger kit from Procharger will set you back around $2500 USD. It is then up to you to install it or pay to get it professionaly installed!

HLG600

How about supercharging a 560SL? A little bit lighter and will make for one nice sleeper. A friend of mine has a '79 450SL, and the muffler is bulky and very restrictive; same thing with my car - all insulation no sound. Comfortable, yes, but some people want to hear those motors go!

egxpimp

i have the euro log headers. Some of them have the euro log headers some of them have the tri-y headers. The tri y headers give you about 20-25 hp or so i heard. They run at about 2,500 from a benz dealer...pricey suckers!

egxpimp

i think we have someone in the forum that has a super charged 560sec... i think hes pushing 380 rwhp /tq ...