Engine performance, What is the diffrence?

[seyewinjobi]

Is there a diffrence in the performance of a stock 280 engine and a 230 sl engine? If there is, how do you notice it.And what are the advantages of a 280 sl over 230 sl?

[Cees Klumper]

The 230 SL has less HP and less torque. 150 HP (DIN) at 5500 RPM and 20 MKG at 4200 RPM for the 230 SL, 170 HP at 5750 RPM and 24.5 MKG at 4500 RPM for the 280 SL. To be complete: 150 HP at 5500 RPM and 22 MKG at 4200 RPM for the 250 SL (Euro version values). The 230 SL has 4 main bearings; the 250 and 280 SL have 7 main bearings.

Cees Klumper in Amsterdam
'69 white 280 SL automatic

[Douglas]

I think there are so many variables here to factor in that it's almost impossible to answer your question. Depends on condition of the mechanicals of the cars in question, whether it's a US or Euro car, which transmission and differential, etc.

The comment I've heard over and over throughout the years is that the 280 SL had a more powerful motor, but the extra weight it gained cancelled out most of the power advantage it had on paper over the 230 SL.

Douglas Kim
New York, NY
280 SL #016220

[hauser]

The Pagoda diehards have always said that a 230 handles better than a 280. :?:

1969 280sl 5 spd        1999 ML320          Gainesville,Fl.

[seyewinjobi]

So in my case , I Will be installing the 280 engine into the 230 sl body,What are the things i can do to increase the performance? I just like the fact that the 280 engine is already rebuild and 280 sl seems to be more popular than 230 sl. What can be done to compesate for the weight of the engine? I am also thinking of using performance shocks.And the 280 engine will be mounted with my 4 speed manual trans.

[Ben]

It strikes me that there cant be a huge amount of difference between a 280 block and a 230 block. Mainly the weight difference is due to the extra equipment that the majority of 280SL's would have over the majority of 230SL's. Obviously a 230SL manual, with no PAS would be lighter than a 280SL auto, PAS, A/C and whatever else might be there.

Basically the 4 bearing 230SL isn't quite a smooth or silent but feels a little racier when it comes "on cam". I think that a 280 engine, providing you have the "hotter" cam, will give your manual equipped car the best performance combination !

Regards,
Ben in Ireland.
'64 230SL 4sp.
'03 CLK Kompressor

[Malc]

Differences I believe are capacities. As to performance there isn't alot of difference as as the 230 became the 250 and then the 280 the weight of the vehicle went up too so MPG suffered
Malc

[rwmastel]

There were US and Euro cams for the 280SL engine.  The Euro cam adds more HP.  I did several searched and came up with lots of topics regarding various performance issues.  The search engine works, enjoy!

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Rodd
Powell, Ohio, USA
1966 230SL, Euro, Auto, Leather, both  tops
1994 E420