How about supercharging a 280SL?

[TR]

Malc -- Yes, fun is one of the keys.

I guess I'd rather enjoy doing such a project using the M130 engine.  Years ago I saw a W113 that had the engine, transmission, etc. replaced with new BMW bits.  Somehow it just didn't seem right to me, although I'll wager it worked just hunky-dory.

The good news is that I already have a spare engine.  Anything original that has come off my car (which at this point is not very much) I've stored away for posterity.  The idea here is that return to fully original configuration would not be particularly difficult if that desire ever strikes.

But what you suggest sure makes sense.  In fact that's more or less what some of those ex-AMG guys at Mechatronik are doing, meaning putting a 320 engine in W113s (or as they called it, "MSL"):  http://www.mechatronik-gmbh.de/english/e_msl.html

If you haven't already looked at their video clips of that blue W113 / MSL I'd recommend it.  Clearly not for the purist, but definitely in the "fun" category.

[Malc]

Tom,
Wow you have a spare engine!
Well out with the porting kit, get those inlet and exhaust ports balanced, in terms of flow, "blue print" the engine...triple cut those valve seats......
You can get throttle bodies from the likes of K&N and Lumitron (spelling) to put on say L jetronic fuel injection.
Thinking about it if you went this route you could get a good power increase without going down the turbo/supercharger road.
Time to play
malc

[Malc]

More crazy stuff
how about 3 twin choke Webers  
Malc
probably start off with 40 or 45 chokes :twisted:

[TR]

Does anyone out there have an idea of what a "typical" time is for needing an injection pump rebuild?  I know this is an imprecise question and that there's no accurate answer.  I'm just looking for a rough idea, if anyone cares to offer one.  As mentioned below, my '71 280SL's injection pump has about 120K miles on it with no known rebuild.

I suspect I'm living on borrowed time when it comes to that 34-year old injection pump.