Engine swap suggestions for a w113, keeping it into MB motor range

[mdsalemi]

Fully in agreement. For that matter, it would be super if someone could figure out an easy EFI retrofit on these motors just to take away another obstruction to one's enjoyment. I really don't care to pay out the nose every so often just to keep a backlogged MFI rebuilder in business.

Just for the record, my fuel injection pump was rebuilt 25 years ago. I have used my car like most collectibles: infrequently, in season. Nonetheless, it has over 25,000 miles since the restoration. Fuel injection pump has been fine in this quarter of the century since restoration. So, a well sorted MFI on a well sorted car is not something that needs to be attended to regularly.

So you are looking for somebody to engineer an entirely different replacement fuel injection system, and do it cheaply?

Nothing on these cars (or any old Mercedes for that matter) is inexpensive. Not acquisition, not service, not parts—nothing. You are rewarded for this for the charms of this car along with maintaining a good price for a car in good condition. Many who have found themselves with cars that have had bombastic work done on them, by prior owners… well, this was people trying to thrift a process that shouldn’t be thrifted. Many of these cars, my own included were driven into a garage or barn at some time when a prior owner decided that repairing or servicing them was just too expensive... and that’s when parts were commonly available and a whole lot less cost.

[Jack the Knife]

Just for the record, my fuel injection pump was rebuilt 25 years ago. I have used my car like most collectibles: infrequently, in season. Nonetheless, it has over 25,000 miles since the restoration. Fuel injection pump has been fine in this quarter of the century since restoration. So, a well sorted MFI on a well sorted car is not something that needs to be attended to regularly.

So you are looking for somebody to engineer an entirely different replacement fuel injection system, and do it cheaply?

Nothing on these cars (or any old Mercedes for that matter) is inexpensive. Not acquisition, not service, not parts—nothing.

Glad to hear that your system is fine. Mine is, too.

No one said anything about doing anything cheaply. I am unclear where you're reading that.

These cars certainly were a whole lot cheaper at one point. All of them were. I remember opening up Hemmings as a kid (which wasn't long ago) and seeing 300SL roadsters for under 200k. Felt like a lot, but look at where they are, now. In college, I remember seeing G-body Porsches on their twentieth owner for sale on the side of 27th in Coconut Grove for 25k. Cheap! Now they're all well over double that, all of them. Before, it was a cheap(er) ticket to spending a ton of money, like a wooden boat or a cheap Piper Arrow. Now, less so. But Michael, honestly, your comment there isn't helpful, and it sounds somewhat condescending. Okay, we have established that things cost money, so let's move on? I've expressed an interest in something, and that expression isn't flippant -- what do you get from fighting me on it, especially in the R&D board?

[mdsalemi]

No one said anything about doing anything cheaply. I am unclear where you're reading that.

Here is what you said: “I really don’t care to pay out the nose every so often just to keep some backlogged MFI rebuilder in business”

“Paying out the nose” clearly indicates to me that you think their price is too high, so you’re looking for a cheaper alternative. What am I missing here?

If you think adapting an EFI to fit to a Pagoda engine is something doable why don’t you try this yourself? If serious, I’d start with a proven aftermarket setup such as something from Megasquirt? Maybe they can help…and I’m sure they are not the only players out there.

[mdsalemi]

Here is what you said: “I really don’t care to pay out the nose every so often just to keep some backlogged MFI rebuilder in business”

“Paying out the nose” clearly indicates to me that you think their price is too high, so you’re looking for a cheaper alternative. What am I missing here?

And I made my point that “every so often” is not really accurate. I don’t know how long you’ve owned your car or what you know about your specific fuel injection pump, but I do know that my injection pump has lasted about 25 years since rebuild and shows no signs of needing any further attention.

If you think adapting an EFI to fit to a Pagoda engine is something doable why don’t you try this yourself? If serious, I’d start with a proven aftermarket setup such as something from Megasquirt? Maybe they can help…and I’m sure they are not the only players out there.

[Jack the Knife]

Here is what you said: “I really don’t care to pay out the nose every so often just to keep some backlogged MFI rebuilder in business”

“Paying out the nose” clearly indicates to me that you think their price is too high, so you’re looking for a cheaper alternative. What am I missing here?

If you think adapting an EFI to fit to a Pagoda engine is something doable why don’t you try this yourself? If serious, I’d start with a proven aftermarket setup such as something from Megasquirt? Maybe they can help…and I’m sure they are not the only players out there.

You are reading into it and it is all relative. I do not believe the billed labor hours for rebuilding such a system are worthwhile. I get it, supply and demand, there's not many people left who are truly comfortable and competent with these systems who will stand by their work. Buy once, cry once, and so on. I'm very used to that principle from my day job and some of my other hobbies.

I have no problem spending a ton of money on things you'd probably laugh at. I find value in those things. I do not find value in the MFI system. I do not like the nervousness that comes with the idea that if something goes wrong with it, I'd be up a creek to find someone in my region who knows what he's doing immediately.

In sum: what they ask might be what it's worth. It probably is, if they remain in business. That goes for any business. I do not see the value, just as I don't see the value in hiring a landscape company to manage my 5000 shrubs, or going out to eat when I'd rather cook for myself and be more satisfied, and not even because I fancy myself a great cook, but my value to time to expense ratios are in line with my preferences when I do it myself.

I'd like to look into the Megasquirt system. Though I admit, the expense and whatnot might just lead me to buying that fancy M103 where all the work has been done and mothball my relatively low mileage M127.

[Jimbo1907]

I'd suggest a five-liter Mercedes V8, if he's absolutely determined to do this. I drove Gael's 280SL which has a 5.0 Mercedes V8, and a 5-speed Getrag, and it is a rocket. It's nearly as quick as my 289 Cobra, which is a very light car.