Hi, I'm new and I have a question. Can I put a 426 Hemi in a 73 450 sl, where do I start?:
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Hi, I'm new and I have a question. Can I put a 426 Hemi in a 73 450 sl, where do I start?:
Remove the hood
:LOL::LOL::LOL::LOL:
Don
Why?;);):)
What is a 73 450 sl?
Chorny just pulling your leg. I think to start you will need to measure out the engine compartment and the engine itself to see if your going to need to do some cutting. I think also your going to have to beef the front end suspension due to the weight of that big block. It also might be to tall for the hood to close. My biggest fear is it's too long to fit in without cutting back the firewall which adds a whole can of worms. It might be easier to find a mercedes high performance engine to fit in there or to hotrod the motor in there right now.
Thank you very much Stovens, I think I may have to scrap the idea at 64 it might be a little late to try this. Have had this car since 73, is my wifes car.
I just hate the motor. I like the body they made it for 16 years. Mercedes motors are way to much money. I have had a 300C since 05 and like the torque. Soon as it warms up I have to take a lot of measurements.
Thanks
there are sites that have the diminsions of engines and drawings--cut out a templet and see if it will fit between the suspension towers and another front/rear to see if it ll fit between the firewall and radiator----
Once you have determined that it won't fit----put the hood back on----
Probably the most compact v/8 is ford 302 ---do the same template manuvers--if it'll fit then you can look at some in between choices and I'd recommend the alum LS gm engines--for performance, economy and emissions
If a V8 doesn't look promising. how about a V6? or some of the new 4 cyl super/turboed engines??
looks like a 427 chevy will fit nicely ;)
it's not going to fit.. Mercedes made the width of there cars very tight, and SB Fords and Chevys do fit, but the steering gear is usually in the way with the Chevys and takes custom headder on that side.. The Elephant motor is simply too wide.. Ford V8's are fairly common swaps. will also be much cheaper to build or buy compared to a Hemi. but you can make more than enough HP to have fun with
turbo'd v6 buick out of a GN. Otherwise ford 302's are cheap and easy as said above.
Never thought of a v6 great Thanks
Wheres the shoe horn? How do you keep it on the ground.
Fun is what i'm looking for. Also the easyest way to do it. Thanks
thanks good idea
Here's the deal, Chorny, and why I thought Jerry's answer was funny. When someone comes on and for the very first post does no intro and asks a question about stuffing one of the most expensive, biggest engines into a Mercedes, flags go up. We get a lot of 12 year old kids from Nigeria or Russia who think it is cool to come on forums and play with the members. When we see something like your post it just has the possiblility of that being what is going on.
To be honest, I'm still not 100% convinced you are legit, and I apologize if I am wrong. It just doesn't make sense for someone, who has to ask how, to want to stuff a 426 Elephant motor into that particular car. If you had asked about a sbc or sbf, I could have bought the question more easily.
But, I guess that it what makes the hot rodding world go around. :D
Don
Hey Don, Sorry to sound so stupid. I have no clue if can be done,but if it can i'd like to try.
Maybe I'm thinking to big. Now I understand why I got the answers I got. What is sbc or sbf anyway. Thank You
sbc=small block Chevy. sbf=small block Ford. :)
Oh, I see Hoss already did this.
Don
Chorny. Because your 64 don't let that stop you I'm 66 and wouldn't think of slowing down.. and I'm sure there are a few others on here, that are getting close
yes .. be patient with us and we`ll be patient with you
Chorny.
The moment of truth is approaching.
I am not trying to be mean to you.... I am not trying to talk down to you.
I just want to ask you a question, I do not need an answer, you need to ask yourself.
Are you REALLY up to this task?
i just do not want to see you tear apart a car and find out you do not have the funding, time or experience to complete the project.
If you have the experience, this is no problem, you'll work it out, tho you wouldn't need to be here if this was the case.
If you have the time, you'll figure it out eventually, but it'll take a LONG time, and you'll end up gaining experience.
If you have the money, please just hire someone else to do this project.
Expect these issues:
1. Motor mounts will need to be fabricated (you'll need a welder)
2. Brake booster/Master Cylinder, also power steering and steering shaft issues
3. Frame, firewall and other clearance issues (you'll need a welder)
4. a 500hp 302, that will survive any real usage and still be good on the street is going to cost you $8000, the transmission to stand up behind it will cost $2000, the converter, driveshaft, ujoints, rear end will cost another $3000, so without any other major modifications this project will cost you easily $15,000..... tho if you do everything properly, it can cost well over that.
If you are ok with all this, by all means keep posting and asking questions, I for one would love to see this project completed. If any of these things listed is a major issue you cannot deal with, I would advise you to buy a brand new sports car....
so, either
its been nice knowing you, or best of luck, let me know if I can help.
Drew
And if I remember right the 450 was $14,000 back then
Chorny, a transplant of this difficulty would be a challenge for an experienced rod builder. Any time you swap engines so many other things need adapted or changed. Is it possible? Sure, anything will fit into anything else with enough work, skill, and money. The big questions are: 1) Is this something you personally are able to pull off, and 2) Would the end result be worth the considerable amount of money required to do it.
Only you can answer those two questions.:)
Don
Really, if you don't know what a SBC or SBF is are you really capable of even to any type of engine swap? Do you have the tools, cherry picker, welders, can you fabricate? Sorry about the scepticism but that's very basic stuff there.
Chorney, I think there are lots of mercedes engine swaps, or add on parts to your current engine that will give you the horse power you want. The initial outlay of cash for one of these motors or rebuilds / parts may be more, but the final cost will be a heck of a lot less than switching to a american v6 or v8. Like others have said, new drive lines, rear axles, brakes, custom motor mounts add up fast, and so does the tools to install them. It's funny because I started with a hot rod project two other owners had bailed on. It's three years later and maybe 8-10 thousand dollars and I have a long way to go. The beauty of that 450 SL is it's light weight and maneuverability. I think some searching on line for performance packages may be a good start for your existing motor. My Aunt has a 1959 or so sedan that she is leaving to me. It's mint in a garage, but will need a new motor, brakes, master cylinder, wheel cylinders, and probably tires, carb rebuild, etc. I have avoided taking ownership because of the cost and time, though I love the car. It looks like this one in the photo below, but is beige and has twin stacked headlights on each side.
http://image.automobilemag.com/f/669...ear_corner.jpg
hey jerry your close, just about 500 less
don, these are is just the kind of suggestions i need to hear. i'm glad i found this site. not sure what i'm going to do, have to wait till spring. just spoke to a buddy who knows some
in PA thats built some customs. may go see him then.
hey, guilty on all counts. i've worked with my hands all my life, but with wood. my time frame is at least 4-5 years. the only body work i want to do is flip doors to suicide. that is if i start.
steve, i went on line early today looking at some mercedes motors, that may be a choice.
i think they put a 5.6L in this body.i might see i if the 6L will fit.
Hey Drew, Thanks for the reply. I just don't know if I'm up for it, thats why posted my question. I wanted to get an idea of what I was in for and to see if anyone had done this before. I have till spring to think it out. I've been getting great advice. But I won't start unless I think I can finish. When you start a project do you always know how hard it will be.
Nope even if you have done them before things take different routes