W461 280 GE V8 Conversion
Hello,
I have just bought a 280 GE and i am planning to put in a M113 4.3 V8 out of an ML430, the older v8 are more expensive and i can pick up the whole car for 2k. Can anyone can give me some advoce on doing this conversion and what the main problems are in doing it? Thanks
wow. That a great project.
Do a search on the forums here to get previous advice, and in the meantime hopefully there will be more.
What I know is:
Its a damn tight fit. I assume engine mounts will change.
You will need a different sump I believe to miss the G steering bits.
Not sure how you mate the gearbox to the transfer box, and I assume there are a lot of sensors that will either be ignored or fed to an auxillary set of dials.
You'll probably want to think about changing rear drum brakes (assuming that's what you have).
I see what you mean. I took a search. Its been done, but it doesn't look easy. There have been lots of OM606 diesel conversions but to get that 'gasoline' lump in you have to factor in the extra power. I know there have been 460 Gs with BMW engines in, so I assume they scrap the transfer case and 4x4 and replace the rear diff to maybe to go for RWD only? As you know, there are not many V8 RHD Gs in the UK but I think a 2WD V8 would be a bastardisation too far. It would be fun while it lasted, and sound good!
definately dont want to bastardise it to RWD, i have just found an ML350 V6 petrol so may get that , just need to do more research first
There’s a bloke down south who has done a couple, but you got no chance of him sharing his information and from what I’ve heard it’s more expensive to convert than a 606 or 605 and the v8 does 12-16mpg, ask Gav, he is having a 430 motor put in car
Go with the Diesel
Unless you have very deep pockets
lots of spare time
Or like hitting yourself in the nuts with a large hammer
PM me if you like doing any of those like I do
hitting yourself in the nuts with a large hammer ...
lol. I prefer turning nuts with a spanner.
Why would diesel be easier over v8 petrol? I assume you mean a 6 pot straight diesel (OM606) will just fit easier without completely changing the engine bay. I like "jaykay"s idea of a ML350 because that is a OM642 and the same as the G350 (463). Maybe only a new sump needed? (I'm sure there is more than that, especially for a 460 which will have differences).
Any V engine petrol or diesel is just different
Bolting the engine in is straight forward
Have seen loads of people £10k into a project with an M113 engine bolted in
But nothing else fits!
The late 463 V engined chassis is just different
Unless you just want to do because you can go buy a G500 it will be cheaper
Even a G350 bluetec will be cheaper at the lower end of their market
Let say you have a £20k nice 460 so double that
Or you have a ropey £8k one so to make nice it's £24k and then £20k on top
That's if you can find someone to do it
And if you want a modern look also... just buy a newer one
It really isn't a easy job unfortunately as it's a great engine
And if you want an auto box that works properly... don't even bother
yes i hear its no easy task, i have good people to do it though. i am considering using a 3.2 diesel engine out of a 2004 s320 instead, just doing some more research first
i am considering using a w220 s320 2004 engine instead to be honest now lol
The problem is fitting a CAN bus controlled engine into a non CAN bus vehicle like the 460, all the ecu's from the donor vehicle need to talk to each other otherwise its a nightmare. That's the reason that most of these conversions end up as two wheel drive because you have to remove the original gearbox and transfer box and use the donor gearbox to allow the ecu's to communicate or the engine won't run.
You will also need a very good electrics specialist to be able to mate the new engine wiring looms with the old 460 wiring because the CAN bus systems are set to monitor many different areas of the modern vehicle and will throw up faults if they can't detect basic things like the doors are shut, handbrake on etc.
I have some experience because I wanted to fit a V12 engine from an accident damaged SL600 into an early model 463 and it was the electrics that proved to be the downfall of the project more than the actual mechanical issues of getting it to fit.
yes i have really good auto elec there so i dont think we will have a problem in that respect, definately dont want to make it RWD , some people have successfully done it , its just getting hold of them on here haha. worst comes to worst i have a w220 s320 there i can use. The older engines are very expensive compared to newer ones
Here is a link to an old post from 2011 about trying to fit an M104 3.6 petrol engine to a 460. It will give you some idea of whats involved.
http://www.gwoa.co.uk/forum/m104-36-amg-transplant-460-chassis-abandoned
ive been digging alot and it seems its goign to be a ball ache to do a v8, n0ot many have been succesful at it, so i am going to swap for an om606a instead
the previous editor of the GWOA MAGAZINE who was under the Peter Perfect moniker did a conversion back in the late 90's he might be worth chatting to.
G500 had the front suspension turrets moved back or forwards, sure it was on here where someone rechassised a rotten G500.
Keep engine/gearbox as unit.. but issue is torque capacity of the transfer box. I would go aftermarket ECU so you can bin electrics but I guess the gearbox is electronic in these cars, a decent aftermarket ECU could handle that I would think. I have a W163 ML500 for sale which is tidy mechanics but 150k miles which would be a good donor if you could face all the hassle.. but as they say you would be better off with a G350 .. well before the latest price bubble anyway. On lpg like my ML you can beat the diesel running costs but the fuel stations are getting far and few between.
JOIN THE GWOA
This website and forum are provided for the benefit of enthusiasts and owners of all Mercedes Benz off road vehicles, in particular the G Wagen. The costs of development, upkeep and provision of the site are met entirely by the annual subscriptions of club members. If you are using the site and are not a member of the G Wagen Owners Association please consider joining. You will have access to areas on the site that are not open to non members, to club trips and meetings and to technical assistance. In addition your contribution (only £25 annually) will help us maintain and develop our website for future users.
Who's new
- Jaffa_JIM_23
- Wrabstar
- GG
- KTMSCANIA22
- 280ge
Thanks for your advice my friend. I have been looking through the forum but not found alot of information regarding v8 conversion, the main problem seems to be the diff and gear ratios so would be interesting to see how poeple sorted this out. If it tuens out too much of a mind fuck and work may put a 320 diesel engine in not sure yet