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  • scraf
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450 engine: Euro vs US versions
« on: 04 September 2008, 12:41 PM »

Hi, haven't been around for a bit, mainly due to blowing up the engine of my 450 SEL.

I now have a bit of time to scout around for a new motor, but I want to make sure that I get something that will drop right in.

I believe I have a k-jetronic....



... and a USA version to boot. Are there any issues with catalysators or anything that I should be wary of ? Or are such things external from the motor ? I am living in Europe, so I'm guessing that euro versions of the motor will be more readily available.

Would installing a D-Tronic be feasible ? I'd probably prefer to travel further to purchase a motor that dropped straight in as opposed to spending days messing around with electronics and the soforth.

Also how long would the transplant take for a chap with a semi-pro garage? I'm thinking of hiring someone to do it for me for a semi-fixed price.

TIA as always,

- scraf
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Mercedes 450 SEL 1975 Pimp mobile
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  • alabbasi
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Re: 450 engine: Euro vs US versions
« Reply #1 on: 04 September 2008, 01:20 PM »

You should be able to remove the throttle body and swap it for the D-Jetronic set up. The US spec engines are a lower compression engine so you wont see the same grunt that you had.
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1970 300SEL 6.3
1973 280SEL 4.5
1973 350SE 4 speed manual
1976 450SEL 6.9 - Euro
1979 450SEL 6.9 - Pride
1980 450SEL 6.9 - Rolling resto
1979 450SLC 5.0
1980 500SLC
1997 E420 - Daily
  • WGB
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Re: 450 engine: Euro vs US versions
« Reply #2 on: 04 September 2008, 01:48 PM »

Should be a simple matter to put in a late model Euro K-Jet and leave off all the smog gear.

The 1979/80 Euro K-Jet had the same power as the earlier D-jet while the 76/77 K-jet was a little down on power.

All would leave a USA Spec motor in the shade.

I don't think it is easy to swap K-jets and D-jets as I believe they have different fuel pressures and wiring harnesses.

Bill
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1979 450SEL 6.9 AMG "5554"
1979 450SEL
1938 Ford V8 Deluxe - Long Term Project
1985 Porsche 944 - next resurrection
2005 BA Mk11 Falcon - The towbar
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  • Papalangi
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Re: 450 engine: Euro vs US versions
« Reply #3 on: 04 September 2008, 08:00 PM »

That engine looks exactly like mine and from what I understand, the SEL was a mostly US thing so I'd say you are right about it being a US version.

My cats are part of the exhaust manifolds so I would guess that you'll have to figure out exhaust manifolds if you switch to a euro engine.

Michael
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1976 450SEL, 116.033
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Re: 450 engine: Euro vs US versions
« Reply #4 on: 04 September 2008, 10:54 PM »

anyway you go is going to require modification.

You'll need the euro exhaust to go with the euro engine, as said previously, the US version has catalyzers as well as possibly O2 sensors and an air pump. Shouldn't be too hard though.

You will notice a big difference in power too, the biggest horse power thief is the catalizers, not the lower compression ratio.
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A party aint a party till the rellies have arived, and it aint even christmas, till you've kissed your nanna on the gummy old mouth, and you've pulled your grandads finger.
  • scraf
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Re: 450 engine: Euro vs US versions
« Reply #5 on: 05 September 2008, 05:10 AM »

... as it goes I need a new exhaust, well the middle box at least.

Um, if I read this right, the US version has fancy cat stuff in the exhaust, that won't be necessary for a Euro version, thus, no problemo, just disconnect ?

... and there's a good chance I may be able to go faster !!!!
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Mercedes 450 SEL 1975 Pimp mobile
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  • Papalangi
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Re: 450 engine: Euro vs US versions
« Reply #6 on: 05 September 2008, 05:56 PM »

My manifolds are two piece with bellows in the center.  They exit at the forward end via a downward U turn to which the cats are bolted.  The cats exit to the rear and connect to the exhaust system.

I don't think you will be able to bolt any of the more normal manifolds to the exhaust system without some sort of adapter but I could be wrong.

Michael
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1976 450SEL, 116.033
1971 250C, 114.023      Sad but true, it's gone to a new home.
  • Patrick Bateman
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Re: 450 engine: Euro vs US versions
« Reply #7 on: 06 September 2008, 01:37 AM »

Is this what your talking about ??

There are other USA specific manifolds too

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A party aint a party till the rellies have arived, and it aint even christmas, till you've kissed your nanna on the gummy old mouth, and you've pulled your grandads finger.
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Re: 450 engine: Euro vs US versions
« Reply #8 on: 06 September 2008, 02:38 AM »

Is this what your talking about ??

There are other USA specific manifolds too


I don't know about all that stuff, I can't stop looking at the other picture just below where it says posts 2,224, can we get a larger version? Is this the same lady who modelled Oscar's T-shirt?
I think we should be told.
Chris
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1975 Crayford 280SE - Also; 1976 450SLC, 1980 280E & 1984 280E
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Re: 450 engine: Euro vs US versions
« Reply #9 on: 06 September 2008, 02:42 AM »

Is this what your talking about ??

There are other USA specific manifolds too



Them are the ones.

Don't supposed they might be a bit restrictive?

Them thingy's that Greasemonkey points out don't look to restricted, altho I'd be on restriction if I got caught restricting them>

Michael
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1976 450SEL, 116.033
1971 250C, 114.023      Sad but true, it's gone to a new home.
  • Patrick Bateman
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Re: 450 engine: Euro vs US versions
« Reply #10 on: 06 September 2008, 02:51 AM »

That manifold design is rediculously restrictive mate, let alone the prehistoric catalyzers. The sharp U turn at the front is a major bottleneck to exhaust flow.

The Australian version engines are also lower compression, but without the catalyzers, their power output isnt in all reality much less than the Euro versions. You will see similar levels of power on a USA version engine without that restrictive exhaust system.
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A party aint a party till the rellies have arived, and it aint even christmas, till you've kissed your nanna on the gummy old mouth, and you've pulled your grandads finger.
  • TJ 450
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Re: 450 engine: Euro vs US versions
« Reply #11 on: 06 September 2008, 06:02 AM »

Dude, those manifolds are insane. I can see why early cars with catalytic converters were lacking performance. This looks like a pre-alpha version of...

Tim
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1976 450SEL 6.9 #1432, 223,830km
1979 450SEL, 345,000km.
1994 Volvo 850GLE, 167,500km, Daily Driver.
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  • GreaseMonkey
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Re: 450 engine: Euro vs US versions
« Reply #12 on: 06 September 2008, 06:29 AM »

Those Perth based MelonSmugglers are affecting my eyesight.
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1975 Crayford 280SE - Also; 1976 450SLC, 1980 280E & 1984 280E
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