450 engine: Euro vs US versions

[scraf]

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

[alabbasi]

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.

[WGB]

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

[Papalangi]

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

[Big_Richard]

.

[scraf]

... 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 !!!!

[Papalangi]

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

[Big_Richard]

.

[GreaseMonkey]

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

[Papalangi]

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

[Big_Richard]

.

[TJ 450]

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

[GreaseMonkey]

Those Perth based MelonSmugglers are affecting my eyesight.