My mom drives a 91 300 TE (wagon) that recently developed a nasty rod knock. My wacky idea is to buy a whole, running 300E (sedan) parts car, give my mom it's engine to repair her car with, then shove a 6.0L LQ9 LS & a 6spd in the 300E donor sedan. I'd need a manual transmission pedal cluster (probably from a 124 diesel of some sort). Would the resultant mutant V8/stick shift Mercedes be worth the effort? Sort of a hillbilly AMG HAMMER?
M030 wrote: My mom drives a 91 300 TE (wagon) that recently developed a nasty rod knock. My wacky idea is to buy a whole, running 300E (sedan) parts car, give my mom it's engine to repair her car with, then shove a 6.0L LQ9 LS & a 6spd in the 300E donor sedan. I'd need a manual transmission pedal cluster (probably from a 124 diesel of some sort). Would the resultant mutant V8/stick shift Mercedes be worth the effort? Sort of a hillbilly AMG HAMMER?
Yes do this, and do it right now.
If you have the experience, shop, and money to make this happen, badass project idea.
We're gonna need a build thread.
Better yet, give her the sedan and stuff the LS in the wagon!
Yes, do this you must! 
I think it's funny you even bothered to ask
DO IT!!!!!
I can't think of a logical reason not to do it.
Chris
It is not a dumb idea. In fact, it smacks of genius!
Wait. There are people out there that wouldn't, given the opportunity, put a LSx in a [fill in blank]!
I'd be slightly worried about the longevity of the rear end, and tires, but I don't think either of those are legitimate reasons to not undertake this project.
Green light. Be advised that you'll be hard pressed to find the factory manual kit- manual transmission W124 are quite rare. Adding a clutch pedal is very easy compared to putting the engine in though, so don't let that hold you back.
In stock configuration the suspension on these cars is pretty dull, but the good news is that there is a whole slew of factory sway bars to choose from (you want the Limo bar). I'm not sure what the rear end is capable of supporting, but they did it with the 500E, so it should be close. Might want to consider the CTS rear-end that Flyin' Miata uses for their V8 swaps.
Seriously, do this. It would be such an awesome cruiser/sleeper/terror.
It needs Diesel badges and some fake soot painted on the rear bumper as well.
This is why I love the GRM forum! You guys are the best enablers. So I'm off to find a good running & cheap 300E. It shall be done & there will be a build thread!
Would the GM automagic that normally comes on the LQ9 really be so bad for a luxowagon? I love manuals, but I could see both sides to that argument for the 300TE. I really like that chassis, and I'll be watching either way you do it. Keep us in the loop!
Bryce
Hillbilly Hammer MUST be the name of this build.
alex wrote: Hillbilly Hammer MUST be the name of this build.
+1
In reply to alex:
It will be. Watch this space. Also, I think the CTS rear end swap is a good idea & something I'll probably try to do.
LSx + anything is never a dumb idea.
Just use an automatic then you don't need to worry about pedals. It's not as if it's a dedicated track car or anything.
I thought about about that with my W124. I think it'd make an incredible package. That sturdy chassis, the sophisticated suspension, the good looks. One thing I wondered about is the rear end. It wouldn't surprise me terribly to find out the 124 rear end would handle an LS. If so, find a diesel rear end. They all have a wonderful limited slip rear end. The best LSD I've ever experienced.
bgkast wrote: Better yet, give her the sedan and stuff the LS in the wagon!
I second this.
irish44j wrote:bgkast wrote: Better yet, give her the sedan and stuff the LS in the wagon!I second this.
Do eet.
I have a 3.6 amg motor in my 95 W124 wagon. I will be converting the car to the dogleg 5 speed sometime within the year. I have all the parts accumulated but need to source a clutch/pressure plate set up.
I don't think you will have an issue with the rear end. The diesel cars had a ASD rear end which is not exactly a true LSD. You can get a 190e 16v small case diff if you have an early 124. My car has the 210mm case so LSD options are much pricier.
I believe the manual pedal set up is the same on the 190e and w124 cars. It is much easier to find a manual 190e than a w124.
oldeskewltoy wrote:alex wrote: Hillbilly Hammer MUST be the name of this build.+1
+2
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