Converting the 5 Litre 1995 w140 s500 Engine to an 3 Litre Engine + A Electric Motor?

[Zonet]

I know this is going to sound extremely bazaar but, I was looking to purchase a very nicely customized 1995 s500. (Custom leather seats etc) Here it goes: As you are aware, the standard on the s500 at the time was around 5.0 litre engines right? Well, this comes with a 5 litre. See, the situation here is, hell's no will I be able to afford to drive it as a daily car with the fuel prices going trough the roof. (I live in the U.K, and a gallon of fuel here is around $9)

So my question is, is it possible to tone down this beauty from the 5 litre monster it is to around a 3 litre engine? Also, if it is possible, will it strain the new engine? As the car itself weighs around 2 tons. Like, will it suck up more juice trying to take off? What are the draw backs? It's a luxury car, so I'm not going to be drag racing in the thing So "top" speed is out of the picture here.

Also, what would you think (or is it possible) to add an electric motor in the boot/trunk of the car so it will run semi between the engine and the electric motor in the back? I believe the way an electric engine works is, as the main engine turns, it charges the electric engine right?

Overall, how much do you think it will cost me in the U.K, Germany, France or Belgium to create such a thing?

So what do you think guys? Give me the good news.

 

[moneyman]

The costs would far outweigh the benefits. Work out how many miles you drive in a year against the conversion cost and the value of the car. It's a no brainer. Don't buy the car if you can't afford the running costs

 

[pma]

It can be done it called a Lexus

 

[television]

Even if you could find an electric motor and convert it where are you going to fit the battery pack

 

[kth286]

Zonet

In case you did not know you ARE on a UK forum.

OK - so why not buy a 320 version of the w140 car.

Reasonble performance with acceptable economy and an advanced engine ie. variable valve timing, 4 valves per cylinder, sophisticated injection system etc etc etc etc

There was even a 2.8 version made but not imported into the UK.

In addition you can sucessfully get an LPG system added to this engine with further economy.

 

[bigbobs CL]

You need to look for another car. If you can`t afford to fuel it then you won`t be able to repair it!

 

[simon_wall69]

I read an article about Neil Young attempting something similar. $500,000 I think. Buying a car with an LPG conversion on would cost about a half millionth of that amount on the premium of a non-converted car.

Either go for the cheaper w126 option and drive around in style or get something with a smaller engine.

 

[jberks]

As above, an impossibly expensive and inpractical idea. Any saving in fuel (doubtful) will be blown 10 times over by the cost of lugging the batteries and motor around - unless you use nimi batteries - in which case you're too rich to care about this issue.

I assume you are thinking 3l as
a) it will be more economical and
b) it will be smaller and hence allow room for the motor.

In answer -

a) no it won't - well not much anyway - the 3.2 is more economical but only by maybe 3-5mpg as the 320 works much harder. The 5.0 idles most of the time. At that saving, you should break even around 2150! Why not compromise - the S came in 280,320,420 and 500 versions - lots to choose from though I doubt there is anything in the mpg between any of them. Case in point - My C220 did 33mpg, my E240 did...33mpg my E320cdi did 36mpg, my Dads E220cdi does 41mpg and my E270cdi does 41mpg - lesson - get a big gutsy diesel.

b) No it won't. A V8 is actually shorter than an in line 6 and only a few inches longer than the V6.

Get yourself a diesel or a 500 with lpg.

 

[DougCLK320]

.......is it possible to tone down this beauty from the 5 litre monster it is to around a 3 litre engine? ........Also, what would you think (or is it possible) to add an electric motor in the boot/trunk of the car so it will run semi between the engine and the electric motor in the back? I believe the way an electric engine works is, as the main engine turns, it charges the electric engine right?

Overall, how much do you think it will cost me in the U.K, Germany, France or Belgium to create such a thing?

So what do you think guys? Give me the good news.

This is an easy and cheap modification and I’m surprised it has not been covered before on the forum.

First, remove the plug leads for number 1 and number 8 spark plugs (this is important to maintain the engine’s balance and smooth running. Voila, you now have a super smooth 3750cc V6. However, if you want to do the job properly, you’ll need to drop the sump and remove the big ends for these two cylinders and hacksaw off the pushrods, as close to the pistons as you can. Push the pistons up to the top of the bores as far as you can and sellotape them securely.

Now that you have the economical V6 you need, you can turn your attention to the all important electric hybrid power.

Few realise that there is no need to bother with all that expensive Toyota/Lexus hardware. If you magnetise the front brake discs you can turn these into powerful electric motors. Extreme care needs to be taken at this stage to ensure that both sides have the same polarity (you don’t want to just go round in circles, do you?).
Now, onto each brake calliper, solder a suitable cable to carry 220v AC (Malcolm will, no doubt, be able to size the cable for you). Source and fit the control box from a Hotpoint W1200 washer dryer, or one of its clones. Just buy and fit a 13 amp plug (Wilkinsons or B&Q) and you’ve now got your instant hybrid Mercedes Benz for less than a tenner.

Doug (being silly, maybe, but I didn’t start it !!!)

 

[television]

This is an easy and cheap modification and I’m surprised it has not been covered before on the forum.

First, remove the plug leads for number 1 and number 8 spark plugs (this is important to maintain the engine’s balance and smooth running. Voila, you now have a super smooth 3750cc V6. However, if you want to do the job properly, you’ll need to drop the sump and remove the big ends for these two cylinders and hacksaw off the pushrods, as close to the pistons as you can. Push the pistons up to the top of the bores as far as you can and sellotape them securely.

Now that you have the economical V6 you need, you can turn your attention to the all important electric hybrid power.

Few realise that there is no need to bother with all that expensive Toyota/Lexus hardware. If you magnetise the front brake discs you can turn these into powerful electric motors. Extreme care needs to be taken at this stage to ensure that both sides have the same polarity (you don’t want to just go round in circles, do you?).
Now, onto each brake calliper, solder a suitable cable to carry 220v AC (Malcolm will, no doubt, be able to size the cable for you). Source and fit the control box from a Hotpoint W1200 washer dryer, or one of its clones. Just buy and fit a 13 amp plug (Wilkinsons or B&Q) and you’ve now got your instant hybrid Mercedes Benz for less than a tenner.

Doug (being silly, maybe, but I didn’t start it !!!)

You have given me the idea Doug to use an electric motor, just push a rubber sleeve over the shaft and let it drive on the tyre, just like the motorized bikes we used to have years ago, simple to install, and the energy could be re cooped when braking.

 

[TheScrapman]

There was even a 2.8 version made but not imported into the UK.

There were hundreds of 2.8 litre w140's sold in this country and I have one of them!