My S-Klasse AMG V8 Project (W126)

[RyleyMA61]

I thought I may as well start a progress build of my W126 Benz, as it's going to be a fairly extensive project and someone may find it interesting!

History

I was given the car from my girlfriend's grandmother about 1.5 years ago- reason being:

a) full of rust
b) stalls in hot weather
c) leaks water like crazy

So with an attempt to give it new life, I was given the car (deathtrap they said).


Mechanical

Car has done 335,000kms. I drove it for a year until registration ran out, and having 3 other cars I couldn't afford to re-rego it.

There is rust in the chassis rails, which has been repaired, but it still isn't great, and there is still some of nature's weight reduction in there.

There is also rust under the battery tray and lots under the windscreen, which lets lots of water in. The front balljoints are worn, and I think the shocks are stuffed as the car floats around like a boat.

The interior is pretty good, a few switches are broken and the cruise control is stuffed, but that's all pretty minor.

The car has no SLS, ABS, electric seats or anything. Dual zone climate control, sunroof and that was it. This was good in a sense, because it was lighter (owner's manual states (1595kg).

Now the engine, is a M116.961 3.8 litre SOHC All Alloy V8. 6600rpm redline, ~160kW. It was rebuilt about 100,000kms ago after timing chain disaster. I was reading to expect around a 17s 1/4 mile.

I put it on the G-tech (not that accurate, I know) and it reeled off a succession of about 5 consistent runs on a nice flat road.

0-60 mph in 7.8 to 8 seconds
1/4 mile in 15.7 to 16 seconds

It doesn't have a shitload of bottom end torque, but once it hits about 3700rpm it makes a dive for the redline...

Which i was very surprised at. Whether 5 litre or 4.2 litre parts have been installed when it was rebuilt I have no idea. Either way it goes a lot better than any other 3.8 litre I've heard of.

Since getting the car I've fixed a few things up, gave the AFRs a tweak (10:1 at idle, WTF!) and basically made it a lot better to drive.

Plans

I plan on putting the car out the back of my house and making it a long-term restoration project. It's never going to be original, so I may as well have some fun with it. All period-stuff too, no new-school Bling or new-school AMG.



If the car is too full of rust, I will probably re-shell it, or buy an Coupeand part this one out.

Some pictures:

As I got the car, with South African reflectors etc:







I then cleaned everything, painted the inside of the grille black, and had to sand the caked-on brake dust off the Bundts.



















As my main Supra project draws to a close, I found myself in possession of the following goodies:



fronts: 17x8.5"
Rears: 17x10"



(Wont go on until it deserves it)

I had the car in storage for the past 6 months over the winter, as with 4 cars I ran out of room for him. Alas, I got him back and the whole interior had gone moudly. The steering wheel was fuzzy and green!

I did clean it all up fine, but it stinks like bleach, mould and air deodouriser now...

Test fit of wheels:













(Yes, I did run into the fence on the LHS rear quarter)

More as I get it done! Will probably need a lot of your guys expertise. First step is to get it on jackstands, and pull the F & R windscreens out, and get ready to rust-bust....

This is the end aim is something like this:

[tc-rolla]

fuck yes!
i love what AMG roll out. old and new. seen the the new "black" series AMG's?
looking good. keep us updated!

[Zach]

I dig it.. can't wait for more updates!

[ae71]

would look alright with those wheels if it was 3-4" lower at the front and 2" at the back

with the stockers on it, it looks uber narzi spec and not in a good way

[RyleyMA61]

thanks guys! yeah black series stuff is brutal. my mate got to drive an sl65 black, albeit not far, im so jealous!

the wheels look great, they almost look too wide from the rear hahah. it will get lowered a lot, and probably repainted either

falcon ego colour
silver
or metallic black

[ae71]

keep it as is, maybe just fix that big srape up the arse end.

list of things for you to do...
-put the wheels on (and leave on)
-remove tow bar unless towing
-drop several inches off the hight
-win