Swapping a Chevy V8 into a classic 450 Sl Mercedes is a popular modification, blending American muscle with European styling. While a tight fit, this conversion is achievable with careful planning and the right components. Expect to spend significant time on mock-ups to ensure everything fits precisely within the confines of the 450 SL engine bay.
One of the first necessities for this swap is sourcing an early model Chevy II oil pan and oil pickup. These components are crucial for navigating the Mercedes chassis and achieving proper engine placement. Furthermore, a short water pump is essential to conserve space at the front of the engine. Naturally, you’ll need corresponding pulleys and accessory brackets designed for a short pump configuration.
To enhance handling and performance, consider reducing weight at the front end of your 450 SL. Aluminum components are highly recommended here. An aluminum water pump and intake manifold will make a noticeable difference. Opting for 23-degree straight plug cylinder heads right from the outset is also a wise move, contributing to weight reduction and potentially improved performance. Block hugger center outlet headers are about the only style that will fit within the narrow confines of the 450 SL chassis rails.
Fabricating custom engine mounts is unavoidable. The limited space often dictates using GM 60-degree V6 engine mounts as a starting point. These can provide valuable clearance between the intake manifold and the hood, particularly important if you plan to run a carburetor or throttle body injection setup. A low-rise intake manifold, such as the Professional Products Cyclone, is almost mandatory to ensure hood clearance.
Relocating the battery to the trunk is necessary to free up space under the hood. Utilize a marine-style terminal under the hood for convenient electrical distribution access. Oil filter clearance is another tight spot. A short mini oil filter is likely required, and in some cases, a remote oil filter setup might be the only solution. Space management is truly the ultimate challenge in this conversion. A TH350 or 700R4 transmission can be made to fit, but it will be a snug installation. Forget about a 4L60E transmission; the space simply isn’t there to accommodate its larger size and wiring harness. Invest in the best mini starter you can afford because once the engine is in place, accessing the starter for replacement without engine removal will be nearly impossible.
The rear-mounted distributor on a Chevy V8 in the 450 SL can present ongoing maintenance challenges. This might lead some to consider a Ford 351 swap instead, but that path introduces its own set of complexities, such as the need for a remote-mounted electric water pump and a custom accessory drive system. To simplify the Chevy V8 distributor situation, plan on using a small cap distributor with an electronic conversion or a ProComp distributor with an externally mounted GM-type module and vacuum advance.
Successfully completing a Chevy V8 swap into a 450 SL Mercedes hinges on meticulous space management. Every component choice and fabrication step must prioritize maximizing available room and ensuring a functional and reliable conversion.
