SVS Muffler Shop

This swap is definitely not for those wanting to do it in a short period of time or on a tight budget (Plus it takes a lot of fabrication skill). If you look at some of the pictures I posted initially you will see the original front subframe intact with the factory steering intact as well. We could not even do a test fit with the motor in this stage. To even get the motor to clear we had to cut out the center section of the subframe just to the inside of the lower A-Arm bolts (Rear Bolts). The bottom of the block has to fit in this space to have any hood clearance at all (The block clears by about 3/4" on each side and leaves very minimal clearance on the alternator). We also had to section the upper halves of the subframe to clear the exhaust ports and make room for motor mounts. To tackle all of these problems we installed a Mustang 2 front subframe (The center section is farther forward and a bit lower, and moves the steering up front and out of the way). A dry sump could possibly be used with the original subframe modified the way we had but, the factory steering would have to be changed. The MB uses a rear steer spindle which makes it much more difficult to source a rack and pinion plus the center to center on the rack would have to be something like 16-17" which is very narrow. We were going to use a Dodge Omni rack, which is common for rear steer rack conversions, but the center to center was something like 23-25". Flaming River will custom make a rack but it costs a small fortune. The way we went seemed to be the most feasible without re-inventing the wheel.

I'm sorry for bouncing all over the place but, I keep remembering all of the issues we had with the swap as I type. I think a modified stock front subframe with a dry sump, custom headers, and a custom rack, could probably work but, any way you go is going to take tons of time and money. JMO. If anybody is interested I have a clearanced 380SL subframe for cheap.

Thanks,
Steve

SVS Muffler Shop

Here is some photographic evidence that the project is still moving forward. we'll be finishing the Catalytic converter assembly today and I will post pictures of that very soon. But, as for today this is what I've got for you all. The pictures below show some of the tolerances with the steering shaft and the header on the driver's side. The header had to be modified to sit closer to the block and reposition the collector and o2 bung.

-Steve

SVS Muffler Shop

Josh fabricated a new exhaust system for the Merceolet yesterday, and it came out awesome! He installed the factory Camaro catalytic converters, but he increased the pipe size to 2.5" for the cat assembly over the stock Camaro size of about 2". The system has 2.5" exhaust pipes to a Magnaflow Y-Pipe (2.5" inlets/3" outlet), to a 3" exhaust pipe with a single Magnaflow muffler (3" offset/center) and a 3" mandrel turn down. Check out the pictures below. I also added a few pictures of the steering shaft tolerances from under the vehicle.

SVS Muffler Shop

We are finally at the point of modifying the MB tank to use the Camaro's EVAP equipment. We're looking for opinions from people who have done this before and maybe a few pictures of their particular retrofit. We're going to run a fuel pump outside the tank like the stock MB setup which will allow the use of the MB fuel level gauge. The Camaro uses a fuel pressure regulator somewhere under the vehicle to keep the fuel pressure consistent, so we are thinking of doing the same thing. We're basically looking for somebody who has either used a Camaro Fuel pressure regulator or an aftermarket regulator that will work for our application. I'll post pictures of the two tanks side by side if anyone needs to see them.

Thanks,
Steve

garys 68

iTrader: (1)

I think the later f body intank pumps had built in regulators and no return line. Check out an aftermarket walbro 255 inline pump with a corvette c5 filter/regulator. I'm running that setup and so are A LOT of others here.

Irish350

iTrader: (14)

merceolet ftw!

word sux

this looks badass!

stevied916

iTrader: (30)

svs in the arden area? Looks good!

SVS Muffler Shop

Ordered the fuel pump and fuel pressure regulator yesterday. Hopefully, we'll see it by the end of the week. We're starting to get antsy! I wanna wire this thing soon and do some burnouts!

SVS Muffler Shop

Thanks for the support!

SVS Muffler Shop

Thanks. We're happy with the outcome so far. We're ready to be done with it and go beat on it. Once everything is done and the car is reliable we'll probably do a stage 2, which will include Worked Heads, LS7 Cam and Springs, Rear End, and Stall Converter. We are shooting for 350rwhp on our dyno on the current setup with a good tune.

SVS Muffler Shop

Yes, we're at 2542B Tower Ave. Sacramento, CA 95825. Come by and check it out if you want.

-Steve

SVS Muffler Shop

Here's the latest pictures from the build. We installed the MSD fuel pump with the Corvette FPR and routed the rear fuel lines. We also installed all of the EVAP Equipment from the Camaro into the Mercedes tank and vapor canister. We will be routing the EVAP line from the Camaro charcoal canister to the engine bay along with the fuel line in the next few weeks. We're shooting to have this thing on the road by X-Mas this year.

-Steve

02silverstang

iTrader: (7)

Am doing a similar swap but i really dint have to cut the frame except the old motor mounts and the transmission tunnel .

https://ls1tech.com/forums/texas-mem...l#post14133778

Dmaxdriver

Any updates on the 380SL swap?

SVS Muffler Shop

We have done a lot of work on the car since the last update. I'll post pics soon. Thanks for the interest in the project.

speedyhawk101

iTrader: (1)

How is this swap going? I have an 85 380sl that will hopefully get an LS swap.

yonerhottlt1

iTrader: (21)

Ive this this car in person quite a few times. Its nothing short of amazing! Definitely gonna be a sleeper. Nice work!

SVS Muffler Shop

Thanks everybody for still watching this thing come together. We're still making progress with it but now we're at the wiring part of the swap so the car is in our R&D/Dyno shop for the wiring. Once it's finished being wired and is running we'll bring it back down to my shop to fab some subframe connectors and fab a removable belly pan for the bottom of the trans tunnel. We got the wheels to clear the new front end, so it will still have the total stock look when it's completed. Our R&D shop machined the insides of the hub area of the front wheels to clear the new front brakes. I'll post pics of this when I get a few minutes to snap some and upload them. We definitely wanna get this thing done soon, but it's been pushed to the back burner as the shops have gotten much busier.

Steve

TipsyMcStagger

iTrader: (1)

What ever became of this?

Tipsy