Originaly I had directed this to EuroCoupe, but I haven't recieved a reply yet and figured others may have researced the subject as well. I am looking for information on the 3.8 swap. I have a 190e and was wondering if u have to convert to rack and pinion like with a ford motor. Also any major obstacles I would run into. I realize it is not a bolt in process and am capable of doing the work my self I just need some info to help me decide between this or a turboed straight 6. Also has anyone gone megasquirt on the 3.8 to get rid of the CIS? Any one force induction on this motor? Also is the 420SEL a bored out 380? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Also kind of of subject, but with a Ford 5.0, if a different rack (not VW golf) was used would the spindles still need to be butchered to retain turning radious? I have a 5.0 so this would be a much cheaper option, but I am not comfortable chopping up my spindles.

The 3.8 M116 would be a wasted effort, especially if you looking for power gains. I'd go with the M103 or M104 I6 or Ford V8.

__________________
Current Stable:
01 ML55 AMG
92 500E (a few mods)
87 300E (lots of mods)
00 Chevy 3500HD Diesel Box Truck
68 18' Donzi Marine
06 GT i-Drive7 1.0 Mountain Bike (with GPS!)

PREVIOUSLY OWNED:83 300SD, 87 420SEL, 88 420SEL, 90 420SEL, 86 560SEL, 86 190E 2.3-16V AMG, 94 E320

or 5.6L m117....see my thread over on 190rev, or my response to your post over there. If you want a V8 in a 190e, this is the easiest, most cost effective way

__________________
1999 C43 AMG ~~~ 744 on black, mostly stock
1991 190e 2.6 ~~~ m117 5.6 project car

LS1 all the way
No distributor, EFI, cheaper parts, and more power.

__________________
LS190
190e with 5.7L aluminum V8
LS190 runs!

No leaks from the tranny, no leaks from the power steering pump, no out of date/out of manufacture spark plugs. No tune-ups needed, update the PCM via the OBD II port, with a "special" PCM - never fail emissions testing. Bolt on supercharger kits (plural!!). Several vendors make turbocharger kits too.

Steel sleeved cylinder walls in aluminum blocks. Did I mention that an LS1 (series) weighs 390 pounds, 434 pounds with accessories. M117 is 452 pounds for just the engine.

200 Amp alternator - $200
AC Compressor - $180
Cruise Control unit - $85

An LS1 (350 HP) block with heads is the same exact size as the LS2 (400HP), LS6 (405hp), and LS7 (505hp). Those are stock HP values. 600HP is very easy with these engines. 1,000 HP is possible and streetable.

Get a Z28/Firebird used LS1 with a 4L60E tranny for about $3500, then bolt (!) in the upgraded engine later. How much HP did you say you wanted??? :-)

__________________
There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."
FrankenBenz: '87 560SEC with an '02 cammed LS6 and custom 4L60E.
Bling: '87 560SEC, ported/polished, lowered
Lisa: '87 560SEL, lowered

any body know stock hp levels from M103, M104 and m117? Gen3Benz and mramay, if money was not a factor I would LOVE to go ls1. Unfortunately it is a MAJOR factor. I believe I would still have to convert to a rack and pinion with the chevy. I don't mind going with a rack, I just don't want to chop up my spindles. Flynavy I have been keeping a close watch of your posts on 190rev. I have seen many I6's and 380s in junk yards near me. I haven't seen any 5.6s though. I may just go with a turboed I6. I'll probably change my mind 20 times before I actually do it though

2.6L m103 = 158 bhp
3.0L m103 = 175-ish I believe
3.2L 24v m103 (from early production r129 300SL and 300CE) = 229 bhp
3.2L m104 = 217 bhp
5.6L m117 = 240 bhp

If you want to go with the 5.6, you should be able to find one if you look a little bit. I would search the boards, and maybe talk to silver star recycling if you don't find anything. They normally charge about $800 for the block, and a bit over 1000 for everything included (harness, computer, relays, etc).

IMHO the m117 CIS swap is the cheapest route and requires the most minimal modification. The LS V8's are great motors, but from what I have gathered watching other projects, it is not a super cheap proposition. You could have the 117 in your car for 5k bucks, no problem, maybe even less depending on how much certain components end up costing you.

__________________
1999 C43 AMG ~~~ 744 on black, mostly stock
1991 190e 2.6 ~~~ m117 5.6 project car