Need advice on preformance upgrades on a 93 190e 2.6 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

escarbor · #1 05-02-2002, 10:45 PM

Hi folks!

I have a 1993 190e 2.6 (107,000 miles) I am interested in adding a turbo charger and adding preformance to the suspension. I'd appreciate advice on what aftermarket company makes the best turbo chargers and what suspension upgrades would be best suited for the car.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Regards,

Ed

Itgb · #2 05-03-2002, 01:07 AM

Hey Ed,

As far as the turbo goes, there arent too many options unless you wanna do a custom turbo. However , there is Mosselman from UK, I think. They offer turbo systems for the 190. For the suspension, I would recommend going with Bilstein shocks and H&R or Eibach springs. The springs and shocks will improve your handling dramatically.

Good luck with your mods,
Giancarlo

Speedtek · #3 05-03-2002, 02:07 AM

In 1990 I had the pleasure of helping a friend tune a Turbocharged 1987 190e 2.6L. The car had 65km on the odometer so we did a leakage test and it was about 5-6%.
My friend made the exhaust manifold from steam pipe and bolted on a US spec Mitsubishi Starion TSi Turbo. The wastegate was set at 6psi which was upped to 8psi. and for fuel enrichment we added 2 injectors from a 280Z one turned on at 3psi and the other at 6psi. We put it on the dyno and got 220 ft/lb of torque @ 4300 rpm. which yeilded 1/4 mile times of 15.1 seconds. He later installed a fabricated water to air intercooler and with 8 psi
got a good 14.7 sec @ 94 mph run out of the car. The worst part of the whole thing was pulling the oil pan and installing the drain line.

Cost on the project without intercooler was less than $1000

Exhaust Manifold components $185.00
Used Turbo + rebuilding $650.00
pipes, Couplers, exhaust parts $95.00
the rest was in FOOD and Beverages!

Unfortunately you will have make the manifold. When i first started doing my own turbos. I had a guy at a shop called Modern Muffler make the manifold for my car. He took about a day and a half to make one for my VW Rabbit. The manifold was strong and I never had a crack. It cost me $250 and a lunch or 2.
Try and find someone at a muffler shop that knows how to make custom headers and talk to them. (those guys always like a challenge!)

I am working on turboing a 2.3l and my car has 138k miles on it.
my leakdown was between 7-8% so it should hold up. A leakdown test is more important than a compression test on a turbo engine. If your leakage is 12% or more the rings need work.
Pulling the cylinder head to do a valve job is easier than pulling the block.

GOOD LUCK.

Jim Anderson · #4 05-03-2002, 11:11 AM

What about a super charger?

What about the dual exhaust? Did you use both or what

Maddog · #5 05-06-2002, 04:36 PM

With that many miles on the car...i would be worried about running any kind of huge boost. I would really reccomend either doing a leak down test or just go ahead and get new piston rings and get a valve job on the head. Your risking breaking something with a lot of miles on the car.

jasondew · #6 05-06-2002, 05:17 PM

what is a leakage test? i've never heard of it. what it a good range for results if you want to turbo charge an engine?

thanks

Maddog · #7 05-06-2002, 08:32 PM

A leakdown test will determine the condition of individual piston rings, exhaust valves, intake valves, and the head gasket, and the presence of cracks in the block or cylinder head. What you do is put about 100psi of air pressure into the piston while is it on its compression stroke at TDC and the pressure remaining in the cylinder chamber is the percentage seal of the chamber. Your leaks can be found by listening in the exhaust pipe for leaks, the air filter for intake manifold leaks, the oil cap on the top of the engine for blow by, or bubbles in the cooling system for headgasket or cracks in the water jacket. The test needs to be done on a warm engine with both valves closed at TDC.
97-100 Your engine is in good shape
92-96 Ok
89-91 is probably the bare minimum but i wouldn't do it if it was that low
88 or less...you have to fix whatever it is

Speedtek · #8 05-07-2002, 06:39 AM

I turbocharged my first 1977 VW rabbit with 118k on the odometer the leakdown was about 7-8% per cylinder. No leakage out the Intake or Exhaust. When I did a cylinder inspection with a boroscope (A device you can use to inspect inside a cylinder through the spark plug hole.) the piston top was caked with carbon. I ran about 7 psi of boost and in a month the tops of the pistons were clean! and the leakdown improved to 5%! Testing on a warm engine is a MUST.

The 86 190e I am planning to turbo has 138k on it! So I will keep records on the progress. I have all my parts already! Just need to make the exhaust manifold.

#9 05-07-2002, 12:51 PM

Why not install a 3 liter engine,more compression, bigger valves,etc=more hp