3.2l 24v 300ce Engine In 190e - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

#1 06-06-2002, 02:00 PM

I am interested in this modification and was wondering what it entails...I understand the engine and the whole engine management system would have to be changed, and I would imagine that it would be best to switch my radiator to the 2.6 190E radiator (my car is a 2.3) and that it would be recommended to swap out the tranny as well, since the 3.2L is much more powerful then the 2.3 powerplant. My main question is...I understand that the 190E 2.6's engine and the 300E's 3.0L are the same exact engine block and are interchangeable, I was just need to know if the 3.2L 24V uses the same engine mounts and can be easily adapted to the 190E's engine bay....I really, really want to make this happen...I understand people have fit the 3.6L AMG engine from a C36 into a 190 before, but I was really interested in the details involved in the 3.2L 104.992 engine transplant...Any details and informed opinions would be greatly appreciated.

Potomac Pat · #2 06-06-2002, 02:45 PM

Sisco, it looks as if you are trying to stuff a M104 - HFM motor in your car. THat is fine if you decide to go w/ a custom fuel rail or independent throttle bodies. etc........... My recommendation is to use a M104.980/981 which is a I-6, 24vlv and is a CIS. I have seen this done b 4. Basically it is a drop in application. You have to swap the motor support brackets and put on brackets from a 190 2.6 (M103) and of course the items/changes that you had mentioned. What trans are you planning on using 16-vlv 5spd-Getrag or 300E - 5 spd manual? If need more specific just let me know and I can put you in contact w/ the guy who did this. If you go to the 190REV site and go to the gallery section and look @ "Mike's 190" you will see the mod already done. By the way whta year is your 190, b/c that will make a difference.

Maddog · #3 06-06-2002, 06:53 PM

I hear that this conversion is really tight and it is recommended that you just go with the M103. I know it fits but the problem is, i believe that the engine will become EXTREMELY hard to service because there will be no room. Just my opinion.

#4 06-06-2002, 10:15 PM

I have an 1985 190E 2.3...Hey, whatever engine you mentioned sounds good to me, you see, I dont want a basic 300E engine because they are 12 or 16V arent they? I wanted 4 Valves per cylinder, since this is the most efficient system readily available for an engine that would basically just drop right in...About the tranny, im not too picky, it trully doesnt matter to me, although I will probably go with an automatic since there is less work involved (my car is an automatic now) thank you for you reply and please feel free to share any more information you may have. Thanks again!

Potomac Pat · #5 06-07-2002, 08:08 AM

Sisco, with your car being an early (W201) it is a huge pain to make this conversion a reality. Also, if you are going to go the distance and change everything around why not use a 5-spd gearbox? You should try to find a 90-up 2.6 that needs an engine and/or trans and pick it up cheap.

#6 06-07-2002, 04:07 PM

Hey what's up Pat? So what makes my conversion more difficult? the reason I want to mod this particular car is 'sentimental value', I know it sounds a little gay but its my first benz and I want to keep it around for a while, you know what I mean? I have also modded the interior greatly with everything short of a navigation system (in the works, I promise!) and wanted to give my little personal piece of heaven more go.

#7 06-11-2002, 12:49 AM

Hey come on guru's, there has got to be more information about this subject out there, anybody care to post anything new about this? I'm coming into some money pretty soon and I definitely want an 103 or 104 engine in my car...I am leaning more towards the 104 since they are the 24V versions of the engine and I am interested in lots of HP for a minimal amount of modifications...I understand that these engines and transmissions fit in my 190E's engine bay with a minimal amount of alterations.

Potomac Pat · #8 06-11-2002, 08:08 AM

Sisco, the problem with using an early 190E opposed to a 90-up is that the wiring is going to be a royal pain in the a$$. ($$ = denotes a lot of time & money spent) Again, if you need more info please contact me & I can get you in contact w/ the guy who already did this conversion. THanks
Pat

Chiragp · #9 06-11-2002, 12:05 PM

Didn't Mike Skees do this conversion? Also, Pat...would you by any chance be related to Potomac German Auto?

Just wondering

Maddog · #10 06-11-2002, 04:44 PM

He is.

Potomac Pat · #11 06-12-2002, 08:39 AM

Sure am. Yeah Mike Skees did this conversion about 1.5 years ago or so. I drove the car a couple of times and it was FAST ......Unfortunately Mike sold it so that he could afford to build the C-Class - SCCA ITE car that he throughly enjoyed putting on it's roof.

I am going to give him so much needed help in reassembling another (W202) race car.

#12 06-12-2002, 12:16 PM

So guys, would you recommend I swap out to an older (80's vintage) 300E motor with the 3.0L 12V (m103 is it?) and just turbo that engine? I have been reading more and more about what great candidates for undergoing a turbo upgrade these engines are. You opinions please!

Maddog · #13 06-12-2002, 01:03 PM

you get somewhere around 280hp with minimal boost. I think it would be awesome. Read the threads going on right now about it!!!

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