90' 300CE Engine Transplant
 

Hi all,

I'm glad to have found this enthusiast MB site. I used to have a 87' 230CE and moved onto a Volvo 850R.

I'm looking at an immaculate 90' 300CE Auto with the M103 engine. After piloting my modded 850R for 2 years, the 300CE does seem kinda sluggish, hence I was wondering if its possible to either fit in a 3.2L M104 engine or the C36 AMG engine... Some questions... 1. Can I use my existing tranny? 2. Wiring Harness and ECU is required?

Also, I would like to upgrade the brakes, probably from the 400E or 500E. Is this possible?? I'll be running 18" Brabus rims from my previous 230CE.

Would appreciate some input on this project. Thank you.

300CE engine upgrades - update ?
 

Was just reading about someone trying to do an AWD conversion to a 300CE, and wanted to follow-up on this.

I have a 3.2L 300CE (1993 was first MY for this) and was interested in investigating uprated power. Options might include:
- forced induction (super/turbo charge)
- engine swap
- some mechanicals (e.g., R&P, transmission, etc)

Has anyone done these, and would be curious as to the cost/effort ?

I've seen (online) a few one-off AMG Hammer coupes, most of these were factory / works bespoke conversions.

Other more recent engines of interest would be (top to botttom) :
- V8 from the W124 E500 (e.g., the Hammer C124)
- V6 from the W21x E350 (current model)
- V8 from the W21x E550 (current model)
- V8 from the W210 E55
- V8 from the W21x E63
- V8 from the W211 E55 (supercharged)
- V12 from the W21x S65

Has anyone attempted these types of conversions ?

also interested in these conversions...
anyone, any thoughts?
specially the 3.5 off a w21.
ty

I have a '90 CE and have a 3.6 RENNTech engine I may swap because it has the M103 head and CIS injection. I'm still unsure about the ICM since it's unique to the CE. The M104 engine management and ECU for either 3.2 or C36 are different to the M103. C36 transplants have been done in 300TE and 190E's so the experience is available, no new ground to R&D.

It seems that FI is a lower-cost approach than an engine swap.

Can you point me to links on a C36 swap? It seems the C36 motor is not as powerful as the newer E350 mill; although its probably:
- lower cost; more proven conversion (low/no R&D)
- tuning solutions for C36 motor are more readily available

no links on hand...
Search "Neil" or "3.6TE" in MBWorld.org or 500Ecstacy.com
Search "C36" or "RAM190" in the 190E forums

Almost anything can be done with a deep pocket of $, AMG did 6.0 swaps almost two decades ago...

FYI, my '02 LS6 engine is very close to the same size as the M117 V8 I took out of my '87 560SEC. The LS6 is lighter, more fuel efficient, and makes twice the horsepower - yep, twice. I have a 4L60E 4-speed automatic overdrive transmission that will be going into the SEC as well. The LS1, LS2, LS6, and LS7 engines are brand new technology and are lasting over 100K miles. Don't limit yourself to only a Mercedes engine.

I'd still wager the 5K plus you'd spend on a 3.6 engine would result in much better improvements with internal engine modification to the existing 3.0.

LS V8 Swap
 

Interested in your Frankbenz Chevy V8 swap; can you p.m. details, photos as your work progresses? are you changing the original Merc rear link steering? what about wiring harness matching? what type headers are you using?

Dropping a C36 engine into a 300E is a huge amount of work. Why not just buy a twin turbo kit from Hughes and bolt it on. No internal mods needed and its an easy 310BHP.
E320 calipers and disks would be a nice simple, cheap, effective mod. V8 front calipers will also fit.

PM sent

300ce conversion
 

Don't limit yourself to only a Mercedes engine.
I cound'nt say it better myself. I am in the process of dropping in a grand national engine into a 300ce. It will see track duty. Heres the cost so far .
$1500 for complete drivetrain. Labor done in house. Mind you this is with a turbo. The engine is stock with 85k miles and is rated at 240hp. The engine is light compact and easy to mod. Im looking to get 450-500 reliable rwhp at 20-25 mpg . Just my 2 cents. There are a few post of guys droping in the toyota supra engine as well. These conversions are not for everyone I am actually a ford/buick guy who wanted to do local road course events and researched what would be a good handling platform. The two options were the 300ce or the e30 m3.I chose the ce because of the balance and wheelbase not to mention the stiffness of the chasis and the ability to reduce weight dramatically.

Of course, you might want to stick with the original benz engine. 217 from 3 liters N/A 7000 rpms vs 3.8 with a turbo with only 23 extra hp with 5500 rpms. The Benz engines are pretty potent. If anything, thats what you should keep. But I won't villify anyone to do something else. To each his own. I'd start with transmission, final drive gearing. Thats where the faults lie with Mercedes.

convertion
 

actually Austin ce is right . If your looking to run a mild stock street setup stick with the norm. Thats why I stated what I am doing is not for everyone.

I did pontificate about boosting up the ce engine and massaging the internals. The prices I have researched to make to make the mercedes
make close to even 350 hp was just incredible to me. Thats why i opted for the national engine which comes turbocharged . And in terms of the national engines not reving is true . However there are 2 simple things you can do to remidy that. Dont forget these engines originally ran indy busch series reving past 9000 / 10,000 rpm . Anyway not saying one is better than the other thats not my MO . Like I said tis not for every one especially the die hards..

What are your plans for weight reduction, if you dont mind my asking? I plan on doing some myself, but nothing terribly creative. Just carbon fiber and removing the 100 lb seats...