1993 400E improvements - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

#1 09-01-2002, 04:31 AM

I have a 1993 400E and there doesn't seem to be many even basic modifications i can do to it like I/H/E, now maybe somethings will work with it they just dont mention this particular model and I've just been trying to play it safe. I dont want to change the appearance just put a little into improving the performance as much as I can without spending much money. Something like improving intake/exhaust at least. I've been reading about forced induction (turbo/supercharge) and would only do anything like that if there were some existing parts that would work very well with this engine as I can't do much about modifying them and could only maybe afford a small amount of work done at a shop. Thanx for any help you can give.

Badinfo · #2 09-01-2002, 05:47 PM

Hey, for cheap, the biggest improvement you can do is to improve the intake side of the engine. Apparently, the v8 w124s breathe from behind the headlights, which from what ive read, isn't ideal. There are a few workarounds, and I think Italianbenz sells filler plates for under your headlights that have air intakes built into them. Don't quote me, as its been a long time since I read about those posts. Otherwise, forced induction or a new rear end are your best bets for more performance.

Mercedes plans their cars out pretty well, and while there are a few improvements that can be done, they are not like mustangs, where a decently designed exhaust system can give you 20+hp. Believe it or not, this was the most frustrating thing to find out about my car. I was all ready to work on my ride and make it super fast, but over time, I found out that it just wasn't possible without a large time and money commitment...

Here is a link to a thread about the underlight filler plates... ATTN 500E/E500 & 400E owners

#3 09-03-2002, 12:25 AM

those plates from italian benz and others look good, i'll almost for sure contact one of them to get that, also how much would getting the differential switched out be? i hear that mentioned a lot but it doesnt seem like i could get it that cheap, maybe im wrong though, anything actually being changed out seems big to me but maybe it would just be a second in the shop. yeah forced induction would be great but jeez, its not like i know anything about cars, if there was a step by step way to do this for an acceptable level of cash i might do it.

ke6dcj · #4 09-03-2002, 07:19 PM

Call Carl at Bergwerks (http://www.bergwerks.com) and they can do a diff swap (2.87 or 3.07) which significantly changes the performance of the 400E to 80% of the 500E.

You'll need to tell him if you have ASR or not.

:-) neil
1988 360TE AMG
1993 500E

Dcraig · #5 09-05-2002, 02:37 AM

Neil-

80%? We'll see if your 500E is 20% faster than my E420 at Willow. LOL

Craig

ke6dcj · #6 09-05-2002, 10:55 AM

Craig- remember I said 80% of the 500E's performance, not 80% of the 500E's speed.

The 500E still has a uprated chassis/suspension compared to the 400E, which accounts for its performance as well.

FWIW, the 500E did a 1:47.856 @ 83.445 at the last EuroTunerFest Time Trials @ Willow on old street tires. 80% of that in seconds is 1:56.485

:-) neil
1988 360TE AMG
1993 500E

#7 09-05-2002, 07:26 PM

the E420 and the 400E are like the same thing right just moments later after my 93 right? could i get an E420 thing for the back of mine somewhere for "aesthetic" reasons. or would that be sinfull? oh and so far on my car i've just pulled that resistor thing that supposedly doesnt do much but who cares, and am considering doing that intake thing from italian benz, but i just got the car anyways, the differntial swap would have to wait quite a while (read college student) thanx for the replies

Tobias MB · #8 09-08-2002, 11:59 PM

Neil,
Was looking at your derived Willow times and can't figure how you arrived at those times???

If you did a 1:47.856, that is equal to 107.856 seconds.
If you add 20% to that for the 400E it comes to 129.4272 or a time of 2:09.4272.

Looking at it the other way around, the 400E you say should be 1:56.4 or 116.4 seconds and 80% of that is 93.12 seconds or a lap of 1:33.12 for the 500E....FAST!!

Come on, give us 400E owners a break, we can't be that fast to do a 1.56 if you do a 1.47!! That's only a 7.9% not 20%!!!!

Tobias MB
400E, 190/5.6

Dcraig · #9 09-09-2002, 02:11 AM

Neil-

I'm just givin' you #@%*. You know I wish I had an E500, but for the time being, the E420 will have to do.

Jeez, it's been parked in a friends garage for 3 weeks and I haven't even visited. Typical for me to not drive it for a few weeks.

Craig

Dcraig · #10 09-09-2002, 02:18 AM

That last post made it sound like I'm not happy with the E420. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE IT! Especially with the 2.82 rear end from Carl.

Craig