Brakes Done! Need More Power... - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

chupr98 · #1 06-20-2003, 09:17 PM

Hi Guys,

After many months of procrastination, my 400E brake upgrade is finally done! I am debating whether my next project should be a new leather interior or the AMG stroker engine..

Let's say if I decide on the engine, has anybody actually done the 3.6 stroker project yet? Many postings had suggested the 350SDL crank and various rods and pistons combination..

I would like some input,

Thanks,

Badinfo · #2 06-20-2003, 09:19 PM

I got a big one. Turbo. I did my research, and the 3.6 conversion is way too much $$$ for the power.

omegabenz · #3 06-22-2003, 10:24 PM

You would spend more money trying to convert an M104 engine, than actually buying Alain V.'s c36 motor which he has for sale.

ke6dcj · #4 06-23-2003, 12:27 AM

Since your 300E is CIS, and NOT HFM, unless you do the electrical work yourself, dropping in a C36 engine (HFM) will be expensive.

Your best bet. Sell your car. Get a 400E and drop a 2.82 rear-diff.

You will be 90% within the engine performance of a 500E.

:-) neil
1988 360TE AMG
1993 500E

chupr98 · #5 06-23-2003, 02:57 AM

I was hoping a simple bottom-end upgrade, a crank, 6 rods and pistons! I know a friend who will do the machining. I am hoping somebody had done the conversion and will supply the parts list.
I agree switching to HFM is too much work.

omegabenz · #6 06-23-2003, 03:35 AM

You just want to stroke your CIS engine? You will probably spend 1500 for the crank, 800 for the rods, 200 for the bearings, 400 in seals and gaskets, you may want new pistons, etc.

Thats about 3k with tax, etc.

Last I checked, Alain wanted about that much for his C36 engine.

My friend put in a 3.2 L m104 engine into his 190E 2.6 and it wasnt too hard, just the wiring was a little tricky. I think that is what Neil was refering to.

Alain V. · #7 06-23-2003, 09:27 PM

Sorry, but you guys are about a day or two late.
I just recieced payment for the C36 engine and it will be on it's way to it's new home in Florida soon.

It is going into a 190e that will be one serious machine when finished!

super SEC · #8 06-23-2003, 09:39 PM

Don't bother with internal modifications. You will not get the power you want. I learned that the hard way with my Porsche 928. The car is damn fast but for half the cost of building a totally custom naturally aspirated engine I could have had almost twice the horsepower with a good supercharger system. I know of a guy that is getting 580 RWHP with a bolt on supercharger system on his 928. He has been running it for a while both on the track and off and has yet to see any problems. I bumped the horsepower in my SEC by over 140 hp with my supercharger system. I would NEVER have seen these returns out of a naturally aspirated SEC engine. An engine transplant is a very good idea too. Don't try to reinvent the wheel.

chupr98 · #9 06-23-2003, 11:09 PM

Alain V had sold the C36 engine. My hunt continues!
Any bolt on supercharger kit for 103 engine?

gsxr · #10 06-24-2003, 07:31 PM

Nice! How much improvement, if any, did the larger rear brakes provide?

Oh, btw, I'd do the leather door panels next, and maybe the tranny tunnel carpet if needed. Makes a BIG difference, IMO. After doing that to my one car, I'm now doing it to my other car! Already got the leather panels, haven't installed them yet.

Here's before & after photos of the carpet & door panels:
http://www.meimann.com/images/mercedes/87_300D_white/

chupr98 · #11 06-26-2003, 03:10 AM

Hi Dave,

What is your source of the leather panels and how much did you paid for them?

Regarding my rear brakes, the results are quite surprising, I was expecting little to no gain because the fronts are so much snappier than the OEM 300E's already, to my surprise the 400E's rear are grabbing better than OEM 300E as well.

The 400E rear caliper actually has slightly bigger pistons, larger brake pads and rotors. Maybe that is the reason for the improvement.

omegabenz · #12 06-26-2003, 03:42 AM

To me it looked like 400E rear brakes had the same size pistons as the 300E rear brakes, but with a spacer between to allow for the ventilated disc. Is the size of the piston stamped on the caliper...?

chupr98 · #13 06-26-2003, 04:29 AM

All I did was put them side by side and the outside diameter seems larger to me, not by much.

And they are mounted further away from the hub, therefore I don't think they are 300E's calipers with a spacer between them.

gsxr · #14 06-26-2003, 10:00 AM

Thanks for the info! I got my Palomino door panels from PGA (talk to Rich in MD). Their normal price is $100/each, but he may give you a better deal on a set of 4. I bought my fronts & rears separately, but they were essentially $400 for all including shipping. Most yards want $100-$150 each. Try to get all four from the same car, so the wood & leather are faded the same. My front & rear are different but you don't notice too much. DEFINITELY get left + right from the same car!! I snagged a gray set from Silver Star Recycling for my other car, all from the same E320 (haven't installed yet). I got a great deal on eBay for those - on the phone, for a non-eBay order, I got them down to $400 plus S&H for all four. Use car-part.com and call every place with a later 300E, etc. Remember that some colors changed in 1994! Palomino became Saddle, Creme became Parchment, etc and they ARE different colors! So you may need to look for 1990-1993 only. Gray and black did not change, and one other I think, so for those you can search 90-95. Let me know how it works out for you!