Thanks to everyone for the help in locating a 16V ECU. As luck would have it someone who wanted parts from me had an extra ECU, so we did a trade. I have already sent the ECU, with some of my MB manuals to Jim Conforti. But I still need some help, maybe. The rev limiter for the 16V (US is 6800 rpm, Euro is 7200 rpm) is controlled by the fuel pump relay. I am not sure if Jim Conforti can remove the rev limiter with the ECU alone, so he might need a fuel pump relay. I don't know if this will be needed but I would like to go ahead and locate one just in case it is. What I need is a fuel pump relay from a 16V; Euro or US version will be fine. The one requirement is that it come from a car that has a manual transmission, the automatics are different. This basically kills any chance of me finding one out of a standard wrecked 190 (since they are mostly automatics). So if anyone can locate this fuel pump relay for me I would be most appreciated. Thanks in advance.
FYI: I feel a removed rev limiter would be very beneficial since the 16V pulls very strong all the way to redline. There is more power to be had. Plus the engine was tested to 11,000 rpm's! So I know it can handle a little more than 6800.

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Adrian Eckenrod
MBCA, PCA, BMWCCA & SCCA* member
86 190 2.3-16
83 944 ITS Racer

We will keep our eyes and ears open for such a part. Jeez! 11,000rpm...you may need a new tach too! j/k Glad to hear that you and Conforti are making progress! BTW, next time you talk with Jim C. ask him what he would need to "do" some chips for the 92-95 W124's.

Good Luck and keep us posted....Lee

Adrian - At least you can get 6800revs. from your 16 valve, the 2.3 Kompressor only goes to 5800!!! Is there any hope that any developments by Mr. Conforti can be adapted to the newer engine? I have an SLK that could stand a few more hoursepower.I'm coservative,
and only looking to go from 185 to about 220/230 hp.

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Bruce R. 98 SLK
MBCA
Greater Washington Section

Bruce,
Gaining actual numbers is not as relevant as gaining percentage. A 500E probably varies 30HP between optimal and poor conditions/temperatures. That is less than a 10% difference on that motor. On your 185HP motor picking up 30HP is about a 16% bump. I'm not saying its impossible by any means, but with less HP (and of course less weight to haul around) little gains can make a bigger difference.

Benzmac...just a thought, back me up on this IF I'm on the right track. If you use the old hot rodders trick of adding more boost (kompressor pulley size swap) the computer will take timing out to compensate, correct? How hard would it be to change, recalibrate, or outright lie to the MAF sensors? Seems that a pulley change for more boost, the sensor mods to keep it working, and some computer tweaks to make the most of the changes would be the most logical way to get real gains off the motor. Messing around with exhaust and K&N's might get you 5HP total if your lucky... Assuming the motor can take more boost without knocking you should be able to get near the 200-220HP neighborhood.

Renntech makes some tweaks for the SLK but you could buy a new SL500 for the what they will charge you. Of course, you could just wait for the upcoming SLK with the supercharged V6 that is supposed to be a M Roadster/Boxster S fighter...

Just some thoughts...Lee

If you go to a 6-cylinder rev-limiter & calulate the difference I'm sure they will let the engine to 9000 rpm.

Lee - I've reviewed the RENNTech page quite a while ago, and bought their cat. back exhaust package. They claim a 7HP. boost. I can't really see any gain in performance, but at least the SLK doesn't sound like a sedan anymore. My real complaint is the lack of revs. this engine puts out, 5800rpm is where most mills just start to put some power to the ground, and with this exhaust just where the sound starts to get good.
RENNTech claims 215hp. with their exhaust, a chip, and a larger blower pulley. I was wondering if Mr. Conforti's future mods. would be applicable to the SLK with it's supercharger?
You and the other gentlmen at Mercedes Shop seem to have a lot of faith in Jim, and that is the way I would prefer to go if possible.
I guess ( assuming what I heard was right ) that if Mercedes can get 185 hp. from an unblown 2.3 Euro., than 220-230hp. shouldn't be to far off with a blower?
NOTE: for only $29,950 RENNTech says I can have 335hp., but I'm guessing the engine will only last a few months, especially the way I drive!
Sorry to ramble on, but I hope I've made the point that that car needs more hp. Other then that, or in spite of that, I love the little sucker it handles wonderfully.

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Bruce R. 98 SLK
MBCA
Greater Washington Section

My hope is that with the knowledge gained from my tuning Jim Conforti will be able to tune other MB models as well, including the newer cars. We will just have to see how his tuning of my car goes, since it hasn't been done before. If it is all successful than I do plan to help Jim C branch out into other MB models. I am sure I can show him that there is a market for them.

Wo ! I am looking forward to see how that goes. Conforti chip for mercedes