Ok here it goes. I have been reading the post that says READ!!! Free HP for W201 & W124 owners! (Pictures!). I have been reading how almost everyone that has done this hasnt seen any gains. My question is, what is the difference between American and European 190e 16V's then if this resistor isnt the difference. How did Mercedes take 18hp off the Euro version bringing it here? I have been wondering that ever since I have owned my 16V. Does anyone have insight into how they did this? Also is it possible to undo whatever they did? Thanks alot for taking a look and am anxiously awaiting the replies!

The hp difference is related to two things:
- compression ratio
- catalytic converter

U.S. spec cars have 9.7:1 CR vs. 10.5:1 for euros
U.S. cars have catalytic converters (pre-cats right after the header) and also a main cat under the transmission.

I have heard, though not confirmed, that the pre-cats alone are responsible for about 10 to as much as 13 hp. It's easy to see how the extra CR could easily make up the remaining difference.

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Glen Tokuhara
Beauty & the Beast and the wagon that could!

Another difference is that, due to the engine changes that Glen mentioned, the fuel pump relay in the e-spec models have a higher redline and the 16 valve is known to be more of a high rev hp motor. Along another path, the e-spec cars tend to carry less weight than their "fully loaded" North American cousins.

that the cat itself is responsible for very much of it. the changes related to the cat are though. but just removing the cat wont do much i wouldnt think. the cr, the rpm limiter and the weight diff would account for most of it. imho they wouldnt have installed a cat with any significant resistance in that high perf car.

tom w

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Not sure about the pre-cat/cat argument.

I have a 87 euro 16v that we bought in 89 and had federalized. When we brought it over we had paper work stating that the car already met US emissions because it came from the factory with precat and Cat already installed (I saw them with my own two eyes). Now granted I do not know if, or by how much this may have reduced the HP out put and I do not know if the CR was changed (any way to determin what it was at time of manufacture?) but it rolled off the factory floor with emmissions already installed. Not sure if that was a special order option or not.

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If I'm not mistaken, in the case of the 2.5-16, the hp difference between the cat and non-cat version is 10 hp...195 vs. 205, respectively. I imagine the 2.3-16 would be roughly the same...

Power:

US-Spec 16V: 167hp

Euro-spec 16V: 185hp

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Regards,
Aaron