190E 3.0 engined - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

pentoman · #1 07-23-2002, 10:15 AM

Well, after driving my 300TE followed by the 190E, I realised how great the 190 would be with the 3.0 engine, especially as they are 188 bhp in Europe without catalyst. It should hopefully be cheap (cheaper than a 16v or 500E!!) too.

I have searched, and some say the engine will bolt in - is this the case if I have a 4-cyl currently - and is the 4-cyls radiator compatible?

Assuming I got one with the ECU, is there enough pressure from the 190e's fuel system, or do I need to upgrade that - and would I just upgrade the 1 fuel pump? And of course, does the transmission bolt right up, as mine was reconditioned recently.

That should be it I hope... if so, I'm gonna start looking for a good-condition motor to fit it! I have access to a fully-kitted indy's workshop, so actually doing the swap shouldn't be tricky.

later

pentoman · #2 07-23-2002, 05:20 PM

Well I spoke to some MB people on the phone today, they say it's a lot easier to do the changeover if you have a 190e 2.6 already. Although if you *did* have one, you wouldn't be putting a 3.0 in there for its marginal gains..

The main problem is that the transmissions aren't naturally compatible. Is there any sort of adapter which could be used to fit them together?(!) One person suggested the diff may also need to be changed, but I don't believe this - would I be okay with the original?
Only other thing are radiators - these are very different, and are mounted lower, but that's not a big problem.

And even got an engine price - 62,000 mile full MB service history engine, £840. How does that sound?

I've attached some pictures to help you visualize my issues, and borrowed 2phast's lovely car's pics to help show (hope that's ok!)

Me:

2.6:

later

2phast · #3 07-24-2002, 09:32 AM

No prob's with the pics.

I am also considering a 3.0 engine for my car. Yes there is only a 20 hp difference between the 2.6 and the 3.0, but you can polish/port the head, add a cam and a exhaust header and your looking at somewhere between 200-220 hp.

This is the most cost effective route compared to putting a M104 300sl motor w/cis into your car.

Maybe for your situation, you might want to look at a 16 valve 4 cyl motor, it might be a easier fit into your car than the 6 cyl motor. With the same amount of work, you should be able to get that motor over 200 hp as well.

pentoman · #4 07-25-2002, 05:58 PM

A number of people are suggesting the 16v, though I think I would in many ways prefer the smooth, torquey 6-cylinder, and 190 hp is plenty, plus a major factor in the engine changeover is the wish to make the car quieter and I suppose sound a bit better. Speaking to an auto specialist today, I confirmed that the transmission must be changed.

Does anyone know if the 6-cyl transmission from a 300E fits into the 190E's space? Or do I specifically need one from a 190E-2.6 6-cyl?

My rear diff whines slightly under constant throttle, but I'm hoping will cope with the extra torque.

later & thanks for the use of pics 2phast!

pentoman · #5 07-26-2002, 07:53 PM

phew..! I thought the thread had been deleted..! They move down the list quicker by the day, so many new threads being created.

I don't want to create more, so I hope enough people are still reading this one to answer my question.

Are the floorpans of the 6-cyl and 4-cyl 190s the same? I ask because, obviously I'm stuffed if I get halfway through the swap and find my old 190e can't accomodate the 6-cylinder's autobox. The 2.6 came about in 1987 I think, so they may have enlarged the space then, or they may have different floors for 2.6s and 4-cyls.

I would put the 300TE and 190E up on my old man's workshop's ramp and check out the undersides, but the 4-matic of the 300 means it has a different box, so it's fitting is irrelevant. Or I guess I could make (the first?) a 190E 3.0 4-matic

.

thanks