Curious: What engines can fit in a W124 Chassis?
 

Just wondering if I can install a more powerful engine, and even more appealing would be to convert it to manual transmission. I have a 300CE, and my engine looks like it's shot (see other post). It doesn't even have to be an MB engine (gasp!).

If you have enough money, anything can "fit". That said, how much money do you have? :)

Seriously, the W124 engine bay is pretty versatile, just look at the 500E for instance. The serious issues arise with engine controls, drivetrain, a/c, and suspension weight, and other niggly little details. On the non-MB route, how about a twin turbo Toyota Supra engine and trans? Supercharged Ford? Or consider the sound of a Dodge 340 with a "six pack" or, dare I say it . . . a Hemi!

When I get my shop built, there is a very good chance there will be a Ford 302 engine in mine. ;)

Cost IS a major factor. In the Miata world, 1.6 and 1.8L engines are interchangeable without altering the drivetrain a whole lot. We can even slap certain Kia and Ford engines with minimal alterations. I'm looking for something easy, cheap but still an improvement on the current engine.

I'm still open to improving the engine I have as well... perhaps I can overbore it a little and increase compression a bit?

Got an '89 CE too, and after putting in the Sportline bars and Bilsteins struts, the car is begging for a manual transmission. This is my first automatic car in 30+ years of driving and I don't like it very much.

There is one thing that just might work, but have not been able to verify. It is my understanding that some of the 190E 2.6 cars have a manual. Since our 300CE has the M103 engine and the 190E 2.6 is also a M103, a swap might be pretty straight forward. I have my eye out for a trashed, junked manual 2.6 car so that I can get the trans and linkages out of.

The 190E 2.6 5-speed should bolt in with minimal fuss and I believe the 190E 2.3-16 Getrag tranny will bolt in too.
Note that there are 300E 5-speed manual cars out there too. They were imported in 1986 and 1988 and the swap would be relatively straightforward. They're rare...about ~750 '86 cars and maybe half again as many '88 cars. You have another option too, the '91/'92 300SL was available with a 5-speed manual as well.

Forget the 2.3-16. They go for a pretty penny, when they come up on the market. Same with the '86 and '88. Too few of them. People who have them, keep them. And when they come up, everybody jumps all over them.

Does the '91/'92 300SL have the M103 engine? That might be another donor car to keep a lookout for. It looks like the 2.6 5-speed is the best bet.

I think the 190E 2.6 5-speed is just as rare as the 300E manuals. And the SL is rare too...really, any manual trans MB from that time period is RARE. The 16V is probably the most plentiful.

The SL has the M104 but the block is almost identical to the M103. Both blocks will accept the same transmissions.

Out of curiosity, how much do you expect to pay for a 5-speed tranny and necessary associated pieces to convert your car?

I discovered something one day while I was doing an amatuer detail job on my '69 230/8. (It was an automatic also, so I lied about the CE being my first automatic. But, I only kept the 230 for a couple of months because it just didn't "feel" like a Mercedes should.) When I pulled out all of the driver side floor matting to do a good cleaning, I noticed that the body was drilled for a clutch. I was impressed! Good idea, make one body for any transmission.

So, first of all, I assume Damlier still makes one body. That being the case, and not counting the cost of the donor car, I'd be willing to pay $2k to get a manual transmission in my car. The donor car would probably supply most of the linkage and hardware. Only thing that would have to be purchased new is the console stuff. But then again, maybe the hole in the console wood is in the same place and only a boot need be purchased.

That's $2k plus the cost of the donor car. Hence, looking for a donor car that has a blown engine and/or crummy body.

Is my estimate way low? I wouldn't do the labor myself. Enrique would have a field day with this one.

Yep, they still make "one" body. Even my E500 has the proper holes to accept a pedal assembly! Your CE has 'em too.

They put a V12 in the CE's in the early 90s. Didnt exactly fit but it went in. i had a link somewhere on my comp. with a pic, gone now, cant find it anywhere.