C123 230CE project

[Hexadeca]

Here's an introduction. Some will recognize my user name from The 190Rev, now gone.
This 230CE acquisition brings me back out of forum retirement because by some quirk I now have a little more time & money to spend on the W201-16V, AND suddenly this C123 M102 machine popped up for sale.
So I'm essentially running both projects in parallel.

The C123 I4 proceeds the W201 by a half-generation, and it will be interesting to see just how much we can reverse migrate the technology.
Headlining the show, I will attempt to retrofit a spare M102.983 with its KE fueling, then move on to the EFI that I dabble in.
If successful, the badging will read "230CE 2.3-16".
Aside from the geek stuff, I'm sweeping thru a restoration with an unlimited budget.
New paint, trim refreshed, old vinyl transitioning to new leather, etc.

Here I post a pic.
Both the SoCal palm tree and the hawk in flight are real.



If you can not see my pics, it's because my pic server has not yet been upgraded from HTTP to HTTPS
AND either 1) your OS/browser screens out HTTP or 2) the forum is modifying my links to the unsupported "S".
Someday I'll get the server fixed, by submitting the proper paperwork.

[cth350]

welcome. I picked up a 230CE to put a 5.0 or 6.9 into. I never did get around to it. The little 4 banger M102 is still breathing. -CTH

[Hexadeca]

Typically I reserve post #2 for current status, but I missed my SOP and cth350 got in there. Thanks.
My style then has me spinning off threads that are subordinate to the top project, so that the top project doesn't get lost in minutiae.

Status
Sixteen inch bundts now mounted, with 205/55. That classic look.


Trunk is filled with goodies and has overflowed into alt storage.
To Be Installed TBI...
• DOHC engine from W201 16V. 167hp 162tq, heading quickly toward 180/170, then 190/172.
• Associated control modules
• Associated exhaust
• 722.410 transmission from W201 16V in place of 722.401
• Coil-over spring & shock. SLS option.
• Suspension bushings and arms
• LSD, either friction or Wavetrac
• 15mm bar. Thanks greazzer
• W126 front brakes, w/ 300mm rotor
• Leather seats. Or blue euro cloth if you got some for me.
• Factory HVAC, half from W201.
• Lapis Blue paint

[VaiFanatic]

Hex, I just went looking for the Rev today and after a google search discovered your post mentioning it's now gone.

Sad to see it go. I was going to inquire if anyone had CAD up some of the trim clips to 3D print that are NLA before I tackle that myself. My plan was to share said files with the rest of the group so others could print replacements.

Your C123 build is gonna be neat. Would still love to find a spare M102.983 to throw into that 170 I've got. But that is a longterm, and at this point, never done project.

[Hexadeca]

Originally Posted by VaiFanatic

...Would still love to find a spare M102.983...

Then Bring a Trailer, where I am very Hyper, in the bmw world.

[VaiFanatic]

Yeah, that BaT crowd is not the one for me. You do see some deals on there from time to time, but it's mostly never-been-driven, low-mileage creampuffs, that will need about as half as much as they're asking for in work to replace all the dryrotted things you don't see.

On the subject of forums, 170220.org is also gone. Sad to see these are starting to disappear.

[Hexadeca]

Originally Posted by VaiFanatic

...that BaT crowd...

You've now identified yourself.
The Great Gatsby crowd here, as is required for restorations.
This is minutiae I wanted to avoid.

[cth350]

I've been on this forum 24 years now. People come and go. Most of who've been around a while welcome projects like yours. Two things we all have in common are the desire to get our hands dirty and to enjoy the machine in a multitude of ways.

Better is in the eye of the beholder. There are few things better than a benz. Enjoy the car, hack it liberally and share the process as well as the result.
-CTH

[Hexadeca]

One motivation for the 230CE acquisition is to provide yet another platform for transmission development.

To illustrate, we use the Gear Speed app and plug in the data for the transmission used on the 230CE, the 722.122 aka W4B 025.
Here this stock configuration shows that at 75mph the engine is turning 3800 rpm.
Entertaining but very busy with high fuel consumption.


We also have in inventory the 16V auto transmission, a 722.410, with a faster first gear.


Now lets add an overdrive gear using the 5-speed manual from the W201 8V.
A very acceptable 2900@75mph.


6-speed manual borrowed from the R170 w/M111.
Note the higher numerics are returning 3100@75mph and making 1st a bit quick.
So ideally we would attempt longer diff gearing than the 3.58, and 3.27 seems appropriate.


Now we substitute a 6L45 6-spd auto, with its two overdrive gears, and see 2600 rpm at 75mph.


*** Footnotes ***
Redline for the M102.983 is set at 7000.
Don't expect much more than 125 in US trim, perhaps 130 after development.

[Hexadeca]

Since the 230CE is a base trim euro model, it should have cloth seat covers.


However, mine came to me with vinyl, and there is overwhelming evidence they were swapped in.
Note the european style of the side panel inset.


While I wait for museum quality cloth to show up, the existing seats are refreshed in leather by Gahh.


Their 452 code is dark blue, quickly going to black in low light.


This will be my third set.
Gahh black on 16V seats.
Way more comfortable than stock.


Gahh beige on E31 seats.

[Hexadeca]

A quick intro to electronics and engine control.
If you are from the old 190rev or the bmw world, you'll recognize my work.

The KE-jetronic will be brought up using the factory control module, W201 16V.


Likewise, spark using the factory EZL from the W201.


Later on I will substitute my plug compatible control box called CEFIG.
This box supports both the KE-jetronic regime but also EFI, so it is the transition path.
I am the author of the design and have full engineering control of the hardware and source code.


An information display will enter the scene, providing for onboard diagnostics and trip computer.
The shell is original borg that i've assimilated using my internal hardware and software.


The is a counterpart desktop app and I hope to transition that to a mobile device.

[cth350]

This is very cool...
https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?2479062-Battle-of-the-MID-way

I'm more of a luddite than you though, as hack unix for a living (but I am on my 2nd 5g phone).

Can we back up to the transmission post? If you're going with a 6L45? that brings up 2x questions...
1. Method of adapting to the M102 block.
2. Choice of control. It uses an electric controller like the 4l65E (I speak suburban)? Are you going to a stand alone transmission controller or more chevy-like with integrated engine control?

Did you know this forum as a "performance paddock", where chats like this one happen, sometimes as pipe dreams and at other times, by people that actually know what they are doing?

-CTH

[cth350]

Ah, they finally dropped the E...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GM_6L_transmission
I haven't kept up with my reading. My truck is a 2004 and I knew about the 6L80 (too big) but I missed that it had little brothers like the 6L45.

-CTH

[Hexadeca]

Originally Posted by cth350

...6L45...questions...

• I hope to lead development, because it is key to leading these old platforms out of the dark ages, make them relevant again. Gearing range is everything, does not happen in a 4-spd.
• Along the way I'll confirm the 6L45 fits the W123 & W201 tunnels. Or not.
• Adaption is gonna' be a bolt-on bell, my design, just as soon as I figure out how to do 3D cad. I'll post my engineering degree someday.
• Unlike previous generation, the controller is now embedded inside the tranny and receives commands via CAN.
• My electronics speaks CAN, the major speed bump being security locks & encrypting at the tranny interface.

[cth350]

>> My electronics speaks CAN, the major speed bump being security locks & encrypting at the tranny interface.
yeah, vexing.

>> Adaption is gonna' be a bolt-on bell
If the bell has any inside details, like holding a bearing race, this becomes an expensive proposition. It's one of the reasons why an S420 that's had the bell shattered is an expensive boat anchor.

-CTH