M104 into 16V
 

In the BMW world, lot's of info readily available. Not so with M-B's. I want to convert/re-engine my 16V with a 24 valve M104. Has anyone worked out the following:

Does the 16V Getrag gearbox work with the M104 (assuming a fly-wheel change) from a power perspective? Clutch?

Are the ratios appropriate or should the gears be changed?

Where is the best place(s) to source a good, low-mileage M104?

I think the problem is shoving the 6-cyl into the 4-cyl engine bay. As I understand, it just doesn't fit. You're better off starting with a 190E 2.6 and swapping in a C36 M104. A fellow on this forum did just that swap on a 300TE.

Sixto
95 S420
87 300SDL

The pics in these websites might give you an indication of what it takes to drop a 6 cyl engine into a 4 cyl 201 engine bay. The Diesels shown (OM603 and OM606) are about as long as an M103.

http://www.teamrwd.com/dieselboost/300_24.php

http://www.teamrwd.com/dieselboost/250.php

Sixto
95 S420
87 300SDL

AFAIK the engine bay of a W201 is the same regardless of whether it housed a 4cyl or 6 cyl. But I could be mistaken. What I DO know is that someone transplanted a C36 engine into a 16v. Took a lot of time, money and effort, but it was a successful swap.

Let's start with basics. Engine compartments are the same dimensions on all W201's. The 2.6 litre inline six of the 190 2.6 is the same block as a 3.0 litre. It can't possibly be that hard, placement-wise, which is not to minimize other challenges.

NOT TRUE!!!

The early six cylinder 201s have a completely different front end that is 3mm longer than the four-cylinder version. This shows up in the front overhang spec published by Mercedes, and some parts, like front fenders, are NOT the same.

They eventually consolodated the 201 front ends to the longer version, but not until about 1991.

Duke

i guess i was mistaken :p

Of course it would help if the target car had the 2.6 radiator support and wouldn't the engine mounts/transmission crossmember be different?

You will have to install at LEAST the radiator support (it comes out on the 2.6, else you CANNOT access the front of the engine, the fan is actually under the radiator support).

I don't know if the M104 will fit elsewhere or not. Engine mounts will be correct, as all MB mounts are set up to be identical, but you may have clearance problems elsewhere because the head is somewhat wider.

Should make quite a pocket rocket, though...

Tranny will be somewhat lightweight, but will bolt right up (all mounting plates and flywheels are identical dimensions, but you will have to mount the pilot bearing and drill for the clutch, or swap the M102 flywheel in). However, you will have to see what the driveshaft comes out to -- the 16V auto may be about right, may be too long depending on tranny length. Manny tranny 16V driveshaft will likely be too long.

Peter