It's not a bolt on deal. The engine bay of the 2.6 is different from the engine bay of the 2.3.

Sixto
91 300SE
87 300SDL
83 300SD

engine swap,
 

can you take a 1989 190e 2.6 engine and put it in a 1987 190e which has a 2.3 engine. is this at all possible without to many problems...

You will need to change the radiator shroud, engine cross support, ECU (engine computer), transmission and possibly different drive shaft, and get different struts and springs for the front end at a minimum. Also the 2.6 came with the 300E brakes since there is a power and weight difference. Sounds cheaper just to buy a whole 2.6

Not true - the 2.6 transmission is the same

722.4 is used in in 190E 2.3, 2.3-16, and 2.6, with 6 Bolt small Pan. Also used in 300E 2.8 (M104 engine), so you could go to 2.8 without changing tranny.

722.3 in all 300E's with 3.0 inc. 4-matic, with 6 Bolt Large Pan


You'll need larger radiator, but how you do that is up to you. You could install the 300E radiator, possibly with no mods to the slam panel and frontal area. The 190E 2.6 factory though has a different slam panel and front. If you wanted to exactly copy that, you'd probably need to change the metal at the front. I think engine mount positions are the same.

Sorry about the mistake about the trans, only parts of the trans need to be replaced, like the bowden cable, vacuum mod, and some hoses. The 2.6 does have a different a/c system and will likely need the dual fuel pump system, new OVP, CIS&EZL controllers. Unless there's a readily available donor car, just the engine swap would still be pretty price prohibitive.

engine swap
 

thanks for all the replys. one of my co-works son wreck there 190e and it had a 2.6 in . so i was thinking getting and swaping. but it really looks like it would be way to much work. it would be just as easy to find a new car. thanks again for your comments. bb190e