Engine Conversion

[DEALS1987]

Hi

I wanted to ask i have a 190e 2.6 manual M103 engine, and i was looking to do a transplant to M103 3.0 and i was wondering is it just a straight engine swap or will i have to change a few things such as ECU etc??

Thanks

 

[grober]

If you are contemplating this swop you would be best using the later M104 ENGINE to get a good power increase. It's best to swap both engine and gearbox plus all ancilliaries- fuel injection/ignition system/s whichever way you go. I would be swopping the engine ECU and ignition units (combined on later engines) as well to get everything else to work properly. There have numerous posts on this and its the electric/electronics that pose most problems to a successful swop. To be honest if your 2.6 is OK I would stick with that or get a reconned unit if its past its best ( they are probably the best 190 engine)- you will hardly notice the difference just going to a 3 litre M103

 

[N/B]

Grober, a few W201 owners I know would disagree.
An M103 swap is a weekends work.
An M104 swap is something else entirely, and tbh the expense can rocket if that wonderful wiring loom is less than perfect.

DEALS1987, you would do well to register at mercedes190.co.uk and ask around about this conversion.

 

[RBYCC]

Grober, a few W201 owners I know would disagree.
An M103 swap is a weekends work.
An M104 swap is something else entirely, and tbh the expense can rocket if that wonderful wiring loom is less than perfect.

DEALS1987, you would do well to register at mercedes190.co.uk and ask around about this conversion.

Couldn't agree more !!!

M103 to M103 is a no brainer.
Very few mods required to do the conversion.
Minimum investment for additional horsepower.

Early M104 with KE would be a better choice then late M104 with HFM.
Still more difficult then the M103 " like kind" swap...

 

[grober]

In theory a M103 swap is easy but it depends on the experience of the guy doing the swap. Physically it is virtually the same engine. I am sure RBYCC and N/B ---- to you guys its a piece of cake but when a poster asks if its necessary to swap the ECU and makes no mention of the ignition unit, injection system etc alarm bells sound. I was just erring on the side of caution. If you have all the experience/facilities and a complete donor car fine otherwise things can get complicated. The poster mentions his car is a manual which might be an additional complication. The 190 forum is a good idea tho.

 

[RBYCC]

In theory a M103 swap is easy but it depends on the experience of the guy doing the swap. Physically it is virtually the same engine. I am sure RBYCC and N/B ---- to you guys its a piece of cake but when a poster asks if its necessary to swap the ECU and makes no mention of the ignition unit, injection system etc alarm bells sound. I was just erring on the side of caution. If you have all the experience/facilities and a complete donor car fine otherwise things can get complicated. The poster mentions his car is a manual which might be an additional complication. The 190 forum is a good idea tho.

3.0L M103-12V from a W124 into a W201 2.6L M103-12V requires little or no changes.

The early 124 and 201 share parts.

The M104 however would take changing of most of the electronics and the wiring harness.
If the M104 had ASR then that makes it even more difficult.

The M103 3.0L to 2.6L swaps are as basic as you can get as they are externally identical engines that use the same KE-Jetronic III and EZL ignition control units...

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think the only part that you have to change is the viscous fan.

Agree strongly that it is always best to err on the side of caution...
A quick look at the MB EPC will indicate which parts cross chassis ranges

 

[merskades]

190e w201 2.6 m103 change to m103 3 litre help

hi - i have searched numerous sites and threads, all i am looking for is advice from someone who has done it.

what will i have to change if i want to retain 5 speed manual from 2.6 when i replace engine with 300e 3 litre m103.

some say just flywheel / clutch, others say viscous fan? anyone who knows - please confirm.

great site by the way!

 

[redstar]

1. Step 1
   Read the assembly directions for all exterior and interior parts to the engine. Attach the parts by mounting prior to installation. The engine must fit tightly into the engine box on the car and it won't without the attachment of the parts.
2. Step 2
   Purchase an engine hoist. Help is required to lift the engine. A hoist is not enough help--ask your friends to help.
3. Step 3
   Take the hood completely off the car body. In order to install the engine you need to drop the engine straight down, and the hood prevents a clean drop. Install the engine mounts or brackets after you remove the hood of the car.
4. Step 4
   Inch the hoist over the engine and guide the engine straight down. Your friends will guide the hoist arm and steady it as the engine hovers over the engine box. Make sure that the back of the engine goes in first.
5. Step 5
   Drop the engine into the box slowly. Push the back of the engine into the rear as far as possible. Lower the front of the engine.
6. Step 6
   Drill all the holes for the chassis and finish the attachment. Tighten the engine bolts completely as you go.
7. Step 7
   Assemble the drive shaft. Go through and tighten all the bolts to the engine box.

 

[manalishi]

Not sure a 2.6-3.0 upgrade is worth all the hassle. Less than 20bhp??

It would be better to sell the 190 and buy a 3.2 W124 (more choice and better spec cars, too).

 

[oldskoolmercs]

It would be a good conversion, find someone who has already done it, attach a dogleg gearbox instead of the original manual gearbox set up should be the same

 

[Ian B Walker]

I have put a 300_24 into a 2.6 190. Used a Cosworth dog leg manual box. You will need to shorten the gearbox input shaft cover by 4mm and also the clutch cylinder piston rod by the same. To be honest, the job was a nightmare. To change the box you have to lift the engine out as there is very little room when it is as one unit (ie engine and box). I had to have a custom wiring loom made to accept the ecu etc. A past forum member did that for me, took him 2 weeks of note taking and wire identification. As for a clutch, I used a dual mass flywheel setup, once again thanks to a forum member. You also have to drop the Anti Roll bar by 25mm (spacers on top of the support legs). Would I do it again? Not a cat in hells chance.

 

[Ian B Walker]

1. Step 1
   Read the assembly directions for all exterior and interior parts to the engine. Attach the parts by mounting prior to installation. The engine must fit tightly into the engine box on the car and it won't without the attachment of the parts.
2. Step 2
   Purchase an engine hoist. Help is required to lift the engine. A hoist is not enough help--ask your friends to help.
3. Step 3
   Take the hood completely off the car body. In order to install the engine you need to drop the engine straight down, and the hood prevents a clean drop. Install the engine mounts or brackets after you remove the hood of the car.
4. Step 4
   Inch the hoist over the engine and guide the engine straight down. Your friends will guide the hoist arm and steady it as the engine hovers over the engine box. Make sure that the back of the engine goes in first.
5. Step 5
   Drop the engine into the box slowly. Push the back of the engine into the rear as far as possible. Lower the front of the engine.
6. Step 6
   Drill all the holes for the chassis and finish the attachment. Tighten the engine bolts completely as you go.
7. Step 7
   Assemble the drive shaft. Go through and tighten all the bolts to the engine box.

I dont know what car this is for but certainly not for a Mercedes 190.

 

[BlackC55]

1. Step 1
   Read the assembly directions for all exterior and interior parts to the engine. Attach the parts by mounting prior to installation. The engine must fit tightly into the engine box on the car and it won't without the attachment of the parts.
2. Step 2
   Purchase an engine hoist. Help is required to lift the engine. A hoist is not enough help--ask your friends to help.
3. Step 3
   Take the hood completely off the car body. In order to install the engine you need to drop the engine straight down, and the hood prevents a clean drop. Install the engine mounts or brackets after you remove the hood of the car.
4. Step 4
   Inch the hoist over the engine and guide the engine straight down. Your friends will guide the hoist arm and steady it as the engine hovers over the engine box. Make sure that the back of the engine goes in first.
5. Step 5
   Drop the engine into the box slowly. Push the back of the engine into the rear as far as possible. Lower the front of the engine.
6. Step 6
   Drill all the holes for the chassis and finish the attachment. Tighten the engine bolts completely as you go.
7. Step 7
   Assemble the drive shaft. Go through and tighten all the bolts to the engine box.

This is complete bull5hite.