W201 engine Swap

[Spyros777]

Greetings to all

So my (and my dads) 190e is at the shop due to overheating (long story). Anyways, I have found a M111K engine and I have been researching the topic and found out that it is “plug and play”. So I might go ahead and buy the engine in the pictures and plan this whole thing out. I know I have to swap some parts from a w124 for the engine to be a direct fit. My only concern are the electronics of the ecu. To this end, if anyone has any insights on the wiring harness feel free to advise.

cheers

 

[andy27168]

Hi
It might sit on the mounts etc, but I don't believe anything else will be to my definition of plug and play.
Does the new engine come with the heat exchanger and the associated pipework? As this will need to be fitted up front by the radiator.
The standard engine ECU will require signals from the auto box (722.6 5 speed Electronic box, 190 never had this box fitted) if its a manual the ECU will require to be coded, also an input from the ESP System or similar traction control system, then there will be the signals to the Lambda sensor(s) catalytic converters, it will also be looking for a code from the EIS Switch/Key to tell it to start.
Most people who fit the later engines to the earlier cars would almost certainly use a standalone aftermarket ECU if the original matched EIS/Key/ESL./ECU are not available.
If I was going to fit another upgraded engine to a 190 then I would consider a straight 6 engine, 190 had a 2.5 fitted from build though I would seek out a 2.8 from an early 202 c class or even the AMG version of the engine 3.2 or the more common 3.6 version, and I would be looking at sourcing it from a running parts car.

 

[neilrr]

The 190E had an inline 2.6 M103. Easiest swap by far would be for a 3.0 litre M103. What you are contemplating with the M111K looks to be a complete PITA.

 

[Spyros777]

Hi
It might sit on the mounts etc, but I don't believe anything else will be to my definition of plug and play.
Does the new engine come with the heat exchanger and the associated pipework? As this will need to be fitted up front by the radiator.
The standard engine ECU will require signals from the auto box (722.6 5 speed Electronic box, 190 never had this box fitted) if its a manual the ECU will require to be coded, also an input from the ESP System or similar traction control system, then there will be the signals to the Lambda sensor(s) catalytic converters, it will also be looking for a code from the EIS Switch/Key to tell it to start.
Most people who fit the later engines to the earlier cars would almost certainly use a standalone aftermarket ECU if the original matched EIS/Key/ESL./ECU are not available.
If I was going to fit another upgraded engine to a 190 then I would consider a straight 6 engine, 190 had a 2.5 fitted from build though I would seek out a 2.8 from an early 202 c class or even the AMG version of the engine 3.2 or the more common 3.6 version, and I would be looking at sourcing it from a running parts car.

All the ancillary parts do not come with the engine. I am still looking for alternative options for an engine however the ones available at the moment (that I can find easily are the M111 - one n/a and one K). Thank you for the head up on the gearbox; no one seemed to mention this on any videos or posts Ive read so far. I will keep the search for an engine.

Coming to the ECU part, yes I was thinking of a standalone one

 

[Spyros777]

The 190E had an inline 2.6 M103. Easiest swap by far would be for a 3.0 litre M103. What you are contemplating with the M111K looks to be a complete PITA.

PITA is all we do around here The M111 and the K variant are readily available and cheap to buy here

 

[poormansporsche]

It's been done before there was a build thread on the 190 forum a few years back, it's not a straight fit or plug and play. The general consensus is that if you are going standalone management with the 111k you might as well dump the SC and go the turbo route.

 

[Spyros777]

It's been done before there was a build thread on the 190 forum a few years back, it's not a straight fit or plug and play. The general consensus is that if you are going standalone management with the 111k you might as well dump the SC and go the turbo route.

At the moment I am not considering the Turbo route. The standalone ECU is in case I opt to go for the SC engine instead of the n/a one. The aim here is to make the 190 more convenient to drive as a daily - i am not after power to be honest. If I manage to get my hands on the n/a one with all the electronics (its still in the car as I seen and the car is complete) I will go for that one.

 

[poormansporsche]

At the moment I am not considering the Turbo route. The standalone ECU is in case I opt to go for the SC engine instead of the n/a one. The aim here is to make the 190 more convenient to drive as a daily - i am not after power to be honest. If I manage to get my hands on the n/a one with all the electronics (its still in the car as I seen and the car is complete) I will go for that one.

Ah ha. I'd personally try and source a 8v 2.3 m102, that truly is plug and play and a nice upgrade. A 2.2 m111 from a w124 can be bodged to run with the original m111 ECU on a 190 but you are then looking at using the disintegrating w124 loom !

 

[Spyros777]

Ah ha. I'd personally try and source a 8v 2.3 m102, that truly is plug and play and a nice upgrade. A 2.2 m111 from a w124 can be bodged to run with the original m111 ECU on a 190 but you are then looking at using the disintegrating w124 loom !

Thanks! Thats more like it I will start the search for the m102 hopefully I can find one in decent shape. But the m111(k) is still on my mind. Anyways, which ever its more convenient I guess for making the 190e more “pleasant” to daily drive.

 

[poormansporsche]

You don't state on your original post what your current engine is, but as it's overheating I'm assuming it's a m102 1.8 or 2.0. If you have the 2.6 that's the 6 cylinder m103

Knowing what engine and whether you have a manual or auto, that you currently have will make advising much better.

As Andy stated the ancillaries are what are required. Anything is doable but if you really are set on a m111k you would probably need to source a complete pre facelift, non eis, 4 speed auto c230k donor car. Even then you would still need to sort out the mechanical Speedo on the 190 somehow and probably also need to change the final drive etc etc

As where is your "round here" as different places have different availability of stuff

 

[Spyros777]

You don't state on your original post what your current engine is, but as it's overheating I'm assuming it's a m102 1.8 or 2.0. If you have the 2.6 that's the 6 cylinder m103

Knowing what engine and whether you have a manual or auto, that you currently have will make advising much better.

As Andy stated the ancillaries are what are required. Anything is doable but if you really are set on a m111k you would probably need to source a complete pre facelift, non eis, 4 speed auto c230k donor car. Even then you would still need to sort out the mechanical Speedo on the 190 somehow and probably also need to change the final drive etc etc

As where is your "round here" as different places have different availability of stuff

So the current motor is the m102 1.8 with a 5 speed manual box. As far as the m111k, damn now that i am reading its a hell to swap. The one I posted above is the k one but I found also the N/A version from a c200 1998 esprit model (pretty cheap to be honest). I am now wondering whether the N/A would be an easier task. I have to sit down and assess my options