v12powers

So im thinking of delving into a new project Mercedes. I have the option of buying a 86 190e 16v cosworth for about 3000 that is in decent shape. it runs well, has a good interior, and service records to the tune of 6000 within the last 4 years so the guy took care of it. My questions are, i dont see really a whole lot of any Real Mods to make it faster. Stock it is a slug. and I dont own a car thats not tuned somehow. So whats out there? What will make it faster? do i have to go to stand alone fuel management make custom manifolds and turbo it to get some power out of it? Thanks

AMGC

Theres not a lot out there, but for what is just look at my signature. Everything is just extremely rare to come by, extremely expensive, complicated, and a lot of work is involved. Only thing I have boughten that hadnt needed custom work was the Mosselman turbo headers, besides that everything on both 16Vs is custom. EFI conversion is the first thing to do performance wise. Running Megasquirt or VEMS is the best choices. In my 199 blue/black Cossie I have about 10K in mods while still doing all the work, and the smoke silver about 2-3K in mods just to give you an estimate

Wolfe190

If you aren't a "mercedes purist", I've always thought it would be cheap/easy/kinda badass to swap a SR20DET or something along those lines. That will get the 16v moving and if you are starting at just $3000 for the car, putting another 3k or so into the engine wouldn't be totally out of the question...

Personally, I want to build a W201 track car some day with a 1JZ series engine, or an RB25.

When it comes right down to it though, swapping the engine is the best way to get the power you want with these cars. Probably the most cost/time effective as well

v12powers

The money doesnt really scare me. I am familiar with megasquirt too. what are you looking at out of your turbo'd one? its kind of a high compression motor factory if Im not mistaken (just what Ive read) and according to the guy that wants to sell it to me its not a US spec car. it is the euro version so mine should be even a little higher compression ratio. I do think i wanna stick with the factory motor though. is there any kind of basic bolt on stuff like free er flowing exaust, pulleys or anything made for these cars? any hints as well about what to look for to see if it really is a euro spec car and not the us version? I really apreciate the information too. time taken out of your day to respond to my questions is really apreciated.

AMGC

swapping a I6 into a 4 banger is not worth it. It would be much simpler just to buy a 2.6 and swap in an AMG M104 3.6l with getrag and buy a 16V kit, and actually be able to mount the engine.

AMGC

Boosting a Euro is a bad idea because of the higher compression. There are no bolt on anythings. Obviously you can redo the exhuast. On both mine I have them straight piped since in MA there is no smog testing to these cars. To get some gains you can convert to EFI and a custom 16V intake plenum(make one if you are capable, buy one from me when my 3 for sale I am done building, or have one made). Best thing about 201s is the capabilities of suspension upgrades.

v12powers

I was under the impression that it was fuel injection allready. The bosch Jtronic or something. is it carbureated factory? or is it just not multiport injection? thanks

AMGC

it is a bosch k-jet CIS system. It is a very outdated system.

v12powers

What should i look for to see if it is a true Euro model or a US model?

AMGC

center console will be different (no wood, climate controls will be turn styles), you should also run the vin, 3.07 lsd, cloth plaid inserts on seats, rear headrests, Euro headlights, amber corners instead of orange, no 3rd brake light in spoiler and at all, and post pics up.

Wolfe190

damn... I wish I wasn't such a broke-*** college student... I'd be doin some work to my 201 too haha

Instead it is parked and I drive my 78' datsun lol

v12powers

Vin WDB2010341A121388

Darth Speed

You could upgrade the motor to a Euro 2.5L-16. I still got mine from a old project I might get rid of it soon.

v12powers

What kind of HP did the 2.5 make? and how hard would the swap be?

AMGC

swaps simple but the money it will cost to buy the engine, time swap will take, mine as well put in a new clutch/ resurface flywheel while its out, ect its not worth it to just swap in a 2.5-16. If you want a 16 valver with some nice instant power go EFI.

Darth Speed

If you got a exsisting 2.3L-16 then it just drops in and you can bolt all your old accessories to it. The exhaust is the same. It has CIS on it now. Just need to swap computers. If you go to EFI you can unlease the potential of the 2.5. stock hp is 225

Wolfe190

Holy crap that 2.5 engine is pure 4-banger sex!

want to put it on hold for a year or two?