m272 c230 performance camshafts/heads...?
Anyone looked into having some camshafts custom ground?
How about machine work done on the heads? (at the least port/polish... better yet machine work to increase compression or better yet custom valves?)
Anyone know who I would want to approach to have any of this done? I graduate dental school in may of 12 and instead of spending more money on a new car, when i absoloutely love my c230, would totally consider spending 3-5K+ in getting some custom valvetrain work done to pony it up.
does anyone know the cam specs for not only this car, but the c350 engine?
how about the valve sizes for each the two heads?
I ask because Im going to assume that the cams and heads are probably interchangeable, and if the specs happen to be more aggressive, an inexpensive swap could be in order for a performance upgrade.
edit: same question regarding the valvetrain off the c280 swapping into a c230
Last edited by cpbeasley; Sep 19, 2010 at 06:04 AM.

I'm an LS1 guy recently converted to my c230... so I don't know who would be an expert in DOHC grinds... I may start by calling Lunati and see what they have to say. I had them grind my LS1 cam, maybe they'll at least point me in the right direction.
Does anyone know the stock compression? I ask b/c could at least do some clearancing of the deck to increase compression... I could also at least port/polish/angle valve job
But can anyone chime in on cam and/or head specs for the c230 vs c280 vs c350 engines?
Before I got crazy with custom stuff, if the bigger motors have more aggressive cams/heads, could at least buy the valvetrain off of a salvaged 06-07 c350 (for instance) and do the swap. Im going to assume the bolt pattern is all the same as they've all surely got to be the same block?
And dont they make headers for the 3.5L? So at that rate could invest in a set of those to top it off.
Last edited by cpbeasley; Sep 19, 2010 at 11:09 AM.
Here's some more info about the c350 engine, but it talks mostly about the direct injection.
http://www.emercedesbenz.com/Feb06/2...sCLS30CGI.html
All us spec m272's are port injected. Mercedes refuses to bring over the direct injection because US fuel cannot support it. (this is why other manufactures are having engine problems with their Di engines at moderate mileage)
Moving on, my reading tells me the c230 and c280 share the same head. The C350 head should interchange with no problem and is mainly the same. I'm not sure what the difference is aside from the part number. I'm banking on it having less combustion chamber volume to raise the compression (note: guessing). If you have an M272 C230 why not just swap the internals for a 350 and call it a day, the blocks are almost identical. These cars use cylinder liners so its an even easier swap. (thats my plan at least, strip to bare block swap internals and tune as a 350) Almost forgot the intake manifold, grab that too.
You gotta love these Germans for interchangeable parts.
All us spec m272's are port injected. Mercedes refuses to bring over the direct injection because US fuel cannot support it. (this is why other manufactures are having engine problems with their Di engines at moderate mileage)
Moving on, my reading tells me the c230 and c280 share the same head. The C350 head should interchange with no problem and is mainly the same. I'm not sure what the difference is aside from the part number. I'm banking on it having less combustion chamber volume to raise the compression (note: guessing). If you have an M272 C230 why not just swap the internals for a 350 and call it a day, the blocks are almost identical. These cars use cylinder liners so its an even easier swap. (thats my plan at least, strip to bare block swap internals and tune as a 350) Almost forgot the intake manifold, grab that too.
You gotta love these Germans for interchangeable parts.
There a bunch of other cars currently in the US using DI. All the vw and audi 2.0T's, 335i's, and even the new turbo sonata uses DI and 87 gas.
The main reason mercedes didn't bring it over is because the CGI technology requires a more costly cat.
http://www.caranddriver.com/news/car...ncy-auto_shows
Last edited by TemjinX2; Sep 20, 2010 at 09:58 AM.
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im not an engineer by any means, but i do love gettin greasy and tearing motors apart. cant tell you how many times i had my LS1 down to the internals. having access to a lift and more tools than id ever need is also a plus.
do you have any sources for all the tehcnical info on each of these motors? id like to investigate further cam specs and heads specs. id love it if i could just do a head/cam swap and get something out of that for starters. then play with the idea of switching cranks for the longer stroke, and going with the larger bore.
All us spec m272's are port injected. Mercedes refuses to bring over the direct injection because US fuel cannot support it. (this is why other manufactures are having engine problems with their Di engines at moderate mileage)
Moving on, my reading tells me the c230 and c280 share the same head. The C350 head should interchange with no problem and is mainly the same. I'm not sure what the difference is aside from the part number. I'm banking on it having less combustion chamber volume to raise the compression (note: guessing). If you have an M272 C230 why not just swap the internals for a 350 and call it a day, the blocks are almost identical. These cars use cylinder liners so its an even easier swap. (thats my plan at least, strip to bare block swap internals and tune as a 350) Almost forgot the intake manifold, grab that too.
You gotta love these Germans for interchangeable parts.
The Best of Mercedes & AMG

Mercedes pioneered direct injection, they are the experts, they know what it can do and its limitations.
Limitations being this.
http://www.m3post.com/forums/showpos...3&postcount=14
A Di gas engine will only last until its warranty runs out. Then terrible things start to happen. Mercedes has chosen not to sully its reputation (more), unlike other companies.
Alas this is not the tread for DI speak. If you would like to take it out side we can always open a new thread on it.
____________________________________
And to OP:
The C350 headers off a W204 fit up just fine. Its been done across the entire M272 range. Kleeman makes a set and you can find ebay knockoffs of them (for cheap!!)

Mercedes pioneered direct injection, they are the experts, they know what it can do and its limitations.
Limitations being this.
http://www.m3post.com/forums/showpos...3&postcount=14
A Di gas engine will only last until its warranty runs out. Then terrible things start to happen. Mercedes has chosen not to sully its reputation (more), unlike other companies.
from:http://www.bimmerfile.com/2009/05/01...pth/#more-2920
Alas this is not the tread for DI speak. If you would like to take it out side we can always open a new thread on it.
____________________________________
And to OP:
The C350 headers off a W204 fit up just fine. Its been done across the entire M272 range. Kleeman makes a set and you can find ebay knockoffs of them (for cheap!!)
NOX is a smog regulated gas and our NOX levels are stricter then in europe. Same reason diesel cars tend to have more trouble passing smog and require more expensive smog devices to pass smog versus gasoline.
It has no relationship to the reliability of the engine, like your implying. The fact that they use the engine in Europe and VW and Audi mass produces the DI 2.0T in the United States should be proof enough that DI engines are reliable.
Mercedes concluded it wasn't cost effective for a 2.8mpg gain. Its probably less when you convert it to US standards since they use larger imperial gallons and we use standard gallons.
BMW uses DI in the 335i and they have no problems with the engine even when taken to 500whp + on a stock block. Only problem they have is with the fuel pumps which isn't related to the engine.
Last edited by TemjinX2; Sep 20, 2010 at 02:14 PM.
Also kleemann produces camshafts for the m272 3.5L. You can ask them if they would work with your car.
http://www.kleemann.dk/Performance/Power/Camshafts.aspx
Also kleemann produces camshafts for the m272 3.5L. You can ask them if they would work with your car.
http://www.kleemann.dk/Performance/Power/Camshafts.aspx
yes, the m272 cam for 3.5 not only works, but theyve performed the mod ALOT in the middle east into the 2.3L.
this goes for their headers as well.

this isnt over
Im waiting on a quote from Kleemann USA for the cam + ECU tune...
but it appears the cam swap alone would cost $1300 at the merc dealer. will be getting a quote from a good indy euro mechanic next.
my graduation present to myself is going to be a C63
in the meantime i think id like to be the only retard on here with a cam'ed 2.3L
Cams are totally a DIY. I thought you liked to work on things?

PS if you can "acquire" a copy of wis its useful for finding part numbers.
Cams are totally a DIY. I thought you liked to work on things?

PS if you can "acquire" a copy of wis its useful for finding part numbers.
Plus, never worked on a DOHC. I spoke with a Merc service manager yesterday who actually designs custom supercharged applications for LS cars (camaros, corvettes), and he even said swapping cams on the DOHC was a bear. Im not afraid, as long as I knew I had all the tools and a better understanding of the physical components of the DOHC vs traditional. Other than picturing two cams sitting ontop of a cylinder head, I don't even know a thing about the mechanics of it. And this is my DD so I cant do anything to EFF it up come time for this. I need to find at the very very least a Chilton manual on replacing the cams.
Whats wis?
And you mentioned that all m272 w204 headers work on all m272 w203 applications? So thats def true? I saw ebay has a set called "OBX" for under $400, specifically stated to fit the w204.
Are there any modifications required that you know of for specifically fitting a set of these into my 06 2.5L?
Let me know what you find out about the cylinder headers. im more than interested.
And you mentioned that all m272 w204 headers work on all m272 w203 applications? So thats def true? I saw ebay has a set called "OBX" for under $400, specifically stated to fit the w204.
Are there any modifications required that you know of for specifically fitting a set of these into my 06 2.5L?
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...2-headers.html
Also karo has done it in his C350. It seems that the header comes very close to the steering shaft, in karo's case (and on some of the w204's) it hits under some conditions. The solution seems to be heat the headers up and bend them.
The OBX are kleemann knock offs, fitment is unknown but on other forums I've seem them make a pretty good product. I would go for it if it doesnt work out just return them. They seem pretty identical though.
Also wis is workshop-information-system its the mercedes service manual.




