Robert Watson

Robert Watson

Robert Watson

2014 C250

Nice Upgrades.

Question though. What's the benefit of upgrading the FMIC when the stock turbo barely flows enough air to push the capacity of the stock FMIC? Does the exhaust help the turbo not drop off so bad on the top end? Seems like these upgrades may be cosmetic at best with such a poor performing stock turbo. I've heard that even with a stronger waste gate the turbo still doesn't hold boost at high rpm. Boost creep from a free flowing exhaust would probably be helpful if the turbo could keep up.

Also, whats the bolt pattern on the turbine to downpipe? Is it a V-clamp? Nice to see someone actually doing some upgrades to the 250 that are at least performance oriented. Nice platform and chassis, shame it makes so little power.

Robert Watson

Yea, I'm not sure. I think you would get better answer asking the people at world Motorsports your questions since they offer the RADO line of products. All I can say is I am very happy with the upgrades for on the freeway I get to play and smoke BMW 335i's and even a V8 mustang. Vey happy indeed. ��

2014 C250

By smoking a BMW 335i you realize that means your car would have to be running a high 12sec 1/4 mile. Those mods are nice buy I don't see them dropping a full 3 seconds off the C250's 1/4 mile time. You would need at least 300+ whp and I'm afraid the stock turbo is just not up to it. Not calling BS, just the numbers don't add up. If you are happy with the improvements, that is really all that matters. i'm sure it's more potent than stock at least in the mid range. It certainly looks great! Love the aggressive look of the FMIC with polished end tanks.

Just wish I knew exactly what turbo is on the car so I can investigate some stock based turbo upgrades. What do you have the BMS tuner set to? Any overboost issues?

Robert Watson

I have it setto 70% and no overboost issues because ill max the partial throttle at about 14psi, when the car starts to stutter at 14, ill either go WOT or ease off the throttle. I cant explain how ive already smoke a few 335i's especially one with afterm,arket exhaust, and don't know what other mods, but on the freeway they wanna play, and I always enjoy to leave them in my wake!

Robert Watson

Oh and the turbo will peak at 17PSI

2014 C250

The turbo is a Borg Warner A271 which is the same turbo they use in their diesel applications. No wonder there is no top end, it's better suited to a lower revving diesel. Hybridturbos.com actually has a service where they can replace the Compressor wheel with a larger one and mill the housing to accommodate it. I don't know how much more performance that would add with the hot side being so small and restrictive.

Robert Watson

Nice. I might look into that as a possibility. My main plan was to replace the turbo with a bigger unit and have a reputable tuner do the programming in the ecu.

Knightmare69

Where did you get this info? I've checked mine and the others in my local club and it's IHI units.

Robert Watson

Yes 2014 C250, please list your source on where you obtained knowing the OEM turbo in our vehicles. Not calling BS, but it does make sense from a marketing stand point. Huge margins, and low cost from bulk purchased of same units used in diesel models.

2014 C250

Well the easiest way was for me to go outside to my own car and take a look at the compressor housing and get the part number directly form that. (Don't know why I didn't do this in the 1st place!) A 271 090 36 80

Then I cross referenced it with some units for sale. There are a few on Ebay. Also this site has listed most of the applications.

http://shop.turbocentras.com/en/turb...er-al0065.html

It is actually listed as an IHI/Borg Warner turbo. The part number on the heatshield I initially though was also for the turbo, but they are different.

2014 C250

Here is one on Ebay.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mercedes-Benz-204-C-Class-271-Engine-Turbocharger-Brand-New-OEM-271-090-36-80-/151574643058?hash=item234a8d8172&vxp=mtr
It seem IHI and Borg Warner made some turbo together, I am not 100% sure if this is one. It was listed for use on the E Class Blu Efficiency. Think that is a Diesel?

Knightmare69

Weird, all my cross referencing led back to IHI, there was no mention of Borg Warner. Maybe that's why IHI could give me no data on the unit. Unless they changed the turbo for FL models?

Robert Watson

2014 C250 would you be willing to help me with a project that I am trying to pursue with either a custom twin turbo, sequential turbo, or a bigger turbo upgrade for he C/W204 venture build? I know the market is a very small market at best , but I have the financial capital on funding for the R&D and am willing to work out an agreement on distributing the equity stake on a joint venture business deal. It might be something fun, and appealing to get involved with. PM me of you are interested. It will be a part time project so it will not impose of your current career/job.

Spd Racr

Will be following this. Ive been waiting for some performance pushes. The biggest obstacle I see is going to be tuning. Right now, piggyback tunes are the best and only option out there. I imagine with a turbo swap/add you are going to need more than that.

2014 C250

Well, the more I read the more challenging it seems to be to find any real tuning options. Aftermarket performance wise, the C250 is a bit of the lame duck fatherless child with the AMG's getting all the attention. Looks like the turbo is welded to the exhaust manifold so you would need some manifold options to even think of a turbo upgrade.

I come from the Mitsubishi/Honda turbo world where tuning options are abundant. Piggyback systems that offer almost limitless adjustment to fuel, timing, throttle parameters, and more with just a laptop. Renntech offers some nice options, but not for the the C250. I found info on the CLA45 turbocharger. It looks like it could work with a proper manifold and some modifications to the charge pipe outlet. The oil feed and water lines look similar. The turbine outlet to the down pipe is 3 bolts like the C250 unit.

Of course to see if this is even an option, we would need measurements of the manifold port spacing and size. It would be mounted facing down on the C250 rater than top mounted on the CLA45.

http://www.mboemparts.com/mercedes-b...e=turbocharger

Robert Watson

I have been busy with work, but will be getting more in depth with this upgrade starting this weekend. I will be doing some research do to either a turbo swap or even a type of hybrid setup. I will be contacting some tuners in regards to programming which will be the main focus of this project as well as a proper turbo installment. Custom fabrication would probably be a pain to do!

Lowflyer

I can't tell you how damn beautiful looking this thread is!....lol! I've always said that the 250's are underestimated and with a little love in the turbo area would bring amazing results. I wish I knew more of the down and dirty mechanics to it all and be more of a help. Seen the cold air intake proto Robert is working on as well, so excited to see where things go!

Perdiem

Great work Robert. I've been keeping an eye on all your other threads as well. Really liking the direction you're going with the 250.

Questions about the downpipe. Any issues with CELs after the install?

Robert Watson

There is only one code which is P0420 which states the catalyst efficiency just because the cat is missing but performance is not affected in any way, and there are 2 ways to remove the code. One is by having a ECU tuner remove it, and the other we will find out on Friday. ��

Perdiem

Looking forward to what Friday may bring =)

2014 C250

Sometimes we used a resistor inline of the O2 sensor or use a potentiometer to dial in what the ecu wants to see. That was on japanese applications though.