Im Tempted.
Possible Modifications to 1991 300ce?
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 534
Likes: 13
From: Beirut, Lebanon
2006 C55 AMG 6 speed
Ugh, don't remind me. I'd do questionable things for a full LS7 swap into my car. Very questionable. 
My friend, it all depends on where you're from. I can guarantee you that ANY 2JZ-GTE parts over here will be significantly more expensive than any equivalent Merc part. I understand where you're coming from, the 2JZ is significantly easier to modify due to people understanding it and supplying parts for it in far greater quantities than any M104 engine (which in the tuning world is basically unknown).
Chlippo, I'm in a dilemma. Should I buy the E320 engine and turbo that, or just stick to the 3.0 I have and deal with the CIS with a RRFPR and Split Second extra injector?
It seems to me the 320 will make things alot easier in the long run....
^^^ I would have to agree with you the price on doing the swap on either engine will end up almost cost the same. But think about it this way as for replacement parts cost after that. If something goes out on the car lets just say a starter... a Toyota starter will cost a lot less then the Mercedes parts. I know there are some people who would like to keep everything Mercedes and that is fine with me because i would like to do the same to mine. Then there are the few who wants something different... something that they can tune and upgrade with aftermarket performance parts available all over. After the end of which ever swap the person chooses to go with it all comes down to the cost of maintaining the motor. Im not trying to knock anyone who wants to keep everything euro and original Mercedes. All im doing is just throwing out this idea for the few who would want to make a beast out of our w124.
the stock M103 or M104 can take a max of 350-400 bhp to be realistic. Beyond this its a lot of money to invest it. Already to take it up there u will need to mod your fuel system even with standalone efi system or with additional injectors. then you have the automatic tranny that will start causing problems (unless you have a manual one). then your engine must be in a top shape or the hg will fail very soon under boost.
ive been there and tried this...and trust me its not very pleasant unless you are very very well prepared and have allll the parts you may need, and have a mechanic thats able to do it and willing to do it and iron all the little bugs that you might face.
The results are impressive, but then again you will have to sort your brakes and suspension.
im not being negative im just trying to report you stuff ive tried and faced.
That being said, i agree with the fact that modding the M103 M104 would end up pretty much as moddind the 2jz engine
ive been there and tried this...and trust me its not very pleasant unless you are very very well prepared and have allll the parts you may need, and have a mechanic thats able to do it and willing to do it and iron all the little bugs that you might face.
The results are impressive, but then again you will have to sort your brakes and suspension.
im not being negative im just trying to report you stuff ive tried and faced.
That being said, i agree with the fact that modding the M103 M104 would end up pretty much as moddind the 2jz engine
It seems to me the 320 will make things alot easier in the long run....
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 306
Likes: 1
300E W124, 300E W124 3.4 AMG, Audi S3 2002
as for myself, i might take out the 3.4 amg and get a 500 m119 in it. Didnt decide yet as i dont want to ruin the authenticity of a rare car, and i dont have the funds to complete a perfect swap to the m119
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Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 306
Likes: 1
300E W124, 300E W124 3.4 AMG, Audi S3 2002
i wish my suspension is easy to sort :S i cant do much since i got self levelling suspension at the rear, and i dont want to take it off.
let us see some pictures once installed!
Im usually a fan of bilstein sports or heavy duty.
let us see some pictures once installed!
Im usually a fan of bilstein sports or heavy duty.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 4,968
Likes: 3
1990 300ce 24v I6
So, what is the deal with the Spring Perch Shims? I just went to the dealer with VIN in hand to get the proper ones for my car and they just WTF'd.
Apparently, they have no way of telling what Spring Perch Shims came on the car :|
Apparently, they have no way of telling what Spring Perch Shims came on the car :|
Super Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 890
Likes: 4
From: Boise, ID, USA
300D, 500E, E420
Super Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 890
Likes: 4
From: Boise, ID, USA
300D, 500E, E420
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 4,968
Likes: 3
1990 300ce 24v I6
That is correct. Due to manufcturing tolerances, there is no way to tell what shims a particular car came with from the factory. The EPC will specify a certain shim for a certain replacement spring, but again, there is no gaurantee that is the spring which came in your car originally. You gotta go look with a flashlight and see what's on there. The shims are used to slightly tweak ride height, and since your suspension is non-stock anyway, finding out what the factory shims were seems irrelevant, no...?
I'll just have them pulled and order fresh ones when I get to that stage. Bucky is still in the throes of being rebuilt so it may be another month yet before I even see it.
Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 154
Likes: 6
From: SoCal
'91 C124 300CE,'06 ML 500 W164, '00 BMW MCOUPE, '65 COBRA REPL.
My 91 300CE came with 3 nib spring pillows front and back. I would assume that those were original equipment. I replaced them with 1 in back and 2 in front. That way the back is not too high compared to the front. IMO it sits much nicer now and has not affected the ride quality. I ordered from parts.com. That site uses actual dealer network and has very good prices.
FRONT
201 321 09 84 - #1 8mm
201 321 10 84 - #2 13mm
201 321 11 84 - #3 18mm
201 321 12 84 - #4 23mm
REAR
201 325 09 44 - #1 8mm
201 325 10 44 - #2 13mm
201 325 11 44 - #3 18mm
FRONT
201 321 09 84 - #1 8mm
201 321 10 84 - #2 13mm
201 321 11 84 - #3 18mm
201 321 12 84 - #4 23mm
REAR
201 325 09 44 - #1 8mm
201 325 10 44 - #2 13mm
201 325 11 44 - #3 18mm
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 4,968
Likes: 3
1990 300ce 24v I6
Very nice. I'm actually one of the few that is quite fond of the raked aspect of the 300ce's stock setup. I think raked with slightly less wheel -> fender gap will look pretty sweet.
That being said, your car is amazing. A bit jealous
That being said, your car is amazing. A bit jealous
Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 154
Likes: 6
From: SoCal
'91 C124 300CE,'06 ML 500 W164, '00 BMW MCOUPE, '65 COBRA REPL.
Thanks man!
I am not turned off by the raked look, I kinda like it as well. I just decided to go that way since I was looking a bit more drop from my Eibach springs.
Once I was there, I thought I would try the extra drop on the back. Turned out ok.
If you are getting lowering springs, try those with the stock pads. The ride height will look good, and in your climate and you liking to snow rally, maybe keep the #3.
Good luck with Bucky!!
I am not turned off by the raked look, I kinda like it as well. I just decided to go that way since I was looking a bit more drop from my Eibach springs.
Once I was there, I thought I would try the extra drop on the back. Turned out ok.
If you are getting lowering springs, try those with the stock pads. The ride height will look good, and in your climate and you liking to snow rally, maybe keep the #3.
Good luck with Bucky!!
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 4,968
Likes: 3
1990 300ce 24v I6
Yeah, I'm hoping to keep the same spring pad numbers, just getting new ones from the dealer. I'm having pretty much every rubber bit in the suspension replaced right now, so why stop on a 5$ part?
Thanks man. I can't wait to get it back all done up & ready to drive. I'm praying its by the end of the Summer AutoX season, I want to test out my new toys.
Thanks man. I can't wait to get it back all done up & ready to drive. I'm praying its by the end of the Summer AutoX season, I want to test out my new toys.
