So Many Questions! '91 300ce mods
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Joined: Nov 2008
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From: NE Kansas
1991 MB 300CE, 2007 MB CLK550, 2007 MB R500.
So Many Questions! '91 300ce mods
I would like to tweak my 300ce for performance, but as I am fifteen years of age, money is by far my greatest restraint.. 
I am making about $150/week after school (due to child labour laws) and I have a stock 300ce that I'm actually wondering if I should modify. I don't want to go overboard, just some performance modifications and maybe a nice body kit. I have tried doing some research but I can't find any freaking information other than "it's best to buy a 400e." I like my car because I took it for a near-theft - $4000 - and it's in MINT condition. I don't want to buy a new car. I have considered buying a cheap donor 400e and using parts but I don't know the best way to go about it. It's already quick enough, really, (0-60 in 8.5) but a little more speed wouldn't hurt. I've heard of biturbos squeazing out an extra 100 bhp? Is this BS? 'Cos that'll do! Please - I could use some guidance and someone to walk me through the process. I am open to any ideas; please don't hesitate to offer advice, criticism, suggestions, and hate mail!
Cheers and thanks, hey!
Marcel
I am making about $150/week after school (due to child labour laws) and I have a stock 300ce that I'm actually wondering if I should modify. I don't want to go overboard, just some performance modifications and maybe a nice body kit. I have tried doing some research but I can't find any freaking information other than "it's best to buy a 400e." I like my car because I took it for a near-theft - $4000 - and it's in MINT condition. I don't want to buy a new car. I have considered buying a cheap donor 400e and using parts but I don't know the best way to go about it. It's already quick enough, really, (0-60 in 8.5) but a little more speed wouldn't hurt. I've heard of biturbos squeazing out an extra 100 bhp? Is this BS? 'Cos that'll do! Please - I could use some guidance and someone to walk me through the process. I am open to any ideas; please don't hesitate to offer advice, criticism, suggestions, and hate mail!Cheers and thanks, hey!
Marcel
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 837
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From: seattle
1990 300ce supercharged and intercooled
A turbo or supercharger is the best way to get any power out of this engine. The stock injection system can be tweaked for up to 6lbs of boost if everything is good working condition. Or you can run a additional injector driver. 100 bhp is about what 6lbs will do for you. Maybe a little less. Search around on this subject and you will find several turbo cars and a couple supercharged on this forum and others.
The v8 swap requires some pretty detailed reworking of the engine bay. It can be done but it is not a straight engine swap. This also has been done and written quite a bit about.
The v8 swap requires some pretty detailed reworking of the engine bay. It can be done but it is not a straight engine swap. This also has been done and written quite a bit about.
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 837
Likes: 25
From: seattle
1990 300ce supercharged and intercooled
Their are turbo kits, which cost around 7-8000k plus install. Or you could have it made custom. A turbo header would cost around 1500.00 for a nice one or a simple cheap but reliable design could be much less. More around 400-600 dollars for a simple log manifold. A turbo cost around 1100.00 and a waste gate is 250-600 depending on what you get. You can build a simple turbo system for about 3000-3500, if you do a lot yourself.
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,325
Likes: 2
From: Seattle
1990 300ce
Hey man.
My advice to you is this. Save your cash for repairs. The parts and labor on these cars are very expensive, and as they become old (just like anything) they eventually will fail. If you're making $600/month, it's going to be extremely difficult to afford any worthwhile engine mods.
Hang onto your cash for gas and taking girls out on dates.
My advice to you is this. Save your cash for repairs. The parts and labor on these cars are very expensive, and as they become old (just like anything) they eventually will fail. If you're making $600/month, it's going to be extremely difficult to afford any worthwhile engine mods.
Hang onto your cash for gas and taking girls out on dates.
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Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,494
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From: REHOBOTH BEACH DE
88-300CE TWIN TURBO, 99-C43, 05-G55K, 71-280SL, 94-E320 CAB, 08 CLK63 BLACK SERIES
Marcel...
If you want to "squeeze" an extra 100HP from your M103-12V then expect your cost at a minimum to be around $10K...
Cheaper to get an additional 40HP by purchasing a later model E320 coupe with the M104-24V or better yet just a stock 400E or E420 will give you much more HP.
Unless you have a vehicle that is pristine and low mileage and you intend to keep it for a very long time, then don't go down the path you are considering...
So start by tuning to factory spec using all the correct parts and you should be satisfied with the performance you attain for under $500.00 !!
I'm in my 300CE for twenty one years from new...$53K to purchase and about $20K in performance upgrades over the past two years...
Am I crazy...not really, I can afford it and wanted something different..
I'll own the 300CE until I die !!!!
If you want to "squeeze" an extra 100HP from your M103-12V then expect your cost at a minimum to be around $10K...
Cheaper to get an additional 40HP by purchasing a later model E320 coupe with the M104-24V or better yet just a stock 400E or E420 will give you much more HP.
Unless you have a vehicle that is pristine and low mileage and you intend to keep it for a very long time, then don't go down the path you are considering...
So start by tuning to factory spec using all the correct parts and you should be satisfied with the performance you attain for under $500.00 !!
I'm in my 300CE for twenty one years from new...$53K to purchase and about $20K in performance upgrades over the past two years...
Am I crazy...not really, I can afford it and wanted something different..
I'll own the 300CE until I die !!!!
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,647
Likes: 8
Youngtimer
i'll be honest boet, it's not going to happen (unless your parents are generous). if you want any significant performance gain, you'll have to wait until you graduate from college, get a decent job, and even then save up for a while. a decent body kit will set you back close to a grand, unless you just get a front piece (which is actualy enough for these cars i think).
modding these cars cannot be done tastefully or well unless you have a bit of money to throw at them...
like has already been advised, any money you are making now will be wiped out as soon as you need brakes, or when your water pump goes out, or when... etc.
If i were you, i would not worry about performance. start saving up for a nice drop and a front spoiler, and a decent set of wheels, and you'll be good. these things alone, if done properly, will probably set you back close to $2,500, not counting installation of the suspension, if you have to pay someone to do it...
i used to have a nissan altima for all these reasons when i was younger.
modding these cars cannot be done tastefully or well unless you have a bit of money to throw at them...
like has already been advised, any money you are making now will be wiped out as soon as you need brakes, or when your water pump goes out, or when... etc.
If i were you, i would not worry about performance. start saving up for a nice drop and a front spoiler, and a decent set of wheels, and you'll be good. these things alone, if done properly, will probably set you back close to $2,500, not counting installation of the suspension, if you have to pay someone to do it...
i used to have a nissan altima for all these reasons when i was younger.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,321
Likes: 1
From: STL
95 e320...sold the rest
yeah man, like everyone's said, it's not going to be cheap.
but there are those little mods that you can do for low costs...like headlights, taillights, grille, clear corners, stereo upgrades...etc.
but there are those little mods that you can do for low costs...like headlights, taillights, grille, clear corners, stereo upgrades...etc.
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