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computer chip work with w124?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2008
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From: Orlando, FL
1993 Mercedes 400E V8 4.2L
computer chip work with w124?
do anyone know or have a w124 that have a computer chip in the car? if so, how much does it help and where can i get one. Are they good source to increase the power on your car. Please give me some ideas on how to increase the car power.
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 203
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From: North East
04 E500, 00 SL500, 99 SL500, 94 E420, 92 500E, 92 500E, 92 300CE, 06 Lexus GX470
What year- model are you talking about, what engine & tranny combo, a few variables here. I'll assume your talking about something like a 300E 6 cylinder.
Are you sure you want to modify a W124 engine, (103 or 104), just for more power. These are really nice old cars, pretty much engineered for the best already. The total cost to maintain them can be very expensive even without increasing H/P and then presumably stressing the drive train after you have. Has the head gasket ever been replaced? The tranny been rebuilt yet? Has your suspension been rebuilt, need bigger sway bars? etc. etc. etc.
I think the biggest danger to the car may be your implied driving style. Your desire for more power, hence more leadfoot driving and putting a lot of additional stresses on the entire car.
You can easily drop $8 to $10 grand in these old cars overnight just to chase a small performace gain... All this is OK if you can afford it, many have done it before, but have the money and desire to keep the cars maintained well.
Want more peformance, get a 400E , (V8), in good condition and just maintain it with stock parts.
By the way, in another forum, there are 500E parts for sale, from an extremely rare car that was driven into a ditch at high speed. Completely totaled, another performance oriented car destroyed needlessly. Too much testosterone, not enough common sence......
Just a thought.
Are you sure you want to modify a W124 engine, (103 or 104), just for more power. These are really nice old cars, pretty much engineered for the best already. The total cost to maintain them can be very expensive even without increasing H/P and then presumably stressing the drive train after you have. Has the head gasket ever been replaced? The tranny been rebuilt yet? Has your suspension been rebuilt, need bigger sway bars? etc. etc. etc.
I think the biggest danger to the car may be your implied driving style. Your desire for more power, hence more leadfoot driving and putting a lot of additional stresses on the entire car.
You can easily drop $8 to $10 grand in these old cars overnight just to chase a small performace gain... All this is OK if you can afford it, many have done it before, but have the money and desire to keep the cars maintained well.
Want more peformance, get a 400E , (V8), in good condition and just maintain it with stock parts.
By the way, in another forum, there are 500E parts for sale, from an extremely rare car that was driven into a ditch at high speed. Completely totaled, another performance oriented car destroyed needlessly. Too much testosterone, not enough common sence......
Just a thought.
Last edited by ohollenbeck; Feb 16, 2009 at 12:04 PM.
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2008
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From: Orland Park, Illinois
1994 E320 (current)
There is however a company that will "flash" your ecu (at least with the m104". It runs $200+ and the performance improvement is only found when you have the car ***** to walls above 4500rpm. As stated before the cars are getting the most out of the engine management system already. If you are looking for a euro car to make a tuner you would better served with something like a 318 or 325 BMW. The 124 is a touring car set up to run 75-100 mph all day and be comfortable doing so. Even the 500e lags behind in performance to some of the M class and turbo laiden Saabs. This is a car to go crusing in not to hunt down mustangs and Civics. I you are only looking to add a bit of performace to bet a little more nimble then maybe the 400e or e420 would be a better bet for you but remember this a 4000lb car, you are not going to get porshe like reflexes or Evo/sti acceleration. A tuner the 124 is not, however it is a well built car that took advantage of all the technology that was available at the time (hence the pricey repairs). I agree with ohollenbeck on all points.
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Joined: Sep 2008
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From: North East
04 E500, 00 SL500, 99 SL500, 94 E420, 92 500E, 92 500E, 92 300CE, 06 Lexus GX470
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 844
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From: Orland Park, Illinois
1994 E320 (current)
I talked to the company that does it as I was curious as to how it works. You are correct that the ECU does not do any of that and is why they flash the ECU ROM. What it does do is after the engine (M104) retards the valve timing advance above 5200 RPM. The stock ECU ROM also sets the fuel flow back down a bit to match where the flashed ROM allows the fuel system to pump full throttle as if timing was still advanced 3 degrees. This offers only a nominal increase in horse power and requires improved exhaust among other things to take advantage of. Most people would never know the difference except that the Dyno would give them 5 to 7 HP on the peak which in the big scheme of things is nothing at full throttle. I agree, keep the $200 or send it off to Zorro either way just don't flash the ECU. Since the m103 does not have the variable valve timing or the fuel delivery system of the M104 there is nothing you can do the the ECU of the M103, better off that way anyhow.
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From: USR, NJ, United States of Americaland
1994 C124 E320 Coupe - 1975 W116 280S
I talked to the company that does it as I was curious as to how it works. You are correct that the ECU does not do any of that and is why they flash the ECU ROM. What it does do is after the engine (M104) retards the valve timing advance above 5200 RPM. The stock ECU ROM also sets the fuel flow back down a bit to match where the flashed ROM allows the fuel system to pump full throttle as if timing was still advanced 3 degrees. This offers only a nominal increase in horse power and requires improved exhaust among other things to take advantage of. Most people would never know the difference except that the Dyno would give them 5 to 7 HP on the peak which in the big scheme of things is nothing at full throttle. I agree, keep the $200 or send it off to Zorro either way just don't flash the ECU. Since the m103 does not have the variable valve timing or the fuel delivery system of the M104 there is nothing you can do the the ECU of the M103, better off that way anyhow.
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From: Orland Park, Illinois
1994 E320 (current)
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1992 300TE 4matic wagon
Member whipplem104 is a MB technician and a tuner/fabricator. He said the M103 engines are a natural for turbocharging, not supercharging. I haven't talked to him yet about the actual dollars and cents, but I think the gain is well worth the effort. The W124 trannies, rear ends etc can easily handle more ponies-I wouldn't let that scare you, unless they are ready to fail anyway. Other than that, changing to a higher hp, more complex motor (that fits) is the preferred choice of the serious tuner. Or find a Hammer....
The Germans have done a great job in extracting power/performance from these cars....there are no big engineering loopholes that will net your 50hp gains etc. Do look into turbo though and whipplem104 is da man.
Kevin
The Germans have done a great job in extracting power/performance from these cars....there are no big engineering loopholes that will net your 50hp gains etc. Do look into turbo though and whipplem104 is da man.
Kevin
Last edited by Real1shepherd; Feb 21, 2009 at 10:22 PM. Reason: More info
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2008
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From: Houston
1994 E420
there is a computer chip for the v8 engines in the w124, it removes the upshift delay in the transmission on cold starts, removes the top speed limiter and maybe gives 5 to 7 hp. I found it on ebay and stuck it in my 420. It was $60.
IMHO, dont chip anything in these cars.
The best way to harness the power already there is for a diff change (which I did in my 420 to 2.82).
You can always go the twin turbo way as RBYCC did in his CE.
(He has the M103 engine which has a better compression ratio for a twin turbo setup)
there are a couple of people who have supercharged and intercooled the m104
Do a search, or check Mercedes shop forum under their performance thread
IMHO, dont chip anything in these cars.
The best way to harness the power already there is for a diff change (which I did in my 420 to 2.82).
You can always go the twin turbo way as RBYCC did in his CE.
(He has the M103 engine which has a better compression ratio for a twin turbo setup)
there are a couple of people who have supercharged and intercooled the m104
Do a search, or check Mercedes shop forum under their performance thread
