Ive got a 1988 300ce single cam automatic and i need a summer project since im out of school and dont have a job. as far as i can make out m103-12s and m103-24s are the same other than the number of cams i would like to buy a m103-24 or m104 dohc head port and polish it and hopefully just bolt it on to my block. i would appreciate any information if this can be done that easy and i have a t25 turbo, piping, oil lines and all tools, equipment, etc. i have a $2000 budget i can do all the labor. my goal is 250whp what do i need what problems will i have can this be done? please help everywhere i look no one else has done a dual cam conversion and no one has simple home made turbo setups maybe im looking in the wrong places thanks for anything you can help with

 

Do a search there are tons of threads on this.

 

ive searched can you post a link(s) or tell me what to search i cant seem to find anything sorry do you have any advice?

 

The head is not a straight bolt on...

Turbo the M103-12V...

 

i wanted to explore my options with the head because this is my 3rd head and the rocker arms keep stripping themselves and i have a very worn cam. what boost can i run with everything stock im not trying to go crazy with it but i hate having to floor it to keep up with traffic. i want to have the most power i can for $2k am i going in the wrong direction

 

Your 88 has the old style cam and rocker arms. It was updated I believe mid-late 89 to a different design that does not wear as much. This may be the reason why you've gone through so many although it seems a little odd. I'm at 100k on both my cars, both have some cam and rocker arm wear, but it's not to the point it needs replacing by any shot.

 

im at 113k miles on mine but the previous owner did not maintain the car at all and trashed it, when i got it, it wasnt running. so i should fix or update my valvetrain and then turbo the single cam rather than putting in a different engine, would my engine hold 6psi and if not what would be a weakpoint or what should i upgrade to ensure that nothing breaks and causes major damage

 

With all due respect, don't attempt to turbo your engine.

Based on the questions that you are asking it appears that your basic knowledge of the M103-12V and the CIS-E would preclude you from doing anything with $2000 except wasting it...

You first asked about bolting on a twin cam head...
So how does the M103-12V turn both cams when it's set up to only turn a single cam....see what I'm getting at..

What about enrichment...give that any thought..
CIS-E will not be able to get you to the AFR boost requires...

Do it right or not at all..especially if you don't have a job...

 

i have other cars so i just want to use this one to learn with so i can end up being knowledgeable and and know all of this i have a 124 specialist to help with everything and i have lots of friends to help with everything i wasnt relying on only my knowledge i know i couldnt so i guess my best plan would be to just put a different more powerful working engine in it and leave it alone but seeing as how mercedes engines dont have what im looking for until they start getting very expensive, are there any cheap engines that i could put in my car that will make good power and maybe retain my transmission.

you can hate me all you want but Ive seen NA 2jzs with there autos and the benzs auto mated together and it seems to be what i want and pretty easy would u feel better about an amateur attempting this and later on turbocharging that since thats more natural

 

Wow those are long sentences I almost died from a lack of oxygen...

I suggest you listen to RBYCC, he is very seasoned with the M103 turbos. Search his name and you should learn quite a lot just through that.

 

Your name isn't really "Zach", is it???

 

Funny...My first thought when opening the thread...

 

umm no i don't get it? my names holden

 

Sorry, Holden.

People just went spent a great deal of time and effort to help another poster with a similar question as yours, and a similar car.

The members were very generous and patient with their free advice. It took a lot of time and some extraordinary effort from several very knowledgeable members. Many contributors have decades of experience with these cars, own several of them, and are mechanics or engineers. The OP was rude, argumentative, and thoroughly unappreciative, to say the least.

I'll try to put up the links to his threads - that should answer most of your questions:

https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...-upgrades.html

 

More Zach:

https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...rformance.html


https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...e-help-me.html

 

There's more, but you can just check under his profile, for more threads.

There is something on wheels, suspension, etc,
also C36 engine swap.

 

I can't comment on adding a turbo but the early 90's coupes had CIS with a dual cam M103. They aren't as plentiful as the M104 DOHC but easier to convert from the SOHC M103. With that said, it has a unique EZL which aren't cheap used ($200-500) or new ($1000). A good used DOHC head will likely cost you over $1000. You can use your budget for a hotter cam and bigger valves and learn to port & polish...

 

Since I'm being compared to him it seems i am wasting everyone's time hopefully being nicer? and I'm not going to get anywhere, so I'm just going to quit this and do a lot of research on my own and build my own unique 2jz 300ce hopefully. I've already got the car and the engine. so maybe after this i will be educated on some subject in the 124 upgrade world. and i might be able to help newbs likes me.

thank you all for taking time to try to help me good luck in all of your endeavors
Holden

 

Don't be so hard on yourself man. We've just seen sooo many countless people coming in here and talking about engine swaps, turbo, etc. (myself included). The annoying thing is that most of these people usually come and waste mounds of our time gathering information, then give up when they see the costs involved. So it has become a time saver for everyone to just tell them not to do it from the beginning.

You sound knowledgeable enough if you have done headjobs, and you have turbo's lying around.

If you are set on a 2jz, then this thread will be a good read and an encouragement to you;
https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...otor-swap.html

However, Jason said he spent nearly 10k for this job. If you're only going for 250whp, your best, cheapest, most reliable bet would be to sell your car for maybe 3k (if you can get it) and find a 500e for ~5k. That way you also end up with those beautiful fenders everybody loves, and you actually have room to fit some decent tires!

 

Many have been down a similar path and just don't want to see you make the same costly mistakes. We've also seen a lot of young kids with high hp cars become a danger to themselves and others.

When I was much younger I installed a Chevy V8 into a Porsche 914. I completed it but never got the cooling sorted out and it sat in my garage for most of 10 years. It also cost me as much as a new car when all was totaled but it was a rich learning experience for my tinkering side. A few years ago a younger man wanted to do this type of conversion on a very tight budget. Many of us initially tried to discourage him but he was persistent and eventually many of us started to help him and donate parts. He got a his low budget rocket, it wasn't an ideal car but it wasn't near the money pits most of us had. My point is, if you really want something keep asking, learn from our mistakes, be very resourceful, and maybe you'll find new solutions that haven't been considered...

 

Nobody is "hating" you on here, as you suggested in one of your earlier posts.

Our point was, advice was asked for, and freely given.

If you disagree with it- fine. You are free to do what you want. Nobody is judging you, or TELLING you what to do.

Just don't accuse us ofbeing haters if we don't wholly endorse your plans.

RBYCC is a great resource and has done exactly what you want to do. He also tried to do you a favour, by pointing out problems and expenses you may have to save you grief.

You interpret that as "hating".

Nobody is obligated to do ANYTHING on here for you.

There is a huge wealth of info in the Zach threads, but I'd be surprised if anyone here would go to the trouble to post all that stuff again, for someone who already says they think we will be haters if you propose another engine swap!

Good luck with your project.

 

i could only get about $1500 for my car realistically and yes i could get a 500e(but i love the pillar less coupe) but thats not the point of this its not all about having a 124 or just a fast car i want the experience the knowledge the feeling of accomplishment when i do something great myself not just buy a faster one and whats more interesting a 500e or a 300ce with a 2jz that some kid built that could outrun the 500 for the same money. for my fast German 4 door Ive got the m5 for a go fast car Ive got the ttg35 but i just want something different something unique. i can probably do it if i commit and work hard at it, get the swap done in a month but the drive shaft will be a problem. little things like that are what teaches u. buying a 500e will change nothing accomplishing a crazy swap with no money will be a major accomplishment or major failure but then i can just put the engine back in and no harm done

 

^ Which is fine...but you need more money. That's about it...

Rebuilding the bottom end to get 3.6L will net you ~240-250HP. Maybe consider that? It would probably be achievable with a 2k budget. That should be a good enough experience in itself.
In my future, that is my plan of action. I'm gonna buy a used 103 motor and rebuild it then do a straight swap with my 2.6. Probably a few years from now, but that is my goal.

 

NA 2jz probably the same money, cooler end result similar power, it wont go through heads like i am, higher red line, better fuel economy, and easy to make an NA-T and get a reliable 400hp. other than getting my driveshaft to mate to the 2jz gearbox i think it would be better and since i dont have AC i dont have to loose that. you can buy engine and transmission mounts for it and every drivetrain mount i have is shot so really it would only be around $600 difference than fixing my engine to good condition

 

"Hate you"....Why ???? .....I don't even know you !

Only trying to enlighten you....

Nothing mechanical is to be considered "easy" if you have no "hands on" experience..
The operative word for "easy" is "experience".

Fortunate you have one around you a "124" specialist..
But you really need a "124 turbo specialist"...
I know of only a few in the whole of the USA that can be called that....

Good luck