?
10-27-2010, 11:37 PM
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 329
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
e400
All i have to say is GOODLUCK! 
When i was new to this forums i had the same question, and i learned the hard way; there is no cheap way to increase HP.
Ways to increase HP:
1) Our cars already have Cold air Intakes (CAI), so a performance intake with a k&n air filter won't add much more than 4 to 5 hp.
So thats like $300 for 4hp. Worth it? I'll let you decide but i don't think it is. On the other hand, k&n air filters let more dust and particles through, which CAN shorten the life of the engine.
2) A good performance exhaust system can POSSIBLY add around 8 to 10 HP. In my opinion(IMO), this upgrade IS worth the cost.
It makes the car look better. (IMO)
It makes the car sound better. (IMO)
It will add some HP.
If you have the $1000 to spend on exhaust, definately buy it.
3) Most people think performance chips can add 20+ HP...FALSE!
You may get 5-7 hp from a chip, but for the time and money to install it, not worth it.
4) Turbocharger or Twin Turbochargers (TT) can add tons of HP. These turbo/TT kits are hard to come by, and also very costly. Around $5000 for some TT kits, plus installation etc.
This upgrade can cost up to about $8-$10,000, but will add 75-100 hp.
Possibly even more power depending on your injectors and PSI.
5) Lowering springs/Custom suspension.
This is not a HP adding upgrade (obviously), but it will reduce airflow under the car, which will result in faster speeds. Also, when you floor it off the line, it keeps the back from dipping down, and the front angling up.
This will make your car slightly faster off the line.
In addition to this slight performance upgrade, you get better handling and better looks.
Hope that little list will help you out some. There are more upgrades out there, i just don't know enough about them to expand upon.
Get some ideas/opinions from other people on the forums, as i do not have as much experience as a vast majority of them.
Goodluck
When i was new to this forums i had the same question, and i learned the hard way; there is no cheap way to increase HP.
Ways to increase HP:
1) Our cars already have Cold air Intakes (CAI), so a performance intake with a k&n air filter won't add much more than 4 to 5 hp.
So thats like $300 for 4hp. Worth it? I'll let you decide but i don't think it is. On the other hand, k&n air filters let more dust and particles through, which CAN shorten the life of the engine.
2) A good performance exhaust system can POSSIBLY add around 8 to 10 HP. In my opinion(IMO), this upgrade IS worth the cost.
It makes the car look better. (IMO)
It makes the car sound better. (IMO)
It will add some HP.
If you have the $1000 to spend on exhaust, definately buy it.
3) Most people think performance chips can add 20+ HP...FALSE!
You may get 5-7 hp from a chip, but for the time and money to install it, not worth it.
4) Turbocharger or Twin Turbochargers (TT) can add tons of HP. These turbo/TT kits are hard to come by, and also very costly. Around $5000 for some TT kits, plus installation etc.
This upgrade can cost up to about $8-$10,000, but will add 75-100 hp.
Possibly even more power depending on your injectors and PSI.
5) Lowering springs/Custom suspension.
This is not a HP adding upgrade (obviously), but it will reduce airflow under the car, which will result in faster speeds. Also, when you floor it off the line, it keeps the back from dipping down, and the front angling up.
This will make your car slightly faster off the line.
In addition to this slight performance upgrade, you get better handling and better looks.
Hope that little list will help you out some. There are more upgrades out there, i just don't know enough about them to expand upon.
Get some ideas/opinions from other people on the forums, as i do not have as much experience as a vast majority of them.
Goodluck
10-28-2010, 12:10 PM
#4
MBWorld Fanatic!
Great list Zach1328. I can think of one other option, also expensive, time consuming, and probably not worth the time/effort - an engine transplant. People have installed the V8's from the 400/500 series cars as well as V8's from the R129 chassis. This requires significant modification to the car, but you do get V8 power and grunt. People have also installed the AMG C36 engine as well. Since you have a 1995, I believe you already have the M104 engine, so the mechanicals would be much easier. This complication seems to be the ECU and associated support wiring. I have actually be looking into this option because I seem to like doing things are that are expensive, time consuming, and probably not worth the time and effort.
- FD
- FD
10-28-2010, 01:49 PM
#6
if you want to keep driving a W124, your best options to increase your performance are:
1. sell your diesel and pick up an E420 or something
2. Drive downhill more
Trending Topics
10-28-2010, 09:59 PM
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 329
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
e400
The max HP any of the 2.5L diesels produce is 123 from the 2.5L 20V TD.
The 300e 24v 2.8 has 194 hp and 217 for the 3.2.
I do think performance chips add a little bit more hp to diesels than they do to regular gasoline cars.
To have your 2.5L pushin out more than 160 hp at the crank, your going to spend more than a 300e 2.8 or 3.2 would be.
The 300E's with the 2.8 or 3.2 are also pretty quick from 85 mph and on, and the 2.8L DOHC does 0-60 in about 8.3, and the 3.2 in about 7.8s.
Ive taken my 2.8L up to about 115 with ease, and truth be told, it was still going pretty hard even at those upper speeds. Im pretty sure it will top out at around 140ish too, although im not sure if its limited to 135?
Doesn't really matter though, i probably wont ever pull it up to that speed anyways.
Last edited by zach1328; 10-28-2010 at 10:12 PM.
