Shoomakan

I used the almighty SEARCH function and couldn't find what I was looking for. There are several M104 questions I'd like answered, once and for all. Thanks for your time.

1. I have the CIS type M104 3.0 24V engine, M104.98. Is it true that early year R129 (90's SL) and W140 (S-Class) came with an EFI version of this engine making nearly 235 horsepower? If yes, is it possible to convert mine to EFI by carrying over the harness, ECU, and electronics?

2. Does the 3.2 block off the newer M104 bolt DIRECTLY to mine? Some say yes, others say no. Just the block, mind you, not all the gadgetry.

3. If I swap over the 3.2 EFI system and all electronics, would it be possible to create a hybrid M104.98 system that works? Assuming all parts are available, is it plug and play? I know I need to change the intake manifold and some other parts with that, too.

ps: I really did look around for information, both online and here, not to mention the Peach forum. Lots of interesting stuff, but I'd like to know the answers to these too. I'm calling this thread my own so that every time I have a question I can just re post it here and not create thread traffic. Thanks for the effort, guys!

Shoomakan

Oh, some background information for later use:

Car has been swapped to manual using a standard 5 speed transmission available on W124s. It runs great, recently replaced pressure plate and clutch.

Currently looking for 500E fenders and bumper. Found a bumper and picking it up on Friday, paying 350$ for it. Hope to find the fenders by the end of the month so I can paint and assemble next month.

I'll keep you all updated with pictures and random tidbits.

Shoomakan

And cheers of course to my girlfriend who's chipping in time, effort and money to help build my car the way I want it. I think I've found a keeper, boys.

Shoomakan

A little update:

I contacted K-Mac Racing inquiring about polyurethane bushing upgrades. While they don't sell them alone, they do sell them along with the castor and camber upgrades. Here's the message they sent me:

"Hi Zade,

Yes, we manufacture W124 front camber and caster adjuster kits. They replace the wishbone inner bushes, two per side.

These, therefore, eliminate those worn bushes and at the same time provide precise camber and caster adjustment. $US380 for the set of four bushes.

The rear kit, adjusting camber and toe, replaces the control arm inner bushes and the toes bush. Again, these provide precise adjustment of camber and toe, $295 set of four.

Both kits come with bush extraction tools so there are no further special tools required for installation. Air mail to Lebanon is $95.

You can order by e.mail, phone (+612 9556 1799 - 24 hours), fax (+612 9556 1507) using Visa or Mastercard (please include the last three digits from the reverse side with your details) or you can use our website's secure order form -
http://www.k-mac.com/pages/order/order.htm

Regards,

Kevin"

I don't think I need such precise suspension tuning on my daily driver, those 800-900$ would be better served on other things for me. Still, some of you might find this useful.

WDB124066

They squeak!

Shoomakan

Really? I DETEST squeaking. Decided against polyurethane bushings as I really don't think I need that much stiffness in my road car.

Car is going in tomorrow for a full bushing replacement along with shifter bushing replacement. I think that's good enough for now.

WDB124066

Full bushing replacement?
Are you using Genuine MB Parts?
Are you going along the Sportline path?
Make sure they get the orientation of the LCA bushes correct, they are all different did you know?

Shoomakan

Genuine MB parts, yes. If I find the Sportlines, I'll definitely go that route but nothing stiffer.

No, I didn't, actually... I assume the mechanic who's doing this is well versed in such matters, but in CASE he isn't, can you explain or link something so I can learn?

Thanks!

WDB124066

Yes but you might want to delay the start of the works a little Shookman if you can. It is very late here, can I post up something tomorrow or PM me your email and I'll send through something for you to read over.

Yes I agree Genuine Sportline bushes will be very nice, a full Genuine set of ALL rubber in NZL just for the rear in a Sportline Cabrio is USD$2500 so quite an investment and that does not include the fronts or fitting. Sedan would almost be exactly the same, only the rear droppers off the ARB may be slightly different.

You may be able to save considerably on this if there is no local sales tax of course......

WDB124066

Start at post #12.......

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

Shoomakan

No tax here, and labor is VERY cheap. I'll just be paying for parts and maybe 100$ of labor, if that.

Reading now...

Shoomakan

Wow. That little part made all that difference, eh? Thank you for pointing that out, I'll be sure to emphasize that little tidbit.

Fortunately, my car currently tracks straight and true, having no problems what so ever in that department. I only want to change the bushings because the car feels slightly "loose"; changing engine mounts, tranny mounts, and subframe bushings should stiffen it up nicely.

I hate it when you give it gas and let go suddenly and it lurches. Not the normal lurch a manual has, that second smaller lurch of the engine/tranny being not as tied down as the rest of it.

I'll keep you posted!

Shoomakan

Update:

So I just got the car back from the shop. I had them replace my shifter unit, and all the bushings affiliated with it. Got back in the car, and...

WOW. The knob doesn't move around anymore, it feels MUCH more precise and weighted, and it is now literally a pleasure just shifting. I HIGHLY recommend it for any manual cars. And the guy managed to get me an OEM Sportline shifter with the correct shift pattern on it. I looked EVERYWHERE for it and couldn't find one!

I replaced them with the stock plastic bushings, not poly or brass. If it feels this awesome now, I can only imagine what the others would feel like.

Shoomakan

Oh, I've also decided against my 500E fender/bumper swap.

I calculated the costs, and realized it would be much better for me if I just sucked it up and replaced my rims with the smaller Monoblocks or a different design altogether. I just hope I find something period correct... A set of fat BBS would be nice.

What I've learned from this: NEVER EVER EVER AGAIN buy a set of wheels without learning and understanding what ET is and how it affects the installation of the wheels and tires. My deepest thanks to AMG Dave for taking the time and keystrokes to explain it to me.

Shoomakan

I changed my cars wheels today. Installed the 190E Evo wheels. They look and feel fantastic!

Wish I did this sooner. Will post pics in the picture thread tomorrow.

Saijin_Naib

Need to see those wheels

Sounds like your project is coming together nicely. I'm quite jealous :P

Shoomakan

It's definitely costing me, dude... I'm making good money when it comes to Lebanon, but slapping almost half your salary every month on your car gets annoying after a while..

I want to slap 2 GTX560Ti's on my gaming rig, but that's 600$ I can't part with right now. Next month I want to install my suspension.

chlippo

pictures of the wheels installed plz.
I have those evo wheels too but they need refurbishing before going into my m104 amg.

next time i go to lebnanon would be nice to meet u

Saijin_Naib

I kinda had this crazy idea you two knew each other, but Lebanon is a sizable country so I'm now realizing that was a stupid assumption :P

chlippo

lebanon is a small country...but still more than 4 Million people living in there!
I dont know him, but it wont take long lol

Shoomakan

I paid 650$ for the wheels, and they're quite clean. No refurbs needed.

Sai, Lebanon is actually quite small. You can drive from one end of it to the other in a bit less than 2 hours. Exploring the beautiful mountain ranges, though, will take weeks.

It has a total area of 4036 square miles, which isn't big at all!

Shoomakan

Oh, and Chlippo, I hope you like hookahs. Jay, you and I will go have one when you get here!

Shoomakan

Here's a quick phone image of the car now. I'll take better ones next weekend, but I'm glad to report there's no rubbing of any kind, and for once I felt the difference of what I light rim really is.

The car responds to inputs quicker and is much less hesitant to spin rubber.

chlippo

thats looks good! cant wait to install those on my car.
if you can drop the ride height a bit it would be awsome (at least in my opinion )

Saijin_Naib

drool! EvoII rims!