I just came into posession of an 88 260E. Body is in good condition, engine and tranny are another story. First i was wondering if i could rebuild my stock 2.6 to say a 3.5 or if there was anyway i could purchase a used larger engine (like a 350E or what have you) and if it would drop right in without major modification as the chassis are the same. I know that Japenease (sp?) engines are readily available, just not sure about mercedes. I also wanted to know if a manual transmission that would mate up to my car is to be had anywhere.

I'm new to the Mercedes game and just want to gather up any info so i can release the true potential of my free car. Any links to online parts stores, engine/tranny distributors, general information would be gratfully appreciated.


Thanks
James

 

Willkommen bei Mercedes-Benz!

The next largest engine is a 3.0L (M103.983). It has the same footprint as the 2.6L (M103.940), and should drop right onto the engine mounts.

Manual transmissions might be hard to come by. Most MBs sold in the US had automatics.

I purchase most of my parts from www.thepartsbin.com. Performance Products is a great place for upholstery, body components, and car care supplies.

Best of luck!

 

is there alot of modification involved with putting a one of the V8s into my 260E, Or is my best bet going with the 3.0? Also are performance parts like high comp pistons (10.5:1 or so), camshafts, header, ect readily available?

 

Not sure about the V8, but depending on its age, there might be changes in the engine management equipment.

It is VERY expensive to get any additional power out of a Mercedes engine. You are better off with the 3.0L.

 

Do you know what model would be best to choose from for an engine. Venus Auto has 86-92 300E, 88-91 300SE. I don't know the difference because i can't find any sites with straight up info.


Do you know what companies make a good intake, header, cat, exhaust, cam, ECU and where i could get them from?

You've been a ton of help to me, i really appreciate it.

 

Oh yeah, also where i could get some real glass European tail lights, head lights, and even a xenon system (if they make them).

 

You might be better off with the 300E engine.

I don't know where to get performance cams, headers, and such. I'm not into that scene.

You can get the Euro lights from PUMA. www.puma-access.com. Ask for the $300 deal for members of the mercedesshop.com forum. Get the lights made by Bosch or Hella. Those are OEM and top quality.

 

JamesBrown,
As with any engine conversion, you will need to look at your budget and intent. Even if you got the 260 cheap you may want to find a 320E or 420E which will be cheaper than the upgrades you desire. Only RENNTech and a very few others can reliably increase the mercedes engine size to 3.6 liters. This is not your average machine shop work or local parts sources. I will cost you north of $15-20k installed. Even bolt on turbos or nitrous will need a strong rebuilt or low mileage base engine.

People have converted 3 liter engine to 2.6 but you may need the 3.0 computer and tranny also (I'm told they don't interchange). Everything else should mate fine.

People have converted to 4.2 and 5.0 Mercedes engines. You will need to upgrade your brakes, suspension, and differential. I've heard quotes of $15k+.

People have converted to 5.7 Chevrolet engines. Engines are relatively cheaper ~$3k for LT1 but fabrication and getting it to work properly will cost ~$7k. Same brake/susp/diff upgrades apply. I was seriously considering this option but 400E's are selling <$10k and you can now get 500E's for ~$20k.

Almost anything is possible but expect to spend $10-20k unless you are very resourcefull and mechanically inclined.

Welcome to the benz world!

 

JamesBrown,
As with any engine conversion, you will need to look at your budget and intent. Even if you got the 260 cheap you may want to find a 320E or 420E which will be cheaper than the upgrades you desire. Only RENNTech and a very few others can reliably increase the mercedes engine size to 3.6 liters. This is not your average machine shop work or local parts sources. I will cost you north of $15-20k installed. Even bolt on turbos or nitrous will need a strong rebuilt or low mileage base engine.

People have converted 3 liter engine to 2.6 but you may need the 3.0 computer and tranny also (I'm told they don't interchange). Everything else should mate fine.

People have converted to 4.2 and 5.0 Mercedes engines. You will need to upgrade your brakes, suspension, and differential. I've heard quotes of $15k+.

People have converted to 5.7 Chevrolet engines. Engines are relatively cheaper ~$3k for LT1 but fabrication and getting it to work properly will cost ~$7k. Same brake/susp/diff upgrades apply. I was seriously considering this option but 400E's are selling <$10k and you can now get 500E's for ~$20k.

Almost anything is possible but expect to spend $10-20k unless you are very resourcefull and mechanically inclined.

Welcome to the benz world!