So as i am searching for 190 E's as per another thread i started, it is mentioned the M103 and M104 take well to turbocharging. So i look up cars with those motors. I also see that the W124 Wagons look almost as good as the 190E 16v cars.
So my questions are:
1. Any manual swap options?
2. Do they make handling upgrade options for the wagon variant?
3. Any insight on what it actually takes to turbo one of these? Mostly wondering about engine management, and if there are junk yard turbo options.
I found a couple of old learn me threads but they were basically about leaving them stock cruisers.
|
124.088
|
1993–1994
|
280 TE, 300 TE 2.8
|
2.8 L M104.942 I6
|
Estate
|
|
1994–1996
|
E 280
|
|
124.090
|
1988–1991
|
300 TE
|
3.0 L M103.983 I6
|
Estate
|
|
124.091
|
1989–1992
|
300 TE-24
|
3.0 L M104.980 I6
|
Estate
|
|
124.290
|
1986–1993
|
300 TE 4Matic
|
3.0 L M103.985 I6
|
Estate
|
|
124.092
|
1993–1994
|
300 TE, 320 TE
|
3.2 L M104.992 I6
|
Estate
|
|
1994–1996
|
E 320
|
In reply to Somebeach :
I have zero answers to your questions, but that IS a terrific looking car.
It belongs over in the Wagon Appreciation thread
You can modify a 3.5 om603 turbo manifold to work on a M103 engine.
Best place to do some digging around is turbobandit online. He has bonkers youtube videos and has the most soup to nuts options for these engines.
Standalone engine management is the best option as the orignial ECU set ups will not cooperate.
Most any Mercedes manual will grenade under substantial turbo power upgrade. 722.6 auto trans will be best option for taking abuse, but that will requite standalone tcu to operate it.
Folks who build up the OM606 often rely on using a BMW manual box to handle the power increase. Those boxes are available, but rare here in the states. This only matters if you want to run a manual.
MS will be your friend. Head over to 190rev, as there are plenty of writeups on M103 and M104 MS installs. There's always VEMS, too.
Using the MB auto will require a standalone controller, which I believe is available through a vendor's name I forget.
We only got M104s from 1993 onward. The problem with those years is that they had the dreaded "biodegradable wiring harness," so you can expect lots of electrical gremlins. Avoid 4-Matics unless you really need AWD.
Manual swaps are possible, but the parts are going to be hard to find and expensive when you do find them. Turbo M104s have been done a million times. Should be easy to find the specifics online.
Handling is honestly just fine. You can lower them a bit with shorter spring pads (they come in various thicknesses) and swap in Bilstein or Koni dampers. The real trick to making any W201 or W124 handle well is replacing the 8 million bushings in the rear suspension. The rubber will all be rotten by now and handling will suck until you freshen it all up.
Manual Options:
Most MB manuals are either weak, rare, expensive or a combination of the above. There is a 6 speed available in the US that holds up well. It's an SLK trans I think. My friend has an S124(wagon's have the S prefix) with a 3.6 and that 6 speed. The other trans that holds up to the power is the dogleg getrag from the Cossie but they're expensive. Were it me, I'd go for the BMW ZF320 with the DieselPumpUK adapter. They're good for 500+ FT*LBS and easy to find in junkyards.
Handling Upgrades:
The rear will have SLS, hydraulic self leveling suspension. You can swap it out for springs. I think my friend's car uses 500E rears. Generally just go for 500E or 420E parts. You can get better springs, brakes and sways.
Turboing:
Not my forte. The car pictured below is 'squirted and has been for many years.
My friend's S124 E36 AMG 6 speed. Which is also his tow pig.
The 6 speed Merc trans was found in the 2 door hatchback coupe in 02-03 with the supercharged 4 cyl engine.
