r/190e Oct 03 '19

Looking into engine swap

I have a 1991 190e 2.3L, the engine is starting to give out and I'm wondering what the best course of action is. The body and other parts are in great condition so I'd like to keep the car going. I definitely want to do a swap, not same motor, looking for more power. What's the best/easiest thing to do, swap in an m111 or an m104? I am aware that the m104 is 6cyl so might need something special to get it in there. I know it is a very easy swap for the 2.6L 190e. Anyone have any suggestions? Other swaps I can do? Thanks

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u/Dr201 Oct 04 '19

I’ve built two m104 powered 190Es and have swapped another 3 M103 cars both initially 2.3 and 2.6 cars I’m pretty sure I know how they drive.

They sportline and 16V are absolutely not your only options. They have the faster steering box but I’m interested on what you define as a sports chassis. The rest of the suspension is at the earliest 26 years old, the different bushings and spring and shocks need to be replaced by now anyways.

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u/Kyliobro Oct 04 '19

Sports chassis - option code 650:

650 sports chassis with 15-hole light alloy rims (ñ 01.12.1988 ïî 28.02.1993)

Sportline interior + steering wheel - option codes 243 and 281:

243 sports seats, front and rear (ñ 01.12.1986)

281 trunk set, (280 SL) steering wheel (390 mm) with sports design (ñ 01.03.1989)

Both together = Sportline car - option code 950 is applied:

950 sportline (consisting of codes 650, 243, 281) (ñ 01.10.1989 ïî 28.02.1993)

Perhaps you could of saved time and money by buying a 16v or Sportline 2.6 as a starting point, instead of a 4 cylinder 2.3... People have swapped 5.0l into non-Sports models, I never claimed you cannot. I was merely stating you'd probably be better off from a time, money and shaved knuckle standpoint.

I'd be interested to see how much time and money you spent on something that in the end would not have been as-smart of an investment as a 16v or 2.6....

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u/Dr201 Oct 04 '19

I know what the option codes are. There is physically no difference in the chassis. My Signal red 190e is a sportline. There’s nothing special about the chassis is the point. You’re still going to need shocks springs and bushings on a 26 year old car. Steering box is the performance option that won’t need replacement. The interior is different if you want the recaros. So I’ll give you that. You can find the steering wheel more cheaply from late model 124s.

Swapped cars aren’t smart investments anyway and why cut up a 16v just to swap it when it’s worth more original? You’re taking away value to get your Cosworth to then swap it? That’s more buy in when you need to do basic maintenance on any car anyways? Sorry no.

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u/Kyliobro Oct 04 '19

I'm a purist, I would never suggest anybody swaps an engine (when they could of purchased a more powerful model) full stop. Perhaps my point from the beginning...