New member and need advice

Evan Hale

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190E AMG 2.3L 1990
Hello all I'm new here, I need information on weather it is a straight forward process to swap the engine from a 1990 190e 2.3 8v with a 500sel v8 unfortunately the 4 banger blew up a few days ago along with trans and radiator, how ever I have a mint low km engine sitting that would be perfect, all the wiring is there and the v8 runs well, any help would be much appreciated.
Thanks all
 

AMGeed

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I doubt its a straight forward swap. Engine mount positions are probably different and the springs and shocks will need upgrading to carry the extra weight of the V8.

You'll need suitable transmission too, then the propshaft may not fit.

It reads like it could throw up all kinds of problems.
 

LostKiwi

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'93 500SL-32, '01 W210 Estate E240 (RIP), 02 R230 SL500, 04 Smart Roadster Coupe, 11 R350CDi
Hi and welcome.
It has been done but it's not easy.

Gearbox and rear axle are unlikely to be up to the job. The front springs won't be strong enough. Once you have it going stopping could be an issue.

You'll need a complete exhaust.
You'll also need to fabricate a cross member and do some serious metal work around the transmission tunnel and firewall (and that's before you change the gearbox). That's assuming the V8 clears the engine bay inner wings (with manifolds on unless you want to fabricate exhaust manifolds too).

Not at all something to be undertaken without a lot of forethought and access to a lot of tools and time.
 

LostKiwi

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John Laidlaw

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Land Rover Discovery 4
Welcome Evan... would be nice to keep it original anyway if you could find another engine ...
 
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Evan Hale

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190E AMG 2.3L 1990
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Hmmm good point, looks like another 4 banger is the way to go would love to find a manual trans to bolt onto it though. I can get another 4 cylinder for around 400$nz but manual transmission is hard to come by apparently.
 

Blobcat

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Hello and welcome
 
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Evan Hale

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Your Mercedes
190E AMG 2.3L 1990
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What about the 6 cylinder 190e engine? Will that fit?
 

LostKiwi

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'93 500SL-32, '01 W210 Estate E240 (RIP), 02 R230 SL500, 04 Smart Roadster Coupe, 11 R350CDi
Different cross member, radiator mounts and exhaust but much easier than a V8.
The m103 (12 valve) and m104 (24v) will both have the same issues. The 190 comes with a 2.6 but the 3.0, 3.2 and 3.6 will be largely interchangeable. Electronic injection versions will be much more difficult.
 

Srdl

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Hi and welcome to the forum. I’ll leave the experts to answer your questions but hope you manage to get the car running again.
 

A.J.

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Hi Evan, welcome to the forum :)
 
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Evan Hale

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190E AMG 2.3L 1990
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Different cross member, radiator mounts and exhaust but much easier than a V8.
The m103 (12 valve) and m104 (24v) will both have the same issues. The 190 comes with a 2.6 but the 3.0, 3.2 and 3.6 will be largely interchangeable. Electronic injection versions will be much more difficult.

Awesome thank you very much I just want a engine that will bolt right in without having to modify anything, I understand that the ecu and other electronic components will need swapping vs the 6 cylinder or latest other things, I'd love to put a 3L in
 

alexanderfoti

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W221 S65 AMG - W204 C63 AMG + Various other MB's
Welcome!

As above, the easiest thing will be to swap in the same engine. Doing another engine swap, is easiest with a donor car to take all the bits from!
 

Mrs R Maths

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Your Mercedes
190e 1991 J plate 1800 petrol
Hello all I'm new here, I need information on weather it is a straight forward process to swap the engine from a 1990 190e 2.3 8v with a 500sel v8 unfortunately the 4 banger blew up a few days ago along with trans and radiator, how ever I have a mint low km engine sitting that would be perfect, all the wiring is there and the v8 runs well, any help would be much appreciated.
Thanks all

I have a lovely 1800 petrol engine awaiting a new home soon (starts on first turn every time). From a donor vehicle for mine if you have not had any joy sourcing something bigger yet. Currently own 3 190e 's in various states of repair as have found that donor vehicles are cheaper than parts.
 

LostKiwi

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'93 500SL-32, '01 W210 Estate E240 (RIP), 02 R230 SL500, 04 Smart Roadster Coupe, 11 R350CDi
I have a lovely 1800 petrol engine awaiting a new home soon (starts on first turn every time). From a donor vehicle for mine if you have not had any joy sourcing something bigger yet. Currently own 3 190e 's in various states of repair as have found that donor vehicles are cheaper than parts.
I think he could be in NZ...
 

Mrs R Maths

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190e 1991 J plate 1800 petrol
My baby won't start, in fact key won't turn at all and MB say that it's probably the Electronic ignition switch and want me to take it to them. Sounds simple except the key won't turn so I cannot get the steering lock off to get the car off the drive even to have towed there. I own two donor vehicles (same year) is swapping the EIS difficult?
 

LostKiwi

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Your Mercedes
'93 500SL-32, '01 W210 Estate E240 (RIP), 02 R230 SL500, 04 Smart Roadster Coupe, 11 R350CDi
My baby won't start, in fact key won't turn at all and MB say that it's probably the Electronic ignition switch and want me to take it to them. Sounds simple except the key won't turn so I cannot get the steering lock off to get the car off the drive even to have towed there. I own two donor vehicles (same year) is swapping the EIS difficult?
1991 cars don't have an EIS?
 


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