Newer, more efficient engines into older cars.

[MarshPhantom]

I stumbled across this article recently, the people at Mercedes have put the engine from a C Class 250 CDi (205 bhp and nearly 370 torque) into a 190.


http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2009/09/report-...







The 190 takes 6.2 sec to 60 and can return 48 MPG.


Any ideas how much a conversion like this might cost?

Edited by MarshPhantom on Wednesday 9th October 20:14

[Krikkit]

Great idea, but I'd rather have a turbocharged V6 or I6 in there for better refinement. Two shoe-boxes full of electronics in the boot to simulate a modern car is quite eye-opening!

[morgrp]

Not vast quantities - depends how much work you want to do yourself - projects like this can be soul destroying though as you'll constantly be battling with little problems along the way - that's the joy of it for some people

[cptsideways]

I'm sure it wasn't that difficult to do in reality, especially with all the tech available.


I'd like to stick a Mazda Skyactive 2.2 D into am Mk1 MX-5 for a giggle

[100 IAN]

Original BMW CSL with the engine, gearbox and diff from an early 90's BMW M5 (E34), 325 bhp!



Coming up for sale at auction shortly if anyone's interested. Guide £35-40k

http://www.silverstoneauctions.com/bmw-e9-csi

[andy-xr]

I had a 1.8 130hp Zetec from an Escort Gti in a mk2 XR2 a while ago. Quite good fun and went well with an extra 8v

Neighbour had the best though, E36 M3 engine into an E30. Sounded insane

[skyrover]

I'm in the opposite camp...

I would much rather have a basic, no frills engine with minimal electronics in a modern, CAD designed car

[Otispunkmeyer]

Interesting that the engine weight is no different. Old 6 cylinder diesel lump of iron, and the new common rail 4 pot weighs just about the same according to them. I'm guessing there are more ancillaries and high pressure injection system won't be light either.

Edit just read that it was an old petrol car! So never mind.

Edited by Otispunkmeyer on Wednesday 9th October 20:41

[D1bram]

Really like this idea. The 190 looks much more appealing to my eyes too

[TREMAiNE]

I wish I had the funds. Beauty and practicality.

[Yiliterate]

If I had the resources, I'd love to put the modern oily bits from one of these...



...into one of these:

[12v3pot]

I'd swap my right knacker for that 190 (although the stance is wrong - I always think W201s should be flat not lower at the front).

When your numbers come up, go here: http://dev.mechatronik.de/en/engineering/new-tech/

A pagoda with 300+ BHP...

More here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4z0_Y_yPXa0

[fitz1985]

If you can tinker yourself its not really the cost of doing it but the bureaucracy and other issues.

Mostly it would be that the number of companies willing to insure it would be very small, so you'd be a captive market in that regards, and I suspect you would pay a premium.

to put it into perspective, my Vectra SXI is very slightly 'modified' from OEM, it has the sports suspension package from the SRI, front fogs and an SRI back box. This has landed me with a £200 premium on my insurance at the age of 28 over a standard version!

Part of the problem being that as far as 60% of the insurance companies are concerned its modified and they don't want my business, the remaining 40% have no interest in the difference between the square detailed SRI backbox, and a daft straight through with a bean can...

I'd love to put a 1.4T engine from a new astra in my Vectra. I can't be arsed to fight with insurance or VOSA...any premium they'd extract would likely remove any fuel savings..

[Diesel Meister]

I love original cars (I think the M20B25 has character) but I also love a good "update". I looked at an S50B32 for my E30. Ended up with a truck engine in my AW11 - it's a sickness!.

If I had the time, skill and resources, I'd probably spend far to much time desecrating old cars with a variety of main-pump transplants (and some more time just collecting old cars and driving them!). Some crazy stuff out there.

[Herman Toothrot]

D1bram said:

Really like this idea. The 190 looks much more appealing to my eyes too

Yes such a better looking car in very way.

[PhillipM]

fitz1985 said:

If you can tinker yourself its not really the cost of doing it but the bureaucracy and other issues.

Mostly it would be that the number of companies willing to insure it would be very small, so you'd be a captive market in that regards, and I suspect you would pay a premium.

to put it into perspective, my Vectra SXI is very slightly 'modified' from OEM, it has the sports suspension package from the SRI, front fogs and an SRI back box. This has landed me with a £200 premium on my insurance at the age of 28 over a standard version!

Part of the problem being that as far as 60% of the insurance companies are concerned its modified and they don't want my business, the remaining 40% have no interest in the difference between the square detailed SRI backbox, and a daft straight through with a bean can...

I'd love to put a 1.4T engine from a new astra in my Vectra. I can't be arsed to fight with insurance or VOSA...any premium they'd extract would likely remove any fuel savings..

Whereas my car has loads of mods including prototype chassis/suspension bits, but because I got an engineers report on them, I have no trouble finding insurance and it generally costs me just the admin fee for the paperwork over the fee for a standard car. I would imagine that would make it far easier for a thoroughly overhauled converted classic too.

Anyway, anyone putting a diesel engine in a 190 should be shot, there's plenty of lovely replacement petrol engines...

Edited by PhillipM on Wednesday 9th October 23:49

[james280779]

I put a custom cossie engine, upgraded brakes, cooling, suspension and wheels (along with custom paint) onto my TVR S1 (was a 2.8). My insurance didnt go up by a penny. Fully declared too. 160 quid a year with a fairly decent agreed value (I ended up getting over 13k when it was written off by a third party)

[Daston]

For a short period of time I had a Mk2 golf GTI with a long list of engine issues. If I had the room I would have dropped a fabia VRS engine in there

[CampDavid]

PhillipM said:

Whereas my car has loads of mods including prototype chassis/suspension bits, but because I got an engineers report on them, I have no trouble finding insurance and it generally costs me just the admin fee for the paperwork over the fee for a standard car. I would imagine that would make it far easier for a thoroughly overhauled converted classic too.

Anyway, anyone putting a diesel engine in a 190 should be shot, there's plenty of lovely replacement petrol engines...

Edited by PhillipM on Wednesday 9th October 23:49

There are but being that around 120% of non-AMG C-classes are now dervs it's certainly the most relevant.

[CampDavid]

Yiliterate said:

If I had the resources, I'd love to put the modern oily bits from one of these...



...into one of these:

This has been discussed within the 928 community. Unfortunately, I believe the new V8 is too tall for the 928.

You can, however, supercharge a 928 to 700-odd BHP