Just a thought: would would it take (190D Turbo creation) - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

ck42 · #1 04-09-2004, 12:52 PM

I might possibly be up for a _new_ car in the very near future that gets good mileage.

I've drooled over the prospect of getting an '87 190DT for a while now but they are so rare to find in good shape for a decent price that I"ve all but given up on it.

So......I thought:

What about finding a (last year model 190D) and converting it to a 2.5DT?
BTW, what WAS the last year the 190D was sold here?

Choices I see so far:

1. Buy a 2.5DT engine new/used to drop in.
2. Convert existing engine to a turbo with all the required parts to 'do it right'
3. ?

Rick Miley · #2 04-09-2004, 01:07 PM

I believe 1993 was the last year for the W201. There are two different front clips for that chassis, with the 2.6 being slightly longer than the 2.3. I don't know which one the 2.5D used.

Doing this conversion seems like quite an undertaking, since the 2.5 turbo engine is itself pretty rare. And the later ones have the computer controlled wastegate.

There was a 2.5 Turbo at Mercedesshowroom in Ft. Lauderdale a couple months ago, but they wanted a princely sum for it. Of course, it was in fabulous condition.

kerry · #3 04-09-2004, 01:11 PM

Airfreight it to the UK and these people should be able to set you up:
http://www.tb-turbo.co.uk/vans.htm

190D22 · #4 04-09-2004, 01:31 PM

I'd also be willing to bet you'd need the different right fender too with the turbo inlet slits. I've always thought a 190 with the 603 would kickass, but I doubt the engine bay is big enough.

ck42 · #5 04-09-2004, 02:03 PM

Are crated, rebuilt 2.5DT engines available?

...just curious since I'm sure they'd be ~$7-9K

Rick, did they still sell a diesel model in '93? I realize that gassers went until then but I haven't even seen a 190D listed for sale any later than '89

As for the computer controlled wastegate, could this 'feature' be down-graded to the older style?

I'm aware of that place in Fl. I've even called them inquiring into prices ($$$$$$$$$$).

Chris
'85 300SD

Rick Miley · #6 04-09-2004, 02:08 PM

Oops, I misunderstood your first post. Thought you meant last year W201 of any engine type.

Check Metric Motors, Noel's, or Adsitco for crate engine prices. I'd never buy from Adsit, but they do have a nice web site for price comparison.

Grdenko is going through the wastegate thing right now because the dealer is saying his computer is bad. He's having a devil of a time with it. Oldsouth has done it on a 603.

Of course, by the time you buy an engine and a good 190D body to put it in, you probably could have paid the Mercedesshowroom price.

ck42 · #7 04-09-2004, 02:19 PM

" by the time you buy an engine and a good 190D body to put it in, you probably could have paid the Mercedesshowroom price."

Yep....that's why I was curious about doing a non-turbo _upgrade_

Even if I ended up paying $10K for a nice '97 190DT, that's still many $K's less than what I'd pay for a non-MBZ gasser that got equivalent fuel mileage....or so I hear.

...anyone know an accurate range that could be expected from a 190DT? (90% highway miles). From what all I've seen, it seems like 40-45mpg is pretty common.

Chris
'85 300SD

190D22 · #8 04-09-2004, 02:33 PM

Yeah that sounds right for the turbo 190Ds. The NA diesels get anywhere between 35-40 highway and 30-35 in the city. Man I need to go get some cetane boost to get my mpg up!

Wasuchi · #9 04-09-2004, 02:35 PM

Kerry,

That's an interesting link.... especially this one http://www.tb-turbo.co.uk/autoclutch.htm.

#10 04-09-2004, 03:01 PM

Hi Chris.

Try this site:

http://www.remanufactured.com/Mercedes_Engines.htm

Louis.

Rick Miley · #11 04-09-2004, 03:12 PM

They don't list a 602 or 603. Try http://www.mercedesengines.net

#12 04-09-2004, 03:36 PM

My 190D never got anywhere close to 40 MPG. I think it's impossible with the automatic transmission. If you're going to do a conversion, get a car with a manual transmission. The automatics are good, but a manual would be oh-so-sweet. With the stock 2.5T and 4-speed automatic, I averaged 27 MPG (mostly city).

ck42 · #13 04-09-2004, 03:47 PM

...forgot to mention that I _would_ in fact look for a manual tranny car if I was going to do a conversion

Chris
'85 300SD

jobah · #14 04-09-2004, 04:01 PM

It is my understanding that 89 was the last year for the 190D. 1993 was the last year for the 190 series in the US.

The 602's and 602.9's can get to the thirties, but the 601 can get into the 40's. The problem is that at 80mph, the mileage tends to drop to the mid 30's.

The 2.5T does have the fender opening for air. I thought that all the 201's were the same (i.e., there is no different clip). The difference is in the size of the radiator and the relative position of the engine (the 2.6's are really tight, whereas the 2.2d's have lots of room all over.

A 602.9 with a stick would be a dream -- at least until a new C comes to the US with a CDI and a 6 speed (note crossed fingers).

#15 04-09-2004, 06:53 PM

I was going to look at an 87 190D yesterday but it was already sold.