Unleash Your Mercedes-Benz 190e's Performance with a Turbo Kit Upgrade

Upgrading Your 190e With a Turbo Kit

The Mercedes-Benz 190e is an iconic sedan that debuted in the 1980s. With its sleek styling and refined ride, the 190e was aimed at taking on BMW's 3-series. While the 190e was available with a decent selection of engines from Mercedes-Benz, many owners have chosen to extract more power by adding an aftermarket turbo kit.

Benefits of a Turbo Kit

Adding a turbocharger kit to your 190e can provide some great benefits:

• Increased horsepower and torque - A properly tuned turbo kit can add 50-100+ HP to your 190e. This gives a nice power boost.
• Better throttle response - Turbos help reduce turbo lag and make the engine more responsive.
• Enhanced driving experience - The added power makes the 190e more fun and exciting to drive on back roads or highway passes.
• Customization - Turbo kits allow you to put your personal touch on the 190e's performance.

Turbo Kit Options

There are a few directions you can go when selecting a 190e turbo kit:

Stock Replacement Turbos

Some companies offer direct replacement turbos that are engineered to deliver more boost while fitting in the stock locations. This is the simplest option but doesn't offer as much power potential as a custom kit.

Universal Turbo Kits

Universal kits use turbos and piping that can be adapted to different vehicles. This can make installing a turbo kit simpler, since most of the parts come pre-fabricated. The downside is that universal kits may require some custom fabrication to fit properly.

Custom Turbo Kits

For maximum performance, many 190e owners opt for a fully custom turbo kit. These use a large turbo chosen specifically for the 190e's engine and come with piping and parts that bolt up directly. While more expensive, custom kits offer the most power potential when properly tuned.

Turbo Kit Installation

Installing a turbo kit is not for the faint of heart - it requires advanced automotive skills and custom fabrication. Here are some key steps involved with installing a turbo on a 190e:

• Remove the stock exhaust manifold and turbocharger (if equipped).
• Install oil and coolant lines for the new turbocharger.
• Fabricate custom exhaust and intake piping for routing to the intercooler and throttle body.
• Mount intercooler and associated piping.
• Install wastegate and blow-off valve.
• Wire up electronic boost controller and sensors.
• Upgrade the fuel system with larger injectors and pump to handle more power.
• Modify engine management system with a tune optimized for the turbo kit.

While complex, with enough time, skills, and the right parts, installing a turbo kit will take your 190e's performance to the next level.

Tuning Your Turbocharged 190e

Once the turbo kit hardware is installed, your 190e will need a tune optimized for running turbo power. Proper ECU tuning is crucial for getting the most from your turbo kit while ensuring engine longevity.

Adjusting Boost Level

A tuner will optimize the turbo boost level for your setup and modify the wastegate actuator duty cycle accordingly. Running too much boost can damage the engine quickly.

Tuning Fueling

The ECU will need the proper injector flow rates and trim values dialed in to deliver the required fuel for your chosen boost level. Upgraded injectors are often necessary to supply enough fuel for big turbo power.

Optimizing Ignition Timing

Tuning the ignition timing for the turbo kit is also key. The timing may need to be pulled back at higher boost levels to prevent detonation that can destroy the engine. The timing values have to balance performance and safety.

Adjusting Boost Response

There are ways to optimize how quickly boost comes on to reduce lag and make the car more responsive. Your tuner will adjust boost control frequencies and parameters to give your turbo 190e a more linear powerband.

Getting a professional dyno tune tailored to your turbo kit is highly recommended. A good tuner will safely dial in big turbo performance while making the car enjoyable to drive everyday. It's the final step to making your turbocharged 190e a beast on the street or track.

Maintenance for a Turbo 190e

Adding a turbo kit increases stress on your 190e's engine and drivetrain. Here are some key areas to pay attention to with a turbocharged 190e:

• Oil changes - Change oil more frequently, every 3,000 - 5,000 miles. Use higher quality oil designed for turbocharged engines.
• Spark plugs - Replace spark plugs more often, around every 20,000 - 30,000 miles. Use a colder heat range plug.
• Fuel filter - Change the fuel filter at least every other oil change to avoid fuel starvation.
• Air filter - Clean or replace air filter more often to avoid dirt ingestion into the turbo.
• Coolant - Flush coolant system and use a high quality coolant to handle turbo heat.

Keep up with maintenance, avoid abusing your turbocharged 190e, and your turbo kit can deliver reliable big power for years to come.

Is a Turbo Kit Right for Your 190e?

Turbo kits allow you to take your 190e's performance to exciting new levels. However, they require commitment to install and maintain properly. Going turbo isn't for everyone. Ask yourself a few questions:

• Are you willing to put in the effort to properly install the kit and maintain the turbo engine?
• Can you afford the cost of the kit, supporting mods, and professional tuning?
• Do you want more power or would stock performance satisfy you?
• Is this car a daily driver or more of a weekend toy?

If you answered yes to the commitment and cost questions, turbocharging could be a great way to transform your 190e. The extra power makes an already special car that much more exciting. For the right owner, a turbo kit can unleash the 190e's full performance potential.

FAQs

What kind of power gains can I expect from a 190e turbo kit?

It depends on the specific kit and tuning, but most 190e turbo kits can add 50-100 HP or more at the wheels when properly installed and tuned. With supporting mods, some kits can deliver over 200 HP gains.

What supporting mods will my 190e need for a turbo kit?

Fuel system upgrades like larger injectors and fuel pump, upgraded ignition system parts, lower compression pistons, upgraded engine internals, and an intercooler kit are common supporting mods to run turbo power safely.

How difficult is it to install a 190e turbo kit?

Installation requires advanced technical skills and custom fabrication work. It usually takes 40-60 hours or more for experienced mechanics to install a turbo kit properly. Not a project for beginners.

Will a turbo hurt the reliability of my 190e?

With proper installation and tuning, and following a strict maintenance schedule, a turbocharged 190e can be reliable. However, it will need earlier/more frequent servicing than a stock engine.

What kind of fuel economy can I expect with a turbo 190e?

Turbo kits will decrease fuel economy, especially when driving hard. Expect anywhere from 15-30% worse fuel economy compared to a stock 190e depending on your driving style.