Dom's C43 build thread (55 Swap)
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W202 C55 (5.4 swapped C43)
Dom's C43 build thread (55 Swap)
Hey guys figured i'd make a post showing the recent changes to my C43 before she goes back under the knife. Changed up the wrap got bored of the silver glitter very quickly, added shorter camber arms, removed front bumper grill and supports, added rear roof spoiler and a few other goodies here and there. She just hit 230K miles and is now under the knife for an E55 engine swap
Wrap - Oracal Turqouise/Lavender by MacWraps
Wheels - Brabus IV 18x9.5 +20 18x10.5 -10
Camber has been removed, Changed tires to 235/35/18 265/35/18 and am planning on flaring fenders to run wider tires, Rebuild on the E55 engine has begun Cant wait for this swap to be complete.
Replacing -
Valve cover gaskets
Oil & Filter
Coolant
Water pump
Rear main seal
Spark plugs
oil pan gasket
Engine had about 100k on it when it was pulled from a salvaged E55
Wrap - Oracal Turqouise/Lavender by MacWraps
Wheels - Brabus IV 18x9.5 +20 18x10.5 -10
Camber has been removed, Changed tires to 235/35/18 265/35/18 and am planning on flaring fenders to run wider tires, Rebuild on the E55 engine has begun Cant wait for this swap to be complete.
Replacing -
Valve cover gaskets
Oil & Filter
Coolant
Water pump
Rear main seal
Spark plugs
oil pan gasket
Engine had about 100k on it when it was pulled from a salvaged E55
#3
I did the same thing when we swapped in mine and I am sooo glad. We also did the oil filter housing gaskets just to be safe. It's nice to know that your motor is freshly re-sealed. Can't wait to see it running. I'll have to get down to SD and hang out with you guys.
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W202 C55 (5.4 swapped C43)
I feel you haha it does raise up to stock height and has sport struts, handles quite well actually, theres been plenty of research tracking bagged cars and static both preform well but to each their own
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W202 C55 (5.4 swapped C43)
Thanks buddy! Using slam specialties bags all around with Bilstein sport struts, and I was running two inch shorter camber arms to add camber was running double digit negative camber in some of those pictures. but I also bought stock length adjustable arms, having them aligned to factory spec
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#9
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Forgot to mention. You should also replace the oil cooler gasket while the motor is out. Its really cheap but its kind of a ***** once the motor is in. Also I think its called a timing belt cover drain plug gasket but not sure. Ill find more info for you today.
They tend to leak and to swap them is two bolts but with the motor in you have to remove the fan and fan clutch
They tend to leak and to swap them is two bolts but with the motor in you have to remove the fan and fan clutch
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W202 C55 (5.4 swapped C43)
UPDATE #4
Was sadly not able to spend as much time on the car this weekend as I'd hoped but I am waiting for a few necessary parts to arrive tomorrow at the dealer. Should have the engine pulled tonight or tomorrow and have everything hooked up by the end of next weekend...
My buddy, and previous owner of the car, David (SD202) stopped by to lend a hand
And then work commenced, will take more pictures of current progress tonight.
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W202 C55 (5.4 swapped C43)
Update #5
Well we ran into problems as always with working on cars, When removing the exhaust one of the bolts stripped and with almost no room to work with I spent a day drilling out the bolt head to remove the exhaust....
After that I proceeded to drain the trans and remove all hardlines, harness, and everything else needed to pull the engine and man was it FILTHY under the car
Well we ran into problems as always with working on cars, When removing the exhaust one of the bolts stripped and with almost no room to work with I spent a day drilling out the bolt head to remove the exhaust....
After that I proceeded to drain the trans and remove all hardlines, harness, and everything else needed to pull the engine and man was it FILTHY under the car
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W202 C55 (5.4 swapped C43)
Update #6
Finally it was time to pull the old engine!
After it was out I had to disconnect the transmission and swap over some other bits and pieces to the new engine
And then the moment I've been waiting for, time to drop in the 55!
Hooking everything back up! almost completed it yesterday but she WILL be running tonight
Finally it was time to pull the old engine!
After it was out I had to disconnect the transmission and swap over some other bits and pieces to the new engine
And then the moment I've been waiting for, time to drop in the 55!
Hooking everything back up! almost completed it yesterday but she WILL be running tonight
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12' W204 C63 AMG coupe "T-Rex", 12' W451 Smart Fortwo Pulse (99' W202 C43 AMG sold)
Why not steam clean chassis underside and engine bay before working in there. Life would be simpler I imagine 😉
#19
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Love it. I dig the fact that you are doing the work yourself vs having a shop do the work. You give me inspiration to tackle some projects like this on my own!
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W202 C55 (5.4 swapped C43)
Thank you!
UPDATE #7
Sorry it took so long for the next update been having too much fun driving this beast around town! The difference is amazing, the car floats along effortlessly almost hard to keep her under 80 on the freeway. Would recommend this swap to anyone thinking about it. Having owned a W210 E55 previously and now this, its definitely much quicker off the line going to get wider tires today as without traction control off it wants to spin them up to 40+ mph
Went to Targa Trophy at HRE Wheels HQ last weekend had a blast driving around with some great friends taking pictures, waiting on professional shots but heres a few to hold you over
Short crappy video of the car after the swap!
#23
in your youtube video, car looks and sounds badass!!
you going to do an ecu tune with e55 software after engine zwap?
or you gonna only use the stock c43 ecu?
now with a bigger engine, you have to set the wheels straight to get the best out of your car!
did you check how much mileage you get from a full tank of gas with new engine?
you going to do an ecu tune with e55 software after engine zwap?
or you gonna only use the stock c43 ecu?
now with a bigger engine, you have to set the wheels straight to get the best out of your car!
did you check how much mileage you get from a full tank of gas with new engine?
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W202 C55 (5.4 swapped C43)
in your youtube video, car looks and sounds badass!!
you going to do an ecu tune with e55 software after engine zwap?
or you gonna only use the stock c43 ecu?
now with a bigger engine, you have to set the wheels straight to get the best out of your car!
did you check how much mileage you get from a full tank of gas with new engine?
you going to do an ecu tune with e55 software after engine zwap?
or you gonna only use the stock c43 ecu?
now with a bigger engine, you have to set the wheels straight to get the best out of your car!
did you check how much mileage you get from a full tank of gas with new engine?
And yeah I put my stock camber arms back in so the wheels stand up pretty straight now going to get some wider tires on this week, debating Flaring my car like my buddys wagon above to be able to fit them.
Haven't calculated mileage but i'll get back to you on that I'm curious as well
Thanks buddy! Very stoked on the swap, like driving a whole new car again