TheBestOrNothin

Hi Everyone,

Has anyone ever performed an engine swap on their GLK?
I have this crazy idea of dropping a M156 motor inside.

Think it'll work?

Thanks

koalatm

I don't think the 6.2 litre V8 is going to fit in this vehicle and even if it did, you'd need new engine mounts, transmission, and likely all new plumbing, fuel system, etc.

*if* it were possible, you're probably looking at a significant amount of money - at least $15,000.

Far better value for money to just get an ML63 AMG.

TheBestOrNothin

I think it will fit, because it fits in the C Class.
but you're right, it will require a lot more work than actually just fitting the engine

It would be awesome if it can work though

koalatm

Best way to find out is to get a C63 AMG donor car and get to work

rmfnla

A man after my own heart!

Years ago I dropped a Chevy 396 + THM 400 tranny into a MB 300D; talk about your stealth car!

I don't recall all the details but I do remember that I had to swap out the front springs because the gas motor was much lighter than the diesel.

Just so you know you are not the only one with crazy ideas: http://wot.motortrend.com/750hp-brab...0000-6137.html

PLEASE keep us informed if you decide to do this, and take lots of pictures!

Gotti78

Im not a mechanic but doesn't the Brabus GLK have a giant F'in engine similar to a 6.3L

I would say it would fit

Rascally Wabbit

Remember that in '98 & '99, AMG made the C43 with a V-8 & that platform was smaller than the current "C" class platform. The fitment would not be the challenge but the electronics could be daunting. I would not be surprised if much of the present "C" class wiring could be utilised to support this swap. Time & knowledge would be the curse. Once the X204 is depreciated further, something like this will happen. I like the idea myself!

MJ50

it CAN be done...

rmfnla

5.5L BiTurbo V-12...

Rascally Wabbit

As I recall, the first gen X204 utilised a 90% v-6, likely derived from a v-8 so engine width is not an issue. Length could be interesting but hey, if a v-12 can be made to fit, a v-8 should be a walk in the park. I think the second gen v-6 with a couple of turbochargers could be very entertaining!

Calivette2003

i’m very interested in this because I have a 2014 GLK with less than 40,000 miles and for all intents and purposes it looks brand new in every respect. But because it’s six years old and no longer manufactured it’s only worth about 16K at best. Hardly worth even selling, thinking about when the warranty goes out next June 2021 considering what you guys were talking about with a 5.5 L TwinTurbo and matching trans lifted out of a donor car.

I would keep it completely stock looking exterior wise I think it would make a great sleeper. I help my brother last summer install a LS-3 with a TKO-500 5spd. in a 71 240Z. That thing is scary fast... Not the best handling car IMHO.

Anyway I would think it be a fun project though expensive but I have to look into whether the rear end can take it, re-work motor mounts, fitment under the stock hood, Wiring harness etc. etc.

rahmanasad

I am very interested in doing the same project with my 2010 GLK, have you gotten anywhere?

I have already made a replica of the Brabus body kit and looking to start on the engine swap but I am no mechanic and need all the support and advise possible. I have the budget ready so please let's try and make it happen.

Calivette2003

I ended up giving up on the project because it’s just not worth putting money into a car that has little to no value. I bought it for 45 and it’s only worth 15 even in Showcar condition.

now with all that said what I did find out is this Bramos doesn’t share any other information on their site you would literally have to reach out to them via email or phone and talk to them one on one. But from my 25 years experience in the Corvette/Chevy world I would recommend save the money forget about the Benz motor and pick up a 5.3 L Vortec motor Which can be had for as little as $500 at a local wrecking yard. Their in every Chevy and GMC truck since the late 1990s and you can get a good 390hp/375 ftlbtorque motor an entire conversion kit if it on almost any car out there. There’s a guy running around in LA near me that has an SL 600 with a Corvette Z06 motor in it and he told me it would’ve been almost 4 times as much to put an appropriate AMG motor in it which would still have less horsepower. Just my .02.

Silver Shadow

It's a 5.3 L Vortec. I'm sorry but when I see 5.2 it just jumps off the page and slaps me.
I agree that it's a much cheaper way to go. There are purists who would only be happy with an MB engine.

Mmr1

How do you get a gm wiring harness to work with mb, and how do you get the computer to talk to the gm. Sounds like a nightmare or paying someone thousands with no guarantee it will ever work,

Calivette2003

agreed that would be a nightmare he would likely have to take the entire ECM and wiring harness and replace majority of the gauge cluster although the guy in LA was able to do it there has to be a way. Reason 1001 why I will not be going down this road.

off-topic but yet another interesting conversion I read about a few months ago was a 1962 Myers Maddox dune buggy where they remove the anemic 1600cc motor and replaced it with the Subaru WRX motor. That’s going from somewhere around 50 hp to around 260... and that little car where he weighs nothing probably around 250 pounds for the VW beetle floor pan and 450lb for the fiberglass body. Not forgetting to mention the VW bugs and Sand rails that I’ve seen over at Glamis dunes sporting 700 hp and above LS motors.

SteveE400

The original (mid-1960's) Meyers Manx dune buggies were built on the VW bug floor pan (IIRC, these were shortened in the hobbyist's garage, using a sawzall and torch), with the stock 36 HP VW 4-banger engines. Hot rodders back then were installing Chevy Corvair flat 6-cylinder engines. The chosen stock configurations were 140 HP with 4 X 1-barrel Rochester carbs (or a Holley 390 CFM four-barrel to get it scarier) or the 180 HP turbo engines with the 1-barrel Carter side-draft carb and a turbo. Those things were scary-stupid fast, but you couldn't really romp on them because the front end would be off the ground and you ran a good chance of snapping the rear axles with the turbo's torque.

Oh, to be that young and that stupid again. . .

capt_paul

It would be interesting if you can put a M276 bi-turbo motor in

NYCGLK

Following! You might need RWD version because AWD holds transmission by the transfer case and then the front axles and shaft might get in the way.
I think the biggest issue will be wiring. You would need engine with transmission and DME/Immobilizer. Then the questions is will the car's wiring work (senros/gauges etc.)
I think best way it find if somebody was able to swap C63 into regular C class. I would imagine process being nearly identical for GLK.

AMGTestDriverNJ

This is doable but I’m thinking around10k with a donor motor installed. I’d have to see…Who’s still in? Someone would have to volunteer their car as the mule too. Make a list

Rascally Wabbit

To get an idea what can be accomplished, check the engine swap in this vehicle up for auction. https://bringatrailer.com/listing/20...-crossfire-53/ For folks who are unaware, the Crossfire is joined at the hip with the MB SLK. They were built on the same assembly line. The swap was done by Accelerated Industries out of the Windy City. The company has performed more than a dozen of these. One of the many challenges was cracking the code in the ECU to have all functions work as from the factory. That alone reportedly took 1K hours to accomplish. In summary, if you have the money it can be done.