Sergv87

I have a 2004 S430 (W220) and was wondering if I put in a S55 AMG motor will I need to do anything special besides just swapping the motors?

Jack_88

Usually a motor swap is more complicated than you think. Ignition control, fuel metering, sensors, mounts, etc... It's not as simple as swapping motors. However, if you have a whole parts car and a shop to do the transplant, I'd expect it's doable.

Sergv87

So I can pretty much take another S430 motor I just put it in my car and I'll be okay? But I can't do that with the AMG motor correct?

Sergv87

So I'll be able to get another S430 motor and put it in with no problem but I can't do that with the AMG motor correct?

Jack_88

In theory, correct. Also, given the cost and labor, it'd likely be cheaper just to buy an S55. But an S430 motor would be both much cheaper and much easier to find.

Sergv87

I was going to buy it from a junk yard and it's the same price for both motors

Jack_88

That's interesting. Might be worth it, then. I'll allow the experts to chime in and try to tell you what else you may need beyond the motor. I'm betting on at least the ECU and upgraded cooling system.

Sergv87

But if I switch out the ECU well I need to get the shifter and the ignition switch with it does those theft relevant parts?

Sergv87

You can't I just have somebody program my ECU to put out the correct amount of fuel and to the engine?

Jack_88

I can't say, I'm not a Mercedes tech. It could be that simple, but I'd be surprised. I keep waiting for one of the experts to chime in. The motor is the expensive bit, in theory anything else you would need to scavenge off the junkyard car is replacing a part on your S430 you could resell and recoup some of the cost. I would check to see if the S55 uses different motor mounts and transmission mounts, given the extra forces involved.

ItalianJoe1

Check with a tuning shop like Eurocharged. If they support tuning for both engines they may be able to help you get the AMG engine running on your existing car. If you have to swap to the 55 PCM, it won't work plug and play with the rest of the car, but the car could be thoroughly recoded to match S55 oem spec and may work, if you use enough of the 55 engine control system.

Will take some effort by someone who knows the SDS system and the factory side, as well as the aftermarket side, to make a 55 swap work perfectly. It's always possible though. It will end up costing more than just buying an S55 i'm afraid, they are under 10k now.

Sergv87

I'm not buying the motor new I already know the new motors are $12,000 before miscellaneous parts and labor

ItalianJoe1

The majority of the cost is not the engine...

I've done swaps like this on other cars. A $1500 engine turns into a $7500 swap before you get done with it, by the time you chase down all the things you actually need to make it work. You also must value your time at zero, or the cost gets astronomical.

Sergv87

But I'd be able to just drop in another 430 motor no problem

ItalianJoe1

Yes putting the same engine back in is fairly straightforward on almost any car.

Jack_88

Put in the 430 engine, save yourself the headache. If you want an S55, wait until you can get one proper. There's more than just an engine that makes those special.

tusabes

Wow so many ill informed responses here

Yes you can put in the s55 engine IF its from a 2000-2002 s55
It's a direct swap and you'll make almost 100 more horsepower

Many owners of c43 cars upgraded them with s55 engines they are plug and play


You cannot do a direct swap of the 2003-up supercharged s55 engine

Jack_88

Well, there you go. I made the assumption the supercharged motor was the one being discussed. If it's a no cost change, why not? I suppose it's worth considering the condition of the donor cars. If a donor car clearly spent it's whole life abused, you can bet the maintenance wasn't completed properly. If it looks pristine except for accident damage, it's a fair bet the engine in it is a gem.

ItalianJoe1

True, I forget about the non-supercharged AMG cars.

So that swap would work then, without huge issues. I was assuming same year to year.

tusabes

If a wrecking yard is selling the s430 and s55 engine at the same price then it's not going to be the supercharged s55 engine . They command a higher price

wallyp

The U-Pull-It yards commonly sell all engines for the same price. The nearest one to me sells an engine with no accessories (AC, alternator, etc.) for $250, with a $40 core charge.

Jack_88

Now that you mention it, I did have a coworker by an LT1 from a wrecked Camaro to swap into his V6 Camaro, quite a few years back. He needed a new engine and I do recall him commenting it was the same price for either motor.

Sergv87

y

I don't want to swap the engine just because want to claim it as an AMG but because I need a new engine and if I was gonna do it might as well get the added ponies

Jack_88

If it's as Tusatube says, and you're looking at a pre-supercharged engine, by all means go for it. Otherwise, it would be ill advised. If the price is the same, more power means more to me than less power, especially if you don't need to put forth any appreciable extra effort.

Sergv87

I'll definitely see if they have the pre supercharged AMG motor cause that sounds pretty good to me