C55: Weakest Link
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Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2014
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From: Downingtown, PA
none... for now
C55: Weakest Link
Help a newb out. As a potential C55 buyer, the M113/722 seems to be the LSx/T56 of the German car world: more then respectible power, not overly complicated, but reliable as Hell. I find that very reassuring.
But, I can't seem to find much of anything about the rest of the drivetrain. I guess because of the rarity and being a luxury car(thus less people modifying them) the number of guys pushing even 1.5x the stock power I could probably count on 2 hands. Even the number of full bolt on guys is pretty slim. As such, there doesn't seem to be much in the way of what goes when. It vaguely sounds like the half shafts are most likely to go 1st. The diff and driveshaft though, I found basically nothing. So out of the engine, trans, driveshaft, diff, and axles, what's the order of strength? Or is it the little details like U-joints that are the most likely culprit?
Also, although there is more to it then simply power, what is the actual torque rating of the C55's 722 trans? I got tons of the "they all are 796lb-ft, per the V12's" some info saying there is a 550lb-ft and 796lb-ft version, and also Chrysler/Dodge's version, the W5A580, officially being good for 428lb-ft(580nm=428lb-ft). Thanks in advance!
But, I can't seem to find much of anything about the rest of the drivetrain. I guess because of the rarity and being a luxury car(thus less people modifying them) the number of guys pushing even 1.5x the stock power I could probably count on 2 hands. Even the number of full bolt on guys is pretty slim. As such, there doesn't seem to be much in the way of what goes when. It vaguely sounds like the half shafts are most likely to go 1st. The diff and driveshaft though, I found basically nothing. So out of the engine, trans, driveshaft, diff, and axles, what's the order of strength? Or is it the little details like U-joints that are the most likely culprit?
Also, although there is more to it then simply power, what is the actual torque rating of the C55's 722 trans? I got tons of the "they all are 796lb-ft, per the V12's" some info saying there is a 550lb-ft and 796lb-ft version, and also Chrysler/Dodge's version, the W5A580, officially being good for 428lb-ft(580nm=428lb-ft). Thanks in advance!
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From: Atlanta Metro
Current: C217 V12TT AMG Previously: C55 AMG, SL65 AMG
While I don't know for certain, I'm guessing that there's gotta be different versions of the trans for different power levels.
If you want a strong V8/Auto combo to make some big power with, the C55 NA V8 5.5 is not the one to start with. Mods are limited, and making them work is expensive. Step up to an E55 instead with the V8 Kompressor; power is much more easily had with that stock setup.
If you want a strong V8/Auto combo to make some big power with, the C55 NA V8 5.5 is not the one to start with. Mods are limited, and making them work is expensive. Step up to an E55 instead with the V8 Kompressor; power is much more easily had with that stock setup.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 255
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From: Downingtown, PA
none... for now
Completely agree. It'll be my DD so intake/exhaust/tune/maybe torque converter would be it(LSD would be nice). I'm just wondering, more from abuse, what gives up the ghost first. Extreme hp merely speeds up the process.
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From: Western Canada
2013 C63 AMG P31, 2014 GMC Sierra (6.2)
I've only heard of 2 C55 transmission failures the entire time I've been on this forum -- one was a stock C55, and the other was a heavily modified 480whp one which made numerous trips to the dragstrip.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 255
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From: Downingtown, PA
none... for now
1)trans
2)motor
3)driveshaft
4)diff
5)axles
The trans/engine are rock solid, the driveshaft I don't hear much about, but just due to sudden impact or wheel hop, the axles and then diff would seem most likely to break, as in most cars.
