503C43 ////AMG

Does anyone know where to get a 5.4L AMG I don't really care how many miles are on it as I plan to have it fully rebuilt (and MODDED ). I am looking for one in the US, preferably on the west coast so I can save $$$$$ on shipping.

PJmak

All these threads about modding your car. I dont see any of it happening

503C43 ////AMG

LOL.... I like to do all the research before I spend my money..... I look at EVERY option and then determine which way I want to go. If you can't point me in the right direction feel free to NOT post.....

Saaboteur

I spoke with a yard in Bellingham a few months ago tha had two or three 55 motors with various mileages, and thus varying prices. At the time he quoted me $2600 for a 90,000 miler and $4000 for a 57,000 miler. No accessories or manifolds included typically. $300 core.

I have the contact info at home. I'll PM you it later. Bellingham's a close enough distance for you to get a buddy with a truck and drive up to grab it....

503C43 ////AMG

Bellingham is about 4 hours away but worth it to swoop on a 55 motor. Not too worried about the manifolds as I plan on doing a full MOD on it (i.e. headers, intake, etc....) Thanks SAAB, you are a great help as usual

FLYNAVY

Not sure how much you are looking to spend, but if you want to have it rebuilt plus custom exhaust, just know that this won't be cheap. For reference, my m117 was rebuilt (actually twice b/c the first shop gooned it away).....both times ran upwards of $6k for a full rebuild...second time was a little cheaper because the original rebuild was good on the top end. But if you are tearing down the motor, doing the top and bottom, you'd be hard pressed to do it for less than $5k on these motors, probably a decent chunk of change more than that. Custom headers and full exhaust system will probably run around $3k, maybe a little more if you really go all out (mine was @ around $4500 on the w201, but of course that was a lot more challenging geometrically speaking than the C43 would be). Just some figures to think about. If you don't want to spend this kind of money, then I'd highly recommend finding the best motor you can out there and maybe just freshening it up a little bit (probably in the $1-2k range if done right).

503C43 ////AMG

I am probably going to get the cheapest 55 motor I can and spend the money on full rebuild, I figured I should be able to do it all for around $6-$7k with the headers and exhaust (I have an exhaust expert who gives me a decent discount, charges me cost on parts and I just pay the labor). I have a hard time not rebuilding a motor when it's out of the vehicle already (what better time to do it ) but I do appreciate the input from a trusted source as yourself. I am going to start looking into the cost of a full rebuild as soon as SAAB PM's the contact info for the 55 motor. I will post what I find in a while. Something I just thought about, I just purchased the Vogtland springs and bilstein shocks, will I need a new set of springs and shocks if I drop in the 55 motor?

ohlord

8 grand car and stick at minimum $10k into it? You need the trans, the ecu, the tcu ,and the das from the bigger engine with the rebuild.
Just wondering. Some would say because they have the knowledge and capability. It seems like you lack both.

FLYNAVY

I guess that can be what seperates an enthusiast of a given model from the rest. I could have bought 10+ 190e's for the amount of money I have dumped into that project (or 2-3 C43's for that matter), but it's all about the final outcome for me.....not really about whether it makes sense if you know what I mean. Sounds like OP feels the same way about his car

I'd say 7k is possible for this swap if you find the right motor (everything included), but I'd be prepared to spend at least 10k just in case. These projects ALWAYS get more expensive as you go along. I thought my 5.6 swap would cost me 5k tops when I started......so you can see how long that lasted

ohlord

that in your case.
The op has a bit to learn about simple suspension geometry and modifications before he even begins to tackle a swap like this.And then he needs to learn more. Much more.
I look at his profile and the tag W210 E55 and can't help but thinking that is what he really wanted and taking a nice C43 and chopping it is not the path.
Sell it and buy a low mile E55 for far less than what the project if ever completed will cost.

503C43 ////AMG

As usual I appreciate your level headed input flynavy, although I could do without the high and mighty input from ohlord. I plan on pricing everything out first to see if this is an economical option. I have done some rebuilds in the past and you are definitely correct regarding the cost exceeding the budget. This is my first MB and I am unfamiliar with the cost of modding them but I am quickly learning it is not cheap.

503C43 ////AMG

Oh how I love the haters You are correct I would LOVE to own a W210 E55 unfortunately you are incorrect regarding the cost of the swap and the cost of a W210 (at least in my neck of the woods)..... Even if it does cost $10k + to do the swap in my C43, you can't find an E55 for that much they are $14k-18k for the condition I am looking for. I can't imagine the swap would wind up costing as much as an E55 out of pocket as you have to take into account I would be selling my current engine and tranny. Anyway I'm not sure if your mother ever taught you but if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything AT ALL

ohlord

A.
And I am in your neck of the woods and can pick up low mile E55's for well under 14k.
Shop around
B. Check around what just the machine work runs on an 55 M113 and a rebuilt trans you can't use yours.
C.Are you familiar with DAS and what it takes to swap it over?
Did I say something not nice?
Or does the truth hurt?

$10k plus $8k for the starter(your) car and you are into it for $18k minimum
but time will tell.........

FLYNAVY

I think it is worth mentioning that rebuilding these motors on an engine stand at home is not a very realistic undertaking. Unless you have the correct gear for honing the cylinders properly (there is another term for this which escapes my memory at the moment, as "honing" is not technically correct), you will do more harm than good. Alusil blocks are highly engineered pieces of metal, and don't take kindly to traditional rebuild methods used on iron blocks. Also, different rules of thumb must be used on the tolerances, as their components expand at different rates than most engine builders are used to working with (this is where I got burned on my 1st rebuild) The tear down shouldn't be too difficult, and that could save you a little $$$, but I would highly recommend taking it to a professional who has experience with these particular motors. Most reputable shops will run you 6-7k at a minimum for full tear down and a top/bottom end rebuild. Throw in a few extra valves for the m113, and you are probably at the high end of that spectrum. I've heard of performance oriented builds (3 angle grinds, flowed intake manifold, cams, forged internals, higher comp) of these motors that easily doubled that. Probably closer to 20k for a real N/A build of any significance. So my figures are for bone stock, with maybe a couple mils overbore just for refinishing purposes. Hope that helps, not trying to discourage you as I think it is definitely do-able, but you do need to be realistic with yourself when you are launching into a project like this (with a car you feel so passionately about). My baby has been a roller without a motor a lot more than it has been a roller with a motor for the better part of the last 4 years, so if anything, it has forced me to not enjoy/drive it for nearly half a decade. Better up front planning and budgeting can help prevent this.

503C43 ////AMG

Indeed.... was my plan from the start as my expertise lies within american V8's and have no experience with alusil..... again, much appreciated well informed advice

P.S. how is the M car coming???

99CEEFOURTHREE

Yea ohlord should stick to his MG'S...... THIS GUYS LIFE MUST BE MISERABLE!

ohlord

you could pick it up for $11k?
2002 Mercedes E55 AMG.
This car is completely and fully loaded.
I has everything mercedes had to offer in this year.
It comes with the following.

Navi, tinted window, screen on back window that moves up and down, heated and air conditioned seats, AMG wheels,
HID head lights, an amazing 5.5 V8 engine that has absolutely all the power that you will ever need and some.

This car has a clean title and a clean car fax.
Drives flawlessly.

Asking $12,499 obo Car has 76k miles
3 hours north of you.

btw low mile 00's are even cheaper

503C43 ////AMG

^^ please enlighten us where you found this gem.....

A search of auto trader within 500 miles has several but none of them are in the condition you speak of especially not for the price.....

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/search...=1283742030769

PJmak

You can easily find a 5.4 for 3500 and its gona be lower milage too. These motors are bulletproof, wtf do you need to rebuild on it??


Valve cover gasket just in case and plugs and wires(both most likely unnecessary if milage is low). ****s so easy u can do it your self especially when the motor is out. I was quoted 100 bucks for a valve cover job at a shop. Those two things wont cost you more then 1k to do.

Dont need to touch anything else on the motor. Stock tranny is fine just service it regularly. Motor is barely heavier so no need for upgrading the suspension or any of that and brakes are strong enough to stop the car. Slam that thing in and enjoy what this car was supposed to be in the first place

503C43 ////AMG

It's not what you said but how you said it..... I'll be the first to admit I am not the most knowledgeable when it comes to modding MB's but I am a quick learner and I am doing my best by asking questions (stupid as they may seem). The high and mighty way that your are presenting your information I can do without, if you would like to help feel free to put in your 2 cents in a respectful manner otherwise skip my thread PLEASE.

ohlord

Craigslist skagit county listed today.
We had a member sell a 70k mile 01 for $11k last year from the w210 forum.

Just trying to avoid you spending a bunch of money doing a swap that destroys the value of a nice C43 when other options exist.

Maybe 99CEEFOURTHREE needs to stick to his jeep since he obviously knows less than you ABOUT WHAT THESE CONVERSIONS COST. TYPICAL JERSEY SCHMUCK

503C43 ////AMG

True these motors are solid but I really hate to drop in "used" goods hence the rebuild for peace of mind. I figured as much as far as the suspension was concerned but had to ask. Thanks for the input

503C43 ////AMG

It's worth taking a look at it...

ohlord

"Some would say because they have the knowledge and capability. It seems like you lack both."
was harsh.
Really have seen too many nice cars hacked up. For projects like this you find a blowed up c43 and drop in the 55 add a bunch of money and a good year of nights in the garage.
Peace

99CEEFOURTHREE is still mad he paid 18grand for a C43 a bit over a year ago......real bargain that was

Jovsky

Jason my friend, I do not wish to crush your dreams but to modify your C43 and replace it with a 5.4L engine is not that easy and very expensive as I have been reading different threads here and it turns out that a lot of experience is needed for a successful swap.

My suggestion is for you to take very good care of your C43, keep it as it is and purchase another E55. I guess, in the long run, you could save a lot of money and have 2 cars to play with. Just my 2 cents.