dearlove

So i currently have a '96 C36 and a '97 C180

Cant decide if i should turbo the c36 or convert c180 to c55. C180 doesn't have motor or gearbox at the moment. I'll have to go stand alone for both so thats no drama

Looking for about 500hp for either iether.

Pro's of turbo c36
-engine already in the car
-I've got every thing to convert it to manual
-car looks nice

Con's
-Replacing head gasket every time i start it
-when i find a way to overcome the head gasket ill blow the block to pieces
-wrecking a very rare car
-if i blow the engine im ****ed, they'd prob want $5k for a c36 engine here...

Pro's of c55 conversion on c180
-its not an AMG, doesnt matter what i do to it or if i write it off

Con's
-don't even know if the engine will bolt in or if the c43's had a different cross member
-ill have to ship engine and gearbox from the states to Australia (prob still cheaper than finding replacment c36 engine here...)


With both cars i'd need to upgrade the suspension/braking, wheels.

buying a c43 is out of the picture, they fetch $25k here... on that i can sell my c36 for $20k to fund the c180....


thoughts/feelings?

nd4spd13

Having you thought about picking up a 3.2 M104 and putting a turbo setup on that? More reliable than the 3.6 because of lower compression and thicker cylinder walls.

Also putting the manual in the C36 would be sweet. People always talk about in on here but no one has ever done it on the forum, at least while i've been active. It would be much harder to work out with a V8, and I don't know if the transmission would be able to mount up at all

dearlove

yeah, i've got a 3.0l m104 that a was originally going to put in the c180 with the 5 speed manual

nd4spd13

Personally, I'd do that, considering all the cons you listed for the C36, the sake of keeping the C36 original, and the fact that it'd be expensive to get a 5.4 and you already have the 3.0, sounds perfect to me.
I'm sure you could get 500hp more reliably with the 3 than the 3.6, so why not?

503C43 ////AMG

PM whipplem104, he has turbo'd his M104 and is producing serious numbers. He is very knowledgeable and could give you some insight on what is required to get big numbers from a turbo'd M104

dearlove

Yeah I've spoken to him previously.

Maybe I should just go with the six into the c180 for costs sake. Can always convert it later...

amgmaster4343

I would do a turbo on the c36. If you do everything right it will be fine.

w202mylove

I agree if you want to build an insane car you should go with the 3.6 will be more expensive and more work results could be well over 500hp without a prob.
@ dearlove: I read you have everything to convert it to manual, so what gearbox can hold the 500hp m104 engine? this guy has the 2.8 with 370whp whick is quite alot if you can put the power down. I would go with the 3.0 or a 3.2 24v should be the cheapest way for the most fun

dearlove

have the getrag 5 speed out of a 190e 16v, shoul hold 500hp, just...

dearlove

bringing back old thread...
can anyone confirm, the only thing the c43 had different from the other w202's in regard to physically mounting the engine in was the engine mount brackets, as in was the subframe/steering box location the same?

dont care about the tailshaft/gearbox mounts/radiator right now...

dearlove

and does any one know the length of the e55 rods? cant find it anywhere!