Also the oil pan unless you have the engine from a CLK55 or E55 then it will not be necessary to change just drop it in.
N/A 55 Swap Complete on my 1998 C43
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 5,475
Likes: 5
From: City with Tall buildings!
C43/55,2k11 Volvo S60 T6AWD,2k Audi B5 S4,95 Eagle Talon Tsi AWD 500+awhp
It seems from some of the threads that a few of the guys that had this swap did most of the work themselves. I couldn't tell from your post did you have the shop do the swap for you or do you work there or something so that you didnt really pay a full shop price for the swap?
I have a connection with a guy that has swapped out a few engines before and has the necessary tools and space in his garage, he has never worked on a mercedes but he is my only option if i want to avoid shop prices. Does anyone have an estimate or know what a engine swap like this would cost if done at t shop with approx $80/hr labor rate?
paying over $1200 or so in labor on top of the cost of the engine would be the only thing holding me back.
I have a connection with a guy that has swapped out a few engines before and has the necessary tools and space in his garage, he has never worked on a mercedes but he is my only option if i want to avoid shop prices. Does anyone have an estimate or know what a engine swap like this would cost if done at t shop with approx $80/hr labor rate?
paying over $1200 or so in labor on top of the cost of the engine would be the only thing holding me back.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 5,475
Likes: 5
From: City with Tall buildings!
C43/55,2k11 Volvo S60 T6AWD,2k Audi B5 S4,95 Eagle Talon Tsi AWD 500+awhp
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,101
Likes: 40
From: Bay Area, CA
98 C43, 15 Alfa 4C LE, 18 Tesla Model 3 DM Perf, 08 Duc S1000, 02 Duc 998, 98 Duc 748, 01 Miata
I'd recommend using the EPC to compare oil pans. I believe the higher compression motors (W203, W209, R171) use the different oil pan. I have a 2001 S55 motor and I used the EPC to verify that the oil pans were the same.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
1998 C43 w/ N/A 5.4l swap
the reason why the 203, 209 and 171 have different oil pans is cause the subframe requires different clearance than the 210,208,220. this is the reason why its much easier to use the motor out of a older car.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 1,421
Likes: 160
From: SoCal
2024 c300 , 2006 E55, 2005 e320, 2007 gl450, 2025 glc300, 2025 e450
Hey I know this thread is from a while ago but how does the car run now? Is it ALOT faster? I am debating on whether to buy a c43 and do the swap
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,418
Likes: 194
From: America
1999 C43 AMG, 2005 E55 Wagon
honestly, it's like half the reason to buy a C43.
one guy did other mods to his C43 with a 55 motor and was smoking stock w204 C63's
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 202
Likes: 3
From: San Diego, CA
W202 C55 (5.4 swapped C43)
Awesome man! I plan on doing this swap in my 43 at the end of the month, would you recommend taking on the task myself using my buddys shop? doesnt seem like too hard of a job with the right equipment.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,418
Likes: 194
From: America
1999 C43 AMG, 2005 E55 Wagon
there's a thread here with everything you need to know about how to DIY this job, including exactly which engines are a perfect fit.
I'm 75% sure I could pull it off on my own, but whenever I get around to it I'll just pay my trusted mechanic to do it for peace of mind.
it's the exact same engine as far as the engine bay and ECU are concerned, so there's no modifications needed except a water coolant inlet on the back of one of the heads. the only "challenge" is just the labor of pulling the engine and putting in the new one: removing accessories, etc.
I'd recommend a total refresh on the new motor before it goes in: gaskets, timing chain and guides (can't stress this enough, because it's like a $2k job if it needs it later)
