"True" C55 conversion question
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 672
Likes: 15
From: New Zealand
C43 w/clk55 Organs
Hello Guys,
I took mine from the donor CLK55
The cut out is part of the floor and cannot be purchased separately, Originally I though MY00 202 would have this cut out already installed as it is same build time as 208 CLk55, however I checked one recently and it is not the case.
There is a possibility that all clk 00 - 02 have this cut out but if not only CLk55.You would need to confirm at a wrecking yard, if you get the cut out also get the plastic cable tray above it,its the same tray used in MY00 W202 and accepts the cut out shape rather than having to cut your original to suit.
I took mine from the donor CLK55
The cut out is part of the floor and cannot be purchased separately, Originally I though MY00 202 would have this cut out already installed as it is same build time as 208 CLk55, however I checked one recently and it is not the case.
There is a possibility that all clk 00 - 02 have this cut out but if not only CLk55.You would need to confirm at a wrecking yard, if you get the cut out also get the plastic cable tray above it,its the same tray used in MY00 W202 and accepts the cut out shape rather than having to cut your original to suit.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 199
Likes: 10
W202 w/ a 5.4L V8
Thanks for chiming in Pagz! I read your thread last weekend and did a bit of searching to track down the cosmetic stuff that I could easily swap. The diff was an easy find ~$200US out here so I'm really bummed to learn I can't swap it in without all the other wiring and electrical required to read the new gear ratio. The floor mod is something I thought a body shop might have access to so I thought I would ask around.
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,053
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From: A.D., U.A.E
2000 (W202 C200) & 2000 (W202 C55)
Hey Alex,
The best way to do the correct swapping, that following Paul's(Pagz) theory, to get a donor CLK55,
and swapping everything, it will save more time & $$$$ without headache..
ZAYED,,
The best way to do the correct swapping, that following Paul's(Pagz) theory, to get a donor CLK55,
and swapping everything, it will save more time & $$$$ without headache..
ZAYED,,
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,418
Likes: 194
From: America
1999 C43 AMG, 2005 E55 Wagon
Zayed, it is a 99.
Also, I misspoke about everything being easy to find. I'll have to talk to my local dealer about the cutout and cover for the larger pumpkin. I'm guessing I'll have to source that from Europe or maybe I'll get lucky and the part for the 208 clk55 can be ordered here in the states.
Also, I misspoke about everything being easy to find. I'll have to talk to my local dealer about the cutout and cover for the larger pumpkin. I'm guessing I'll have to source that from Europe or maybe I'll get lucky and the part for the 208 clk55 can be ordered here in the states.
Sure, you can do the pumpkin swap to make it "true" but is it necessary?
Has the diff ever failed in a 43 even with 55 swap? I have literally never heard of one. And they have the same ratio and neither are LSD, so what's the point?
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 199
Likes: 10
W202 w/ a 5.4L V8
IIRC, this part is unique to the w202 C55. I remember reading somewhere they all had to be custom fabricated by AMG for the C55 which was special-order only. You had to buy a C43 then buy the 5.4l "upgrade" where they'd pull it back to Affalterbach and do these mods.
Sure, you can do the pumpkin swap to make it "true" but is it necessary?
Has the diff ever failed in a 43 even with 55 swap? I have literally never heard of one. And they have the same ratio and neither are LSD, so what's the point?
Sure, you can do the pumpkin swap to make it "true" but is it necessary?
Has the diff ever failed in a 43 even with 55 swap? I have literally never heard of one. And they have the same ratio and neither are LSD, so what's the point?
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 199
Likes: 10
W202 w/ a 5.4L V8
I started this discussion because I noticed a relatively short list of hard parts appeared necessary to do a true conversion. This is both true and false. The engine, trans, pumpkin and cover are relatively easy to source. Getting your hands on the 300km/h speedo is a bit harder. The primary hangup is that the tcu will not allow to flash for the new rear gear ratio. So to answer my original question: Yes everything will bolt up very easily. No, the ecu/tcu is not compatible with the new parts. This all leads to what everyone has said from go: do a 5.4 swap w/ trans rebuild and enjoy your car.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,053
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From: A.D., U.A.E
2000 (W202 C200) & 2000 (W202 C55)
Agree with you Alex,
just swap 5.4l Engine from W208 or W210, will be great , No need to change anything else..!
i think MB put that cover, cause they used 2.82 diff. housing from W220, not enough Room for that big PumpkiN..!!
ZAYED,,
just swap 5.4l Engine from W208 or W210, will be great , No need to change anything else..!
i think MB put that cover, cause they used 2.82 diff. housing from W220, not enough Room for that big PumpkiN..!!
ZAYED,,
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 5,889
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From: Land of mountains, cheese, chocolate and watches
12' W204 C63 AMG coupe "T-Rex", 12' W451 Smart Fortwo Pulse (99' W202 C43 AMG + Ultima Can-Am sold)
Hello Guys,
I took mine from the donor CLK55
The cut out is part of the floor and cannot be purchased separately, Originally I though MY00 202 would have this cut out already installed as it is same build time as 208 CLk55, however I checked one recently and it is not the case.
There is a possibility that all clk 00 - 02 have this cut out but if not only CLk55.You would need to confirm at a wrecking yard, if you get the cut out also get the plastic cable tray above it,its the same tray used in MY00 W202 and accepts the cut out shape rather than having to cut your original to suit.
I took mine from the donor CLK55
The cut out is part of the floor and cannot be purchased separately, Originally I though MY00 202 would have this cut out already installed as it is same build time as 208 CLk55, however I checked one recently and it is not the case.
There is a possibility that all clk 00 - 02 have this cut out but if not only CLk55.You would need to confirm at a wrecking yard, if you get the cut out also get the plastic cable tray above it,its the same tray used in MY00 W202 and accepts the cut out shape rather than having to cut your original to suit.
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 672
Likes: 15
From: New Zealand
C43 w/clk55 Organs
I read on a german amg forum there was a comment from sombody who knew a tech that did the conversion at amg, there was some mention of a mallet being used to beat the floor into shape, the metal is very soft I w
wouldnt be suprised if they did!. I have asked the local c55 owner here to lift the carpet and take a photo of his...I would like to finally solve this mystery
Last edited by Pagz; Oct 3, 2015 at 02:37 PM.
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 672
Likes: 15
From: New Zealand
C43 w/clk55 Organs
Note also there some other mods here used with the larger diff, the exhaust steps out further for clearance(clk55 center muffler + unique C55 rear muffler,clk55 rear muffler is 90% same just higher sitting tips + slightly more angle on hangers and cutout for bumper so can be used fine), and the subframe uses heavier duty mounts diff to frame, sub frame is same though part number changes due to the mounts come pre-installed.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 5,889
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From: Land of mountains, cheese, chocolate and watches
12' W204 C63 AMG coupe "T-Rex", 12' W451 Smart Fortwo Pulse (99' W202 C43 AMG + Ultima Can-Am sold)
Why not and much appreciated if you do so, if only for future reference
👌
👌
,, 
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 672
Likes: 15
From: New Zealand
C43 w/clk55 Organs
No prob guys!Zayed, I will ask the C55 owner if he has this cooler.. though I suspect it just has same cooler as C43, my parts guys could not dig up the number however I'm not sure if they contacted Germany for this one...
In meantime here's the genuine boot shot,looks like C55 AMG boot mod was indeed done with hammer and dolly? You can see they have chopped the existing cable try to suit and sprayed with primer..
If you must do this the clk55 parts is much cleaner option
Last edited by Pagz; Oct 7, 2015 at 04:06 AM.
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Joined: Feb 2004
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From: City with Tall buildings!
C43/55,2k11 Volvo S60 T6AWD,2k Audi B5 S4,95 Eagle Talon Tsi AWD 500+awhp
What's a "true swap"?
Just drop the 5.4l motor in and be done.All the other stuff is a waste of time. Regardless of what you do ,the car will still be a C43 with a 5.4l swap period.
Plus I'd rather have the present C43 gear ratio over the 2.82 ratio diff they put in the converted Europe only C55. Why do you think MB changed the ratio to 3.07 in the newer C55
It's better!
There is also no signifivcant strentgh difference in the trannies at least not to me. 157k miles on original tranny never rebuilt fluid always changed and knock on wood no problems.
Your car will be nothing extra special because you added a 2.82 diff ,tranny and worked the floor pan.
Ps my car spanks w208 clk55's All day long!!!!!!!
I'm with Sulaco on this!
Just drop the 5.4l motor in and be done.All the other stuff is a waste of time. Regardless of what you do ,the car will still be a C43 with a 5.4l swap period.
Plus I'd rather have the present C43 gear ratio over the 2.82 ratio diff they put in the converted Europe only C55. Why do you think MB changed the ratio to 3.07 in the newer C55
It's better!There is also no signifivcant strentgh difference in the trannies at least not to me. 157k miles on original tranny never rebuilt fluid always changed and knock on wood no problems.
Your car will be nothing extra special because you added a 2.82 diff ,tranny and worked the floor pan.
Ps my car spanks w208 clk55's All day long!!!!!!!
I'm with Sulaco on this!
Last edited by ProjectC55; Oct 8, 2015 at 11:02 PM.
