Dom's C43 build thread (55 Swap)
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 202
Likes: 3
From: San Diego, CA
W202 C55 (5.4 swapped C43)
UPDATE #8
So most of you will probably hate me for this but I decided to pull the trigger on flaring the car to run wide tires. I actually like how the look personal I cut them to meet the body line they're also rocked forward a bit purposely to line the the rivets on the body and so that it tucks back in towards the rear.
Theyre not perfect but they will work for now. might end up doing metal flares welded on when I have the car painted.
So most of you will probably hate me for this but I decided to pull the trigger on flaring the car to run wide tires. I actually like how the look personal I cut them to meet the body line they're also rocked forward a bit purposely to line the the rivets on the body and so that it tucks back in towards the rear.
Theyre not perfect but they will work for now. might end up doing metal flares welded on when I have the car painted.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 202
Likes: 3
From: San Diego, CA
W202 C55 (5.4 swapped C43)
Banned
Joined: Feb 2006
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Likes: 36
i hope you know what ya doin to your car when you custom tweak it?
front fenders are not rolled from MB if you have to buy replacements.
if you need new fenders you will get stock w202 fenders.
w202 AMG cars had custom tweaked fenders from factory, these are not sold anymore.
front fenders are not rolled from MB if you have to buy replacements.
if you need new fenders you will get stock w202 fenders.
w202 AMG cars had custom tweaked fenders from factory, these are not sold anymore.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 202
Likes: 3
From: San Diego, CA
W202 C55 (5.4 swapped C43)
i hope you know what ya doin to your car when you custom tweak it?
front fenders are not rolled from MB if you have to buy replacements.
if you need new fenders you will get stock w202 fenders.
w202 AMG cars had custom tweaked fenders from factory, these are not sold anymore.
front fenders are not rolled from MB if you have to buy replacements.
if you need new fenders you will get stock w202 fenders.
w202 AMG cars had custom tweaked fenders from factory, these are not sold anymore.
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Joined: Mar 2010
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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)
No difference between OE 202 fender and the AMG apart from the rolled lip which is easy to do if you have the correct tool. It seems that a baseball bat does the thing perfectly.
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Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 202
Likes: 3
From: San Diego, CA
W202 C55 (5.4 swapped C43)
Update #9
Hey everyone haven't updated in quite some time, lots has changed as well as a few new projects!
Helping two friends complete E55 Swaps into W210 E320 Wagons entire E55's were bought for parts cars and its coming along quite nicely they should have them both done in the next month or two will have to share pics in another post.
I finished up the fender flares, have yet to space out the rears to fill the flares or mount the 295's but that should all happen in the next week or two, Cleaned up the engine a bay a bit and painted the intake box ( I have two now so just playing with this one)
Anyways on to the pics
"Low Cruise" Height
Some new badges for the beast
Painted engine cover
Local meet up AMG socal lounge
Also let beast run wild somewhere in mexico
Hey everyone haven't updated in quite some time, lots has changed as well as a few new projects!
Helping two friends complete E55 Swaps into W210 E320 Wagons entire E55's were bought for parts cars and its coming along quite nicely they should have them both done in the next month or two will have to share pics in another post.
I finished up the fender flares, have yet to space out the rears to fill the flares or mount the 295's but that should all happen in the next week or two, Cleaned up the engine a bay a bit and painted the intake box ( I have two now so just playing with this one)
Anyways on to the pics
"Low Cruise" Height
Some new badges for the beast
Painted engine cover
Local meet up AMG socal lounge
Also let beast run wild somewhere in mexico
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 202
Likes: 3
From: San Diego, CA
W202 C55 (5.4 swapped C43)
Update #10
One more update for you guys, I picked up a new project / daily from a good friend I met through the car community. 145K miles clean title and a whopping price tag of $200 USD
There are a few small issues rear suspension has DIY aftermarket short camber arms , toe arms and push arms that make the rear end feel like its swaying nothing some stock arms cant fix, waiting to hit the junk yard this weekend for everything. Also the front drivers side wheel got pushed back an inch or two previous owner hit a curb on that side replaced all arms and suspension components but the frame will need to be pulled a touch, all in all for $200 cant beat it. Picking up some Brabus VI reps for it tomorrow and should have suspension / frame work fixed up over the weekend
All Washed up
One more update for you guys, I picked up a new project / daily from a good friend I met through the car community. 145K miles clean title and a whopping price tag of $200 USD
There are a few small issues rear suspension has DIY aftermarket short camber arms , toe arms and push arms that make the rear end feel like its swaying nothing some stock arms cant fix, waiting to hit the junk yard this weekend for everything. Also the front drivers side wheel got pushed back an inch or two previous owner hit a curb on that side replaced all arms and suspension components but the frame will need to be pulled a touch, all in all for $200 cant beat it. Picking up some Brabus VI reps for it tomorrow and should have suspension / frame work fixed up over the weekend
All Washed up
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 5,890
Likes: 323
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)
I had a W124 before my w202s. After a long rusty love affair, it started a new life in Africa 
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 202
Likes: 3
From: San Diego, CA
W202 C55 (5.4 swapped C43)
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 202
Likes: 3
From: San Diego, CA
W202 C55 (5.4 swapped C43)
Thanks! They're actually ZG flares for an old datsun picked them up from a guy who makes them locally
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 202
Likes: 3
From: San Diego, CA
W202 C55 (5.4 swapped C43)
Thanks man! Drive low, park lower
definitely use a heat gun, and the correct squeegees to not scratch the vinyl, other than that just a lot of patience and probably a helping hand or two would be a great idea, DM if you want more specifics/ where to get the supplies
Theyre 18x9.5 up front 18x10.5 rear, +25 et all around fronts are spaced out 30mm so -5 offset up front. Waiting to do the same to the rears but need to run a full flare in the back for clearance. Eventually will remove the spacers and relip them larger but not for awhile. Planning on putting my 10.5's up front and relipping the fronts to 11.5 for the rear
definitely use a heat gun, and the correct squeegees to not scratch the vinyl, other than that just a lot of patience and probably a helping hand or two would be a great idea, DM if you want more specifics/ where to get the supplies
Theyre 18x9.5 up front 18x10.5 rear, +25 et all around fronts are spaced out 30mm so -5 offset up front. Waiting to do the same to the rears but need to run a full flare in the back for clearance. Eventually will remove the spacers and relip them larger but not for awhile. Planning on putting my 10.5's up front and relipping the fronts to 11.5 for the rear
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Joined: Feb 2006
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9.5 in front with wide lips is FAT!
9.5 front wheels do they touch anything on full steering wheel lock?
did front wheels poke outside the upper part of the factory fenders before you bolted the wider arches?
did you get lots of stone chips around the factory front fenders from 9.5 wheels?
9.5 front wheels do they touch anything on full steering wheel lock?
did front wheels poke outside the upper part of the factory fenders before you bolted the wider arches?
did you get lots of stone chips around the factory front fenders from 9.5 wheels?
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 4,437
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From: PDX
1999 C43, 2008 P30 E63, 2014 SQ5, 2024 Model Y Performance
I love the blue, looks great! I understand showing the rivets in the flares is a look some people are going for (i.e. liberty walk) but IMO the fender flares would look better if you bondo'd the rivets. It would look like it came from the factory.
P.S. LOVE THE LICENSE PLATE
P.S. LOVE THE LICENSE PLATE
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Joined: Aug 2006
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From: A.D., U.A.E
2000 (W202 C200) & 2000 (W202 C55)
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Joined: Jul 2010
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From: San Diego/Escondido, CA
1996 Mercedes C36 AMG
Take your time, 2 people is almost necessary imo (especially for first time), buy more than you need in case of error, use heat, but use it sparingly at first until you figure out how it works (too much heat and it will shrink, tear, or get too malleable), if your outside don't do it in direct sunlight, if your inside do it in proper temperature because it can be too hot or too cold and it makes it difficult,buy good wrap (3m or avery is best) that does make a difference, finally.. prep, prep, prep!
It isn't too difficult, just veryyy time consuming. I did it panel by panel over 2-3 weeks after work or school and did a ton of prep work to make it easier and make sure it lasts.
It isn't too difficult, just veryyy time consuming. I did it panel by panel over 2-3 weeks after work or school and did a ton of prep work to make it easier and make sure it lasts.
