Dom's C43 build thread (55 Swap)
 

Hey guys figured i'd make a post showing the recent changes to my C43 before she goes back under the knife. Changed up the wrap got bored of the silver glitter very quickly, added shorter camber arms, removed front bumper grill and supports, added rear roof spoiler and a few other goodies here and there. She just hit 230K miles and is now under the knife for an E55 engine swap :v:

Wrap - Oracal Turqouise/Lavender by MacWraps

Wheels - Brabus IV 18x9.5 +20 18x10.5 -10

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Camber has been removed, Changed tires to 235/35/18 265/35/18 and am planning on flaring fenders to run wider tires, Rebuild on the E55 engine has begun Cant wait for this swap to be complete.

Replacing -

Valve cover gaskets
Oil & Filter
Coolant
Water pump
Rear main seal
Spark plugs
oil pan gasket

Engine had about 100k on it when it was pulled from a salvaged E55

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Waaaaaaaaoooo, soooooo AWESOME..:bow::naughty::y

ZAYED,,

I did the same thing when we swapped in mine and I am sooo glad. We also did the oil filter housing gaskets just to be safe. It's nice to know that your motor is freshly re-sealed. Can't wait to see it running. I'll have to get down to SD and hang out with you guys.

Uggh..you can bag a w202 but not an AMG...Just my opinion

Thanks guys! and yeah you should man get a photoshoot going with the 202's

I feel you haha it does raise up to stock height and has sport struts, handles quite well actually, theres been plenty of research tracking bagged cars and static both preform well but to each their own :zoom:

:bow:

What suspension setup and what do you mean camber has been removed?

Love that color btw

Thanks buddy! Using slam specialties bags all around with Bilstein sport struts, and I was running two inch shorter camber arms to add camber was running double digit negative camber in some of those pictures. but I also bought stock length adjustable arms, having them aligned to factory spec

UPDATE!!
Spent a few hours after work last night putting back on valve covers with new seals/gaskets
also installed
-New sparkplugs
-new oil filter
-new thermostat


Some picutres of the engine with valve covers removed

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Putting in a little work!

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Starting to look all cleaned up! :)

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Forgot to mention. You should also replace the oil cooler gasket while the motor is out. Its really cheap but its kind of a ***** once the motor is in. Also I think its called a timing belt cover drain plug gasket but not sure. Ill find more info for you today.

They tend to leak and to swap them is two bolts but with the motor in you have to remove the fan and fan clutch

UPDATE #3

Got around to just about finishing up the rebuild last night.

Started out swapping the water pump

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Fresh water pump, thermostat and tensioner pulley

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The got into replacing the rear main seal, actually an easy task with the engine removed from vehicle

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So clean! ��

Love the red valve covers..powerwash under that hood and drop her in!

Thanks guys! Hope to have here done ASAP




UPDATE #4
Was sadly not able to spend as much time on the car this weekend as I'd hoped but I am waiting for a few necessary parts to arrive tomorrow at the dealer. Should have the engine pulled tonight or tomorrow and have everything hooked up by the end of next weekend...

My buddy, and previous owner of the car, David (SD202) stopped by to lend a hand

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And then work commenced, will take more pictures of current progress tonight.

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Update #5
Well we ran into problems as always with working on cars, When removing the exhaust one of the bolts stripped and with almost no room to work with I spent a day drilling out the bolt head to remove the exhaust....

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After that I proceeded to drain the trans and remove all hardlines, harness, and everything else needed to pull the engine and man was it FILTHY under the car

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Update #6

Finally it was time to pull the old engine!

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After it was out I had to disconnect the transmission and swap over some other bits and pieces to the new engine

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And then the moment I've been waiting for, time to drop in the 55!

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Hooking everything back up! almost completed it yesterday but she WILL be running tonight

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nice updates!!!:y


keep the pics coming.
ooh and off course tell your experience of how your car feels once the swap is done.:naughty:

Why not steam clean chassis underside and engine bay before working in there. Life would be simpler I imagine 😉

Love it. I dig the fact that you are doing the work yourself vs having a shop do the work. You give me inspiration to tackle some projects like this on my own!

Nice thread!!! Always loved this body style. Can't wait to hear how it runs

Progress is looking good!!

Thanks I absolutely LOVE the swap :zoom:

Probably should have, I cleaned everything out after removing the engine

Thanks! Definitely had some pissed off moments and ran into a few issues here and there but it was worth it and glad I can say I did it myself!

Thanks! Video below :naughty:

Thank you!




UPDATE #7

Sorry it took so long for the next update been having too much fun driving this beast around town! The difference is amazing, the car floats along effortlessly almost hard to keep her under 80 on the freeway. Would recommend this swap to anyone thinking about it. Having owned a W210 E55 previously and now this, its definitely much quicker off the line going to get wider tires today as without traction control off it wants to spin them up to 40+ mph


Went to Targa Trophy at HRE Wheels HQ last weekend had a blast driving around with some great friends taking pictures, waiting on professional shots but heres a few to hold you over

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Short crappy video of the car after the swap!

in your youtube video, car looks and sounds badass!!

you going to do an ecu tune with e55 software after engine zwap?
or you gonna only use the stock c43 ecu?

now with a bigger engine, you have to set the wheels straight to get the best out of your car!

did you check how much mileage you get from a full tank of gas with new engine?

Welcome to the club mayne

:bow:

Thanks man! I'm debating having my C43 ecu tuned or running 55 software but everything i've read was its faster with the 43 Ecu, its running fine with it right now but we will see.
And yeah I put my stock camber arms back in so the wheels stand up pretty straight now going to get some wider tires on this week, debating Flaring my car like my buddys wagon above to be able to fit them.
Haven't calculated mileage but i'll get back to you on that I'm curious as well





Thanks buddy! Very stoked on the swap, like driving a whole new car again :zoom: