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We recently completed a very challenging engine and transmission swap in a G320 2dr Cabrio. The V6 engine came out, and a Brabus M113k (S55 Brabus "K8") supercharged V8 engine/transmission were installed. While not a manual swap, the most challenging part ended up being programming, header fabrication, and the myriad of small bits that added up to over 300 hours of technician time. Anyways, after completion of this project it got me thinking to tackling another Mercedes project. This time a 2011 C63 Sedan with P30 package and only 29,000 miles (47,000 km) on the odometer.
One of our staff had a w204 C300 manual transmission and ever since I've been longing for a a 3 pedal C63!
The goal is simple...keep as much factory functionality and factory parts as possible. I.E. no stand-alone fuel injection, or losing features like traction control, abs, etc...
Does anyone have experience or suggestions related to this? (please no comments like: buy an e90 M3 manual, or enjoy what Mercedes intended for this vehicle )
Main concerns are related to how the ECU will react when not having the 722.9 automatic transmission and related TCU there.
A few key items that would likely be needed are:
- BMW e90 335 6 speed manual transmission, ZF "GS6-53BZ" ... also used behind their V10 M-cars with 3 pedals
- PMC adapter and flywheel for M156 engine and the ZF "GS6-53BZ" transmission - https://pmcmotorsport-shop.com/produ...tml?query_id=1
- 3 pedal setup from a w204 (already sourced and ordered)
- Connect 3 pedal setup to BMW transmission
- Cross fingers that the shifter lines up reasonably with the interior of the car
- Custom programming....and more custom programming!
- Driveshaft modification
- Transmission crossmember fabrication
I would go with a stronger transmission if I was doing it like a t56 viper spec or similar. Better gear ratios for the m156 as well. And cost of replacement parts or aftermarket upgrades is greater but thats just me. Yeah it would be cool. As for ecu issues my guess is you will throw some codes for incorrect gear ratio selected or transmission thinking its slipping or not engaged correctly but other than that it shouldnt be too bad? Do it and let us know, to my knowledge only one person has done this swap before and I forget where I read it.
I would go with a stronger transmission if I was doing it like a t56 viper spec or similar. Better gear ratios for the m156 as well. And cost of replacement parts or aftermarket upgrades is greater but thats just me. Yeah it would be cool. As for ecu issues my guess is you will throw some codes for incorrect gear ratio selected or transmission thinking its slipping or not engaged correctly but other than that it shouldnt be too bad? Do it and let us know, to my knowledge only one person has done this swap before and I forget where I read it.
I hear ya on the T56....but I prefer the shifting feel of the ZF trans and assuming a decent clutch setup and that the C63 won't be supercharged, I think it will handle the power/torque adequately. In addition, PMC seems to have the adapter and flywheel readily available and proven to work.
Yeah I was basing it on if you are going to do some upgrades. The zf is a really good unit as well and handles some pretty serious hp in some modified bmws so Im sure it would be fine like you said. Interested in what comes of this if you do it.
let us know how this turns out. folks i've discussed this with mentioned the electronics won't allow for manual transmission like it does for the M113k.
let us know how this turns out. folks i've discussed this with mentioned the electronics won't allow for manual transmission like it does for the M113k.
Thanks for the recommendation, but my preference is to go with the adapter/flywheel already made by PMC.
Would you mind pointing me to the thread where you have discussed the issues related to M156 related electronics and compatibility with a manual transmission. Thanks
Many in Sweden uses that transmission(BMW) in their dragracing cars, it works just fine down against 8s passes.
And maybe maybe this aftermarket ecu might be able to get to work, Maxxecu, i know the guy who owns the company(Nathanael) and it has as he says very good canbus interaction.
They are also not strangers to take on new projects,
Many in Sweden uses that transmission(BMW) in their dragracing cars, it works just fine down against 8s passes.
And maybe maybe this aftermarket ecu might be able to get to work, Maxxecu, i know the guy who owns the company(Nathanael) and it has as he says very good canbus interaction.
They are also not strangers to take on new projects,
A manuel gearbox often awakens the engines, do it!
But maybe there is a good gearbox in mercedes lineup?
C300?
Thanks for the feedback. Im not aware of a transmission from the Mercedes lineup that is compatible. However the ZF transmission that I mentioned already has an adapter and flywheel readily available.
Im trying to stay away from a stand-alone ECU strong preference to work with the factory setup and program it accordingly.
This will be a daily-driver car (not drag racing), but may see occasional track days (road course), depending how the suspension setup turns out.
If anyone has feedback or experience regarding the factory ecu and its compatibility with a manual transmission, please share your thoughts. Thanks
Everyone has sourced the 716.667 transmission from either a C320 or Chrysler Crossfire. This is the same transmission Jeep used on it's JK platform as well. It's rated up to about ~300hp but many Jeep folks have installed supercharges and the trans has still held up to the added power (~350hp). However, I am confident that C63 will shred this transmission. Hence why it was never put behind any V8 motors from the factory. So good on you looking at the ZF and consider the CD009 as Barry mentioned.
Mechanically I don't see this swap being any different. You'll have ECU and TCU to contend with. The initial workaround to get the swap working is to leave the automatic gear selector connected and in P or N so it can communicate to the TCU. This throws a CEL because the TCU doesn't see the AT trans, but mechanically the car will be able to drive. At that point, you can look at coding out the TCU (see thread above) and recoding the ECU as a manual. Or doing some sort of piggy back to trick TCU.
Sourcing MB manual parts is some of tricky part as lots are discontinued. (I have w204 manual 3 pedal setup that didn't end up working in my w210 so if you need one, PM me).
You'll need to customize/adapt the MB pedal box clutch master to (ZF) transmission slave cylinder.
I would not bother with trying to source an MB manual shift mechanism for a w204.
You can use a BMW Chassis mounted shifter with some slight modification/fabrication. (Had I known this was an option at the time, I would've gone this route). There are a ton of these types of shifters at all sorts of price points.
You'll likely need to create a custom transmission crossmember. I adapted a w204 crossmember by widening the holes to used on my w210.
Reverse light--- you're on your own with that one. That is different in each car so not much help I can give you on that.
Don't be afraid to ask anyone questions.
The manual swap completely transformed my w210 E55 into a totally different car. It definitely revs faster and is SO much more fun to drive. I imagine the C63 would be a blast as well. (down the road I might considering doing my c63 as well.)
Been done before, guys swapped an M156 into a hilux in South Africa and it has a manual box
Great to hear ... I wonder which electronics transmission was used?…I suspected there were some out there, seeing that PMC has several adapters readily available.
As mentioned…looks like the biggest challenge will be trying to achieve my goal of seamlessly integrating it into the existing OEM electronics, traction control, abs, etc….
09-29-2021, 05:49 PM
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