any advice for cl500 to cl55 engine swap? pics on the way
#1
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any advice for cl500 to cl55 engine swap? pics on the way
hopefully ill be able to get detailed pics in case anybody else wants to take on the challenge of swapping the bigger amg engine into your car since they're going on ebay for about 2000 thousand USD with under 80 k miles. im in the process of ordering mine now so any advice would be helpful as this is my first engine swap (ill have help from more experienced people)
some might argue the typical response " just sell your car and buy the model with the bigger engine" but some of us have a certain bond with our particular car already, as well as non engine related modifications. (my current engine runs like a champ but it has an annoying valvetrain/lifter noise). plus i would love to write somewhere in my autobiography that i somewhat put together my own AMG!![thumbs](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif)
from my research i've concluded that any 99-02 "55" m113 amg engine will directly bolt up to any 00-02 w215 transmission(5 speed auto) as well as the exhaust and accessories (engine is coming with alternator/ air pump/ headers/ harness/ etc). most importantly, the beauty of this swap lies in the fact that since the engine did not come with a supercharger, (the engine itself is basically the same as the "500" engines, just bored out with beefier parts and lower compression i think) my ecu will already know what to do with the bigger engine![drive](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/driving.gif)
although i think a software "refresh" from the stealership might be necessary after the swap is completed
as far as parts im thinking im gonna need all the necessary sockets of course, but also two engine hoists (might be able to get away with using one? ....unsure of what accessories i will need to swap between the two engines...). as well as multiple jacks/stands for lifting the car and holding the transmission in place.
does anything else come to mind as far as parts so i can start preparing my garage?
some might argue the typical response " just sell your car and buy the model with the bigger engine" but some of us have a certain bond with our particular car already, as well as non engine related modifications. (my current engine runs like a champ but it has an annoying valvetrain/lifter noise). plus i would love to write somewhere in my autobiography that i somewhat put together my own AMG!
![thumbs](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif)
from my research i've concluded that any 99-02 "55" m113 amg engine will directly bolt up to any 00-02 w215 transmission(5 speed auto) as well as the exhaust and accessories (engine is coming with alternator/ air pump/ headers/ harness/ etc). most importantly, the beauty of this swap lies in the fact that since the engine did not come with a supercharger, (the engine itself is basically the same as the "500" engines, just bored out with beefier parts and lower compression i think) my ecu will already know what to do with the bigger engine
![drive](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/driving.gif)
although i think a software "refresh" from the stealership might be necessary after the swap is completed
![nix](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/nixweiss.gif)
as far as parts im thinking im gonna need all the necessary sockets of course, but also two engine hoists (might be able to get away with using one? ....unsure of what accessories i will need to swap between the two engines...). as well as multiple jacks/stands for lifting the car and holding the transmission in place.
does anything else come to mind as far as parts so i can start preparing my garage?
Last edited by ctravis595; 03-17-2013 at 10:10 PM. Reason: changed "mercedes" to "stealership"
#2
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old engine ready to be pulled
![](http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b200/picsy/photo2_zps77512c3d.jpg)
don't forget to pull out!!![naughty](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/naughty.gif)
![](https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/575642_10200255297797436_2053046205_n.jpg)
painted the valve covers black along with changing out spark plugs for iridium laser ngks, check out that oil cooler! ////AMG![thumbs](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif)
![](https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/529150_10200272629710723_1521022657_n.jpg)
ran into a hitch mating the engine and tranny, hopefully everything is fine but there's a chance i wrecked my TC or tranny oil cooler and might be looking at having to get a rebuilt tranny or maybe beefier TC! lesson learned the hard way to never force anything that isn't going together easily![smash](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/smashfreak.gif)
im in the process of making a write up with a checklist of everything that needs disconnected to swap out engines on these cars but as im not sure if my tranny/tc are good, i have other things to worry about
![](http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b200/picsy/photo2_zps77512c3d.jpg)
don't forget to pull out!!
![naughty](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/naughty.gif)
![](https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/575642_10200255297797436_2053046205_n.jpg)
painted the valve covers black along with changing out spark plugs for iridium laser ngks, check out that oil cooler! ////AMG
![thumbs](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif)
![](https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/529150_10200272629710723_1521022657_n.jpg)
ran into a hitch mating the engine and tranny, hopefully everything is fine but there's a chance i wrecked my TC or tranny oil cooler and might be looking at having to get a rebuilt tranny or maybe beefier TC! lesson learned the hard way to never force anything that isn't going together easily
![smash](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/smashfreak.gif)
im in the process of making a write up with a checklist of everything that needs disconnected to swap out engines on these cars but as im not sure if my tranny/tc are good, i have other things to worry about
![nix](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/nixweiss.gif)
#4
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stopped into the stealership today for the 90 dollar USD snake used to check transmission fluid so i can fill the necessary fluids to start the car...for 90 bucks this thing better be indestructible or do some cool tricks....
#5
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thanks and good advice, i made a really crude drawing of the engine labeling all the hoses/electrical plugs/fuel line and what tools most of them required. im gonna try to put together a write up (with the picture)for other people with mechanical abilities that want to try this but are scared that the mercedes is too complex of a machine
stopped into the stealership today for the 90 dollar USD snake used to check transmission fluid so i can fill the necessary fluids to start the car...for 90 bucks this thing better be indestructible or do some cool tricks....
stopped into the stealership today for the 90 dollar USD snake used to check transmission fluid so i can fill the necessary fluids to start the car...for 90 bucks this thing better be indestructible or do some cool tricks....
You use the workshop computer to keep track of temps. Without it, some use a IR temperature tool aimed at the pan.
#6
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from what i've heard this won't cause any damage but the TC operates off of the oil pressure, so it won't properly function until it's been completely filled with oil. does anybody have an idea of how much oil the TC usually holds?
#9
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thanks!
got her driving and shifting through the gears today. leveled tranny fluid and filled it up with coolant. fixed a loosely fitted hose in the back of the engine for coolant that was leaking fast but have ran into a problem with my engine fan not kicking on. also having intermittent problems with the cabin fan not blowing either but from what i've researched, the engine fan and cabin fan are piggy backed on the same circuit
got her driving and shifting through the gears today. leveled tranny fluid and filled it up with coolant. fixed a loosely fitted hose in the back of the engine for coolant that was leaking fast but have ran into a problem with my engine fan not kicking on. also having intermittent problems with the cabin fan not blowing either but from what i've researched, the engine fan and cabin fan are piggy backed on the same circuit
#10
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if you were wondering about how the differential lines up - this should give you a better idea
http://carsinamerica.net/mercedes-benz/01mbzclc.htm
the 500/55/and 600 apparently utilize the same rear end
http://carsinamerica.net/mercedes-benz/01mbzclc.htm
the 500/55/and 600 apparently utilize the same rear end
#14
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#16
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car is running great, i seemed to have messed up the a/c as it only blows cold on the drivers side but all the other issues have been sorted out
#23
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sounds tempting but idk if i can pull the trigger on such a small mod. what speed does the speedo top out at? it would look cool if it said 200 on the dash lol
what other cl55 parts ya got?
what other cl55 parts ya got?
#25
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just a quick note, something ive learned over the years is not all the oil pans will line up correctly between models. the CLS/E class have different shaped oil pans than some of the S/CL class for example, do your research on the oil pan especially. otherwise N/a 500 to n/a 55 swap i recommend to everybody who has any considerable valvetrain/internal issues with their 500 engine. i was able to get 32 mpg on a drive last weekend, may have to do with the ECU still working off of cl500 maps, i assume it's more so because the 55 engine is just that much more efficient than the 500 at moving this large car
almost 6 years later, and this thing still runs strong despite the fact that i give it way too much throttle everywhere i go lol. i tested compression recently and all cylinders were 169psi + so im really satisfied with this swap in the long run
now its time to add a turbo lol
almost 6 years later, and this thing still runs strong despite the fact that i give it way too much throttle everywhere i go lol. i tested compression recently and all cylinders were 169psi + so im really satisfied with this swap in the long run
now its time to add a turbo lol