From V6 to V8
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 623
Likes: 0
From: Virginia Beach,VA
2002 clk430
Why not just sell what you have and get a 55. Unless you have tons of mods on your car and really don't want to give it up. will be the best way to go and give you the most power and less headache of not doing a motor swap
Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 196
Likes: 1
From: Lantana TX
2004 Chrysler Crossfire
Yes it can be done and has been done. A guy in France put a 55 Kompressor engine in one and I just finished putting a CL500 engine into a Crossfire which is the same chassis as the SLK R170.
Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 149
Likes: 2
From: Virginia
2002 CLK55 AMG cabriolet
vizion is dead on. The money, time and hassle you will spend upgrading your 320 to the larger motor will be greater than just buying a 430. Not to mention the AMG body package,sportier suspension,larger tires that are on the 430. Also, you will ruin the resale value of your 320 as aftermarket modifications yield little return value.
Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 196
Likes: 1
From: Lantana TX
2004 Chrysler Crossfire
I agree that it really doensn't make sense to do this swap to produce a car that is readily available as your car will not have great resale value. But... if you build something that wasn't built but should have been you can have a very special car. Ever wonder why MB didn't put the 55K in the R171 but did in the SL? Maybe they figured out that customers that spend twice as much for the SL55 wouldn't be happy to see a little SLK blow thier doors off?
A guy in Paris who helped me figure things out put a supercharged 55 in a CLK240 and now has a very fast and valuable car. This swap doesn't have to cost all that much either. Check Ebay for prices of good engines. 430's are the cheapest but as mentioned above I wouldn't use that engine. I would go with the 500 or 55 engine. There was a 55 engine of there for about $3,000 the the other day. I used a almost zero mile CL500 engine that I paid $1,600 for ($2,000. shipped).
A guy in Paris who helped me figure things out put a supercharged 55 in a CLK240 and now has a very fast and valuable car. This swap doesn't have to cost all that much either. Check Ebay for prices of good engines. 430's are the cheapest but as mentioned above I wouldn't use that engine. I would go with the 500 or 55 engine. There was a 55 engine of there for about $3,000 the the other day. I used a almost zero mile CL500 engine that I paid $1,600 for ($2,000. shipped).
Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 149
Likes: 2
From: Virginia
2002 CLK55 AMG cabriolet
Interesting about the SLK vs SL...i just assumed not enough room for supercharger.
I agree that an engine swap is prolly the best single performance mod but the difference between these low/mid/high performance CLK models is more than just the engine. When AMG tunes up the engine, they must tune up the tranny, suspension, rear end, brakes for added load/weight. Thats where mods get expensive and when all is done, you have a mod'd 320 that wont even sell for blue book. Heck, its hard enough to sell a stock vehicle....
I agree that an engine swap is prolly the best single performance mod but the difference between these low/mid/high performance CLK models is more than just the engine. When AMG tunes up the engine, they must tune up the tranny, suspension, rear end, brakes for added load/weight. Thats where mods get expensive and when all is done, you have a mod'd 320 that wont even sell for blue book. Heck, its hard enough to sell a stock vehicle....
Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 196
Likes: 1
From: Lantana TX
2004 Chrysler Crossfire
I have modified quite a few cars over the years and made a profit on every one of them. The key is doing something special that there is some demand for. the other key is being very patient and wait until the right deal comes along for each part you need. I searched for many months for the right deal on an engine and found a CL500 that was totaled in the rear almost as soon as it left the showroom. The car was documented with only about 1000 miles on the engine. I was able to buy the engine with the harness and computer for only $1600 plus $400 shipping. The engine is actually worth quite a bit more. I think the best MB V8 engine swap candidate would be a R170 SLK320since the R170 was never offered with a V8. Brabus did offer this swap, as well as the same swap for the Crossfire. The next best candidate IMO would be the CLK.
for my V8 Crossfire swap I did upgrade the suspension and brakes which didn't cost much at all. Vogtland Springs, KYB shocks, SLK32 rotors with S/CL class MB/Brembo four piston calipers. I did all these upgrades for about $800.
for my V8 Crossfire swap I did upgrade the suspension and brakes which didn't cost much at all. Vogtland Springs, KYB shocks, SLK32 rotors with S/CL class MB/Brembo four piston calipers. I did all these upgrades for about $800.
