e500slr

Can this be done?

http://www.autogespot.com/en/item/57...ck-series.html

It says it's actually a CLK55 converted into a Black. I would love to know how. The standard W209 isn't wide and aggressive enough. I've seen DTM replicas so why not Black replicas, sure the mechanical won't be the same but I'm talking about the looks. All the parts are bolt ons anyway except the guard which is welded on. So what do you guys think? This might make me change my SL55 decision.

betrezra

Last I checked it was BIG BUCKS to get the body panels from MB for this conversion. I would jump on a quality aftermarket solution.

e500slr

Which is what? Because I've seen the DTM replica kits and they're cheap. Hasn't any aftermarket company cloned the panels? What about the guard, that's welded, I'd imagine that's the hardest part.

FatTony001

a guy in Montreal changed his CLK63 conv. to a BS.

cost him 20 to 30K to convert

not worth it IMO...

e500slr

30-40k?!! That's insane, the hardest part is the guard isn't it. I mean the others are bolt on right? Why hasn't an aftermarket company made molds, they would make big bucks I know a few people who would be up for it in a heart beat. The normal CLK looks girly and thin, the Black on the other hand is insane, this change comes from the width and stance. I have looked everywhere, found heaps of examples but no kits or guides. Help guys because I might be buying the SL soon if not this. Don't want to regret a decision.

e500slr

http://www.autoguide.com/gallery/gal...let_5.JPG.html

This guy did it to a convertible, pretty sure it can be done to a coupe which after all the car was based on.

betrezra

It sounds like you have it figured out in your head already..... get a clk and build your own. I'd love to see a low cost version.

e500slr

I don't have it figured out, I'm just researching whats involved. I'm pretty surprised no one has a clue about it as it should be a popular conversion. Who wouldn't want a Black look, the stock is CLK is, no offense, girly and unappealing. If a company could build a 8-12k conversion they would get alot of buyers.

By the way what other mechanical differences does the Black have, forget the engine, gearbox, suspension, brakes and driveshaft and even LSD, I'm talking the track width and the axles etc.

betrezra

Good luck with that.
Keep us posted on your search.

Search feature is your friend.

e500slr

I've been doing alot of searching, as much as I can in the little free time I have outside of work. There isn't much info and it doesn't point to a company or a manufacturer that does this. I find it hard to believe I'm the only one trying to do this, this project, I would have thought, appealed to people with highly modified CLK55s and 63s who want to give their car a more muscular appearance. I've found several CLK DTM conversion projects and companies who sell kits but no Black.

Alexbenz

theres not much reading to do...getting the kit isn't the hardest part....you have labor, paint, wheels, brakes if you don't have a amg...suspension to accompany the wider fenders unless you go with custom offset wheels which would make your turning radius awful...unless you know how to do most of it and or have a hook up it's not cheap...

e500slr

OK so it seems the Black Conversion would be difficult in the mechanical region. What are the differences in the Black? Are the front and rear track actually wider, are the suspension linkages different? I know it has the quad exhaust system, does that mean the floor is different? I would love some insight from a BlackSeries owner.

Alexbenz

yes to all that you said....i've looked into it because even if you do all the conversion the right way it'[ll still be cheaper then a real black but it'll still be expensive and in my eyes not worth it...I've wanted to do a clk55 black for the longest time but the money invested would be insane....

MarcusF

The Black is wider. The front track is 61.7", versus 58.9" on the CLK63/55. The rear difference is 60.6" versus 58". The CLK63/55 specs are here, and the Black specs are here.

e500slr

I don't mind the project if it's not too expensive. With respect to BS owners I'm not very fond of the 6.2 ltr V8 it has, I love the 55k motor in my E55, I've wanted to start a "weight saving" project but realised this is our daily driver and is needed. Now many have recommended the W209s since they're lighter already, have a shorter wheel base and with the 55k motor they would be extremely potent ie. CLK DTM. I'm not claiming I am able to build a car better than the DTM however I would like to start a project like this. I've contemplated a 996 turbo to 997 turbo conversion however even though it's possible and many have done it, the interior will be the same, I'm also not a fan of the flat-6 as I am the V8 so I do believe this is a good project. I might as well do a project like this now as time flies and in a couple of years I will have much more responsibilities when the little ones grow up. I know it's expensive but getting a Black here is more expensive and even if I purchased a Black I would still modify it, therefore spending even more money.

Moedy

The 55 doesnt have a kompressor so you would have to add that too.

clk55 around 20k
aftermarket supercharger kit with installation around 12k
custom bs kit around 20k

Thats 52k already, now you have a 55 that almost looks like a BS and still not as nice. A BS's rear axle is built for the extra power it already has from the factory. It will also be better around the corners, have a nicer interior, nicer exhaust note, nicer brakes and be an authentic BLACK SERIES. So after spending 52k or more making a 55 a BS look-alike I would rather spend another 25k and get a preowned real one.

SMP

Even though a Black Series has a strong resemblance to a CLK55, it's a completely different car at the core. Besides the body panels, here is a short list: The chassis is seem welded and triangulated, which is a labor intensive process. The only other street car that I'm aware of is a GT3 RS. Front and rear suspension is redesigned with wider track, Black Series specific KW coilovers, LSD, heavy duty half axels, swaybars and brakes. Oil coolers for power steering, engine, transmission and differential. The 7 speed auto is re-calibrated for firmer up and downshifts. Close ratio steering box with different valving. Strut tower brace front and rear. No sunroof, no rear seats and a carbon fiber interior.

I don't want to discourage you, but buying a real Black Series is the way to go. Since the car is built for the track, I prefer a naturally aspirated engine with it's progressive power delivery .... but if you want, there is a company offering a supercharger kit for the 63's.

e500slr

WOW, big difference. You have discouraged me lol it seems extensive. My only issue with the BS is the price and the engine, maybe I'm crazy but I don't like the 63 engines, it just doesn't appeal to me. My dream of the W209 project would be the Black Series chassis, body ie everything and the 55k motor which is basically almost the CLK DTM which I cannot afford or buy. Now what I don't like about the DTM is the open widebody which the Black fixes. So my dilemma is if I jump into the project and screw up, that's ALOT of money down the drain.

dynomite05

Hmmm, why didn't I think of this.

AMGY

This is hot

Moedy

after reading this thread again I think the original poster was thinking the clk55 is supercharged like his previous E55

betrezra

then perhaps he should consider a cl55.....

e500slr

No I know it's NA but can be supercharged, the block is the same and I still want to highly modify it therefore even a stock E55 or SL55 engine need stronger internals, head work etc. You'd be gambling at 620-650hp with cast pistons for example.

The CL55 is heavy and long, my current E55 would be more suitable as a sports car than the CL, even though it's a coupe it's a 2 door S Class, hardly the ultimate project car for handling and speed. It would be way more custom and cost more. In fact if you put it that way the SL55 would be more suitable, better looks and shorter wheel base, similar weight to the CL ie HEAVY. I contacted a fabricator and they're getting back to me on molding CLK Black parts off the real car and making kits.

The problem though isn't the bodywork, if it was then it wouldn't be that difficult. The problem is getting the wider track and axles and braces. Where they are on the real thing, what material etc etc. I do want this to be more than looks and no go. I do want it to handle almost as well as a Black if not better. Yes, I'm not claiming to be better than Mercedes but even as potent as the Black is, I don't think there's no room for improvement. I see the import EVOs, Skylines and STis improve their cars' handling etc etc all the time, why not a Mercedes.

Moedy

It can be supercharged but it still wouldnt be the same as an e55. The e55 engine is capable of taking a bigger beating with mods. If only it was from the factory, then it would been every mb members modding dream

betrezra

Agreed Moedy.... much better off (if $ is a factor) to start with a supercharged from the factory V8 AMG IMHO. Just a pulley/exh/tune away from 600HP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!