zthis

Ok, this is my project so any info before I start would be awesome. I just recently picked up a 2004 CLK 500 coupe with 145k miles and its running great with no issues! Today I bought a 2005 CLK55 amg vert hit from the front but runs and only has 59k miles. Just to put things in perspective, both cars cost me $7500 combined. The vert is a salvage title and the coupe is a clean title with no sunroof! Rare. I want to build a track toy and make it as light as possible and the sunroof less CLK would be a great start. I want to basically swap all the goodies over(sway bars, brakes, exhaust, factory nav, and obviously motor and trans)but not sure if the drivetrain is plug an play. I here plenty of assumptions but no direct answers. I assume the engine and trans is a bolt up swap and the ecu's and tcu's could be swapped. I might need a reprogam for the key if the ecu has an immobilizer system. Any factual advice would be welcomed. I will keep eveyone informed on this project as well. Thanks guys.

MarcusF

You may want to contact Ash. His user ID is VIPCLK320. He has a 55 in a coupe that was originally equipped with a V6. Best wishes

zthis

I'll do that and thanks for the info.

elijah

If you want a track car i suggest you upgrade brakes, sway bars and the list goes on. Alsondona search cuz i know more than one member put a 55engine in a non AMG car. Good Luck!!

betrezra

There is a member here who built his clk500 into a track car.

Before you swap stock AMG clk bits into your non-amg clk you will find better aftermarket options for suspension/brakes/sways than the AMG bits, so don't wast time with that bit.

If it were my project I would just upgrade shocks/springs/swaybars now, and track the clk500 drive train until (if) something goes. In the mean-time get some goodies for the clk55 engine (clean up the heads, get exhaust, cams (optional), decide on intake setup, etc, etc...... then intall motor at phase II>

GL>

Also if dedicated track toy....... time to remove some weight.... the clk is loaded with sound deadener, extra bits, heavy seats front/rear...... time to get creative. I bet you could drop 400-500lbs by focus on interior. (seats, console, sound deadener, options..... extra junk trim).

betrezra

Here is some footage of a dedicated c55 track car.... gutted and decked out for racing.

zthis

Thanks guys for all the pointers. Since I already purchased the 05 vert, I plan to use all of its upgraded oem parts(brakes, sways, wheels)but I will purchase a coilover kit and have the the car corner weight balanced. Keep in mnd that the 05 came with the 6 piston front and 4 piston rear calipers with larger rotors. I plan to reduce the weight by only 200lbs. I could do more but still plan on driving it on the weekends. Simple weight reduction path as done before(my s2000 and e46 m3)would be light weight battery, carbon bucket seats wrapped in leather, exhaust mods, carbon inner trunk panel to remove spare holder and f&r rebars. 200lbs less with 05 brakes will be just right! That track c55 is awesome though. I have my own shop and dedicated mechanic so labor costs are not a big concern and I get parts at wholesale so overall cost won't be crazy. I feel that a 3400lb CLK55 with 400 crank hp(330-350whp)will be a great daily driver and weekend track car. I'm also trying to keep the cost as low as possible and possibly make money off the parts that will not be used. My total on both cars is at $7500 now, plus labor and additional parts, I'm looking at $11k or less. I'm going to keep everyone up to date and I will also dyno every mod.

I've been looking at those topspeed headers for our cars and they look like decent kleemann shorty header replicas. My topspeed replica headers for my e46 m3 gained 13hp on the dyno so I'm ok with China made knockoffs. I also plan on getting the ecu flash, sl55 intake, pulley and 300 cell cats. I'm going to stay away from cams for now and see what can be done with the other mods plus weight reduction. I think you guys will like the end results. Stay tuned.

betrezra

Subscribed!

elijah

Yea this could in interesting.

Pauljay

Nice project, post pics along the way please!

If you need any help you can Pm me.

zthis

Thanks Pauljay and I will document as much as possible.

sick430

So any updates??? Pictures? Cant wait for more info.

MouTine

Allso interested. I'm balling an idea of puting 2000 55 motor into 2000 SLK.

kb24forlife24

Any updates?