So I had this (potentially) stupid idea...
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Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 356
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From: RI
2017 S550 4matic
So I had this (potentially) stupid idea...
Hey all, was pondering something and wondering what the experts think of it here.
What is the feasibility of an engine swap in these cars? I know brabus have done a v12 but that's beyond what I'm talking about. Really I'm looking at the following for my 06 e500 4matic:
-e550 engine
-e55 amg (55k) engine
-e/c/clk55 amg (55n/a) engine
I would imagine that a 55k from a 2003-2006 e55 would be drop in for the front subframe of my e500 4matic, but would require ecu, but that should also be plug and play considering the accessories and everything are the same essentially from 500 to e55 no? And what about the e550 engine, I would imagine the same regarding connecting up it's ecu to the factory systems?
Basically here's what I'm up against; I'd love an e550 4matic, but they're few and far between with decent mileage around here and certainly not cheap at all. I'd love an E55, but it's useless if it ever snows (I live in New England). The obvious option is to pray for a used Kleemann SC setup (yes I know there's one in the classifieds, YES I wish I could afford it right now) or similar. That being the case, finding a 550 or 55k engine is potentially (not factoring labor cost yet) the simple choice.
So basically, I'm wondering if anyone has any insight into the feasibility of any engine swaps into an 06 500 4matic. Keep in mind this car is 5spd, and the 4matic system is nearly identical to the 550 4matic, so I know it's capable of handling the 400hp that motor puts out.
cheers! I'm off to look for engines haha
What is the feasibility of an engine swap in these cars? I know brabus have done a v12 but that's beyond what I'm talking about. Really I'm looking at the following for my 06 e500 4matic:
-e550 engine
-e55 amg (55k) engine
-e/c/clk55 amg (55n/a) engine
I would imagine that a 55k from a 2003-2006 e55 would be drop in for the front subframe of my e500 4matic, but would require ecu, but that should also be plug and play considering the accessories and everything are the same essentially from 500 to e55 no? And what about the e550 engine, I would imagine the same regarding connecting up it's ecu to the factory systems?
Basically here's what I'm up against; I'd love an e550 4matic, but they're few and far between with decent mileage around here and certainly not cheap at all. I'd love an E55, but it's useless if it ever snows (I live in New England). The obvious option is to pray for a used Kleemann SC setup (yes I know there's one in the classifieds, YES I wish I could afford it right now) or similar. That being the case, finding a 550 or 55k engine is potentially (not factoring labor cost yet) the simple choice.
So basically, I'm wondering if anyone has any insight into the feasibility of any engine swaps into an 06 500 4matic. Keep in mind this car is 5spd, and the 4matic system is nearly identical to the 550 4matic, so I know it's capable of handling the 400hp that motor puts out.
cheers! I'm off to look for engines haha
Last edited by jcat; Mar 6, 2012 at 04:41 PM.
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Joined: Mar 2011
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From: Franklin, MA
2008 E350 4matic "Sport"
Seems like a lot of hassle for 80 hp.
Assuming you're not modded at all already, wouldn't an ecu tune/headers, etc. bump you pretty close to an 550's stock hp?
Unless you got a crazy deal on a wrecked, used engine and knew someone for labor, etc.
Good luck regardless, always good to see people with way more modding ambition than I have.
Assuming you're not modded at all already, wouldn't an ecu tune/headers, etc. bump you pretty close to an 550's stock hp?
Unless you got a crazy deal on a wrecked, used engine and knew someone for labor, etc.
Good luck regardless, always good to see people with way more modding ambition than I have.
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Tesla Model S P100D
Just look for a E550 wit 4MATIC. It took me 8 months to find one but it is because I had to have silver and a light interior. To me it was worth the wait as I absolutely love the car I found. If you are less picky about color and equipment choices you can find one a lot easier. These cars are error prone enough and I really don't think you want to deal with any problems with the kind of engine transplant you have in mind. You'll have just about all the power you'd need AND 4MATIC with a 550 and it will be built right.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Aug 2011
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From: RI
2017 S550 4matic
hah, thanks for the vote of confidence 
I knew it was, but figured i'd ask for the hell of it since I know I'm not the first to think of it.
Thanks man! This is still an option too, e55 cams/ecu tune/headers/remove resonators but I'm just looking at what is possible. Either way it won't be cheap, it's all about bang for the buck.
On that note, anyone know whether headers can be done without pulling the motor?
read the original post, e55 when living in new england is useless in the winter.
There are E550's out there, but by the time I take care of the negative equity on my 500, taxes, etc. plus the cost difference of 550 4matics around here right now, I'm better off modding mine.
I knew it was, but figured i'd ask for the hell of it since I know I'm not the first to think of it.Seems like a lot of hassle for 80 hp.
Assuming you're not modded at all already, wouldn't an ecu tune/headers, etc. bump you pretty close to an 550's stock hp?
Unless you got a crazy deal on a wrecked, used engine and knew someone for labor, etc.
Good luck regardless, always good to see people with way more modding ambition than I have.
Assuming you're not modded at all already, wouldn't an ecu tune/headers, etc. bump you pretty close to an 550's stock hp?
Unless you got a crazy deal on a wrecked, used engine and knew someone for labor, etc.
Good luck regardless, always good to see people with way more modding ambition than I have.
On that note, anyone know whether headers can be done without pulling the motor?
Just look for a E550 wit 4MATIC. It took me 8 months to find one but it is because I had to have silver and a light interior. To me it was worth the wait as I absolutely love the car I found. If you are less picky about color and equipment choices you can find one a lot easier. These cars are error prone enough and I really don't think you want to deal with any problems with the kind of engine transplant you have in mind. You'll have just about all the power you'd need AND 4MATIC with a 550 and it will be built right.
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2008 E350 Sport
There are E550's out there, but by the time I take care of the negative equity on my 500, taxes, etc. plus the cost difference of 550 4matics around here right now, I'm better off modding mine.[/quote]
No. You're not. Take it from a guy who built a car once upon a time. Take your time and look nationwide on AutoTrader, Cars.com, and Craigslist. I had specific requirements for my last two cars and bought them in CA and DE, respectively. I live in MN.
No. You're not. Take it from a guy who built a car once upon a time. Take your time and look nationwide on AutoTrader, Cars.com, and Craigslist. I had specific requirements for my last two cars and bought them in CA and DE, respectively. I live in MN.
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Thread Starter
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From: RI
2017 S550 4matic
About $3k negative equity in mine, plus at least $1000 down, add in another $1000+ sales tax, looking at about $5k and my monthly payment goes up...or if I mod it (not swapping engine, I mean boltons/tune) ecu tune what, $600, e55 cams/headers + install maybe another $2500, and that right there should put me in e550 territory at least. Eurocharged claims around 37hp/39tq on one of their tunes to bring it up to 339/362. Add headers another 10/10 (conservatively, idk how bad the stock manifolds are) bringing it to 349/372, then the e55 cams have to be good for at least another 30/30 when combined with the other two for 379/402, all rough estimations of course. Considering the e550 is 390/380, that's not far off.
A kleemann setup is going on here right now for $4k...by the time I get done with any missing parts and other supporting mods I'm no better than getting an e550, but would have more power...hmm...rock meet hard place.
I see what you did there
I was just curious to see if anyone had ever considered swaps. There are a lot of people out there with access to cheap wrecked cars and cheaper labor, just always thought it'd be interesting to have a 55k swapped 4matic lol
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From: NOMAD
EQS AMG, E53 AMG, GLE63s
My shop has an employee that has a 04 E500 and swapped the E55 engine into it. Looks great but if you add up all the numbers, he could have just bought an E55 instead..
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2011
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From: RI
2017 S550 4matic
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From: NOMAD
EQS AMG, E53 AMG, GLE63s
yeah he doesnt have 4Matic...I think it is a stupid idea. You will spend up to $10-12k after swap and HOPING everything is done right.
P.S. Coming to Boston this weekend if you still want that bumper lol
P.S. Coming to Boston this weekend if you still want that bumper lol
Thread Starter
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Joined: Aug 2011
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From: RI
2017 S550 4matic
haha damn you! I got my factory one redone after a collision I had in a parking lot. I'll PM you though, I know you have some other goodies for sale.
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Tesla Model S P100D
_+ if you really want to talk about money, by the time you do this "mod" your car will be pretty much worthless as no one will want to touch it if you ever decide to sell that. You should factor that into your cost benefit analysis unless you plan to drive the car to the ground, and in which case I think you will have higher maintenance that if you bought a straightforward E550. I just don;t think there is a way for you to do this and come ahead financially, as others have chimed in...
Thread Starter
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 356
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From: RI
2017 S550 4matic
_+ if you really want to talk about money, by the time you do this "mod" your car will be pretty much worthless as no one will want to touch it if you ever decide to sell that. You should factor that into your cost benefit analysis unless you plan to drive the car to the ground, and in which case I think you will have higher maintenance that if you bought a straightforward E550. I just don;t think there is a way for you to do this and come ahead financially, as others have chimed in...
The swap is a longshot, this I know and admit. But for someone who can get an engine cheap or get the labor nearly for free (or both), it might not be a terrible option.
That being said, I think I'm just going to go the bolton/tune route. Eurocharged seems to be able to give me a sweet deal on an ECU tune so I'll probably just go with that. Then eventually cams and headers if I can afford it. I still am confident that I can get near e550 performance for less than the high cost of trading my car in. And if I equal that cost, we're probably talking boltons, tune, and a supercharger kit which would put me well beyond e550.
Seems the 500 wasn't such a bad choice after all...
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From: RI
2017 S550 4matic
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From: Earth
2012 W212 | 2016 W205
My cars done 303,000kms so i guess in my situation, instead of selling the car it would be feasible for me to spend a few k and drop in a newer lower km diesel engine. However for you with the E500, i'd just get it tuned and maybe some exhaust, headers, supercharger?
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 356
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From: RI
2017 S550 4matic
My cars done 303,000kms so i guess in my situation, instead of selling the car it would be feasible for me to spend a few k and drop in a newer lower km diesel engine. However for you with the E500, i'd just get it tuned and maybe some exhaust, headers, supercharger?
I'm thinking a tune pretty soon, then probably headers and cams at the same time if I do them, the exhaust I'll probably leave alone save for e55 or aftermarket mufflers. The supercharger kit is what tips it over the edge, costs about $4k even used, nevermind new ($16k for renntech...
) so you'd be looking at roughly $7-8k even with a used s/c kit, or someone who can find a used 55k engine for $5k and pay $2k to have it installed...I'd rather do the latter since it's a more intentionally well engineered setup to acheive the same result.
Thread Starter
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From: RI
2017 S550 4matic
lol i'd love it if it were that easy! Aside from the $4k i'd have to pony up for a kit, not to mention probably another grand or two in labor, I'd have to save for quite a while to be able to do that. At least with a tune I can pay under $500 and get 20-30hp out of it lol
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From: SOCAL
E500 & ML500
the supercharger would be easier than the engine swap and cost less
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From: Ontario,Canada
...24 GLE53
Your car is seven years old. Get rid of it and buy a new E550 4M. That will give you 402hp TT and all brand new technology. An E55 engine does not make an AMG. You still must deal with the suspension,brakes, cooling system,exhaust system and in the end you will not have much of a performer.
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From: Massachusetts, USA
Car
Your car is seven years old. Get rid of it and buy a new E550 4M. That will give you 402hp TT and all brand new technology. An E55 engine does not make an AMG. You still must deal with the suspension,brakes, cooling system,exhaust system and in the end you will not have much of a performer.
