G400 CDI to G55 AMG
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G400
G400 CDI to G55 AMG
Hi!
I have old (but nice) G400 CDI. Frame is from 1985, but it is upgraded to 2002 with 4L diesel engine. My question is, is it much work (and how expensive it will be?) to change this 400CDI engine to G55AMG engine?
I have old (but nice) G400 CDI. Frame is from 1985, but it is upgraded to 2002 with 4L diesel engine. My question is, is it much work (and how expensive it will be?) to change this 400CDI engine to G55AMG engine?
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 681
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Benz
I did a 500 to 55 swap and it was fairly time consuming and expensive. Doing it on an older G that doesn't share so many of the same components would be even more. To do it right that is. You could do it sloppy for the price of a wrecked 55 car
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,418
Likes: 194
From: America
1999 C43 AMG, 2005 E55 Wagon
I have a 1999 C43 AMG that I engine swapped to an E55 motor, and it was painless. Basically a direct swap.
Can you elaborate on your G500 to G55 swap? I'm wanting to pick up a 2002-2003 G500 but I'm struggling with whether or not the 5.0 will be enough. Why was it so hard/expensive?
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 681
Likes: 134
Benz
Bumping an old thread because I'm looking to do exactly this.
I have a 1999 C43 AMG that I engine swapped to an E55 motor, and it was painless. Basically a direct swap.
Can you elaborate on your G500 to G55 swap? I'm wanting to pick up a 2002-2003 G500 but I'm struggling with whether or not the 5.0 will be enough. Why was it so hard/expensive?
I have a 1999 C43 AMG that I engine swapped to an E55 motor, and it was painless. Basically a direct swap.
Can you elaborate on your G500 to G55 swap? I'm wanting to pick up a 2002-2003 G500 but I'm struggling with whether or not the 5.0 will be enough. Why was it so hard/expensive?
Lower radiator brackets need to be lowered about 1/2"
Body has to be cut for dual hood latches to accommodate the 55 upper radiator core support allowing radiator to move forwards for clearance to install electric cooling fan and deeper crankshaft pulley.
The list of part is long.
Factory 500 manifolds are restrictive so I went with long tube headers
A/C condenser swapped to the 55 one for correct line routing although you could bend up the 500 ones and maybe make it work
Need intercooler for supercharger, I ran factory cooler along with a secondary one from VRP
Had to make a different P/S cooler since the factory one was in the way
You can use factory oil cooler or aftermarket, I went with aftermarket due to trans cooler being in the location of 55 oil cooler.
I'm running a winch bumper so no trans cooler in the bumper.
Wiring needs to be modified and install wiring for electric cooling fan
need a hood from a G with cooling fan or cut out the front to clear the upper radiator support
There's a bunch more I'm sure I'm missing
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,418
Likes: 194
From: America
1999 C43 AMG, 2005 E55 Wagon
I did it the right way using factory parts so costs add up.
Lower radiator brackets need to be lowered about 1/2"
Body has to be cut for dual hood latches to accommodate the 55 upper radiator core support allowing radiator to move forwards for clearance to install electric cooling fan and deeper crankshaft pulley.
The list of part is long.
Factory 500 manifolds are restrictive so I went with long tube headers
A/C condenser swapped to the 55 one for correct line routing although you could bend up the 500 ones and maybe make it work
Need intercooler for supercharger, I ran factory cooler along with a secondary one from VRP
Had to make a different P/S cooler since the factory one was in the way
You can use factory oil cooler or aftermarket, I went with aftermarket due to trans cooler being in the location of 55 oil cooler.
I'm running a winch bumper so no trans cooler in the bumper.
Wiring needs to be modified and install wiring for electric cooling fan
need a hood from a G with cooling fan or cut out the front to clear the upper radiator support
There's a bunch more I'm sure I'm missing
Lower radiator brackets need to be lowered about 1/2"
Body has to be cut for dual hood latches to accommodate the 55 upper radiator core support allowing radiator to move forwards for clearance to install electric cooling fan and deeper crankshaft pulley.
The list of part is long.
Factory 500 manifolds are restrictive so I went with long tube headers
A/C condenser swapped to the 55 one for correct line routing although you could bend up the 500 ones and maybe make it work
Need intercooler for supercharger, I ran factory cooler along with a secondary one from VRP
Had to make a different P/S cooler since the factory one was in the way
You can use factory oil cooler or aftermarket, I went with aftermarket due to trans cooler being in the location of 55 oil cooler.
I'm running a winch bumper so no trans cooler in the bumper.
Wiring needs to be modified and install wiring for electric cooling fan
need a hood from a G with cooling fan or cut out the front to clear the upper radiator support
There's a bunch more I'm sure I'm missing
I need to find someone whose done this swap to make sure it fits and the ECU can recognize the motor. Most versions of the 5.4L were in cars and not the 463, but I don't know if any of those will bolt in. There are some oil pan differences in the cars. Perhaps some or none of them will fit in a 463.
