S-Class (W220) 1999-2006: S 320 CDI, S 320, S430, S 500, S 600

S430 to S55 amg engine swap??

Old May 14, 2012 | 02:34 AM
  #1  
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2002 S 430 sport
S430 to S55 amg engine swap??

I have a 2002 S430 sport--I love my car but after driving my nephew's CLS 550, I want to upgrade my performance--I have heard that the S55 AMG engine is plug and play with my car--Is this the case?
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Old May 14, 2012 | 02:48 AM
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yea, just reuse all of the original electronics and wiring. btw, make sure you realize this is the non supercharged S55 engine that will swap in.
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Old May 14, 2012 | 05:04 PM
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The non super charged engine is not that much more powerful. I wouldn't waste $ on it
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Old May 14, 2012 | 08:09 PM
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2002 S 430 sport
So the supercharged S55 engine will NOT adapt to the S430?--Is there anything I can do to increase my performance??
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Old May 14, 2012 | 11:04 PM
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Originally Posted by Libraman2k1
So the supercharged S55 engine will NOT adapt to the S430?--Is there anything I can do to increase my performance??
Buy a good 03-06 model amg? The time and money with the unpredictable issues with engine swap method is not worth it. Although the amg with those years have problems themselves...
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Old May 14, 2012 | 11:10 PM
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I think its a waste of money just buy a 03+..
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Old May 15, 2012 | 02:09 AM
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Go to the W211 AMG forum and check out 02S430's thread labelled Next project which is coincidentally the same thing you want he's doing. Ignore the people above telling you it's a waste of time by the way most people say that because they're too lazy and retarded to pull anything off. By the way I asked your very question today again what a coincidence. Apparently the 55k ISN'T plug and plug like the NA M113 5.4.
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Old May 15, 2012 | 02:11 AM
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Originally Posted by desired_speeds
yea, just reuse all of the original electronics and wiring. btw, make sure you realize this is the non supercharged S55 engine that will swap in.
The only post in this thread that was probably useful to the OP and not trolling Why can't the 55k be swapped by the way just like the NA 55 AMG?
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Old May 15, 2012 | 08:23 AM
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I would recommend finding out what the swap would entail. I would probably think a donor car would be best. For example buying a 03 and up S55 at the insurance auction that is still running and driving that way you have another car to harvest parts from. I personally don't think it is a waste of time, if it is what you want to do then go for it! If I were to do that kind of swap I would call Motorwerks here in Michigan, they stuffed an SL 600 NA engine into a 560 SEC you can look it up on youtube.
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Old May 15, 2012 | 11:29 AM
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Originally Posted by 2k2s430
I would recommend finding out what the swap would entail. I would probably think a donor car would be best. For example buying a 03 and up S55 at the insurance auction that is still running and driving that way you have another car to harvest parts from. I personally don't think it is a waste of time, if it is what you want to do then go for it! If I were to do that kind of swap I would call Motorwerks here in Michigan, they stuffed an SL 600 NA engine into a 560 SEC you can look it up on youtube.
That's true but if he does full wiring harness and ECU/TCU swap he'll have another issue to deal with. The ECU are TCU and VIN encoded and it CANNOT be edited. Watch out OP because you can't change the VIN on the ECU/TCU and you will therefore have the identity of the other car.
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Old May 15, 2012 | 07:07 PM
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Originally Posted by e500slr
That's true but if he does full wiring harness and ECU/TCU swap he'll have another issue to deal with. The ECU are TCU and VIN encoded and it CANNOT be edited. Watch out OP because you can't change the VIN on the ECU/TCU and you will therefore have the identity of the other car.

my friend, with developer star das things can be recoded to be accepted and used, how do you think they put an SL55k engine in to a SRT6 Chrysler crossfire
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Old May 15, 2012 | 08:54 PM
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Originally Posted by 02S430
my friend, with developer star das things can be recoded to be accepted and used, how do you think they put an SL55k engine in to a SRT6 Chrysler crossfire
recoded to what? the VIN number and mileage? maybe but ive heard its a once write many read type of thing and would require a new ECU/TCU.
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Old May 15, 2012 | 09:43 PM
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Originally Posted by e500slr
That's true but if he does full wiring harness and ECU/TCU swap he'll have another issue to deal with. The ECU are TCU and VIN encoded and it CANNOT be edited. Watch out OP because you can't change the VIN on the ECU/TCU and you will therefore have the identity of the other car.
Well I didn't say my plan would account for all issues. lol
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Old May 15, 2012 | 09:51 PM
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Originally Posted by e500slr
That's true but if he does full wiring harness and ECU/TCU swap he'll have another issue to deal with. The ECU are TCU and VIN encoded and it CANNOT be edited. Watch out OP because you can't change the VIN on the ECU/TCU and you will therefore have the identity of the other car.
Well I didn't say my plan accounted for all potential issues. lol
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Old May 15, 2012 | 11:25 PM
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Best thing to do is to sell the S430 and find yourself a 2003-2006 S55 AMG. Those years have engine you are looking for. Either that or be prepared to send your car off to a tunner and spend big money for little performance.
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Old May 16, 2012 | 12:01 AM
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i'm all for modifying/tuning/customizing cars, but IMHO it makes little sense to build a car that was already built by the manufacturer and you can buy. unless the OP can acquire the parts for pennies on the dollar and has the resources and/or skill required to do the swap for cheap, the smart decision would be to sell the current car and buy the vehicle he wants. in doing the engine swap, you get the desired engine but miss out on the additional features/options that come with the S55.
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Old May 16, 2012 | 01:58 AM
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I'm not lazy but I am retarded when it comes to swapping out engine to a different car. 03s AMG are dirt cheap. But I mean if money isn't an issue and you got all the time to yourself to DIY, by all means go for it. For engine swap + other stuff you MAY want for your swap such as exhaust modification, meaning AMG bumper and other amenities, I assume the cost would swell over what it would cost to buy a 12k-15k 2003.
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Old May 16, 2012 | 04:32 PM
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God there are some retards on this forum. Anybody discouraging this would you mind telling me if the S55 comes in SWB...... NO, it does NOT. If the OP has a SWB then he will have a SWB S55 and SWB is the best looking option on the W220. The LWB looks like it's gonna crack into 2 like a biscuit and I bet the handling is just great (sarcasm).

Listen OP I'll tell you this, the W220 is a troublesome car and the S55 was actually built better so they're right about that. The earlier W220 and infact most W220s were some of the worst built Mercs ever and the cars had electric issues to ABC issues you name it. However the S55 only came in LWB which kind of ruins the whole point of the 55k in it so I guess that's your only option. Now your problem isn't the actual swap, your problem is the mileage and VIN which can't be edited out of the ECU/TCU you'll be buying and plus I'm not sure about this but you have to change EVERYTHING electronic, swap it all because I think the VIN is encoded into the cluster and the headunit etc
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Old May 16, 2012 | 04:42 PM
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Originally Posted by e500slr
God there are some retards on this forum. Anybody discouraging this would you mind telling me if the S55 comes in SWB...... NO, it does NOT.
assuming that the OP lives in the US, he wouldn't have a SWB W220. IIRC the only SWB model that made it to the US was a 2006 S350. If he perhaps had that model, then legally he wouldn't be able to back date an engine swap. I'm not trying to discourage him from doing anything that he wants to do to his own car, but common sense should prevail in a situation like this.
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Old May 16, 2012 | 04:53 PM
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Originally Posted by e500slr
God there are some retards on this forum. Anybody discouraging this would you mind telling me if the S55 comes in SWB...... NO, it does NOT. If the OP has a SWB then he will have a SWB S55 and SWB is the best looking option on the W220. The LWB looks like it's gonna crack into 2 like a biscuit and I bet the handling is just great (sarcasm).

Listen OP I'll tell you this, the W220 is a troublesome car and the S55 was actually built better so they're right about that. The earlier W220 and infact most W220s were some of the worst built Mercs ever and the cars had electric issues to ABC issues you name it. However the S55 only came in LWB which kind of ruins the whole point of the 55k in it so I guess that's your only option. Now your problem isn't the actual swap, your problem is the mileage and VIN which can't be edited out of the ECU/TCU you'll be buying and plus I'm not sure about this but you have to change EVERYTHING electronic, swap it all because I think the VIN is encoded into the cluster and the headunit etc
Im not trying to argue with you but as you state your not sure about how it works and im saying it can be done and seen it done before, the ECU can be coded to work, I really dont understand why you cant grab the concept of it working theres a few members here on this board that have made it work. One is made a CLS500 in to a CLS55 and even using the newer 7 speed tranny, then you have another member that put it in to a completely different car ( crossfire srt6) there's a member that put a 32komperssor engine in to a CLK please use your friend the SEARCH button and research before you deter someone from doing what they want based off you lack of knowledge
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Old May 16, 2012 | 04:56 PM
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https://mbworld.org/forums/cls55-amg...installed.html
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Old May 16, 2012 | 11:51 PM
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Originally Posted by 02S430
Im not trying to argue with you but as you state your not sure about how it works and im saying it can be done and seen it done before, the ECU can be coded to work, I really dont understand why you cant grab the concept of it working theres a few members here on this board that have made it work. One is made a CLS500 in to a CLS55 and even using the newer 7 speed tranny, then you have another member that put it in to a completely different car ( crossfire srt6) there's a member that put a 32komperssor engine in to a CLK please use your friend the SEARCH button and research before you deter someone from doing what they want based off you lack of knowledge
First of all I didn't mean you when I said there's some retards, quite the opposite in fact since you're actually doing it and to you for that endeavor. I was merely saying I'm sick and tired of these trolls saying to people "don't do a swap" "just go buy X" "not worth it" which is irrelevant since the person is asking how, not should. As for the ECU thing yes I do not know but I'm merely saying to the OP that it's a problem and he should consider it as such. All in all I support anyone doing anything like this and I hate people like some of the newbies above who are telling him not to do it because he's clearly made up his mind and isn't trying to get an opinion or permission but is trying to get guidance and help.
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Old May 18, 2012 | 08:21 PM
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Originally Posted by 02S430
Im not trying to argue with you but as you state your not sure about how it works and im saying it can be done and seen it done before, the ECU can be coded to work, I really dont understand why you cant grab the concept of it working theres a few members here on this board that have made it work. One is made a CLS500 in to a CLS55 and even using the newer 7 speed tranny, then you have another member that put it in to a completely different car ( crossfire srt6) there's a member that put a 32komperssor engine in to a CLK please use your friend the SEARCH button and research before you deter someone from doing what they want based off you lack of knowledge
Going to be doing the same to my '00 S430. Only thing that REALLY worries me is the ecu, my project is probably not going to start until after yours (need my car for now, haha) so maybe you can share the secrets of how you do your ecu. Otherwise I may just go pre-03 and I hear its just plug and play. Would love that extra power though.

Does it make more sense to sell this and buy a S55? Heck yes. Not more fun though, and some people (like me) we get attached to our cars and would not sell them and love the projects.
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Old May 19, 2012 | 08:36 PM
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Originally Posted by e500slr
First of all I didn't mean you when I said there's some retards, quite the opposite in fact since you're actually doing it and to you for that endeavor. I was merely saying I'm sick and tired of these trolls saying to people "don't do a swap" "just go buy X" "not worth it" which is irrelevant since the person is asking how, not should. As for the ECU thing yes I do not know but I'm merely saying to the OP that it's a problem and he should consider it as such. All in all I support anyone doing anything like this and I hate people like some of the newbies above who are telling him not to do it because he's clearly made up his mind and isn't trying to get an opinion or permission but is trying to get guidance and help.
gottcha no hard feelings wasnt yelling at you

Originally Posted by benzs430pl
Going to be doing the same to my '00 S430. Only thing that REALLY worries me is the ecu, my project is probably not going to start until after yours (need my car for now, haha) so maybe you can share the secrets of how you do your ecu. Otherwise I may just go pre-03 and I hear its just plug and play. Would love that extra power though.

Does it make more sense to sell this and buy a S55? Heck yes. Not more fun though, and some people (like me) we get attached to our cars and would not sell them and love the projects.
yea it keeps me sane to go out and wrench on the bad boy, and as I stated the engine is going in with colder plugs, 82mm TB, ASP idler pulleys, looped fuel rail 550 injectors, bigger heat exchanger w/stronger pump and long tube headers, to my surprise the engine has a kleeman pulley already on it and I was told it was stock engine, that means its been tuned
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Old May 11, 2013 | 03:31 PM
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i pulled off this swap in my w215 without a hitch (well i broke my old transmission, but that's my fault and it gave me a reason to upgrade to the amg tranny and better torque converter). there's no need to recode the ecu, just don't think you can install the supercharged version and get away without major modifications to the engine. if you are handy with a wrench, it's suprisingly easy to pull this off as i'm self taught at 21 years old with little to no prior experience working on cars before i owned my w215
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