W220 engine swap
#2
Super Member
Usually a motor swap is more complicated than you think. Ignition control, fuel metering, sensors, mounts, etc... It's not as simple as swapping motors. However, if you have a whole parts car and a shop to do the transplant, I'd expect it's doable.
#4
So I'll be able to get another S430 motor and put it in with no problem but I can't do that with the AMG motor correct?
#5
Super Member
In theory, correct. Also, given the cost and labor, it'd likely be cheaper just to buy an S55. But an S430 motor would be both much cheaper and much easier to find.
#6
#7
Super Member
That's interesting. Might be worth it, then. I'll allow the experts to chime in and try to tell you what else you may need beyond the motor. I'm betting on at least the ECU and upgraded cooling system.
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#8
But if I switch out the ECU well I need to get the shifter and the ignition switch with it does those theft relevant parts?
#9
You can't I just have somebody program my ECU to put out the correct amount of fuel and to the engine?
#10
Super Member
I can't say, I'm not a Mercedes tech. It could be that simple, but I'd be surprised. I keep waiting for one of the experts to chime in. The motor is the expensive bit, in theory anything else you would need to scavenge off the junkyard car is replacing a part on your S430 you could resell and recoup some of the cost. I would check to see if the S55 uses different motor mounts and transmission mounts, given the extra forces involved.
#11
MBWorld Fanatic!
Check with a tuning shop like Eurocharged. If they support tuning for both engines they may be able to help you get the AMG engine running on your existing car. If you have to swap to the 55 PCM, it won't work plug and play with the rest of the car, but the car could be thoroughly recoded to match S55 oem spec and may work, if you use enough of the 55 engine control system.
Will take some effort by someone who knows the SDS system and the factory side, as well as the aftermarket side, to make a 55 swap work perfectly. It's always possible though. It will end up costing more than just buying an S55 i'm afraid, they are under 10k now.
Will take some effort by someone who knows the SDS system and the factory side, as well as the aftermarket side, to make a 55 swap work perfectly. It's always possible though. It will end up costing more than just buying an S55 i'm afraid, they are under 10k now.
#12
Check with a tuning shop like Eurocharged. If they support tuning for both engines they may be able to help you get the AMG engine running on your existing car. If you have to swap to the 55 PCM, it won't work plug and play with the rest of the car, but the car could be thoroughly recoded to match S55 oem spec and may work, if you use enough of the 55 engine control system.
Will take some effort by someone who knows the SDS system and the factory side, as well as the aftermarket side, to make a 55 swap work perfectly. It's always possible though. It will end up costing more than just buying an S55 i'm afraid, they are under 10k now.
Will take some effort by someone who knows the SDS system and the factory side, as well as the aftermarket side, to make a 55 swap work perfectly. It's always possible though. It will end up costing more than just buying an S55 i'm afraid, they are under 10k now.
#13
MBWorld Fanatic!
The majority of the cost is not the engine...
I've done swaps like this on other cars. A $1500 engine turns into a $7500 swap before you get done with it, by the time you chase down all the things you actually need to make it work. You also must value your time at zero, or the cost gets astronomical.
I've done swaps like this on other cars. A $1500 engine turns into a $7500 swap before you get done with it, by the time you chase down all the things you actually need to make it work. You also must value your time at zero, or the cost gets astronomical.
#14
The majority of the cost is not the engine...
I've done swaps like this on other cars. A $1500 engine turns into a $7500 swap before you get done with it, by the time you chase down all the things you actually nweed to make it work. You also must value your time at zero, or the cost gets astronomical.
I've done swaps like this on other cars. A $1500 engine turns into a $7500 swap before you get done with it, by the time you chase down all the things you actually nweed to make it work. You also must value your time at zero, or the cost gets astronomical.
#16
Super Member
Put in the 430 engine, save yourself the headache. If you want an S55, wait until you can get one proper. There's more than just an engine that makes those special.
#17
Wow so many ill informed responses here
Yes you can put in the s55 engine IF its from a 2000-2002 s55
It's a direct swap and you'll make almost 100 more horsepower
Many owners of c43 cars upgraded them with s55 engines they are plug and play
You cannot do a direct swap of the 2003-up supercharged s55 engine
Yes you can put in the s55 engine IF its from a 2000-2002 s55
It's a direct swap and you'll make almost 100 more horsepower
Many owners of c43 cars upgraded them with s55 engines they are plug and play
You cannot do a direct swap of the 2003-up supercharged s55 engine
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compaddict (05-29-2016)
#18
Super Member
Well, there you go. I made the assumption the supercharged motor was the one being discussed. If it's a no cost change, why not? I suppose it's worth considering the condition of the donor cars. If a donor car clearly spent it's whole life abused, you can bet the maintenance wasn't completed properly. If it looks pristine except for accident damage, it's a fair bet the engine in it is a gem.
#19
MBWorld Fanatic!
Wow so many ill informed responses here
Yes you can put in the s55 engine IF its from a 2000-2002 s55
It's a direct swap and you'll make almost 100 more horsepower
Many owners of c43 cars upgraded them with s55 engines they are plug and play
You cannot do a direct swap of the 2003-up supercharged s55 engine
Yes you can put in the s55 engine IF its from a 2000-2002 s55
It's a direct swap and you'll make almost 100 more horsepower
Many owners of c43 cars upgraded them with s55 engines they are plug and play
You cannot do a direct swap of the 2003-up supercharged s55 engine
So that swap would work then, without huge issues. I was assuming same year to year.
#21
MBWorld Fanatic!
The U-Pull-It yards commonly sell all engines for the same price. The nearest one to me sells an engine with no accessories (AC, alternator, etc.) for $250, with a $40 core charge.
#22
Super Member
Now that you mention it, I did have a coworker by an LT1 from a wrecked Camaro to swap into his V6 Camaro, quite a few years back. He needed a new engine and I do recall him commenting it was the same price for either motor.
#23
I don't want to swap the engine just because want to claim it as an AMG but because I need a new engine and if I was gonna do it might as well get the added ponies
#24
Super Member
If it's as Tusatube says, and you're looking at a pre-supercharged engine, by all means go for it. Otherwise, it would be ill advised. If the price is the same, more power means more to me than less power, especially if you don't need to put forth any appreciable extra effort.
#25
If it's as Tusatube says, and you're looking at a pre-supercharged engine, by all means go for it. Otherwise, it would be ill advised. If the price is the same, more power means more to me than less power, especially if you don't need to put forth any appreciable extra effort.