SL/R230: SL 500 Coil conversion help!!!
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Newbie
Joined: Nov 2024
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SL 500 Coil conversion help!!!
Hi I have a 2003 sl500 with about 69k miles on it and I have already gotten the red ABC drive carefully warning on my dash. I want the car to handle really good so I am going to buy the kw v3 coilover kit because I am truly going to build this car out. I know i need another power steering pump to replace the dual pump thats current does anyone have a link for a kit? also I want really good sway bars so if anyone could give a good recommendation on those. I really just want advice and if people can help me figure out everything I need for it. Thanks!
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 746
Likes: 185
From: Melbourne, Australia
2005 SL 500 R230
A power steering pump from any M113 engine without ABC will fit. Alternatively just loop the pump output back into the tank, it will just receive lubrication without any pressure and you can leave it there forever.
VVK coilovers and sway bars have a good reputation
VVK coilovers and sway bars have a good reputation
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 746
Likes: 185
From: Melbourne, Australia
2005 SL 500 R230
Yes just a pump but you can get one off any junked M113 second hand. Some sell it as a kit.
Sway bars are essential.
Remove fuse for ABC but you'll get a warning every time you start, or there is a deletion module available.
Otherwise code out the ABC but you will need STAR with developer mode and not all versions of STAR have it.
Sway bars are essential.
Remove fuse for ABC but you'll get a warning every time you start, or there is a deletion module available.
Otherwise code out the ABC but you will need STAR with developer mode and not all versions of STAR have it.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 449
Likes: 129
From: Melbourne Florida
SL500
Strutmasters sells a small module to eliminate the problem. However if you going as you said " I am really going to build the car out. Before I did anything more get with Benzjinja and have star at your fingertips Gene Good luck with your Project!
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 744
Likes: 73
From: PNW Wa State
R230, C5 Corvette Convertible, Audi Allroad, Lexus RX350, AE86 Hachi Roku
Good luck if you're not up on parts supply and conversion procedure. Kits won't fix this. This is A LOT of old fashioned OG mechanics skills
Also; try to find a hybrid PS line for that pump that was never used on an R230
After sorting a fully functional SL with >1000 mi. I love how it works compared to the OE overweight, soft, slow R230
But truth be told I'd rather have an e90 LS3. Much faster, much easier
https://lse90.com
Last edited by Hary Gahtoe; Feb 11, 2025 at 11:11 PM.
