anton28

Being a past happy owner of a 2001 and 2003 cl55 and 2005 sl55 Im ready to get back in to an AMG! This time Im going for a big hp build on a sl65.

So here is my question. Has anyone thought or tried to convert a R230 car to a manual transmission like a t56(from a viper or corvette)? Ive done my share of American car builds and in most cases you can pair up any transmission engine combo that you can think off. Is this possible with a sophisticated electronically controlled German car? As far as fabrication I can get all of that done but how will the ECU react? What electronic problems will I run into?

Dont rip me a new one for this question guys, Im sure im not the only one that thought about how fun a 55/65 car would be with a 6speed

DCMETRO22Z

Not a good idea IMO. Too much torque to enjoy shifting. Those car were built from the begining with auto trans.

If you want to enjoy somethin' Manual, get an M5.

anton28

I will say that there's not such thing as "to much torque to enjoy shifting" I have a 900HP/1200torque viper with a 6speed and there's nothing better then pounding those gears as you accelerate!!!

I know everyone will have their different opinions about this but my main questions is....Whats standing in my way to do the conversion? ECU?

DCMETRO22Z

First problem is what gearbox you're gonna use... Will the shape of the gearbox fit the engine ...

What did you do on your viper ?? Twin turbo ? Pics ??

anton28

I can have the bell-housing fabricated to adapt any transmission to the 65 motor and can change the input and output shaft to work. My first instinct would be to use a viper t56. A factory viper t56 will handle 1khp and 1ktq with out any problems. If there is tunnel clearance issues, that's an easy fix as well. I have fabricated a few transmission tunnels in my day LOL

I spoke to a couple of guys that suggested using a BMW 6 speed, but I have no clue about BMRS LOL Ill stick to my t56

The viper has a heffner supercharger kit along with water methanol and a 50 shot of nos to keep the intake temp down. Not really sure how to post pics on here. Its a 99GTS with a fully forged internal motor.

I need to learn about the any electronic obstacles Im going to encounter because as far as fitment I know I can get it to fit and work just like it would have come from the factory.

anton28

Just learned that a couple of guys in Europe have done a conversion using supra transmissions on an E class and C class benz. Getrag is who makes the transmissions for Mercedes. The same as supra and bmw manual gearboxes.

DCMETRO22Z

Look at this. A few years ago , MB tuner Carlsson performed a Badass Manual conversion on a 7.4 Stroked R129 SL600.

"620 HP of 7.4 litres of V12, 6 speed manual gear shift, 320 kmh registered, Carlsson C74 Le Mans, world-wide only 2 pieces built"
http://www.fantasycars.com/derek/cars/carlssonsl.html
And yeah, after thinking twice, it can really be great fun.

anton28

Thats awesome! I wonder what transmission they used. Im gonna have to give them a call.

Dsmed

Are you worried about the stock trans breaking from power or are just interested in a 6speed manual? Cause I can't think of anyone that made enough power to date to blow up a stock 65 trans.

anton28

Im interested in just swapping in a 6speed. I know the factory 600/65 transmissions are strong to say the least.

Ive been following your build Dsmed on the silver 600. Definitely will be going to you for my upgrades. What do you think about the 6speed swap?

carcommander

You can do anything you pour enough money to it. Everything in a SL65 is run by the ECU. I am sure somebody can figure out the electronic issues. I don't get the point. The car was designed with an automatic. I like shifting gear too. MY 997TT is a 6 spd. I think if you reengineer the car with a 6spd it quits being an SL65 and starts being a hot rod.

anton28

That's the point!!! I have a 1khp goal for the car plus a few other trick upgrades, so the 6speed will not be the only modification. This car will be like no other SL out there

Like I said I know physically it can be done but what electronic issues will I encounter?

carcommander

You could buy a 6spd 599 for what that would cost probably less.

anton28

The point here is to convert a sl65 to a 6speed not what else I can spend my money one.

carcommander

I guess what I am trying to say is why bother? You are going to out engineer Mercedes and AMG?

Sunir

I agree with car commander...this project is going to be a compliance nightmare as well as very expensive...stand-alone Motec may be an option...the factory engine managment, TCU, SBC, and ABC systems are all run off the same "brain" so keep that in mind if you do go standalone...there's the challenge is that these systems are coordinated so that if you wanted to isolate one (in your case the tranny) and modify it, the controls for the other systems may be effected including the operation control for the part you want to modify. The car may not accept such radical changes. So in the end is it worth it? AMG and MB have the money to build this car and could do it I'm sure, outside of that it would take someone else a ton of resources, time and money. Why not sell the benz and just get something very fast in a 6 spd and be done with it for most likely what would be less than this mod.

buffyclk500

Renntech did it on a clk430 so call them but don't talk 2 bob
also the euro cars come with 6 speed on the 500 so they might work on a 65

DCMETRO22Z

Never heard of that. I'm euro.

TopEndS62

r u sure???

DCMETRO22Z

That's false. MB never made Manual 500's

6speedclk

I know this thred is 6 months old but I jest put a 6 speed in my 03 clk500 by robbing the parts out of a c240. Thay were pracktly the same chasy. Every thing bolted in and wired up grate. I jest had to send the ME control module down to rentech to change some programing and the rest I could do with a star tester. I'm sure thay make some kind of cheap sl that would come with a manual trans and if so all the holes are probably cut jest plugged off. I'm not saying my setup is bullet proof. But it is nice shifting gears at 5k rpm and going 90 by the top of third. The computer work isn't that bad the options are there. I don't know what ingine is in a sl 65. We will jest say you ment to say sl63. It's the same block as a 550. What you need is 06 or 07 c230 with the v6 engine and 6 speed. I think that car would be the most compatible with an sl. You could swop it over or copy the part #s. You would jest need someone smart enough to do it. Short story is I did it and it only cost me the price of an old c class and changing some programing. Well I'll stop here see what you guys say. Go easy on me.

IngenereAMG

The SL65 is a twin turbo V12.

Anything is possible, if you throw enough money at it. I would love my SL55 with a manual gearbox, but for me, at the end of the day, it just isn't worth the money. But I would love to see one.