Geo3

I have owned my 2003 SL55 AMG for almost nine years, but at the end of 2017, I required to replace two rear ABC struts (MB dealer quoted Can$6,600). At that point, I instead decided to install Mercedes-Benz SL350 (R230) “coil-overs” with anti-roll/sway bars.

I also included single P/S pump from a W220 and new engine and transmission mounts.

My local MB dealer, managed to get Mercedes-Benz Germany, to install on Mercedes-Benz Canada’s main computer, an SL350 parts ordering guide (SL350 was never sold in North America).

Using this information, my local Mercedes-Benz dealer ordered all of the necessary parts from Europe (and very efficiently carried out the installation).

NOTE : on my web site, in my SL55 AMG page, I have included a PDF, detailing all conversion parts used, etc.

http://www3.sympatico.ca/gmacgruer/Index.html

Even having installed new engine and transmission mounts, to raise engine, clearance was too tight for the front anti-roll/sway bar with the larger V8 sump (SL350 used V6). I have seen that “Rebuild Master Tech” in Florida, appear to be using same setup for their kits, but include two small aluminium spacer blocks (see image below). These must allow clearance. However, I cannot get any help/advice from them, as I didn’t purchase their kit.

Please would someone kindly let me know the thickness of these spacers?

Let me add, after some mileage driven, it is superior to ABC and so much less to worry about. I would say it is identical to ABC on highway and normal driving, but better at absorbing road irregularities, ridges and bumps; and this is still without the front anti-roll/sway bar.

skylolow

I have no ideal what size those are.

But I would think a solid independent shop could come up with something that would work for it. Even if they had to fabricate it won't be that hard. Most independent's like to think outside the box oppose to the dealership who is usually by the books.

rsr911

VVK makes the correct sway bar to fit the SL55 coil over conversion.

Geo3

Many thanks for your response.

Yes, I've had a look at that, but they want to sell all as a kit and I already have the SL350 front sway bar, links, etc., so just wanted to install that with spacer blocks.

desired_speeds

If they are just simple spacer blocks, you can rig it up with some longer bolts and washers to check for fitment first. Once you find the correct thickness of spacer you need, you can get the measurements and have a machine shop make you a spacer with the correct dimensions.

Geo3

Thanks for the response. That is what I am planning, but wanted to get spacer blocks made in advance of removing front sub-frame again. My dealer had everything out already (replaced engine and transmission mounts to get as much sump clearance), but I was just later informed that the front sway bar hadn't got enough clearance, but it wasn't measured at that time. My MB dealer will not make up spacers blocks (I have to supply them first).

The car drives so well with just the rear sway bar installed, that I will not rush.

By the way, if anyone is interested, current SL350 coil-overs ride only 1/2" higher, front and rear, than ABC at its LOWEST setting.

My PDF with coil-over parts, etc. : http://www3.sympatico.ca/gmacgruer/SL55_AMG.html

Batman600

The 350 Sway bar will hit the oil sump even with spacers

The oil sump on the 350 is narrow and the sway bar kinks upwards around it.

But the 55's sump is wider so the sway bar must be straight at the bottom not kinked.

I ended up fitting a VVK bar which is flat across the bottom giving much better clearance.

Regarding them wanting to sell you a kit I believe that Sean has recently confirmed that they will sell their bars seperately.

The good news is that the 350 rear sway bar fits ok

Geo3

By any chance does anyone know the exact bar thickness of the VVK "Street" front sway bar? (The VVK "Sport" one is thicker).

I know that the SL350 front sway bar has a thickness of 25mm / 1in and I would want to keep to this softer roll setting.

I'm still loving my car, even with rear sway bar but currently minus front one. Doesn't seem to make much difference to handling, so I'll hold off to see what develops in front sway bars for SL55 AMG.

Many thanks to you all........Geo.

skylolow

I won't count on anything being developed for these cars moving forward in the form of sway bars.

If you call VVK they might be nice enough to tell you the thickness of their bar. If you know the SL350 is 1inch. I honestly can't think it would be a whole lot thicker. My understanding is things are pretty tight under there. I would think just going 1/4" thicker would be all you need at the most. There is sl55's running around with just SL350 set up, but have no ideal how well they truly perform. For everyday driving chances are it might be just fine. Otherwise maybe you can find a used SL350 sway bar and take that to a fabricator and see if they can recreate one just a tad thicker to support the increase weight. Maybe some small little shop won't rape you on doing it.

Geo3

Many thanks Skylolow, for your kind response.

I already have a "new" SL350 front sway bar and fittings, imported from Europe, but it doesn't quite fit (V8 sump clearance).

I want to keep to this if possible, or replace with similar thickness bar, which fits. I also believe that my SL350 front bar may fit with spacers, but I cannot get info from anyone on how this has been achieved.
I have listed all Mercedes-Benz part numbers, etc. in the PDF (may be downloaded at web page below :
http://www3.sympatico.ca/gmacgruer/SL55_AMG.html

skylolow

I think I might try going back to VVK and try working with them on getting there sway bar. See if you could speak to the owner. I know when Tavarish (you tube) did his he had to file down some areas to make it fit and VVK was suppose to be updating it so you didn't have to do that(I also don't think he used VVK's coil overs either). Maybe, just maybe they have one of these still laying around that they may part with and then your only be talking about doing a little grinding to make it all work. Otherwise maybe sweet talk them a few more dollars to buy just the sway bar. Either way they make money and I can't believe they are selling very many of these kits to begin with.

Ed954

VVK is selling sway bars separately. You can go through us to purchase a set. We are an authorized dealer.

Colinporter

I'm going to be doing this conversion in the next couple of months using BC Racing coilovers & probably a RMT front antiroll bar & possibly a sl350 rear antiroll bar. The thing about the ABC warnings light can this be deleted from the car's computer using star diagnostics?

Batman600

Yes it can be removed by Star Diagnostics but only in Developer Mode (which only the MB main dealer will have). They simply reprogram the suspension settings to the SL350 parameters so the ECU no longer looks for the ABC sensors.

Regarding the RMT front sway bar, is this not just a Euro SL350 bar?

Colinporter

Apparently the RMT bar for the 500 is thicker than the 350 bar. On the rear though i would of thought a 350 bar would be ok because there's probably no extra weight on the back.
Thanks for the info on the abc light warning.

Batman600

Yes the SL350 rear bar fits well and does a good enough job. I had one installed on my car before I got the VVK Sway bars.

However if you can afford it the VVK bars are definitely worth the extra cost in my opinion. A better fit and quite a bit stiffer.

Colinporter

What sort of price are VVK bars? I know RMT bars are a bit over £400 each.

Batman600

I got lucky by finding a second hand set on EBay - from a US SL owner who bought them but never got round to fit them.

Give Sean at VVK a pm or email to get a price.

Are you in the UK? I still have the front and rear SL350 bars and a spare power steering pump if you want them?

Ed954

We reprogrammed ABC using the STAR clone with developer mode, so no need to use a dealer. Knowledgeable Indy dealer can do it for sure.

Colinporter

Thanks i've managed to source a rear 350 antiroll bar and PS pump here in the uk. Some have said the 350 front bar doesn't fit because of the size & position of the sump.

FreedP

RMT front sway bar was close but did fit my SL55 with new motor mounts and spacers.
I used longer bar bolts for better hold. RMT is not the least expensive because of exchange.
Great setup for daily driving. VVK would likely be better for track. Glad I made the change. 😀

Colinporter

Are VVK bars much more expensive than the RMT?

FreedP

Sorry, you need to price all parts from each company. I have not checked on cost for quite some time.

KebHund

Hi Ed954,
dou you carry sway bars + all the bushings and disconnects? VVK is out of stock.

geo jim

. The RMTsway bar will rub on the pan and there coil overs are no good I have had to change 3 out of the 4 with no help from rmt I will never by anything from them agen