E55 swap into a C230?
11-02-2005, 06:17 PM
#1
E55 swap into a C230?
Just curious, how difficult a swap would it be to put an 03 E55 AMG engine/supercharger/trans/rear end/etc. into a 2003 C230? Would any fabrication be needed or would it pretty much bolt in with all the right parts? Thanx for any info!
11-02-2005, 06:19 PM
#2
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It wont fit. WHy the hell would you want to anyways. The engine is around 30grand, tranmission, drivetrain, rear diff are probably like 10 to 15 grand. Just get a real E55. 
11-02-2005, 06:38 PM
#3
Because I located a wrecked 03 E55 AMG which has a good engine, trans, rear end, etc. for CHEAP. Also, the C230 is almost a thousand pounds lighter than the E55. Now granted you'd be adding some of that weight back with the bigger motor, supercharger, beefier rear end, etc., but I bet when all is said and done it will still be a good 500-600lbs lighter!
What makes you say it won't fit? Doesn't the current W203 C55 AMG have the 5.4L V8?
What makes you say it won't fit? Doesn't the current W203 C55 AMG have the 5.4L V8?
11-02-2005, 06:41 PM
#5
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Where are you going to put that big *** intercooler? We already know the E55 has horrible cooling, and taking that engine and putting it in a C class is only going to make things worse. If it could be done I am sure that some fool would have done it already.
Why not get a C55 and then get Kleemann's K8 package? Seems to make more sense to me.
Why not get a C55 and then get Kleemann's K8 package? Seems to make more sense to me.
11-02-2005, 07:18 PM
#6
Because the C55 AMG with the Kleemann upgrade is too expensive, too heavy, and not fast enough. I'm looking at a C230 for $15K plus another $20K for the E55 powertrain and rear end. If the motor physically fits, I'm sure I can work out the intercooler.
Anyone know what these guys did for an intercooler?
Anyone know what these guys did for an intercooler?
11-02-2005, 07:30 PM
#7
..............I am familiar with that car and have been in it. The owner lives in Atlanta and the car was built by Donnie formerly at MBautowerks. The car has much more to it than a W210 E55 ingine. It has ported and polished heads, LSD, gear ratio change, larger custom made crankshaft pulley, smaller s/c pulley, not to mention the Kleemann s/c and headers. $20K does not even begin cover the cost of the mods.
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11-02-2005, 07:50 PM
#9
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'03 G500, '13 G63, '17 GLS63,
Considering the front clip of the C55 is different from the one the C230 has, I doubt it would work. I imagine the main reason for using the C55 front clip is due to the fact the V-6 and I-4 model front clip would not accomodate the V-8.
11-02-2005, 08:00 PM
#11
Originally Posted by Lexani
Meh! Pessimists!
Try it, and let us know what happens!
Good luck!
Try it, and let us know what happens!
Good luck!
11-02-2005, 08:16 PM
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Whatever keys I grab first...
Originally Posted by Marc
I think I will. I've done lots of cool projects in recent years, so this isn't some pipe dream.
11-02-2005, 08:59 PM
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mymbonline
get a clk320
it wont fit into the nose of a regular c class, i wish u all the luck, but if u manage to do it it will cost as much as a new e55 by the time ur done.... good luck
1 more thing, if u do it put a manual box in there, i would
it wont fit into the nose of a regular c class, i wish u all the luck, but if u manage to do it it will cost as much as a new e55 by the time ur done.... good luck
1 more thing, if u do it put a manual box in there, i would
11-02-2005, 09:24 PM
#14
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By the time you managed to aquire all the necessary components to complete a swap like that, youd have spent enough cash to get the real thing. Go get a C55 and Kleemanize it if you want huge power in a C-Class.
11-03-2005, 03:29 AM
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Its not just about time and money. Doing these projects is much more fun and gratifying than just buying a ready built car. For me at least.
Anyway, are you going to drive the car daily or will it only be a track rocket? Can you do the work yourself? Im sure itll fit...
Anyway, are you going to drive the car daily or will it only be a track rocket? Can you do the work yourself? Im sure itll fit...
11-03-2005, 05:06 AM
#16
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W203 slightly modified
Originally Posted by Marc
Just curious, how difficult a swap would it be to put an 03 E55 AMG engine/supercharger/trans/rear end/etc. into a 2003 C230? Would any fabrication be needed or would it pretty much bolt in with all the right parts? Thanx for any info!
The power to weight ratio is so enormous that the stopping power is a real problem. The best you can hope for is a set of racing Brembo brakes or something as good as or better.
Normally engines like this are just plain lethal in a small car. I was more interested in seeing it done in an SLK. Doing it in a C-Class has been done plenty of times before but I dont think anyone has tried to emulate the famous SLK / SLR fusion and I for one think that the E55 engine makes more sense.
I tend to agree that the C55 is a ready to go package that makes more sense overall. I guess there is no challenge in walking to a store and handing over money.
Just dont win a Darwin Award proving us right. The car would be pushing sub-11 sec times and that could be lethal.
11-03-2005, 09:38 AM
#17
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C55 AMG, 135i, 911 GT3, GLE43 AMG
It is very unlikely you will be able to fit the supercharged 5.4L V8 into the W203 C230. The C55 has a CLK front end which is longer than a standard W203 front end. The only reason this was done was to accomodate the naturally aspirated 5.4L V8. You won't fit the engine in unless you take something else out (like the radiator!!??).
So please don't waste precious time/energy/money to try this and then find out at the end that it won't work.
So please don't waste precious time/energy/money to try this and then find out at the end that it won't work.
11-03-2005, 10:26 AM
#18
I've already purchased the E55 powertrain. I am now negotiating with an online junkyard for the C55 front clip. The intercooler will fit once I get the clip. This swap is looking like cake. The most difficult part right now appears to be the wiring/electronics.
11-03-2005, 10:29 AM
#19
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Your gonna end up spending over a 100K in tihs project. I would rather invest that money in a new E55, CLS 55, or perhaps something else. I just dont see the logical thinking. 
11-03-2005, 10:39 AM
#20
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2003 E55 & 2014 GL550
Monster Garage could probably get er done. You'd need to be pretty handy with the welder.
I mentioned before, Ole Mr Mariott lives here and he is having our local stealer fabricate an E500 into a four matic E55....course he gave them NO budget limit....just get er done.
Sweet.
I mentioned before, Ole Mr Mariott lives here and he is having our local stealer fabricate an E500 into a four matic E55....course he gave them NO budget limit....just get er done.
Sweet.
11-03-2005, 10:49 AM
#21
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Originally Posted by Marc
I've already purchased the E55 powertrain. I am now negotiating with an online junkyard for the C55 front clip. The intercooler will fit once I get the clip. This swap is looking like cake. The most difficult part right now appears to be the wiring/electronics.
11-03-2005, 11:21 AM
#22
Originally Posted by MB Fanatic
Your gonna end up spending over a 100K in tihs project. I would rather invest that money in a new E55, CLS 55, or perhaps something else. I just dont see the logical thinking.
P.S. Check out the 2000 Audi S4 in my signature. I have less than $20K into it, including the cost of the car.
11-03-2005, 11:24 AM
#23
From the research I've done, I believe very little welding is required for this project. It's pretty much a direct bolt-in once you get the C55 clip. Sure I may run into a few minor snags along the way, but keep in mind the engine and trans physically bolt up. That's the big thing.
11-03-2005, 11:25 AM
#24
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Originally Posted by Marc
Over $100K? Where are you guys getting these numbers from? I'm the doing the swap myself with parts from the junkyard. The cost will be nowhere near even $50K. I'll also have a C230 which will be 500+ pounds lighter than an E55. I plan on doing similar mods to DerekFSU. It should really move.
P.S. Check out the 2000 Audi S4 in my signature. I have less than $20K into it, including the cost of the car.
P.S. Check out the 2000 Audi S4 in my signature. I have less than $20K into it, including the cost of the car.
11-03-2005, 11:32 AM
#25
Marc,
It is possible. Kleemann in Colorado was going to do this exact same swap with a C320 4-matic. They put the project on the back burner becasue they've been so busy. The only hiccup they ran into had to do with the ECU. The price of the swap was much lower than everyone posting thinks. Send Kleemann an E-Mail and maybe they'll give you some guidance. Good luck!
It is possible. Kleemann in Colorado was going to do this exact same swap with a C320 4-matic. They put the project on the back burner becasue they've been so busy. The only hiccup they ran into had to do with the ECU. The price of the swap was much lower than everyone posting thinks. Send Kleemann an E-Mail and maybe they'll give you some guidance. Good luck!
