Any write ups on 4.3L or 5.5L Swap into C280?

[AtomicVette]

Depending on how far I decide to take this project, is there any info out there on what's required to swap a 4.3L or 5.5L into my C280?

[Sulaco]

Nope. But it's a gigantic undertaking. You would have to get engine, all accessories, transmission plus transmission controller, and ecu. I'm sure I'm missing something. The cheapest option would be to source an entire junked AMG. Even then you'd likely have less money in it to just restore the amg instead.

Much cheaper alternative would be a full bore turbo on the m104, or swapping to American with an ls1 or modern hemi. You could throw in a 6 speed manual and put out as many hp as you want.

Going amg on a non amg car is an insanely expensive venture. Way cheaper to just sell the car once finished and pick up a pristine C43 for less than 8k. Or find a high mileage one for 4 to 5k and find a 5.4 amg to swap in for about a grand! Slap on a kleemann supercharger for another 100hp for 3 to 5k used.

[MikeD]

I hear the 3.2L M104 pops into the older Inline 6 C280s with no mods whatsoever. I'm considering going this route myself for some extra HP for not too much cash. Add a turbo to that and you're way better off than the heavy v8 conversion.

[Sulaco]

MikeD is right.

You can get a good running 3.2 m104 from a junk yard damn cheap. I think it was the most-produced MB engine from 93 to 97 and there are millions of them worldwide. They're also very tough, smooth, and well-designed. But being in an MB, there are almost no aftermarket kits for them. You'll have to fab up some of your own hardware. But from threads online it's very well worth it. The 3.2l puts out around 220hp/tq stock. Rebuilt with forged pistons and a bespoke turbo kit should easily put you at around 400hp. Judging by the absurd amount of HP people squeeze out of toyota straight 6 engines, I would think the m104 has alot more in it than 400hp.

Found a youtube video of a german guy with a 2.8l m104 turbo with 370hp at the rear wheels. Another guy with a w124 (4,000 lb car) walking on Vettes with his 3.2l turbo.

[jc1kz]

Not sure if this is what you're looking for but here is a link to "Justin1600" who is in the UK and he has done an engine swap from C43 to a E55 (for engine swap start on middle of page 17)

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/mbclub-projects/128044-my-c43-amg-going-project-17.html

[Pagz]

Sulaco is right,The best route would be to sell the 280 and buy a C43 ,hands down best way.

Even C43 - 5.4 could end up costing a fortune if you come across worn parts and thats a simple swap.

Re V8's are heavy - Rumours are the M113 is lighter in the front than the M104 ;)

[MikeD]

Sulaco is right,The best route would be to sell the 280 and buy a C43 ,hands down best way.

Even C43 - 5.4 could end up costing a fortune if you come across worn parts and thats a simple swap.

Re V8's are heavy - Rumours are the M113 is lighter in the front than the M104 ;)

Now that you mention it, I really would not be surprised if the M104 was heavier than the M113. It's a much older engine and it just feels like a wall of steel haha

[anf6789]

M104 is heavier it's an iron block versus all aluminum V8... Ill take the I6 AMG any day ;)

[Pagz]

I admit I prefer the liveliness of the 104,but the sound of the M113!

Rumours are the 104 is ~20kg heavier, I recall a thread on peachparts showing an M113 on scales and comments around it being a very light v8.

OT, swapping to a Bosch M113 from VDO m104 would require nearly the whole donor car bar the chassis, a C280 M112 would be significantly easier,but still not worth it.

[Sulaco]

Yep. I wouldn't bother in a million years. If you're desperate for an m113, swap the whole car. Personally I'd keep it and go turbo route with a getrag 5 speed from a w201 190e. I often miss the m104 from my 94 c280 back when she was healthy. That engine took more abuse than any one engine ever should, and NEVER broke a sweat. I'm dreaming of a C36 daily driver while I transform my c43 into a supercharged C55 Kleemann monster. The m104 has more soul while the m113 has more displacement with one of the best v8 sounds on earth.

[Dearlove]

i have a c36 and all the shit to swap in a 5 speed manual
I also have a 97 c180 with the engine and box sitting next to it.

But I'm thinking of selling the c36 and swapping in a e55 engine, just because I cant get 350-400 hp out of the c36 (too risky to turbo, and if i down size to 3.2 WTF is the point in having a c36?) plus the v8 while not only being lighter has the weight further back as well

Oh and c43's are going from $25k to $35K here so buying one plus an e55 engine IS NOT cheaper/easier....

[anf6789]

turbo the c36 dearlove.... the only thing holding it back is those thin walls which look like they will be fine. the couple of guys that did the turbo C36 were almost 10 years or more ago, who know what they did to the car to make it blow up. there are 2 swedes building turbo C36 driftcars at the moment. driftloco is one of them. check the car out!

[MikeD]

turbo the c36 dearlove.... the only thing holding it back is those thin walls which look like they will be fine. the couple of guys that did the turbo C36 were almost 10 years or more ago, who know what they did to the car to make it blow up. there are 2 swedes building turbo C36 driftcars at the moment. driftloco is one of them. check the car out!

He hasn't been driving it around this since it's an active build. Plus he got his parts from turbobanditen.se which they like to change out a hell of a lot more than just turboing the car.

I will add though that they build some of the craziest turbo kits an M104 has ever seen and it's wayyy cheaper than what dearlove says a C43 is over there.

[anf6789]

All turbo bandit does is dish the stock pistons to lower compression... It's crazy to think they don't put like H beam rods or crazy pistons in! I've been following them for a while now.

Stock head gasket and the 12.9 headbolts.. I've had some email convos with Roman the owner. Crazy guy.

[Dearlove]

the c36 i just too heavy for what i want i think, the c180 i can strip out and destoy without feeling bad...

[Sulaco]

the c36 i just too heavy for what i want i think, the c180 i can strip out and destoy without feeling bad...


+1

Sell me your C36!

[anf6789]

Sulaco buy mine.. Dealer is still figuring it out, has their head tech stumped. Perfect! Haha.. It will make a nice lawn ornament.

[Sulaco]

Sulaco buy mine.. Dealer is still figuring it out, has their head tech stumped. Perfect! Haha.. It will make a nice lawn ornament.

Oh man. Trust me. I would have GLADLY jumped on that ridiculously-low price if I had the cash! Wife has new baby in the belly, C43 crashed and needing repairs... :(

My dream is a C36 daily driver while I turn my C43 into a supercharged, motor-swapped beast. The C36 is just too special for crazy mods like that.

[Dearlove]

ugh, fuck it, think i might sell c36 and get a c32....

[MikeD]

ugh, fuck it, think i might sell c36 and get a c32....

W202+engine swap or W203?

[Dearlove]

w203, they've come down in price and are actually cheaper than c43's over here...