Installing C280 engine in C220?

[htfan1]

This is more of a question for the future.

I'm wondering if installing a C280 engine in a C220 is a straight forward project. Or are there a lot of concerns.

I'm ready to start putting some decent mods on my C220, including body kits, rims, etc. I'd like to think there is a chance for some horsepower gains too.

What do you guys think?

[ShollyC220]

Good news as far as teh engine swap- it is more or less a direct fit, but will cost you unless you're a competent mechanic and want to do the swap yourself.

Bad news- without a major engine rebuild (to handle a high boost turbo set up) or NOS, you won't make your C220 "fast."

Believe me, I have one, and no matter how many minor mods you make, it won't break 200 hp. (even with intake, exhaust, chip, ignition wires, plugs, water pump) I'm planning on modifying my air intake, my exhaust, and buying a powerchip, then eventually getting NOS system. This (the nos) will simply be more cost effective compared to the cost of an engine swap or rebuild (bored out, new pistons, rods, port and polish, etc) 150 shot should do her... heh heh heh

-sholly

BTW, nice to see another C220 on here- post up man

[Andrew C280]

Belive me the C280 engine is not that fast but it is an improvement. If you going to do an engine swap go full bore to a C43 or C55 you will be much more happy with the results.

[fastmayte]

hey, i got a c220, it's pretty much a cruiser. even the 280's rn't that fast. they r descent. but y race an auto and ruin the tranny? first, i sudgest a stick conversion, i think the slk sticks might fit, but if u wanna go all out, get the 230K motor from the SLK along with the stick tranny. if i had about 3 grand, this is prolly what i would do. then go about with pulleys, or turbo, bla bla bla. then u'll have an awesumn machine.

[jnolte]

hey dudes buy the turbo kit from JasonH. Its a Custom turbo kit for C220!!!!!!!!!

[H3MAN]

yeh bro and then buy a fire extinguisher too and watch your car burn no way, i feel so sorri for jason his car burning away infront of him no way if that ever happened to my benz aaaaaaaaaaaaarrrggggggghhhhh
but u know what jnolte it rite buy that coz u know i was gona get it for my c220d but because its a diesel its a complete different setup to the petrol engines so u know otherwise id have had that on my car by now dam wat a shame oh welll

kind regards

H3MAN

[Andrew C280]

aren't the M Class notorious for catching on fire ?

[htfan1]

Great Feedback!

I probably should mention that I don't really need to make it "fast". For me, just having decent horsepower to accelerate with a car full of people would be nice. Having "fast" would be a bonus.

I'm thinking when it's time to rework the C220 engine, I could consider going to the C280 engine then.

Is it just an engine & ECU change? Or are there other requirements?

(I assume if I jump to a C43 or C55 engine there are more extensive changes required.)

[Brabus]

Yeah, get Jason's turbo kit...

That wasn't the cause of the fire obviously :o

[htfan1]

The Turbo does have me interested. However, I'd like to consider all options first. If I'm going to spend the money to rebuilt the C220 engine one day, I'd like to know about larger engine options too.

Is dropping a C280 engine in a C220 just an engine & ECU change? Or are there other requirements?

[jnolte]

Originally posted by htfan1
The Turbo does have me interested. However, I'd like to consider all options first. If I'm going to spend the money to rebuilt the C220 engine one day, I'd like to know about larger engine options too.

Is dropping a C280 engine in a C220 just an engine & ECU change? Or are there other requirements?

C280 is slow too.

If you want REAL power gains this is what needs to happen.


You could swap in a C36 engine, but you problay have to find a C36 ECU which is hella cash and close to impossible to find.

Or you could swap in a C43 engine or a 55 engine but you will also have to change tranny and ECu and problay beef up the suspention.

You could do a custom turbo kit but there are alot of unforseen problems in this and it would be difficult.

little mods to a c220 such as exhuast, header chip etc is a waste of money IMO

the easiest and safest way would be just to BUY MY C43 from me for a good price!! ;)

[htfan1]

I probably should mention that I don't really need to make it "fast". For me, just having decent horsepower to accelerate with a car full of people would be nice. Having "fast" would be a bonus.

I appreciate the feedback!

However, I really don't have to make it fast just looking for "IMPROVED" power. It seems a C280 engine could do it for me.

Has anyone done this with their C220? Or have most people made the jump to a C36, C43 or C55?

(BTW, I have a noticeable increase in power at higher RPMs with the MagnaFlow. And it sounds GREAT!)

[SLAMMED_C]

for c280 motor conversion...
motor, ecu, full engine harness, possibly C280 rad if different from C220, maybe motor mounts, shifter selector, trans, trans control module, diff.......

[htfan1]

It does sound like too much trouble unless you are installing a much larger engine.

I'm starting the get the point. Thanks!

[b29Pb]

is the c200 and the c180 share the same type
and engine dimension (physically)??

and the only thing that diffrentiate them is the
displacement by 200cc??

anyone have ever do the c200 I4 to C36 I6 engine??
how did it turn out to be?? successful??

thanx...im interested too because im looking much
more power from my c180..but have no idea where to
start..also modifying my c180 engine will cost too much
with not much extra power...

hope the experts come out and give their professional advice..
once again..thanxx...

[merc_lover]

Originally posted by fastmayte
hey, i got a c220, it's pretty much a cruiser. even the 280's rn't that fast. they r descent. but y race an auto and ruin the tranny? first, i sudgest a stick conversion, i think the slk sticks might fit, but if u wanna go all out, get the 230K motor from the SLK along with the stick tranny. if i had about 3 grand, this is prolly what i would do. then go about with pulleys, or turbo, bla bla bla. then u'll have an awesumn machine.


Or you could swap in a C43 engine or a 55 engine but you will also have to change tranny and ECu and problay beef up the suspention.


:eek: :eek: :confused: i cant believe what im reading!!! "YEAH, JUST SLAM IN A 5.5 LITRE V8 INTO WHERE A 4-POT 2.2LITRE USED TO BE, AND THEN GET A TRANNY FROM A FRIGGIN' SLK AND JUST SLAM IT INTO PLACE! THAT SIMPLE, JUST PLUG AND PLAY, it should only cost around 3 grand"

MY TWO BUMPERS, 60k MILE SERVICE AND A DENT COST ME 2000 GRAND ALONE!!!!!

im sorry.. but i think it is just too darn silly to do this kinda thing.. just buy a used C36 or C43.... u'll dish out a lot less in possible repairs that it might need.. believe me...

[htfan1]

It's very clear to me that all the effort and $$ it would take to install a larger engine makes no sense.

[Randy L]

Hello All,
I'm new here and also have a '96 C220, of which I would like to up the power a bit. Doing some research though, and considering that turbo kit for sale on another thread. I see tha tthe turbo kit brings the 2.3 engine to about what the 2.8 engine in the C280 has...around 197 HP.
Now I was looking around for upgrades as well...not a smoke your tires improvement, but like most C220 owners will admit, to get that acceleration improvement to safely merge with traffic.
I'll say that the 10 seconds it takes to get to 60MPH sue isn't something to brag about, my '89 Dodge van conversion with a 318 does better than that!
I will admit though that when the engine speed gets to 3500 PRM, this is where it really wakes up.
Still, with all the costs to get the HP up to near 200, where the C280 lies, why not simply BUY a used C280 and get the power you want and the additional features the car comes with? If I have looked carefully enough, the difference in price will be about the same, or even cheaper than the engine swap and other expensive mods.
This is the route I am leaning towards...simply buying a better model. The C220 has been a dream for me...and I may even keep it since my wife loves it to death.
I have been eyeing this '95 500SL for around $15K.