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SLK 320 to SLK 500 Daves Project

168K views 3K replies 52 participants last post by  HambleSLK 
#1 · (Edited)
Hi Guys,

The Background :-

My last project, a low mileage W220 S Class which was wrecked by several local garages blowing up many modules with a power probe in an attempt to fix what turned out to be a faulty TCU :biglaugh:

I bought that Car around 3 years ago in a state of disassembly, just because someone in another local Garage said I'd never get it going 😉

It was running and MOT'd within 3 months despite having been stood in a Barn for 3 years and various bits were stripped out and just chucked in the Boot etc.

I then drove it around for a month or 2 and fell in love with it, so then decided to return it to concourse, I started off by stripping everything underneath and Undersealing (Schutzing) it, Waxoyling the cavities, etc and then time to start on the Bodywork. A little knock / scratch / scab here and there from standing in the Barn :(

I've also incorporated stuff like Android Multimedia, Facelift Lamps, Custom Exhaust and Mild Tune, Head Rest Screens with connection to Android, Full 4G Internet USB Charging Sockets etc etc.

It turned into almost a ground up restoration is now almost complete, should be totally finished after my 3 week Xmas Shutdown. and I'm already looking for the next project 😁

I currently have a V6 SLK in my Workshops, for Auto Box and ESP Problem, and after sorting the Gearbox and taking it for a test drive I thought hell, this is no "Hairdressers Convertible" >:D

Me want one to add to my MB Collection, (I currently own 3 roadworthy MB Cars) 😁

I found and put deposits on 2 Cars this week only to have my deposits returned by unscrupulous sellers because obviously they had had better offers.
These Cars were a fair way away from the remote area i live in, and they had both agreed to hold them for 2 weeks until I could get to see / buy / collect.

I'll have my SLK before long though, trying to do a deal on 1 of 2 possibles atm ;)

So, I got a load of work done today and had some time to play, hence out came the "Old" 2012 SDS and in came the R170 that I'm still waiting on a Yaw Sensor from MB Dealers.

I think it would be fair to say any of us who know Mercedes Cars will agree, by using a V6 Car as a base, dropping in a V8 from a mechanical perspective will be an absolute doddle using standard MB Parts ........................

Problems will arise when it comes to the Electronics !!

As others who have trodden this path have found, specifically with getting all the Electronics to talk to each other over CAN Bus, and also the Car builder needs to understand how the Immobilizer System works, and also the ramifications of the fact that the R170 uses DAS 2 Drive Authorisation (Mechanical Key Blade), and V8's such as W220 use DAS 3 (Infra Red Key / EIS).

I decided to look at compatibility with Electronics, Version Codings etc.

Here is my findings :-

Use the ECU from the V6 Car, now all Immo (DAS) issues are removed from the equation as well as things like the CAN Comms between ME and Instrument Cluster, ESP ABS TCU etc etc, because this V6 ECU is already matched to the Cars other Electronics !!

WHAT !! I hear you cry, but the V8 has 2 extra Injectors and Coils and being a 5.0 liter it will need different fuelling and timing etc that won't work !!

Oh yes it will, MB thoughtfully included other Engine Variants in the ECU's Programming, so all one has to do is use SDS to change the ECU Version Coding to M113 E50 🤓 EDIT :_ It isn't quite that simple see my findings in post #3, but still looking very do able !!

Transmission Control Unit Coding is a little harder, it isn't spelled out in plain English, when replacing these one needs a (not identical) but compatible part number TCU and copy the Coding from old TCU to replacement so yeah, one way or another Trans is no issue :|

I do have a sneaky feeling that by using the TCU that is on the V6 Car, (assuming one is keeping V6 Diff), then it's shift timing will be pretty close if not the same, and then Diff Ratios and Trans Gear Implausible issues will not be a problem.

I'm not certain if V6 and V8 Trannys have the same ratio Gearset, and I haven't checked the Diff Ratios either, will need to compare part numbers on WIS EPC, but none of this is an issue, by using the correct combination of parts and a little playing with Version Codings I am 101% certain that it will work 😁

If it turned into an issue I personally would fit a V6 Tranny Gearset into the V8 Trans, because that maybe has extra Clutches in it's packs to take the extra torque, or if one wishes to use the V8 TCU with V8 Trans and V8 Diff, then that should not create conflict either !!
I think for a Road Car the Diff from the V8 Car would be the one to use, again though there are a load of Codings that can be set in the ME ECU to alter Ratios and Tyre Sizes, and I believe that also applies to the TCU Coding from my experience with the S Class TCU. I expect I could get that info from MB as the TCU is a numerical Coding rather than Verbal on SDS Screen so I'd just need to know what number represents what (decode it) as it were ;)

Auto Transmissions used to be my Trade before I sold up in SE England and semi retired to NW Scotland.

ABS ESP and BAS require no version Coding, so although they Communicate to ME and probably TCU via CAN Bus they can be considered "Stand Alone" and therefore need no messing with.

Below are a load of pics from this afternoons session on SDS ;)

I'll be back soon with some more info when I've Compared the Wiring Plugs between a V8 ME 2.8 and the R170 V6 ME 2.8, my fingers are crossed right now 😁

Cheers Dave

Piccies :-
 

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#3 · (Edited)
Hi,

I'm back, phase 2 of investigative research is now complete ........................

The V6 ECU will plug into the V8 Engine Loom and the V6 Car Loom will also plug into the V8 ECU so that works either way which is a good thing :smile:

Pic 1) The V6 ECU is the top one and the V8 is below it. Sadly there is a but, but it's not an insurmountable but though, "gentlemen we have the technology" ;) Read on :wink:

Pic 2) The ECU's side by side V6 Left, V8 Right, (V8 is from a W220 S Class 5.0 V8) which is good news for us UK guys, because an old knacker but running W220 can be bought for peanuts now :grin:

Pics 3) & 4) show the ECU's part numbers, and tell you which one is 6 "zylinder" and which is 8 !!

Pics 5) and 6) show the Circuit Boards, identical (almost), and that's the BUT !! ....................

Note where my 3 screwdrivers are pointing :wink: ...................

The V8 will likely start on the V6 ECU if Re Coded for V8, but it will only run on 6 Cylinders even if Coded for V8, because there are 2 Coil Drivers and 2 Injector Drivers not fitted to the PCB !!

We can plug the V8 ECU into the Car, that's fine, then we plug the V8 into it's own ECU and behold, we can crank and start it once, it will fire up and 2 - 3 seconds later it will die, Immo has kicked in and it is now locked out :(

If we disconnect the Power and Earths Plug from ECU for 5 mins and plug it back in, again it will crank and fire then die, repeat, repeat, repeat, etc etc ....................

So that's a non starter if you'll pardon the pun :biglaugh:

However, it is fairly easily sorted if you have good eyesight and a soldering Iron .........................

Now see the last 2 pics, 7) & 8) my screwdriver is pointing to the V6 and V8's Immobiliser Chips, which are the little 8 legged variety, and this is the "Theft Relevant" (Immo) Chip needs to match the Cars other Theft Relevant Parts :grin:

If you look closely I have changed the Immo Chip on the V8 ECU before, my soldering isn't as neat as the Bosch factory :laugh: but it worked and then that Car was un Immobilised. Some time later the EIS died and I ended up changing the whole Theft Relevant Set because it was cheaper than getting a new EIS, or Repaired EIS.....................

So I know I have a good V8 ECU there as a spare.

There is 2 choices here, either ..................

Plan A = take the Drivers from the "spare" V8 ECU that I have, and Solder them onto the V6 ECU's PCB, or ........................

Plan B = swap the V6 ECU Immo Chip onto a V8 PCB.

The Chassis (VIN) Numbers in the ECU are not editable with SDS though, so each time the Car goes on a diagnostic machine it will report the wrong VIN !!

That is no real biggie, except to an anal perfectionist like me :grin: ............

So when I get that far along I think I will try plan A first, before moving to plan B

We'll not know if this will work until "the big round chick has sung", so the first thing I'm going to do is try to fire up the V8 once it's installed in the Car on the re coded but untouched V6 ECU just to make sure it is running on 6, and get a Diagnostic Read on it, if all is well apart from it not seeing Injector 7 and 8 and coil 7 and 8 then I'll try the drivers off the spare ECU's PCB first !!

Being as anal as I am, I'd like my SLK 50(0) to report the correct VIN, but if not plan B, change V6 Immo Chip into the actual V8 ECU that came off the V8 Engines Donor Car.

Well dinner is calling, but all in all a productive few hours research and yes it can definitely be done .....................

By now you will have probably guessed how anal I am about my Cars, this project like all others I've done must end up looking and driving like it was a car straight from the factory :)

Cheers for now,

Dave

pix :-

I hope they come out in the right order but i'm sure ya'all will work it out anyways ;)
 

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#4 ·
Hi fellas, (and any fella esses) lol

Quick update, was speaking to an American pal who is an MB indie locksmith, he has had a V8 running on a V6 ECU, and it did as I said, runs fine but only on 6 Cylinders.

He says i am overthinking it and it is easier than I think to get the V8 ECU to synch with the Cars DAS2 Immo .........................

Don't need to Virgin the whole V8 ECU, just the Immo Chip Data, then it is an unlocked ECU, simply fit to the Car, and use SDS to synch it to the other Immo Parts !!

Note that if you do not re synch an unlocked ECU I believe it will start and drive fine for a certain number of Engine Starts, and then it will lock again and not start !!

RESULT !! He says he has done this successfully, albeit on an E Class, but I don't see that would make any difference ;)

BTW, think I might have my own V6 R170 by this time next week ..................... Watch this space !!

It is 400 miles from me, the Guy has had 2 time wasters, but he has promised me faithfully, that I have first refusal provided I do as I have said and turn up next Friday :)

If the Car is half as good as it looks in the pics, and as he describes it, then it's a done deal !!

He seems to be as Anal about his cars as me lol, I'm not sayin' any more but I cant wait to get there, I'd be on the road now, but I have work until Wednesday, then promised I'd take Mel somewhere Thursday, and then it's a lift to Edinburgh at 7am Friday and hop on the rattler :)

Cheers for now Dave
 
#5 ·
Hi Guys,

The deal is all but done, 2002 Model Year, long MOT, History verified by a friend at MB Inverness, 2 keys and all paperwork, Freshly MOT'd November 2018, Passed with 1 tyre advised, seller has done that, and slight play in a Steering Ball Joint (drop link IIRC) which is not done yet.

There are no significant advisories on it's entire MOT Test history, it's only ever had the odd tyre mentioned, light bulb, brake pads etc over the years.

As soon as I get it home it will get 12 NGK Spark Plugs, a flush then MB Oil and Filter, Fuel Filter, Trans Fluid and Filter and Connector Bush, Air, Fuel and Pollen Filters, Coolant Drain and Renew, Brake Fluid and Pwr Steering Fluid Renew, Diff Oil Renew, Drive Belt and Idlers, A/C Check / Service, Full Brakes Check / Adjust Park Shoes, etc etc :wink:

So basically my own "Full B Service" whether it needs it or not !! The whole Car will be fully checked out, absolutely everything will be done using OE / OEM parts, so it is perfect to be driven for the next year and the V8 conversion will be done next winter, once I have all the parts ready and all the info sussed.

The mileage tallies between MOT history from 3 years old and MB History from brand new, so as long as it is as seller says it is, which is "almost concours condition", I'll be driving it home :grin:

I will just do pictorial write ups in this thread as I get the Car home and fettle it, ending up at the V8 install :wink:

If all goes to plan and the purchase goes through, I will spend half hour with SDS, Code read and then clear everything, so by the time I've driven it 400+ miles home, anything that has come back will be a genuine item to address ;)

Of course I may read it and get a full house of "Ticks" but that is a very rare occurrence with any MB I've ever plugged into SDS :laugh:

OK, here it is, the R170 SLK320 that I should have on my Workshop Lift by this time next week :) ............................

Chow for now, Dave
 

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#7 ·
Hi,

I have 2 SDS ..............

Dell D620 with 2ghz, 4GB RAM, Windows XP, and 09/2014 sw, C3 Mux, all leads. My original one.

Dell D830 with 2.4ghz, latest Bios, 8GB RAM, Windows 7 64 bit, 12/2017 sw, C4 Mux, all leads, my new "Internet Friendly" lightning fast one that can do late models / SCN Coding :grin:

More news on my project research lol ...................

The last unknown quantity, regarding 722.6 Transmission will work with several options available ................

I have verified that the V6 R170 and the V8 C215 / W220 TCU's are both EGS52, so they have the same identical Wiring Plugs, so that opens up various Transmission combinations for the project :grin:

I could use a V8 Trans built with a V6 Gearset ratio, (if they are different), and V6 Diff, and stock V6 TCU = humongous acceleration but may be thirsty for fuel at motorway speeds

or

I could use the V8 Trans stock, V8 Diff and stock V8 TCU = probably the best set up, car weighs 1660 KG so significantly quicker than W220 but will have sensible Fuel Consumption

or use a combination of bits, aka "Franken Transmission" and find out how to set what number to what number for the SCN Code :rolleyes: probably too much messin' for me.

I'll drive it on V6 Diff / Trans / TCU and if it is waaaaaay too wild and thirsty I will tame it a bit with a V8 W220 Diff / Trans / TCU combo :wink:

I will check the p/n of Gearsets and number of Clutches in each pack between V6 and V8 Trannys next, as I simply do not know for certain if they are actually any different !!

Cheers for now, Dave
 
#8 ·
LOL, I'm a tart !!

I already bought a private plate on retention for it in the same series as my S class one ...................

S for SLK, 50 for 5.0 litre and Dave !!

:grin: :grin: :grin:
 

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#10 · (Edited)
Hi @Turdo2 ,

Surely stand alone is gonna cost you far more than a used V8 ME2.8 and a used V6 Car Loom ??

It would be really good to see your Car running fine, with no issues at all on a proper V8 ECU without Fault Codes in SDS and Starting off it's own Key after all the rest of your hard work ;)

You can always EBay all the other MS etc stuff and recover the money you have spent ;)

Did Paul not get back to you ?

Give it a day or 2 let me know if not and I'll Email him for you, he da SDS man ;)

I won't be around Fri or Sat though, going to pick up the R170 :grin::grin::grin:

You may have to stick TV on it if yours hasn't already got that loaded :wink:

I have been chatting with the American locksmith guy, he says your ME2.0 matters not !!

What you need is a loom from a scrappy V6 Car, probably just the front half but get the lot from scrappy if you can :wink:

You also need a V8 ME and TCU. Use V8 Engine and V8 Transmission and V8 Diff. V8 ME and V8 TCU plugs in to V6 Loom :grin:
Then virgin just the Immo Data in the V8 ME's "8 legged Immo Chip", then you plug your virginised V8 ME in to it and any old "plain Jane" SDS can synch to the DAS 2 Module on your Car, which is already synched to your Key >:D

I'll find out how far he is from Kansas for you, or you could post him a V8 ECU and he will virgin it, since he has done this a million times ;)

V8 ECU's without the rest of the TRP's are almost worthless, can be had for just a few $$ ;)

I may well post him a spare V8 ECU myself, especially if my UK Virginiser Eepromming guy hums and hars when I ask him about it :wink:

Naffin' "Simples" as the meer kats say :grin:

HTH,

Cheers Dave
 
#11 ·
:biglaugh:

It's only "2 more sleeps" until I go to see the wee beastie in the flesh, and hopefully part up with the cash and drive it home ........................................

Now I'm gonna be a proper "Bear with sore head / raging" if it turns out to be a "Dog" :(

LOL, I love Xmas :grin:

Mel and I always buy ourselves something for Crimble, as well as each other, family & friends etc.
We have done this for many years now, but I think the SLK and all the goodies for it is one of my more ambitious efforts >:D

As I am definitely going to buy an R170, even if this one falls through, I have already bought Depo Projector Headlamps and newer style grille etc for it, to give it a face lift as it were, as well as the number plates etc :smile:

Android H/U Install is also on the Cards >:D

:Beer: Dave
 
#12 ·
Hi Guys,

OK, Good News, the SLK is on my lift right now >:D

I got to drive my neighbours Car the 400 miles, and the weather turned bright all the way there, roads were good and we arrived at 1pm.
The Car was parked outside the Guys house, and as soon as I saw it, I didn't immediately go "Oh FFS Arrrrrrgh" !!

After an hour of looking and test driving it was obvious it wasn't exactly as described, However, are they ever !! :biglaugh:

What the seller "forgot" to tell me was that there was a dry metallic squeak and rattle from Right Rear Suspension, 2 part worn Chinese Tyres on the left, (which made the copious amounts of surface water interesting on the drive home), the Brakes have an awful judder, (Rear Discs I suspect) and also despite how good his pictures were, the freshly "professionally painted" New Front Wings, (Fenders), were probably painted by Stevie Wonder :crying:

They are certainly a shade or 2 off colour matched, but the Car still looks good ;)

There are a few stone chip scabbies, but overall it is a straight Car, and the Vario Roof works faultlessly !!

No signs of water ingress anywhere, apart from the abysmal headlamps, but I could see the left one was moist inside from the pic's above, hence I have already bought DEPO Xenon Projectors which are on their way !!

However, the headlamps pointing at the ground and condensation made the 400 mile journey home a pain in the ass as I was tired, it was p'ing down all the way and pitch black, Wiper Blades were rubbish too, but we (Car and I) got home safely.
Sadly I had forgotten to take a few tools with me, so I couldn't adjust the Headlamps in a layby !!

I noticed the Fuel Gauge said full, and yes, he had filled it up for me :)

His asking price was £2000, he was a nice guy, so on return to his house, the conversation went like this .........................

Me "Well I like it, and I didn't travel 400 miles to view and get a train home, but I absolutely will if I have to !!
Sadly, although it's one of the better ones I've seen, it isn't exactly fault free is it ?? ....................
Rear Suspension Bushes, Rear Discs, Paint Mismatch, none of which was mentioned on your advert !!"

(He now looks dismayed) ...................

Me again "Bottom line is I will give you £1500 for it"

Him "But I filled it with Petrol"

Me "Yes, and I'm going to spend £500 in parts tomorrow morning" as I pulled out a huge roll of notes from my coat pocket so he could see them ...........................

Him, 5 second silence then "OK then !!"

Result !! I would actually have given him the 2k, but as he didn't disclose those faults I was going to play Hard Ball :wink

Anyways, now she's on the lift there is nothing untoward has surfaced, I had a bit of a hoon in it this morning, the Car came with 8 Litres of MB Oil and an MB Filter, the Oil looked OK, but I'm changing it now, and going to get a list together of the parts left to order, get my number plates on it, dry out and align Headlamps for now, etc etc, then take it out for a run tonight to get take away dinner !!

Parts List:-

All the rear suspension arms, it's only one that is FUBAR, but the rest all look the same age, so off to find a Febi Bilstein or Lemfoerder Kit ;)
2 new tyres for the left to match the 2 new decent brand ones on the right
All new rear brakes, Discs, Pads & Park Brakes
All New front brakes, Discs & Pads
Air and Fuel Filters
A brush touch up pencil to prevent the few little stone chips getting worse until I have time to do them properly.

The Car is very good underneath, copious waxoyl by the PO has saved it well :)

That'll do for now, then I'll fit the already ordered Android Erisin Head Unit, TPMS Kit and Reverse Camera, Stainless Number Plate Surrounds and re badge it to match the PP Number Plate (50) ready for the inevitable V8 transplant next winter.

I'll probably also order some Base Coat and re do those Wings and a couple of other bits when I have the time :)

SLK Resurrection is underway :)

I will put some piccies up later ;)

Cheers Dave
 
#13 ·
Hi, I'm back again :wink:

OK, I have been right over it now and got all intimate with it's innards :grin:

I am pleased to report that I haven't found anything else, the only thing I noticed going through all the paperwork was what an absolutely dodgy Garage that guy has used......................

They failed it on it's MOT for Centre Exhaust Hanger, and the Left Headlamp beam pattern, charged the guy to fix those and then passed the MOT the same Day ....................

The Exhaust hanger had not been done, and nor had the headlamp !! :frown:

Both are now done, it was one of those rod type hangers that had come un welded from the pipe, so I cleaned up the pipe, and made a new hanger rod to fit and welded it on.
Dried out the Headlamp Moisture and then re aligned them both, that'll do until the Depo's get here next week

I was spot on hammering the guy for £500 ..................

Here's what I bought today ...............

Front and Rear Brakes, discs pads and handbrake shoes plus fitting kits.

Air and Fuel Filters, Febi Bilstein Rear Suspension Arm Kit, and 3 Avon ZV7 tyres, so now it will have 4 new Avon ZV7 Tyres all round when they arrive next week !!

Total was around £530 ;)

Tyres are staggered on this Car 225/50 x 16 Rear and 205/55 x 16 Fronts.

It will probably end up with 18's on it in the future anyways lol :grin:

Here's the pics, I'm going for a thrash down to the Indian Restaurant in a while >:D

Cheers Dave
 

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#14 ·
Now that you’ve got the SLK320 and it’s sounding like a good one, have you considered adding a supercharger as a first stage of your project?

Although the SLK32 had a lot of improvements to its engine internals to support its Kompressor, if you were going to bin the V6, what have you got to loose? I think I saw a ‘32 supercharger for sale recently too. Maybe this is not enough of a challenge, but the power to wieght ratio when finished will not be far different from the V8 presumably.

Also, for the UK, how does one get MOT on modified vehicles? Do you have to get an Engineering Certificate for the mods? In most states in Australia anything that significantly changes the vehicle power requires finding an Engineer willing to sign it off as safe, but at least if it is an older car, emissions requirements are not impossible.
 
#15 ·
Hi,

I did think of doing that, but I like unique Cars that look and drive as if the factory had built them.

Yes the V8 will be very similar power to the V6 Kompressor, but I already have a Kompressor V8 Car, lovely to drive, but the V Kompressor Engines do seem to constantly require fiddling and fettling unlike the n/a M113 ;)

It will be getting the AMG Body Panels, (Bumpers and Side Skirts), but I'm def going V8 as I have 2 good ones, the one I will use is still in an old but driveable CL 500 so is the sensible one to go with as donor for all parts ;)

UK MOT Test is no problem, sometimes on Engine Changes getting the V5 Logbook changed to correct Engine size / number our DVLA require a letter from a bona fide Garage, which is hardly a problem for me as an MB Indie :grin:

Insurance wise I have full comp motor trade, and have had various modified vehicles on my policy with all mods declared ;)

Cheers Dave
 
#17 ·
Hi,

Although I cannot find any weight figures for the 2 Engines I'm going to go out on a limb here and say I reckon the M113 5.0 litre engine is lighter than the M112K 3.2 litre Kompressor engine !!

The reason I say that is although the V8 is physically bigger the V8 does not have a great big Cast Iron Balancer shaft, nor does it have all the Supercharger and Intercoolers, Pipework, Pulleys etc etc.

I also reckon that a properly running V8 Car will be faster both acceleration and outright top end V max >:D ....................

I base that statement on the figures below, a V6 Kompressor is developing it's (bit more) power higher up the rev range and slightly less torque over a very similar but higher up powerband :wink:

In the real world a good spread of low end grunt is better, and as we all know, it is Torque that wins races :grin:

V8 M113 N/A

302 Hp @ 5600 rpm and 460 Nm between 2700 to 4250 rpm

V6 M112 Kompressor

354 Hp @ 6100 rpm and 450 Nm between 3000 - 4600 rpm

Time will tell, when my Car is finished it will just have to be run down a 1/4 mile and an Airstrip :grin:

Cheers Dave
 
#19 ·
#20 ·
Hi,

Thank you for that link :grin:

It lists the 3.2 N/A V6 as 330 lbs, = ~ 150Kg

Sadly doesn't have a 5.0 N/A but ................

5.5 Kompressor is listed as 367 lbs = ~ 167Kg

Therefore, how much does a Supercharger, Pulleys, Intercoolers and all the Plumbing and extra Coolant weigh ?????????????

17 Kg to add on the V6 and 17 kg to subtract on the V8 then ?????????????? :dunno:

Based on I could lift 34kg with one hand, how much would a big canvas bag with all them bits in weigh ??????????????? .....................

My guess is probably more ;)

This also means that I won't need to uprate the front springs either, maybe I'll just check the part numbers from SLK 320K to SLK 320 and if different I'll use the parts from the 3.2 K :wink:

It's gonna be a close call, but I reckon the V8 will be quicker / lighter.

I have roughly (by line of sight and tape measure), measured the 2 Engines for length etc ..................................

The V8 is around 70mm longer, so as it's identical at the back forward, I will be nudging it all backwards 25mm with a custom Trans Mount Saddle, as for the Prop, will suck that and see when it's all together, but if needs be a Chrysler Crossfire one is 25mm shorter :grin:

Headers will be custom items Fabricated from the rear 2 Cylinders "half" of the V6 and the front 2 Cylinders half of the V8 :wink:

A visual on the 2 Engines looks like the 2 "Upper & Lower" Sump halves are identical, it looks to me like the V6's Crank Pulley / Water Pump etc sits back from the front edge of the sump, where the V8 Crank Pulley / Water Pump sits forward / flush with it's sump's front edge......................... Certainly they both hold the same amount of Oil !!

What I am getting at re Sump Length is that there should not be any problems with it fouling the front Antirollbar ;)

Next time my S Class is on the lift I will look see with tape measure ;)

From my "Mercedes Benz Specialist" lol eye, it looks to me like these Cars were built with a view to having a V8 in them, and then for whatever political reasons, (insurance issues, folks killing themselves on the roads etc etc) MB declined to market a V8 Model !!

I have a mate in the AMG factory (who I met at the Nurburgring 2 years ago), he is away on a holiday right now, but I've dropped him an EMail to see if there were ever any development Cars built, reasons for non production, results etc etc >:D

Cheers for now,

Dave
 
#23 ·
I have a mate in the AMG factory (who I met at the Nurburgring 2 years ago), he is away on a holiday right now, but I've dropped him an EMail to see if there were ever any development Cars built, reasons for non production, results etc etc >:D

There is the holy grail that is The R170 Brabus 6.5 V8, rarer than rocking horse droppings and £120k when it was new 20yrs ago :surprise:
 
#21 ·
Well, we all know that they sold every car they could build for the first four years and there was no need to go beyond the SLK230K, but as the queues grow shorter, add the V6, add the manual V6, add the woodgrain dash, add electric seats, add a few more options.

But when it comes to the top end AMG maybe the list of parts needing to be changed was less for a V6 Kompressor R170 than a V8 R170.

Crash testing and most other certification could be shared by both V6s by ballasting to the higher ( worst case) mass, whereas a V8 would need it’s own crash test program at least, plus unique airbag crash sensor calibration program, which is a lot of crash tests, so maybe the projected sales of just 1000 units per year did not have a business case for a V8 , but was ok for the V6 supercharger.

There was also the idea of no letting the earlier SLK take too much prestige away from the SL by outperforming it, but by the time the R171 was due there was a SLR supercar and the new SLK with a V8 could not dint the SLRs prestige, it’s styling related to it, and the SLK55 was going to have 8 years to cover development costs.

To me it is a logical evolution.

The SLK32 had about 4000 units out of a bit less than 150,000 facelift SLKs, so about 2.5%. From memory, the SLK55, was maybe 3-4% of sales but not 5%, so in many ways it was remarkable that they bother with such limited volumes at the same time there was CLK55 coupes and convertibles and C55 sedans plus all the big engined SL’s Es & S’s’. Was the V8 SLK going to add much visible profit to the bottom line at the end of the year, heck do it anyway...
 
#22 ·
Hi,

Quote:- There was also the idea of not letting the earlier SLK take too much prestige away from the SL by outperforming it,

I hadn't thought of that, but yeah, makes perfect sense now !!

Back to my R170 :grin:

Like I said in the beginning, I'm not doing the V8 Install until my next Xmas shut down - 2019, as I've got too much to do for the 3 week period this year, but what I am doing right now is getting the rest of the Car up to scratch, adding a couple of options it didn't have from the Factory ................ Leather Heated Seats, and Headlamp Washers, plus giving it a facelift. My Car has full electric adjustable but not heated Cloth Seats and the Bolster on drivers one is a little bit worn.

I have so far purchased 2 Anthracite VVGC Leather Seats with full electric adjustment and heating.

Also managed to bag a pair of AMG Side Skirts and Rear Bumper, won't be Painting and fitting them for a while yet, but they are purchased and can wait until I get to doing all the Paintwork little bitties.

A later style front Grille, and 2 Depo Projector Headlamps, plus a "Factory Fit look" Android Head Unit, Navi etc and "add on" TPMS with proper internal sensors, and a Reversing Camera, bit's are arriving on a daily basis now, it's like Santa came early each day the postie arrives lol.

I am going to look at fitting 2 more speakers behind the seats, maybe even a sensible size bridged amp and an 8 to 10 inch Woofer in rear panel between seats, but I will hang fire on purchasing those until I get a look see behind the panel as to what may or may not fit !!

I also bagged a "full set" of switches for the Heated Seats and Headlamp Washers, now hoping on getting the bits to install Headlamp Washers, and a few other goodies.

My car has got the phone system pre install option which includes the left rear quarter panel antenna, and factory mic up by rear view mirror, so I should get that sorted out to work with the android H/U and connect the antenna to an antenna repeater installed under Centre Console, plus charging point for my phone ;)

I'm right busy in the workshop atm, (pesky customers), but as the bits arrive and get fitted I'll post up piccies here :grin:

Cheers for now, Dave
 
#24 ·
I have a line on a C63 M159 motor.

Seeing this I am sorely tempted to have a go at dropping one in to an old R170.

Tart up the body, put the R172 seats I have in to to it ........

583 hp

Anyone think it'll fit?
 
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#25 ·
There is also allegedly at least one in USA that has a V12 in it ????????????????
 
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#26 ·
Hi @nimbusgb ,

I seriously doubt you'd get the M159 Quad Cammer under the bonnet and between the inner wings.

It is absolutely huge compared to the M113 ;)

Also the Management system is totally different to the M112 / M113 family, so you'd have a ton of wiring, communication and immobiliser issues.

HTH,

Cheers Dave
 
#28 ·
You can use a 230 auto trans mount and 230 driveshafts if you want to move the engine back about 1.5". you will need custom motor mounts, though.

My first version was this way (430) - and It was the WRONG way. You wont have any room behind the intake for your intake tube and no clearance around the steering box. plus your oil pan will contact the cross-member but that may depend on your oil pan. I did a whole bunch of cutting for no reason, then I realized that the facelift versions (crossfire/320) had different driveshafts and everything sat much nicer in the engine bay.

Also, why not use CLK exhaust manifolds?

Search the Crossfire forums for Lantana. He also commented on my build a long time ago. He was the first to put a V8 in a "R170" platform.
 
#29 ·
Hi,

I just posted this here to reserve a space thus keep the thread in chronological order, as I want to reply to Turdo2's post above and discuss with him in detail his very valid points above, but it will be a few Days before I get both the SLK and my S Class (which is almost identical platform to the CL 500 Donor Car I will be using), on the Lift to take some measurements and get some pix

Cheers Dave
 
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