Originally Posted by Teck-9
What do I do about the ECU though? I'm tempted to just shut off my computer and embark on getting a 500, putting it in and learning the programming and everything myself. A nightmare that will last a year or more and will be worth it. That's what this car is, its an absolute frikkin nightmare. I'm just gonna sell mine and never get another one, srt or otherwise. These car's are just awful. The Daimler mentality: lets make a painfully slow car that's impossible to mod. I hate this. I should just give up and quit plaguing you're forum. If only I had a dollar for every head shaped hole in my wall right now.
Hey calm down. I wouldn't have done my conversion if I didn't think these are great cars. It is just more challenging which is also more rewarding. You just need a clear vison.
Want to know how I got my vision? I don't think I have shared this on here before but have told a few people on here.
I have always loved the solid feel and durability of Mercedes. My best friend bought a brand new Corvette a couple of years ago. I was parked next to him and noticed how much smaller my car was (read lighter) but they both looked like sports cars. He let me drive it. The thing was very fast but felt like it was made out of plastic instead of the carved from granite feel of my car. I thought how nice it would be if I could have a German built Corvette and then all of a sudden a light bulb went off and I started taking measurements and doing lots of research (two years worth). I suspected it could all be done with MB parts but there was no one to tell me which MB parts. I had to figure that all out on my own. Coming up with a theory on the electronics was the toughest. I finally realized I could not prove my theory before ripping into my only daily driver. It was pretty scary pulling the engine and not knowing if I could get the V8 to start! There were plenty of times before it started that I thought I may have ruined my car. I stayed calm, patient and was determined to not be out smarted by Mercedes. Tons more research and going over wiring diagrams was done during the month between the mechanical swap and the engine firing.
I have built and raced many cars in the past but nothing in all my years of messing with cars even came close to the feeling I had the first time my V8 finally started. I also learned more from this project than any other project I have ever done with the possible exception of a GT40 replica. Get good advice and learn all you can. In the end it is always your decision what you do and if you have a clear vision and a plan that you are sure of, just do it regardless of what anyone says. I did my conversion when all ideas were met with "sell your car and buy and SRT" At the time that was considered the best advice. Once I had my vision, I didn't listen to anyone unless they had a positive idea that could help make it happen.