Hi Crossfire'ers.... Just joined been reading with interest your v8 Xfire projects, back in the UK very little info on the Mercedes web forums hoping you guy's can give me a shopping list & some good advice
Car is an SLK320 Auto, will be looking to purchase a complete SL55/E55 salvage/damaged car. as always ECU will be the hard part so guidance please!!! need info on sump/manifolds (headers)/cooling fan/motor mounts etc will start collecting the parts then pull the car off the road to do the conversion....Thanks in advance Guru's I know your time is precious . Simon

 

Well welcome, and good luck with your project. I suggest you Read, Read, read on the subject here.

 

There isn't really any documentation for the 55K swap online anywhere.

For the ECU you have 3 options. Myself, Rudy, or you would have to get ahold of pheonix phil on the German Crossfire forum. Last I checked Phil's contacts charged 10,500 euro's for the NA ECU, no clue how much for a 55K, if they could even do it. I'm not sure what Rudy charges, but I charge $1500. As it stands I'm still working on getting cruise control to work, neither Rudy or I have figured that one out yet. We both have idea's and they look promising, just haven't had the time. Once done, that will be a more expensive option since it will be extreme hours into building the ECU.

The SL55 engine's have the wrong oil pan's, and the wrong oil pump. You can use the 320's lower oil pan, and oil pump. Since you have a 320, from the donor you will need the trans, TCU, H/E and plumbing, Coolant reservoir unless you run a custom seperation mod (highly recommended), a slim electric fan 14" or dual 10", you'll need to move the radiator back, you'll need an electric pusher fan, you'll either need custom exhaust manifolds or to make your own. AC compressor requires a weird angled mount. I'm sure I'm forgetting things.

Save yourself some grief and tie the motor mounts down.

Then the fun part... The wiring. No easy way around it, I don't have any tips either other than to get good schematics and take your time.

All in all, it's just going to be wrench time and problem solving. It'll be nice with a donor too since you'll have access to parts you might end up needing.

 

Thanks for the reply Josh glad you found time...I read your thread and top marks for your patience and knowledge with the ECU programming.... I've had a UK company tell me they can remove the immobiliser from the ECU and send it back as a virgin unit for coding to the car but this is where my knowledge lets me down!! there is so little info over here as no one appears to have done the conversion even some hardcore Merc Tech's I know say its not worth the hassle go buy an SL55 ! they just don't get it.... I love the R170 and have owned several over the years they are getting a classic following now, no one has a 55k so I think its time to build one.... I take it airmailing the ECU to you would not be a problem ? does the cruise programming issue affect the Auto's as well I know yours was a manual gearbox ? Thanks Simon

 

Thanks Simon!

A virginized ECU could be coded properly via DAS in a compatible Mercedes model. So say you have an R230 SL500 and you put in the 55K motor, a virgin 55K ECU could be coded for it. It doesn't work for the R170 which never even came with a benz V8 let alone an AMG V8, there's a ton more to it since it's missing a ton of modules throughout for various communication. I literally have to add hardware to a 55K ECU, and change the hexidecimal software in multiple IC's. Now when I say compatible chassis for motor that the coding is possible, you still have to know how to do the coding in DAS. It's a pain, if I didn't talk to guys that knew how to do it I probably never would have figured it out. It took the first guy a looooooooong time and a ton of brain picking to learn how to use DAS Dev mode properly.

Manual trans and 55K engine swap in an R170 isn't possible to date. My idea to get the cruise control to work for auto's is the same idea for getting it all to work with a manual trans. Just a couple more tweaks.

Airmailing works, and downtime is brief. The 55K ECU can be made at any time as well. If you sent it now, I could have it done before my swap customer's car comes in and it would be ready to code for start whenever, even with the 32 motor still in.

You will need DAS. Teamviewer capable preferred so that I can remotely take over and code myself. Otherwise we'll be on the phone for hours clicking unnecessary menu's, pulling out our hair, and have a run around every menu lol.

 

[QUOTE=sk8erjosh09;802003]Thanks Simon!

A virginized ECU could be coded properly via DAS in a compatible Mercedes model. So say you have an R230 SL500 and you put in the 55K motor, a virgin 55K ECU could be coded for it. It doesn't work for the R170 which never even came with a benz V8 let alone an AMG V8,


Thanks Josh just goes to prove how little the mainstream ECU guy's know over here.... I explained it would be out of an R230 & coded to an R170!!!

RE-Manifolds (Headers) I can cut/shut no problem what model were the manifolds off you purchased that never turned up?

I've also been told the 320 box will handle the v8 would appreciate your thoughts as I don't redline everywhere!!

DAS not a problem....never had any dealings with "Team Viewer " will look into it

Cheers Simon

 

[QUOTE=vauxhallmaniac;802015]
Don't worry, it's not just the ECU guys over there, it's the ECU guys everywhere! lol The one here to avoid is Beckmann. They make crazy claims that never go through lol.

'98-2000 CLK430 exhaust manifolds mate up and get close on the downpipe. The problem is that you have to drill and weld bungs for the primary O2's, and drop the exhaust, cut, and flair because the downpipe sit's lower. PITA. If you know a good fabricator/welder, the cut port weld port works great and it's cheap with less work.

The first time you get on it with the 55K engine at idle you will destroy the 320 trans lol. Don't even bother with the headache and chance of getting stranded, swap to the 722.643 trans and TCU.

Teamviewer is just a program that allows somebody to remotely control your computer. You would give me an ID and Password and I would just do what I need to do instead of trying to guide you over the phone. Every DAS system I've seen comes with it, but some don't have the ability to run over the internet. Just do your homework when you buy a system and make sure it has the Developer Keygen.

 

Thanks Josh are there any coding issues with the SL tranny ECU ?

 

Nope, plug and play. Get the torque converter too obviously, but all it is a matter of is bolting it all up and plugging in the TCU.

 

After the transmission advice i'll swap eng/tranny complete.... I will pay good money for a salvage 55 so the hunt is on been checking Copart UK daily for one trouble is they don't come up that often!! ...... Thanks for taking the time to explain a few " very grey area's " its nice to get advice from someone who has been there and done it...........no doubt there will be more questions......the ECU will be your job and if you've got the cruise sorted by then even better..... Cheers Simon

 

Yeah, finding a good salvaged 55 amg is difficult. You don't need an SL though. Any 55 Kompressor donor would be the same.

I haven't actually done the 55K swap yet, but no prob. Just research and talked to people who have.

And I'll be ready to do the ECU whenever you are, just let me know when you're ready. Hopefully the cruise is sorted soon, I've just had a lot on my plate to find time to try my ECU build.

 

Thanks Josh be in touch..............Simon

 

I was just informed that the SL55 pans and pump are correct. Which is weird because the SL500 pans and pump are the opposite lol.

 

Thanks Josh that's ones job off the list !!!!!!!!!!