How much hassle would it be to swap the engine in a 6-spd manual '04 coupe with the supercharged 3.2L from a salvaged, rear-end wrecked SLK32 AMG? I mean, other than some detuning, what's the difference between the AMG motor and the one in the SRT6?

 

Probably not much, but here's the rub... you will probably need the whole SLK32 AMG to make sure you get all the parts needed... ECU, any additional bits and pieces, mounts, intercooler, radiator (probably different capacity), brakes (might as well, they should fit).

The devil will be in the details about what you WILL need as opposed to what you WANT.

If you have garage/shop space and can do the swap in your 'spare' time, this would make the prospect easier. BUT, for the amount of time and energy you would put into it, you may want to simply trade in or purchase one of the lonely SRT6 Crossfires out there for around $25k.

 

The only advantage to doing this would be to get a manual tranny on a SLK32 engine. Which in that case, it's probably easier and cheaper to buy an SRT-6 then trying to fit on a manual transmission rather than what you speak of now.

 

I believe that we had other threads that stated that the manual tranny cannot handle the power of teh SRT6/AMG. Whatya gonna do about that?

 

Didn't know that, so yeah an engine swap is useless.

 

Well, the reason for swapping engines in the limited coupe was mainly due to personal preference. I will always choose a manual over an automatic, even (sometimes especially) the autostick/manumatic ones. The other reason is my dislike for the SRT6 rear spoiler. I love the profile of the boat tail rear end, in my opinion the spoiler ruins it. Then there's that "pseudo-sleeper" aspect to think about. It would come as a rude shock to the guy in the 350Z that thought he was racing a base coupe.

 

If you have to keep the auto trans for the AMG motor, wouldn't it be easier/cheaper to take a SRT6 Crossfire - get rid of the spoiler - switch the front bumper and wheels, then you would have basically what you are looking for?

 

The rear hatch (at least part of it) would need to be replaced with one from a base Xfire, both to make up for the missing fixed rear spoiler and to get rid of the SRT6 badging, but it's a moot point. If my only option is to go with an AT then I'm not interested.

 

Have you driven an SRT6?
I have always preferred manuals too, but this one isn't bad at all.

 

Oh I don't doubt it, but my left foot wouldn't know what to do with itself.

 

nope, not true. kleemann and renntech have both verified that the manual would handle that much power without a problem. they have confirmed it to at least 20 members here, most of whom don't post anymore, but i am one of them. i would really be interested to know what it would take to turn the srt-6 into a manual.

 

15-25k to renntech should do it.

 

to switch to a manual? i think not, im pretty sure i could hire 3 top mechanics in america to do it for less than that, never mind the fact that i have a friend who is a super mechanic. i more mean what parts it would take. kobe bryant had a custom, one off automatic transmission built for his wife's lamborghini murcielago for less than 25k.

 

I drove the xfire limited convertible back in August, in of all places, Florida!
It was too cool, I loved the car.
I was looking into getting it, but someone already put an offer on it, and that was that.

Anyways, just want to say I loved the Manumatic. I got real good at it in only a few days, and I was able to time the shifts perfectly. I went at it with a few other cars from a dig, and with timing the shifts just right, I blazed down the street. I mean when u time it right, that thing is SO sweeet.

I was looking at an SRT-6 convertible, most likely an '05 due to the lower price. I thought the same thing about the spoiler tho, and so I was lookin into just getting a Limited and slapping a supercharger on that. Most folks seem to agree that just going for the SRT6 might be simpler overall, but in regards to the spoiler, if I do a trunk swap with a limited convertible, could I also get that pop-up spoiler? If so, is there a place to install the button for it on the dash?

Thanks.

 

My guess is that you could do the trunk lid swap OK, but you probably would not the spoiler to automatically deploy. The limited and SRT-6 run different software and the SRT-6 version probably doesn't have the code to cause the spoiler to actuate.

 

Just thinking out loud here...but wasn't the slk at one time offered with a manual tranny. If so then using that trans on the SC mercedes engine should be no problem.

 

I had to chime in on this since I have been working (slowly) on the project with an AMG rebuilt engine in the garage. I still need all the accessory plumbing, IC, SC, etc.

But before I bought the engine, we made a template of the bell housing for the manual transmission, flywheel, etc. and they align with only minor differences. So it looks like the manual trans and clutch assembly will bolt-up to the block. So mechanically, I think the process will work.

But, and this is a BIG BUT... The electronics are different. This is going to be my major hiccup and may force me to swap lots of boards and wiring harness' from an AMG/SRT to the Limited. For my application, it really doesn't matter if I set-off every light on the dash, as long as the engine runs, but for a street car it's a different story.

I surely do not know what problems will be encountered when we get to the electronics. I do know that nearly every system is integrated and just a simple fuse pull to try to disconnect the TC/ESP sends the engine into a TIZZY !

Honestly, I think it would be much easier and cheaper to install a manual trans. and diff. into the SRT6...

 

i'll just chime in before someone gives you a smart *** answer. the slk always came with a manual tranny, matter of fact it still does. but the amg never did.

 

not true, all non amg slk's have had optional tranny, but you are correct about the amg's always having automatic.

here's a slk320 with auto:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Merce...QQcmdZViewItem

here's a slk350 with auto:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Merce...QQcmdZViewItem

 

that's what i said. see the part where i said, "matter of fact they still do".