I just noticed last night that I now have 2,000 miles on the V8, so I thought I would give a quick update. In case any of you didn't know this, the car is my daily driver. The only other car I have access to is my teenage son's car. So far I am very pleased. I have not babied the car at all. The stock transmission has held up fine and shifts just like stock. The added power has made the slow shifts more noticable. I have had no problems what so ever. The car has been to one car show and won the 2000 and up class which included Mustangs, Camaro's, Vette's and Challengers. The Mercedes V8 in a Crossfire really blew some minds that day. I have been challenged only twice. Once by a Hemi Challenger that didn't stand a chance and also by a new Bentley Continental GT. The Bently did much better than the Challenger. It was a tie we were door to door the whole time. I went home a looked up the specs on the Bentley and it said it does 0-60 4.5 seconds so I guess a tie was something to be proud of. The car has a very agressive V8 sound which turns a lot of heads. It is a beautiful sound! My only exhaust mods are an Anza with stock Crossfire tips and secondary cat delete. My inspection stick just expired so I am going to get to see if I can sneak the car through inspection!

Lanata_s-V8-3.jpg

 

Sounds sweet, from what I've seen the Continental GT traps at about 108 mph as well, so if your car is doing that it is faster than a stock SRT6, although the hp seems like it should be a little lower. Perhaps it has a better torque curve.

Do you think if you took a stock Crossfire and played it off as if you installed a Mercedes v6 that they (the car show judges/attendees) would've been just as impressed, lol?

Definitely a nice ride.

 

I do believe I have a better torque curve especially down low iow in the RPM's as well as more overall torque than a SRT. I think the biggest difference and advantage is my gearing. Besides 3.27 instead of 3.07 take a look at the difference in the ratios in the automatic trans. I have a 3.95 first gear compared to a 3.60 first gear in the SRT.

At the car show I had a sign that said it was one of three V8 Crossfires in the world and the only one in North America. I had to explain to many people that it was not a factory prototype and that I had done the swap myself.

 

Congrats.... Its great to see that you are able to reap the rewards of all the hard work you put into it. I may have said it before, but I really like your wheels. It is easy to go with aftermarket bling, but your choice looks like it should have been stock. Subtle elegance.

 

Ever gonna hit the track to get some times?

 

That's great, Lantana! I'm glad to see that all your hard work was well worth it. I hope to see it in person some time. Will you be in St.Louis for Crossfires Across America?

 

Have you raced a Crossfire yet?

 

awesome!!!!

 

Man.. I wonder how your feeling right now, having one of the few crossfire's in the world with a v8.. That's amazing.

Glad that your on the forum Lantana, definitely has been a pleasure, from the questions you have answered to the diaries that you have written!

- Gdrag

 

Thanks guys,

When is St. Loius? Sounds like fun! One thing I forgot to mention is that the first couple of tanks of fuel only netted about 180 miles. I am now getting almost 300 miles on a tank. The first couple of tanks may have been a problem with my right foot but if you are really worried about mileage, a V8 may not be the best choice.

 

DUDE!
Step away from the V8! How did you miss THAT thread!?
St Louis!

 

Absolutely awsome

 

Hey Lantana,

Have you documented the whole process so it can be replicated without having to do all the research and trial and error stuff all over again? I am sure there are others on here who would LOVE to follow in you pioneering foot steps.

Viffer

 

Agreed! I would love to do this in the near future. I have a 57 Chevrolet that I have had four engines in, and a 1981 Jeep CJ-5 with an AMC 360 (with a little work done ) I am itching to play with the Crossfire.

 

how much was the engine

 

Nice job!!!

 

You need to put some wide slicks on the car and get to the track. I would like to see you blow away the SRT's and pretty much everything else with out a huge motor sticking out of the hood.

 

I can feel the love from here Beaner!

 

Congrats on that Lantana. I agree, that this is something that a number of folks will want to do, at least someday, so if you could post a thread with the hows, what you used, and some of the things that you had trouble with but then found a work around or a fix that would be a really cool contribution to the thrill of the the Cross. But in any event, ccongrats on the car. great job!

 

Good to see this thing doing so well Lantana. If i keep my car in the longrun i will do the s/c v8 swap. I too would love to see a "how-to" write up or at least a list of notes of especially odd obstacles you encountered during the swap.

Of course if you dont wish to divulge this i would completely understand, afterall you spent the $ and did the leg work. PROPS!!!!!