Boredom + lunch = trouble...

I was poking around on MB-World and saw a thread on a C43, which got the gears to turning... The C43 (and the 430 motor, for that matter) were widely available in the early 2000's and were used in a chassis similar to ours.

While it's not the monster that Beaner, Jim, or Paul has, it's certainly "peppy" with the C43 V-8's being factory rated at 302HP, 302TQ... numbers that my N/A M-112 motor will struggle to see.

I ran a quick search on car-part.com and immediately came up with a dozen or so C43 longblocks, a few below $2,000...

So here's the main question: is it worth the wear and tear on the hen's @ss, so to speak? I know the aftermarket was soft on the 430 motors, but basics such as a Eurocharged tune, mild exhaust work, etc should be able to squeeze a few more ponies out of it. I'm thinking with some persuasion, we might be able to retrofit a NW intake. But that's down the road.

Plus, it would be an inexpensive start (yes, I know the motor is always the cheapest part) to hearing a V-8 rumble in the Crossfire.

The 55 motor is a behemoth and, I know I'm a sick puppy, but I want to retain my 6-speed. Hence the reason I'm even considering the smaller 430/43 motor over the 55/55Kompressor motors. I know the 6-speed has torque limitations that come into play.

The regular 430 motor has ~275hp, and the 43 motor has +28 hp. Still well below SRT numbers but it will be a sweet-sounding mamma jamma.

Thoughts? I am, after all, just thinking out-loud myself.

 

Get back to work!


Well, I can see your point about wanting to have a meaner sounding car, but unless you are going to defend the challenges you get, what is the purpose to go that route. Now I like your idea about going with a lessor V8, but why not just look to getting an SRT and have the mods done to it get the performance out of it you would like.

 

Ummmmm...... Can't get a 6 speed in an SRT, and that was his reasoning with going with the C43.

 

Thanks Eric for posting the single answer I was hoping NOT to see... LOL.

• SRT's aren't white.
• SRT's are auto only.
• SRT's don't have the cedar interior.

So, that brings me back to my car.

BTW, I'm not a drag-racer. I like the bends.

 

I'm glad someone saw it Bob

 

I think members should be banned for answering like this from now on.

Seriously...

 

If it were my car I don't know if I could justify having that motor just for the sake of having a V8. My suggestion would be to drive a CLK430 or something with that motor to see how it behaves. It could be a lazy V8 with a poor rev band and you could inadvertently make your Crossfire into a GT car. Not to mention the weight you'd be adding to the front end for a modest bump in horsepower. While more expensive I'd try to get my hands on the new Pentastar V6, light and powerful, 292 HP.

 

Good points caddy.

I think the lil 320 V-6 has the *potential* to hit the same numbers as the factory C43... just at what cost?

In fact, Steve and I were discussing P&P jobs on the cylinder heads, and even decking the heads for additional power... perhaps as much as 20-30. Problem is, this is no chevy motor. That job is liable to run you $1,500 from a competent Mercedes specialist, and, from what I can tell, no one has ever done this on our platform so the HP is "guesstimated" at best. I'd rather not spend $1,500 to end up with an 8-HP increase.

There are things like headers, that *might* help but we can't do long-tubes due to the steering setup, and the shorties haven't yielded much HP historically. Cat deletes are good for ~5hp... cat-backs, negligible.

I just don't want to end up throwing a collective $5,000 at the 320 motor and end up with numbers shy of 300 crank HP...

To date, I've yet to see a turbo on our motors doing anything other than sputtering and giving fuel trim headaches. So I'm not even considering that route.

I almost didn't even start this thread, but I know there's a wealth of info on this forum. And it never hurts to chew the fat.

Realistically, I'll probably deal with my mid 200's horsepower for the remainder of my ownership, and gripe about being slower than everyone.

 

You do realize that there is a new twin charged system that is a direct bolt on to your motor right?

ELECTRIC TURBO POWER AIR INTAKE SUPERCHARGER KIT NEW!!! | eBay

I hear that it may give Eric a run for his money.

 

My SRT6 is white ;D

 

In regards to Caddy's earlier comment about the 430 potentially being sluggish, I think I recall the regular 430 being a bit more "relaxed" in tune compared to the C43 motor. Which is interesting, because the 430 engine is DOUBLE the cost... most are averaging $3,500 a piece.

I think the cam profiles are a bit different in the 43 motor as well. The W-202 owners on MB-World seem to be stoked with the zip of the motor compared to the 430.

I like the eBay chargers Bob... but I think I'll pass. NOS is the quickest remedy. But, short-lived.

 

You cheated

 

My daughter's SRT has cedar interior. I kept the SRT seats and the black steering wheel and just changed the facia and center console and the glove box.

 

Hey man..... Just trying to help a friend out.

 

71 SOLD???!!!!?!!!?!!

 

Come on now, you know you'll never be slower than Steve in the twisties

 

LOL.... Many fools and their money have been parted.

 

Created my dreamcar
Btw, keep the n/a as it is and buy an additional srt. Then you have both the manual but also the speed. Let them foliate it White.

 

noted...seriously

 

And HDDP put an SRT motor in his 6-speed 2004.So now we have three different SRT-powered cars, with items off my checklist.

But, I'm not driving them.

FUBU -- I'll be in my condo for another three years, till Kim finishes med-school. So, until then, the association only allows one vehicle per occupant in the house. And we don't have a 16-year old...

Therefore, the idea of "get another car" is smashed yet again.

Gosh, it's almost as if I considered all of those things before I started this thread. Just maybe.

No, I don't want an SRT-6. No, I don't want a second Crossfire.

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