Hi, I don't usually post much on this site but I see there are a lot of fellow-minded people who like to "have a go" at making their Mercedes a bit different from the rest. I thought I would document as much as possible the process of transplanting an AMG 55 engine into my 2000 R129 SL280 V6.
Believe me, I've done the leg work on this before I've lifted any tool in anger! tens of hours in front of the Mercedes part catalogues cross-referencing parts with other models and hours in front of wiring diagrams.
The way that I will attack this is based around the obvious fact that the R129 was fitted with the M113 5 litre engine which externally is identical more or less to the AMG naturally aspirated M113 V8 engine. I know that this AMG engine was fitted to the R129 "SL55" between 1998 and 2000. In theory everything should just bolt-in.
The parts obtained so far are:
1. CLK55 engine and transmission (yr 2000) including wire loom and ancillaries.
2. SL500 ME2.0 engine ECU. (yr 2000)
3. SL500 transmission ECU. (yr 2000)
4. SL500 fan shroud.
5. Rear differential parts.
The parts that cause the biggest headache are the drivetrain i.e. propellor shaft, driveshafts and the rear differential. My SL280 differential cannot be used with the AMG transmission as the final drive ratio is no match and needs to be 1:2.82. The 1:2.82 differentials are found on other AMG models of the period and also on the CL500. The SL500 uses a 1:2.65 ratio found on most "500" and "320cdi" models, it also uses the larger W220 case to house the larger drive gears. Currently my SL280 in line with most V6 models uses the W210 casing. To create a special "SL55" differential I have a CL500 differential with a 1:2.82 final drive ratio that uses E320CDi driveshaft flanges (same as those used on the E55 and CLK55) and a SL500 mounting plate. The mounting plate I could not obtain used in the UK or Europe for that matter and it's about £400+ from the dealer new but I have managed to persuade a breaker in the U.S. to send me a plate from a late 2002 SL500 to complete the assembly.
My driveshaft assemblies are the same as those used in the W210 E55 so can stay. The Propellor shaft might need to change as the flanges are larger for the V8 drivetrains, 110mm PCD as opposed to 100mm PCD for 6 cylinder drivetrains. The early 500s and AMG models used a 4 finger flange on the transmission whereas all others use a 3 finger flange.
Progress so far has involved working at the rear of the car, removing the rear exhaust section, removing the original differential and removing any signs of rust and adding rust protection. The project has kicked-off a month early due to one of the rear brake lines failing due to corrosion so while the diff was out new copper brake lines were fitted and while there, any corroded petrol lines were replaced.
While I wait for the diff rear plate to arrive my focus has shifted towards the front of the car and the engine. I know from the engine schematics that the CLK55 uses the ME2.8 injection system and uses a different throttle control actuator to those used in ME2.0 systems. Comparing part numbers and the physical parts, it looks as though the throttle assembly can be used from my ME2.0 V6, it is only the MAF that is physically different in diameter.
I will be using a SL500 ME2.0 ECU to get the engine running. My thinking is, if the C43 ECU can be used to run a 55 engine with a 1200cc difference then surely a 500 ECU can run an engine with 500cc difference? I will need to get the unit "virginised", this can be done for around £70, which should give me an ECU that will mate to the DAS2b immobiliser system.
I will be using a SL500 transmission EGS to run the AMG 722.636 trans, this should be fully compatible with the other systems such as the ABS/ESP/BAS.
Pics and links to follow.
Believe me, I've done the leg work on this before I've lifted any tool in anger! tens of hours in front of the Mercedes part catalogues cross-referencing parts with other models and hours in front of wiring diagrams.
The way that I will attack this is based around the obvious fact that the R129 was fitted with the M113 5 litre engine which externally is identical more or less to the AMG naturally aspirated M113 V8 engine. I know that this AMG engine was fitted to the R129 "SL55" between 1998 and 2000. In theory everything should just bolt-in.
The parts obtained so far are:
1. CLK55 engine and transmission (yr 2000) including wire loom and ancillaries.
2. SL500 ME2.0 engine ECU. (yr 2000)
3. SL500 transmission ECU. (yr 2000)
4. SL500 fan shroud.
5. Rear differential parts.
The parts that cause the biggest headache are the drivetrain i.e. propellor shaft, driveshafts and the rear differential. My SL280 differential cannot be used with the AMG transmission as the final drive ratio is no match and needs to be 1:2.82. The 1:2.82 differentials are found on other AMG models of the period and also on the CL500. The SL500 uses a 1:2.65 ratio found on most "500" and "320cdi" models, it also uses the larger W220 case to house the larger drive gears. Currently my SL280 in line with most V6 models uses the W210 casing. To create a special "SL55" differential I have a CL500 differential with a 1:2.82 final drive ratio that uses E320CDi driveshaft flanges (same as those used on the E55 and CLK55) and a SL500 mounting plate. The mounting plate I could not obtain used in the UK or Europe for that matter and it's about £400+ from the dealer new but I have managed to persuade a breaker in the U.S. to send me a plate from a late 2002 SL500 to complete the assembly.
My driveshaft assemblies are the same as those used in the W210 E55 so can stay. The Propellor shaft might need to change as the flanges are larger for the V8 drivetrains, 110mm PCD as opposed to 100mm PCD for 6 cylinder drivetrains. The early 500s and AMG models used a 4 finger flange on the transmission whereas all others use a 3 finger flange.
Progress so far has involved working at the rear of the car, removing the rear exhaust section, removing the original differential and removing any signs of rust and adding rust protection. The project has kicked-off a month early due to one of the rear brake lines failing due to corrosion so while the diff was out new copper brake lines were fitted and while there, any corroded petrol lines were replaced.
While I wait for the diff rear plate to arrive my focus has shifted towards the front of the car and the engine. I know from the engine schematics that the CLK55 uses the ME2.8 injection system and uses a different throttle control actuator to those used in ME2.0 systems. Comparing part numbers and the physical parts, it looks as though the throttle assembly can be used from my ME2.0 V6, it is only the MAF that is physically different in diameter.
I will be using a SL500 ME2.0 ECU to get the engine running. My thinking is, if the C43 ECU can be used to run a 55 engine with a 1200cc difference then surely a 500 ECU can run an engine with 500cc difference? I will need to get the unit "virginised", this can be done for around £70, which should give me an ECU that will mate to the DAS2b immobiliser system.
I will be using a SL500 transmission EGS to run the AMG 722.636 trans, this should be fully compatible with the other systems such as the ABS/ESP/BAS.
Pics and links to follow.
![a>](http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/<a href="<a href=http://s118.photobucket.com/user/siv6qcoupe/media/Mercedes%20Pictures/Mercedes%20SL%20R129/WP_000133_zpsb9e1e59b.jpg.html" target=_blank>http://s118.photobucket.com/user/siv6qcoupe/media/Mercedes%20Pictures/Mercedes%20SL%20R129/WP_000133_zpsb9e1e59b.jpg.html"</a> target="_blank"><img src="<a href=http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o95/siv6qcoupe/Mercedes%20Pictures/Mercedes%20SL%20R129/WP_000133_zpsb9e1e59b.jpg" target=_blank>http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o95/siv6qcoupe/Mercedes%20Pictures/Mercedes%20SL%20R129/WP_000133_zpsb9e1e59b.jpg"</a> border="0" alt=" photo WP_000133_zpsb9e1e59b.jpg"/></a>)
