[anderzen]

Hello All,

Don't post regularly on BenzWorld but am a frequent user. Wanted to put it out there for anyone interested that I have started a build series dedicated to the manual swap of my 05' C55 on my YouTube channel. Some of you I have connected with already, either here, MBWorld or YouTube but figured there are probably other's out there who may be interested or have experience to offer.

The whole point of me doing this is to make the car even more of a joy to drive and to show people that these platforms have a lot more potential then sometimes given credit for. If these cars came with factory standard gearboxes, I think they would get a lot more love from the enthusiast and tuner market, at the same time I am glad they were made the way they came. The speedshift 722.6 is a great auto, just miss driving manual too much but don't want any other car. So, with some inspiration and help from a few others who have already accomplished said task, I quickly decided to go for it and here we are.

When all is complete, I will return with a complete parts list and rundown of the project. Until then, I am an open book for discussion and hope anyone else with knowledge, curiosity or experience will chime in also

Thank you to all who make these forums such a great open source of knowledge, I am trying to do my part towards the same, because frankly I just love these cars!

Below is my Channel:

ANDERZÉN

SHARE GOOD ENERGY

www.youtube.com

Thx,
ANDERZÉN

 

[Deplore]

E55 manual wagon swap project...

Well, it's finally time to start the process of the E55 wagon swap. Plus I was tired of the E55 sitting in the corner for couple months. Time to put the car inside the shop.... Ugly as balls, been crashed a few times by the PO, and one of the monoblock rims were missing. So I plopped on my...

www.benzworld.org

Already done, try to catch up.

You need to code the ECU to remove ESM and TCM from the list so the event memory/code for the no comm to ECU goes away.

Trans from a C320 manual is direct bolt on, along with everything else....including driveshaft. You may be able to get away with using parts from SLK320 as well.

I was not that lucky, had to modify whole bunch of stuff to make it fit.

Also will need ESP module out of manual car.

 

[anderzen]

E55 manual wagon swap project...

Well, it's finally time to start the process of the E55 wagon swap. Plus I was tired of the E55 sitting in the corner for couple months. Time to put the car inside the shop.... Ugly as balls, been crashed a few times by the PO, and one of the monoblock rims were missing. So I plopped on my...

www.benzworld.org

Already done, try to catch up.

You need to code the ECU to remove ESM and TCM from the list so the event memory/code for the no comm to ECU goes away.

Trans from a C320 manual is direct bolt on, along with everything else....including driveshaft. You may be able to get away with using parts from SLK320 as well.

I was not that lucky, had to modify whole bunch of stuff to make it fit.

Also will need ESP module out of manual car.

Thanks for chiming in!

Yep, lots have done it at this point from the w210, w202 and w208 chassis but not as many from the w203 and w209 realm, still out there though.

We have test coded the ECU to manual transmission in STAR with ESM and ETC unplugged and were able to start it. We also tried to change the ESM and ETC to 'not fitted' but coding wasn't saving for some reason so we are still trying to figure that one out. For the time being we can code car as manual and leave shifter in P as is, or in N if you disconnect ignition switch running from shift module.

Trans being used is out of a Chrysler Crossfire aka Mercedes 716.667, found mine on Ebay for $300 with 36k miles.
As far as the mechanical parts go between the chassis they are very similar parts lists, but the ECU's are different between our two platforms ME2.8 vs ME2.81 so not everything is aligned for coding. If you care to exchange coding insight I would be happy to discuss over pm

I don't believe manual ESP module needs to be fitted in this application and other w210 E55's I know of did not need to do so either, so I am unsure on that point but am open to hearing more.

 

[Deplore]

I say manual ESP is needed because I need one for my E55. C1511 code for incorrect coding when I turned off the ESM and TCM in the ECU. Hard code, won't go away unless I revert the coding.

My car has a non-codeable ESP, so I have to get manual one. Perhaps you can code ESP module on your car since its newer. Who knows.

ME2.8 and ME2.81 difference doesn't amount to much, coding is still in the exact same place. Also you need to change coding in the additional menu that shows up in the normal menu....developer menu does not work on ME2.8 when you want to change coding. It's buggy as fuck. You need Xentry past 2014 and can change the coding ONLY in the regular menu, NOT the developer.

The other guy did a W209, and given that 209 chassis is based on the 203, everything is very similar if not identical.

 

[anderzen]

I say manual ESP is needed because I need one for my E55. C1511 code for incorrect coding when I turned off the ESM and TCM in the ECU. Hard code, won't go away unless I revert the coding.

My car has a non-codeable ESP, so I have to get manual one. Perhaps you can code ESP module on your car since its newer. Who knows.

ME2.8 and ME2.81 difference doesn't amount to much, coding is still in the exact same place. Also you need to change coding in the additional menu that shows up in the normal menu....developer menu does not work on ME2.8 when you want to change coding. It's buggy as fuck. You need Xentry past 2014 and can change the coding ONLY in the regular menu, NOT the developer.

The other guy did a W209, and given that 209 chassis is based on the 203, everything is very similar if not identical.

I see what you mean for the ESP in that application, another YouTuber Jikjakz performed this on his w210 E55 but I don't believe he had to do anything with ESP...not sure though.

We basically went into variant coding and changed 2D to 0D for manual transmission which worked, then tried to change 6E to 68 for the ETC ESM which showed like it would work but wouldn't save.

Yes, W209 and W203 are for the most the same cars with +-90% interchangeable parts.

 

[Deplore]

That's one way to change the coding, but no. There is another section where you change the coding via menu drop down, and you scroll through. This is not in developer menu, it's in the same location as variant code.

 

[anderzen]

That's one way to change the coding, but no. There is another section where you change the coding via menu drop down, and you scroll through. This is not in developer menu, it's in the same location as variant code.

Which section are you referring to in drop down menu? Variant coding was under something like 'plant data' I believe.

UPDATE We have found the correct way to code the car, will report below once complete, just haven't had the time yet to drive to buddy's place with the software.

 

[anderzen]

Hello All,

Wanted to make a post covering the details and part numbers of my 6 speed manual conversion. I will continue to update with more info as I go but here is what I have for now...

(For now the Automatic Shift module is still plugged in set to 'P', but we will re-code the car as a manual soon and I will update this post)

Parts List (Most of which is credited to Dzmitry who swapped his CLK320)

1. Transmission used was Mercedes 716.667 (Crossfire/C320/Slk320)
2. Flywheel LUK DMF429 or 415028910 or MB 272 030 05 05 (from w203 C350 or w204 c300/350, FCPEuro has the one I got)
3. Flywheel to crankshaft bolts 004-990-59-12 (We had to cut these down by about 8mm, not sure what the correct ones are yet) 8pcs
4. Clutch Kit LUK 11047 (Any clutch kit for w203 C350 or w204 c300/350, other options as well)
5. Pressure plate to flywheel bolts 007984-008003 6pcs
6. Clutch master cylinder 203-290-02-12 (Lots of options for this! Check RockAuto)
7. Brake reservoir to master cylinder line 203-997-27-52
8. Rubber clutch hydraulic line 211-290-30-13
9. Hard clutch hydraulic line 203-290-41-13
10. White hard clutch line clip 124-476-06-40 3pcs
11. Hard clutch line through trans tunnel boot 123-295-01-83, 003-997-24-86
11. Drive shaft 209-410-02-06 (Best option but hard to find used) or 1704102606 (easier to find, will work but a a bit short) or 2044101206 (w204 tad bit long so we cut about quarter on an inch off of nose)
12. Shifter assembly 203-260-38-09 (Mercedes calls it Gearshift Mechanism, very hard to find!) (I used crossfire linkage but had to modify a lot)
13. Shifter to transmission pin 203-267-07-74
14. Shifter to trans tunnel bolt 000000-003853-64 2pcs
15. Shifter boot parts (rubber + plastic) 203-267-16-88, 203-267-01-97, 170-267-01-97
16. Shifter cable lever 211-267-03-40
17. Shifter cable lever cap 203-267-04-22
18. Reverse light plug 168-545-27-28
19. Reverse light plug pin 000-540-38-05 2pcs
20. Clutch pedal plug 031-545-32-28
21. Clutch pedal plug pin 000-540-27-05 2pcs
22. Clutch Pedal assemblyA2032905601

Here is Part 3 of the build series which covers removing Auto, installing Manual and first drive...

 

[dfreret]

Shifter boot parts (rubber + plastic) 203-267-16-88, 203-267-01-97, 170-267-01-97

2 of these seem to be discontinued. In your video you mention some shop in Washington that sold you all 3 together. Can you provide the name of that shop ??

 

[anderzen]

Shifter boot parts (rubber + plastic) 203-267-16-88, 203-267-01-97, 170-267-01-97

2 of these seem to be discontinued. In your video you mention some shop in Washington that sold you all 3 together. Can you provide the name of that shop ??

It was an ebay seller, so I doubt they have anymore in stock, just have to keep your eyes peeled. To be honest the part isn't all that necessary I ended up removing mine anyway because it was more a hassle than help.

 

[dfreret]

It was an ebay seller, so I doubt they have anymore in stock, just have to keep your eyes peeled. To be honest the part isn't all that necessary I ended up removing mine anyway because it was more a hassle than help.

Right on I did just end up picking one up on ebay as that was my only choice. How did you wire up your reverse light ? What wires did you tap into ?

 

[anderzen]

Right on I did just end up picking one up on ebay as that was my only choice. How did you wire up your reverse light ? What wires did you tap into ?

I didn't end up wiring the reverse light although i have the wires fed through for when I have time. You can see where it feeds into the front SAM in post #2 from Dzmitry's clk320 swap

 

[dfreret]

I didn't end up wiring the reverse light although i have the wires fed through for when I have time. You can see where it feeds into the front SAM in post #2 from Dzmitry's clk320 swap

Yeah I'm working with a w210 so the SAM layout is different. I'll dig into it more and I'll figure something out. Thanks.

 

[Benz_Dad]

Which section are you referring to in drop down menu? Variant coding was under something like 'plant data' I believe.

UPDATE We have found the correct way to code the car, will report below once complete, just haven't had the time yet to drive to buddy's place with the software.

Any development on the resolution of the errors related to the removal of the shift box and TCU?

 

[anderzen]

Any development on the resolution of the errors related to the removal of the shift box and TCU?

We coded the car to a manual using implicit coding (German menu) and I have not had any issues whatsoever with it since then. We weren't however able to get rid of an error code related to traction control system due to the variances between AMG, non-AMG ECU's, it does not cause any issue in drivability.

 

[Deplore]

You need a ESP module out of a manual car. Let me guess, C1511 code for incorrect coding?

 

[anderzen]

There is no different part number for manual vs. non manual ESP, what leads you to believe that they are different?
That was not the code we were getting btw.

 

[Deplore]

Not the part number, the coding inside. Because that's the code i have on my w210.

 

[anderzen]

Update, we have successfully completed coding the car, it now has no remaining errors and is fully converted to manual ECU. Cheers!

 

[mig20]

Did you measure the front part of the driveshaft you used ? i bought one of a 2002 6 speed c230 coupe its 29 in from end to where the rubber flex plate bolts to the shaft. ill be working on my 2004 clk500 i did a rough measurement a while back came up with around 30-31 in , i need to get back under there now that i have this shaft to physically compare.