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Braingears
Expert
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: St Petersburg, FL
Vehicle(s): G320 & ML320
Posts: 1450
| Engine Swap 3.2L to 3.6L AMG
I've decided to replace the engine in my 1998 G320 with an engine from a 1995 C36 AMG. My G-Wagon has over 240,000 miles on it and has been experiencing head/valve issues. I purchased a donor C36 that was in an accident on the passenger side (so the entire drivetrain is 100% running without damage). I realize that the two engines are configured differently, and that I will be migrating majority of the accessories. Even the oil pan, oil sump pump, and water pump will be swapped. I'm not worried about that; I'm expecting the block to be 99.5% direct swap line-up of the holes.
Both vehicles use the HFM injection system. The two areas that I have concerns over is the electronics, and possible differences in the intake manifold/system. I plan on using the fuel rail and injection system from the AMG 3.6L engine. I cannot think of any differences between the engines externally or difference in sensors. So I would expect to connect my existing harness to the same locations on the 3.6L engine as they were on the 3.2L engine.
I've been told that there are differences between my European intake manifold and the USA cars. Something about an extra pump or something for emissions. I was planning on using the orginal G-Wagon manifolds for this reason. Overall, other than the fuel rail, I am only swapping the "Short Block" and whatever ECU changes to reflect the AMG 3.6L changes for additional HP and performance. What are the differences between the wiring harnesses (besides the wire lengths made for each vehicle due to where stuff is located)? Can I swap the ECU as a direct plug-in, or will there have to changes to the harness or plugs? I have read about people swapping the chip within the ECU's and having no issues. Others have their ECU's re-programmed from SpeedTuning.com. I don't know what to expect overall here... Does anyone know the differences between the intake manifolds (if any)?
Mercedes G320 (12/1996 | Imported from Europa w/ 1998 title and import specs)
VIN WDB46323117107339
Engine 104996 12 032071
Mercedes C36 AMG (1995)
VIN 2020281F181082
Engine 104941 12 076093 Thanks in advance... |
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AlanMcR
Expert
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: US, CA, Los Altos
Vehicle(s): G300DT E300DT 230SL
Posts: 3500
| RE: Engine Swap 3.2L to 3.6L AMG
Not sure about the gassers, but as of 1996, the diesel ECUs contain the drive authorization system. So, the key is married to the ECU. Similar issues may arise with the instrument cluster.
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Floobydust
Veteran
Date registered: Mar 2014
Location: Massachusetts, USA
Vehicle(s): 1995 E320 Cabrio, 2003 G500, 2000 SL500, 1980 TR8
Posts: 284
| RE: Engine Swap 3.2L to 3.6L AMG
I don't have any direct G experience on the 3.2 versus the 3.6 , but I can tell you what I know about if from the W124, having looked into it myself.
The 3.6 is more less mechanically interchangeable with the 3.2 and the 3.6 will run just fine with the 3.2 ECU, although you will only see a slight power increase (due to the 10% increase in displacement). The proper ECU is required to realize the full potential of this engine.
1995/1996 was a key transition year. The '95s were OBDI compliant whereas the 96 and later cars were OBDII compliant. The ECUs and wiring harnesses are completely different and not interchangeable. The later ECUs also added drive authorization and became much more integrated into the rest of the vehicle electronics. They require certain sensors that are just not present on the earlier cars.
There were some '95 3.6 cars made and their ECUs are interchangeable, but they are rare and generally made of unobtainium.
I have read of mixed results for companies that "flash" the old ECU. The earlier ECUs are not actually flash upgradeable - the EEPROM is an old fashioned UV erasable type that must be physically removed and replaced. In theory, if someone has the '95 AMG firmware, burns a new EEPROM, and then physically replaces it, it should work. The key is finding someone who actually has the correct firmware and knows what they are doing.
The "pump" I think you are referring to is the cold start air injection pump, an emissions feature found only on US cars. It injects fresh air into the cat to clean things up when the engine is cold. The '95 cars used a belt driven mechanical pump wheres whereas the later cars switched to an electrically powered pump. The only difference in the exhaust manifold for US versus non-US engines with regard to this is that there is a blanking plate that plugs the inlet for the air injection on the non-US cars. You can buy that blanking plate from MB (the part number can be found on the various W124 forums). Also, non US cars had no EGR, although I would suspect that was added to your truck when it was federalized.
There is a lot of good information on this subject on the various W124 forums - you should do some searching there. As for me, I ultimately was able to source a vintage Turbo Techniques kit and went with that instead of the 3.6. At the very least, I would go for the 3.6 if you're going to replace the engine anyway as that part is almost plug and play. Then you will be in a position to "add the power" later.
Good luck!
- FD
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Roly
Elite Veteran
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: Australia
Vehicle(s): 1999 G500
Posts: 661
| RE: Engine Swap 3.2L to 3.6L AMG
As the other guys have said the immobiliser was changed from 3/95 to a CAN based system. The ECU, key and DAS module are linked and permanently coded to each other. So you will need to use the 98 ecu to operate the engine.
Brief description of das attached
Attachments
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 Early 463 DAS operation.pdf (21KB - 16 downloads)
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Braingears
Expert
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: St Petersburg, FL
Vehicle(s): G320 & ML320
Posts: 1450
| RE: Engine Swap 3.2L to 3.6L AMG
Thank you for the information. I've also spoken with Speed Tuning in MD this morning. They told me to send the existing (not the AMG) ECU for the updated EPROM. On the other hand, they made no mention about the ECU and the keys being linked. That would explain a lot. I love the fact that I can use my existing ECU until I'm ready to increase the power... |
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H1LM002G55
Expert
Date registered: Mar 2010
Location: S Florida / Geneva / Jeddah
Vehicle(s): 500 GE, G55, LM002, H1
Posts: 1796
| Re: Engine Swap 3.2L to 3.6L AMG
When you say ECU...Are you referring to the Bosch EZL unit? |
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Floobydust
Veteran
Date registered: Mar 2014
Location: Massachusetts, USA
Vehicle(s): 1995 E320 Cabrio, 2003 G500, 2000 SL500, 1980 TR8
Posts: 284
| Re: Engine Swap 3.2L to 3.6L AMG
The EZL ignition control module is used only on the earlier CIS fuel injection system. The HFM system found on the M104 engines uses a true ECU to control all engine functions. |
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