Hi guys Would really appreciate some advice on an old Mercedes c180 sport auto I have which I want to turn into a drift car as its basically rotting away on the drive way with no use. I want to turn the car into a drift car to use on track over at Arena Essex where they water the track to make drifting easier. Basically the car is a Mercedes C180 Sport Auto 1998 which runs and drives fine no problems at all. I will be stripping the car completely but before all this I need some advice. I have never really worked with Mercs only bm's. Basically I can only assume to turn the car into manual it will need the manual gear box and a different clutch? Will I need to find a manaul gearbox and clutch from the same model of car and year or is there any other models which will fit? If you can help me out I would really appreicate it. Thank you!
I run a c240 v6 auto as a daily, the auto box won't be that good for drifting and the c180 is a bit underpowered. (Used to be a Mercedes tech) the c220 engine is pretty decent or the c230k would be better. You will need a manual box complete with clutch and shifter and clutch pedal assembly Inc reservoir. You will also need the ecu for whatever engine you buy. Not sure if youll have to put it on the diagnostics machine to alter some stuff to. I was looking to do this before I had my s13 but decided I could buy my s13 for the cost of the swap. There's a guy in south wales that's stocks all sorts for these.
If it's rotting away doing nowt, then I'd be inclined to weld it, chop springs and give it a go. It'll only end up on a scrap truck one day anyhow, so seems you don't really stand to loose much if it doesn't go to plan.
