I am considering the purchase of a 210 body style E420 as my next car. I am impressed with these cars but absolutely MUST have a stick shift. I basically want to create the Mercedes equivalent to the BMW 540i 6 spd.

Has anyone successfully completed a manual transmission install for an E420 or other V-8 cars? I would be interested in learning about any E55, E500, E320, S, SL, V-12 conversions too...

I am likely to play with forced induction in the future so I would like the transmission to be able to handle at least 400 ft lbs. I know that a few 300E, 300SL, 190 2.3-16V, etc had manual transmissions. Does anyone know what kind of torque these can take reliably.

Anyone played with adding a transmission from another make Porsche 928, BMW 540, Borg Warner T56 or T45, Tremec? Seems like I could fab a custom flywheel, bell housing, and driveshaft to adapt one of these...

Will the car's electronics function properly with the original transmission removed? Anyone already learn how to get things functioning again?

I would appreciate any advice / experience you can share.

Thanks,
Cliff