560 transmission in a 450SL?

[PeterSLC]

Has anyone ever investigated the difficulty of installing a 560SL 4-speed auto into a 450SL? I understand there are some electronic modules involved with the newer (still old) car, and probably the need for an adapter plate. The low 1st gear would really improve the 450's accelleration times.

Just wondering if it's been done.

Peter

[speedy72t]

I've been thinking about this lately too. If the 560 would bolt right up then I'd consider that. If you had to to serious customization then I was considering going to the later GM moderate duty trans. It's an excellent 4 speed overdrive trans and the hot rodders have all kinds of external boxes for fully programming the shift points. Who knows if it would fit in the tunnel though.

What I'd prefer is a nice five speed. I was wondering if the five speed out of a five series BMW would fit....

[Bondavi]

I myself have tried asking this question before, but everybody seems mum and can't give a straight answer.

What I've seen so far is that the 450 has a different flywheel mated to the crankshaft that would not work with the 560 tranny. Thus in order to do a swap, you'd have to replace the flywheel AND crankshaft which is a pain even to think about.

Now, what about the Porsche 928 S4 tranny's? I understand these engines were derived from the Mercedes 4.5 and 5.0 litre's , so interchangeability might be an idea?

[speedy72t]

For the time and money this would cost we could sell the 450 and buy a 560. But that wouldn't be as much fun

[ctaylor738]

Having owned a 928 automatic, I can say forget that idea. They use a torque tube to connect the engine to the rear-mounted transmission.

Why don't you find a 560 engine and trans along with all the electronics? Lots available. Lots of work, though.