Built 427 CID LS7 in an ML 350 !!
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco, CA
Built 427 CID LS7 in an ML 350 !! Hi All,
I used to have a F1R supercharged built LS6 and have previous experience with LS engines.
I’ve been thinking about this crazy idea of putting in a forged 427 CID LS7 stroker into a 2004 Mercedes ML 350.
AWD 650 – 700 NA AWHP. That sounds very cool.
I can get a fully assembled 427 CID LS7 longblock with Lunati 6.125 billet rods, Lunati forged crankshaft, forged custom pistons, ported LS7 heads, ported LS7 intake, custom camshaft, strengthened pushrods, valvetrain, etc for around $13k.
We can custom fab the long tube headers, exhaust system, etc here but the fuel system, automatic transmission, AWD system, ECU and wiring is a mystery.
Has anyone tried anything like that?
What would be the potential problems in trying to squeeze the LS7 in a ML 350?
Would the 2008 Tahoe 6 Speed Automatic transmission and AWD transfer case work with the LS7 engine?
Or would the 2008 Corvette 6 Speed Automatic with paddle shifters work with the LS7?
Any help will be appreciated.
Thanks.
Art
I used to have a F1R supercharged built LS6 and have previous experience with LS engines.
I’ve been thinking about this crazy idea of putting in a forged 427 CID LS7 stroker into a 2004 Mercedes ML 350.
AWD 650 – 700 NA AWHP. That sounds very cool.
I can get a fully assembled 427 CID LS7 longblock with Lunati 6.125 billet rods, Lunati forged crankshaft, forged custom pistons, ported LS7 heads, ported LS7 intake, custom camshaft, strengthened pushrods, valvetrain, etc for around $13k.
We can custom fab the long tube headers, exhaust system, etc here but the fuel system, automatic transmission, AWD system, ECU and wiring is a mystery.
Has anyone tried anything like that?
What would be the potential problems in trying to squeeze the LS7 in a ML 350?
Would the 2008 Tahoe 6 Speed Automatic transmission and AWD transfer case work with the LS7 engine?
Or would the 2008 Corvette 6 Speed Automatic with paddle shifters work with the LS7?
Any help will be appreciated.
Thanks.
Art
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco, CA
Money is always an issue. If it were not an issue, I would simply buy a Cayenne Turbo and upgrade the turbos for AWD fun.
If I can get everything sorted out for a feasible $$$ amount, then I’ll do this conversion but if it seems like it will cost an arm and a leg, then I’ll just stick with the stock 235 HP.
Any experience with fitting a 2008 Tahoe 6 Speed Automatic transmission or 2008 Corvette 6 Speed Automatic transmission to a LS7 block?
If I can get everything sorted out for a feasible $$$ amount, then I’ll do this conversion but if it seems like it will cost an arm and a leg, then I’ll just stick with the stock 235 HP.
Any experience with fitting a 2008 Tahoe 6 Speed Automatic transmission or 2008 Corvette 6 Speed Automatic transmission to a LS7 block?
On The Tree
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 186
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From: Hong Kong
The 2008 Tahoe 6 Speed Automatic transmission/T.Case would definitely fit but it might be easier to use the sump and front drive assembly from a Trailblazer SS. Which engine do you have, the 3.5 24V/DOHC engine or the 3.7 18V/SOHC engine. If you have the 3.7 you could just go for a Kleeman Blower setup and get some serious HP, if you have the 3.5 your out of luck. Using the Yank drivetrain in your ML will cause some serious CAN issues as mentioned in other threads though.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco, CA
The 2008 Tahoe 6 Speed Automatic transmission/T.Case would definitely fit but it might be easier to use the sump and front drive assembly from a Trailblazer SS. Which engine do you have, the 3.5 24V/DOHC engine or the 3.7 18V/SOHC engine. If you have the 3.7 you could just go for a Kleeman Blower setup and get some serious HP, if you have the 3.5 your out of luck. Using the Yank drivetrain in your ML will cause some serious CAN issues as mentioned in other threads though.
I was thinking about using the 08 Tahoe 6 Speed Automatic transmission as it already has the AWD transfer case and is one of the best working GM automatic transmissions out there for street driving.
Wiring in this car must be a horror. I was thinking of running the engine and the drivetrain with a stand alone like AEM and having the factory ECU run all the accessories, etc but again the CAN and wiring will be a huge problem in such a project.
I’ve got the 3.7L 18V/SOHC engine. I’ll look into this Kleeman Blower setup.
Do you have a link to this kit?
Thanks.
On The Tree
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 186
Likes: 0
From: Hong Kong
http://www.kleemann.dk/site/D73BB20B...0-FBAD205206BF
There ya go!
If its somehow possible to leave the factory Engine Control Module intact while running the LSx with its own Engine Management it might be possible. You'd have to get the basic inputs for the factory ECM hooked up to the LSx so it will know that an engine is present and go from there. Has anything like been done successfully yet I don't know but it makes for good conversation doesn't it.
There ya go!
If its somehow possible to leave the factory Engine Control Module intact while running the LSx with its own Engine Management it might be possible. You'd have to get the basic inputs for the factory ECM hooked up to the LSx so it will know that an engine is present and go from there. Has anything like been done successfully yet I don't know but it makes for good conversation doesn't it.
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Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 34
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From: San Francisco, CA
http://www.kleemann.dk/site/D73BB20B...0-FBAD205206BF
There ya go!
If its somehow possible to leave the factory Engine Control Module intact while running the LSx with its own Engine Management it might be possible. You'd have to get the basic inputs for the factory ECM hooked up to the LSx so it will know that an engine is present and go from there. Has anything like been done successfully yet I don't know but it makes for good conversation doesn't it.
There ya go!
If its somehow possible to leave the factory Engine Control Module intact while running the LSx with its own Engine Management it might be possible. You'd have to get the basic inputs for the factory ECM hooked up to the LSx so it will know that an engine is present and go from there. Has anything like been done successfully yet I don't know but it makes for good conversation doesn't it.
The Kleemann supercharger kit brings the power to 360 HP and plus 30 HP from the headers, exhaust system and cam. That will bring the SUV to approx 390 HP at the crank. That’s not enough.
I found couple 5.0L and 5.5L Mercedes engines on Ebay. I might replace my 3.7L V6 with a 5.0L or 5.5L V8 and install the Kleemann supercharger, headers, exhaust and cam package on the V8 engine. This should get me around 500-540 HP at the crank.
Still the idea of having a built LS7 pumping out 650 – 700 AWHP sounds much cooler. Making the decision would be much easier if this was done before.
Oh well, let me start doing some measurements on the car.
What are the exterior dimensions of a LS7 longblock?
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Teching In
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 46
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From: Gilbert, AZ
I would sell the ml350 and get an ml55 and go from there. You might lose you a$$ in the selling and buying of a new car but being a Mercedes tech I guarantee that you will have so many problems that it wont be worth the time money and headaches.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 34
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From: San Francisco, CA
Holy thread revival.. 
Well, it’s been like a month since the last time I posted but I’ve been buried under work.
Meanwhile, I have investigated the Kleemann supercharger, engine swap and other options.
First of all, Kleemann does not have the supercharger for the 3.7L V6 engine out yet. It’s shown on their website but the production has not started yet. And when the supercharger for the 3.7L V6 gets into production, it will be as expensive or maybe more expensive than an LS1 or LS2 standard engine.
I’ve thought about picking up a mint 5.0L or 5.5L V8 off Ebay and doing an engine swap but the local Mercedes mechanic at the dealership told me it would be the same trouble and problems with CAN as if doing an LS conversion.
That leaves me 2 options.
1. Sell the car. Buy a ML55 AMG and upgrade headers and exhaust on it down the road.
2. Take the plunge. Get a brand new built forged LS2, LS3 or LS7 whichever works good with a GM 6 speed AWD automatic transmission and get into a never ending journey.
Is there any Mercedes techs on this forum by any chance?
How difficult is swapping the engine of a ML 350 with ML55? As far as I know, the transmission, differential, etc is the same both on ML 350 and ML55.
There must be somebody that has tried to swap 3.7L Mercedes engine with a 5.5L before..
I might be criticized here for saying this but I like the ML as an SUV. Just needs more power.
Well, it’s been like a month since the last time I posted but I’ve been buried under work.
Meanwhile, I have investigated the Kleemann supercharger, engine swap and other options.
First of all, Kleemann does not have the supercharger for the 3.7L V6 engine out yet. It’s shown on their website but the production has not started yet. And when the supercharger for the 3.7L V6 gets into production, it will be as expensive or maybe more expensive than an LS1 or LS2 standard engine.
I’ve thought about picking up a mint 5.0L or 5.5L V8 off Ebay and doing an engine swap but the local Mercedes mechanic at the dealership told me it would be the same trouble and problems with CAN as if doing an LS conversion.
That leaves me 2 options.
1. Sell the car. Buy a ML55 AMG and upgrade headers and exhaust on it down the road.
2. Take the plunge. Get a brand new built forged LS2, LS3 or LS7 whichever works good with a GM 6 speed AWD automatic transmission and get into a never ending journey.
Is there any Mercedes techs on this forum by any chance?
How difficult is swapping the engine of a ML 350 with ML55? As far as I know, the transmission, differential, etc is the same both on ML 350 and ML55.
There must be somebody that has tried to swap 3.7L Mercedes engine with a 5.5L before..
I might be criticized here for saying this but I like the ML as an SUV. Just needs more power.
