Need your opinion on motor swap

[MrMopar]

Okay, this is not a 300 swap, but I really need a quick opinion from my fellow 300 owners.

Drop a 330HP SRT-6 motor in my 2004 Crossfire Coupe (about $5500 cost)

or

Bite the bullet and buy a 2005 SRT-6.

SRT-6 Purchase would cost me about 12K + Tax and title fees + my trade, and higher insurance.

Can not get a White SRT-6 (don't make it).

Would lose about $7K off the $26K purchase price of my 04 (bought in August 05).

I figure with the impending end of Crossfire production and the current dumping prices for leftovers, I can't hurt the value of mine.

It would be a total sleeper on the street.

My local Chrysler mechanics are more than willing to help with a swap.

Swap would leave more funds to mod the 300C.

But the SRT-6 would be cool.

What do you think, swap or buy?

Mr MoPar

[Model 57]

1st question; did DCX beef up any of the driveline in the SRT6?
If so, does the price that you are figuring for the swap include doing those too?
Just the 1st thing that came to me about your idea. I love the idea of the sleeper that you have. I have always gone for sleepers.
I just want you to consider all the pros and cons to this project. It'd be nice to have a sleeper like that, but not at the cost of always replacing driveline parts; especially the transmission.

[marnepup]

Why don't you trade the 300C and the crossfire for an SRT8 and use the leftover funds (should be LOTS of $$$ lying around after that deal!) to send the 6.1 to Hennessey? Better yet, buy that 392 crate and send THAT for John to play with...5-6lbs/HP, anyone?

[artichoke]

If you swap in a different motor you should also mod the front suspension. You will hurt the value that way, it will decline even more than Crossfires generally. Nobody will believe the swap was done "right" even if it was. Can you sell the car yourself?

If you're looking for more performance get the SRT8 but for a 2 seater get something more radical. After all it's a fun car. What about a Ferrari 308, they can be had for $25000 in good running condition. And they are f'ing gorgeous.

[stevesrt8]

I would be very cautious. The SRT6 is a very carefully beefed up piece of work, and as such I would be very uneasy about a simple engine swap.

Plus, that is the strongest 190 cubic inch motor anyone has ever built! It may turn into an expensive toy.

Then there's that resale thing. I would not buy your car if it wasn't near original.

[sorbs]

Buy new. $12k seems like a good buy.

[MrMopar]

To answer a couple of the questions, first, I love the Crossfire and I will have Either the 04 Coupe or an 05 SRT-6, don't want anything else.

Drive train, yes, they made changes, found that out today, the tranny is different, but available with the engine, so swap price will go up a bit, $1K additional for the tranny and the 3.07 rear end (vs 3.25).

The weight difference is negligible between the two drivetrains, less than 80 lbs, but the SRT-6 springs are available if needed. Only the sway bars were changed to a slightly thicker bar for additional roll control, not an issue.

The engine is a $12,000 retail price hand built AMG engine, used for years in the AMG SLK320, Brabus and others in Europe report the engine and tranny both are bullet proof (other than stupidity). (Kleeman has pushed it to 600HP reliably)

So basically it boils down to;

Spend (revised estimate) $7K for a correctly executed sleeper

or

Take the $6K depreciation on the 04 for trade in , add another $12K and additonal $150 a month for 60 months for the SRT-6.

????

Mr MoPar

[lmhoward]

I would buy the new SRT6, and if I wanted a sleeper, paint it. It is too easy to end up spending way too much and not being satisified with the result unless you have the expertise to get it right the first time. If you like the adventure and uniqueness of a swap, do it. It you want a trouble free car, buy a SRT6. Maybe I'm unique but it has always ended up costing me more doing it the cheaper way. Good luck which ever way you go.

[sorbs]

Originally Posted by lmhoward

I would buy the new SRT6, and if I wanted a sleeper, paint it. It is too easy to end up spending way too much and not being satisified with the result unless you have the expertise to get it right the first time. If you like the adventure and uniqueness of a swap, do it. It you want a trouble free car, buy a SRT6. Maybe I'm unique but it has always ended up costing me more doing it the cheaper way. Good luck which ever way you go.

I agree. Back in the day when you could swap a small block for a big block there were no computers and firmware to deal with just bell housings and engine mounts. Today is another story.

If the dealership is willing to do this for you that would worry me too. For free warranty work it is one thing, If I'm paying for it then take it to an expert. That expert works at the Mercedes service center.

[MrMopar]

Originally Posted by sorbs

I agree. Back in the day when you could swap a small block for a big block there were no computers and firmware to deal with just bell housings and engine mounts. Today is another story.

If the dealership is willing to do this for you that would worry me too. For free warranty work it is one thing, If I'm paying for it then take it to an expert. That expert works at the Mercedes service center.

In this case, it is easier than the small block swaps of years ago. This one would literally be plug in play as it is from one crossfire to another, no modifications required, just have to have all the puzzle pieces.

Motor
Transmission
Rear end
Underhood harness
ECM
Exhaust change over
Performance brake pads

This would be way easier than the 351 Cleveland/4 Speed swaps into Pintos, or 400 GM small block/Turbo 350 swaps into Vega's I did back in the early 80's.

It’s not a hack job installing something that was designed to fit in there anyway.

Mr MoPar