2001 Mercedes SL600

So I'm swapping out the auto trans and looking for suggestions for a manual. Engine will remain stock and will be used for a weekend cruiser, drag, autox and hopefully drifting. Mufflers and cats have been hollowed for a Zondaesque sound.

Very sharp. 

I have no idea what kind of transmission will bolt to the that 12 cylinder monster, but I would suggest looking into the possibility of a T56 / Tremec Magnum XL.

Wiki says 389hp. Does someone make an adapter plate?

I've been reading up on the Nissan Frontier V6 manual transmissions for swap use. Apparently they're basically the same as a CD009 from a Z, but with slightly different gearing and a conventional shifter vs the goofy CD009 extension.

I used to have a link to a company in Germany (I think) that made adapters for the m120 to  bmw gearboxes.

yupididit said:

I used to have a link to a company in Germany (I think) that made adapters for the m120 to  bmw gearboxes.

The zf 6 speed in the BMW 860 was also used in the c4 Corvette: however I do not know if they share a case or just common development parts. This transmission was also used in the zr1 Corvette so it is a stout unit and if can be adapted may be easier to source.

Great project, I daydream of doing the same thing!

In reply to daytonaer :

These were the gearboxes from e39's i believe 420g and the diesel e90/92 chassis.  

ZF 6 speed was my first thought, then Tremec. Any suggestions on a shop on the East Coast?

svxsti said:

ZF 6 speed was my first thought, then Tremec. Any suggestions on a shop on the East Coast?

Might be worth a call to look up Rev Auto in Baltimore. They've made a name for themselves in rebuilding chinese MT-82s in Mustangs to a useable standard. If they cant help you, they might be able to refer you to somewhere that could.

There's a drift guy Oliver Amon out in Poland or Czech Republic who has swapped in a manual trans in a C140 CL600.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrC-9Um_mLI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82BUJW6Wvnw

No idea what he used other than "BMW bellhousings".

Very interesting idea though, will be following closely.