Havoc

Welcome to Havoc’s SL55 AMG Build Thread.

My build consists of extensive engine modifications, a silver carbon fiber interior kit, and HRE wheels.

I decided to keep the exterior stock as I believe AMG made the SL55’s exterior perfect from the factory.

Here are some older pictures of my Beast!!




















Silver carbon fiber interior kit
-Steering wheel
-Door panels
-Center console














HRE 597R wheels
-8.5 x 20 front
-10.5 x 20 rear

Michelin PS2 tires
-245/35/20 front
-285/30/20 rear

Havoc

I brought my SL55 AMG to Vadim with FEDOR DEZYN in Costa Mesa, CA.
Vadim is responsible for engine removal, engine installation, fabrication of intake and exhaust mods, and tuning.

All internal engine and head work was done by Victor with VRP located in Canada.

The VRP 55K/5.7L conversion bottom consists of:
-VRP all-bore 5.7L 55K block with iron cylinder sleeves
-VRP custom forged pistons with custom rings
-VRP knife-edged stock crank
-VRP ported stock oil pump
-VRP balanced and blueprinted

The VRP stage III 55K heads consists of:
-VRP custom race ported and polished
-VRP custom Ferrea oversized valves
-VRP three angle valve job
-VRP titanium retainers
-VRP custom tri-steel head gaskets
-VRP aggressive cams


My SL55 at Vadim’s shop in California as he starts the engine removal process.
One head is off!!



Engine is coming out!!



My stock 55K is out!!




The VRP all-bore 5.7L block with iron cylinder sleeves at Victor’s engine builder’s shop located in Canada.









Custom oversized forged pistons with custom rings.





Custom oversized forged pistons compared to stock 55K cast pistons.

Havoc

Stock 55K internals.



The VRP balanced and blueprinted knifed-edged 55K crank.











Stock oil pump opening.



Bored out VRP oil pump.

Havoc

Engine Assembly.















Checking piston to valve clearance.






Engine Assembled!!

Havoc

Completed 5.7L being crated for shipment back to California from Canada.







The 5.7L arrived back to Vadim’s shop in Costa Mesa, California.



The Ferrea oversized exhaust valve looking through the ported exhaust runner!!



Vadim installing the 5.7L into my SL55 AMG!!
Priceless photo!!




Vadim then installed all the stock intake and exhaust parts back on while also keeping the boost and the engine management system stock. He put 800 miles on for break-in then put it on the dyno.

Blue run is a stock E55, Red is my 5.7L.

Torque limiting cuts in and dumps fuel and pulls timing, so both cars make the same HP, but the 5.7L has 40 ft. lbs. more TQ from the extra displacement and better flowing heads.






Vadim then changes the break-in oil and finds particles in the oil.
He takes apart the oil filter element and this is what he finds.



Vadim also hears a knock coming from the block.

Victor advises us to take the engine out and ship it back to him in Canada for tear down and inspection.



The engine builder completely disassembled the 5.7L and found no heat marks, no broken material, no damage anywhere. He went the extra length and measured all the components and checked all tolerances and all parts were found to be perfect.

Havoc

I had an issue with the original VRP stage III heads that were on the 5.7L so Victor agreed to have another set built for me.













Completed VRP stage III 55K heads!!







The disassembling of the 5.7L, inspection of all parts, getting a new set of VRP stage III heads built, and the shipping to and from Canada, all delayed the project by many months. However, having a lot of time on my hands and even more patience has kept me calm, for the most part, but still very excited about my engine build.



Which brings us to this passed week!!

The 5.7L has finally arrived back to Vadim’s shop in California!!



The 5.7L in crate as it arrived.



The 5.7L with black valve covers getting prepped with stock parts before install.





My Transmission is currently getting upgraded Maybach shafts and clutch packs and a custom higher stall torque converter. When my tranny returns next week, Vadim is going to put 1,000 miles on the 5.7L with all the stock intake and exhaust parts. Then he will add the FEDOR DEZYN headers and 3’ straight exhaust, VRP 175mm crank pulley, 82mm throttle body, intake FANGS, Xtreme belt wrap kit, HE cooling kit, and to include Vadim’s almost completed SLR type coolers. Then it’s off to the dyno to tune the ECU and TCU!!

Stay tuned!!

Havoc

So as we wait for Vadim to drive my beast all around town again, let’s enjoy some newer pics of my beast!!

jmf003

Very glad to hear that you are nearing completion on your project!

It looks awesome!!

kevinpuri

What is the purpose of knife edging your crank? I have never heard of this.

Remove weight? Less oil resistance maybe?

Thanks for all the photos, very interesting read.

Kevin

AMGTestDriverNJ

What is this costing you if you don't mind me asking?

Thericker

I don't believe that's Vadims paw installing engine this pic is rarer than Sasquatch sighting


Glad the Cobwebs are off N' moving fwd bud...If it were me I'd be putting on the break-in mileage

Akademiks

Whats your hp/tq goal with all these mods? And what are you expecting to run at the track?

Very impressive build, thank you for documenting this!

Havoc

Thanks bro!!

I'm just trying to keep up with you!!

Great times btw...

AMGfan

Havoc...congrats on seeing some light at the end of that very long tunnel. I hope you get to enjoy the car. Definitely keep us posted!!!!

raunaq23

Hey did you change your headlights?

wickedrsr

wow.... thats crazy... props on on the time and money spent!

Havoc

Thanks Kevin!

Yes, the purpose of knife edging the crank is to have less reciprocating mass and to help rev faster by slicing through the air pressure in the crankcase.

Engine mods total just over $50K.

DCMETRO22Z

I love You Havoc. A real Horsepower-junkie Like we should find more !!!!! The thread is so good to read . I can't wait to see Top-mount intercooler on your engine, Who is maybe the first M113K engine in the whole world with increased displacement. Only a german company called vath offer such an upgrade but I(ve never seen it mounted on a car.

If you remember I PM'ed you once to ask if you considered the top mount intercooler as a good upgrade. I always thought it would be the "cherry on the cake " for your engine.

Congrats !!! Feed us with pics !!!

Havoc

Thanks dude!!

Yeah, I wish I could put on the break-in mileage but I'm currently working overseas.
I would much rather put mileage on once it's all completed!!

Thanks Akademiks!!

Well, originally I was going for 1,000hp, but if I can get 750-800 crank hp with this setup, then I'll be happy.
As for as track times, mid to high 10's will work for me.

Havoc

Thanks AMGfan!!

It's been a long road and the journey is still not over yet, but I definitely will enjoy it and keep you posted!

btw... your SL65 AMG is just insane looking!! You did an outstanding job with it!!

Havoc

No, I didn't change my headlights. I guess they look darker in some of the photos that were taken in the shade.

Thanks Wickedrsr!!

The project has taken almost 1 1/2 years, but I always told Victor and Vadim to take their time and not to rush the project.
As for the money spent, it cost what it cost. You have to pay in order to play!!

SoCalCLK

Havoc, props for creating a great SL55 build thread. Not a lot of guys have the cash and guts to do what you have done to your car, and these pics are awesome and a great view/read. Keep us posted with the final results and bring the beast out to a meet sometime!

Thericker

$50k & 1 1/2 years I don't know which would hurt more let alone both You truly have backbone sir!

jmf003

I held the title of fastest SL55 for a very short period of time due to some excellent modding by Urnext on his car.

I suspect you'll be on top for quite a bit longer than I was and kudos to you for pushing the envelope!

aza12345

great thread and great pics, very interesting. Thanks