SL55 AMG, SL63 AMG, SL65 AMG (R230) 2002 - 2011 (2003 US for SL55 and 2004 for the SL65)

SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: Heat exchanger options for the SL55...

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old 03-28-2016, 02:00 AM
  #26  
Senior Member

 
Nor Cal SL55's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: EDH, CA.
Posts: 479
Received 64 Likes on 63 Posts
2007 SL55
Here is a mock up of my Weistec HE. It is a 26-3/4" x 6-3/4" dimension that fits tight up against the oil cooler (OC). Haven't had a chance to finish the mount, but looks like it will fit ok. I moved the oil cooler back on the stock mounts and it is solid. The HE rests on the OC shroud and I'm still pondering the final fitment.
Attached Thumbnails Heat exchanger options for the SL55...-img_0007.jpg   Heat exchanger options for the SL55...-img_0011.jpg  
Old 03-28-2016, 02:04 AM
  #27  
Senior Member

 
Nor Cal SL55's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: EDH, CA.
Posts: 479
Received 64 Likes on 63 Posts
2007 SL55
Picture of the Oil cooler mount

Upper mount to the bumper support has two bolts on each mount per side. I moved the front bolt location to the back and lost a bolt on each side.
Attached Thumbnails Heat exchanger options for the SL55...-img_0008.jpg  
Old 03-28-2016, 11:38 AM
  #28  
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
latemodel21's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Santa Clara, Ca
Posts: 1,167
Received 229 Likes on 172 Posts
2003 SL55 / 2002 SLK32
Originally Posted by Nor Cal SL55
Here is a mock up of my Weistec HE. It is a 26-3/4" x 6-3/4" dimension that fits tight up against the oil cooler (OC). Haven't had a chance to finish the mount, but looks like it will fit ok. I moved the oil cooler back on the stock mounts and it is solid. The HE rests on the OC shroud and I'm still pondering the final fitment.
While there may be minor misgivings about situating the oil cooler behind the new HE, It looks like a nice fit and should work out fine. I really like how the Wiestec HE looks purpose build with its angled tanks and extended/directed ports.

I would consider fab'ing/adding 2 small 90° brackets to tie the (now hanging in air) rear oil cooler bracket holes to the back side of the bumper.

here are a few pictures of my modified undercover; you will likely want to modify yours similarly.

Cheers,
Chris
Attached Thumbnails Heat exchanger options for the SL55...-20150314_114005.jpg   Heat exchanger options for the SL55...-20150314_120742.jpg   Heat exchanger options for the SL55...-20150314_123743.jpg   Heat exchanger options for the SL55...-20150314_124125.jpg  
Old 03-28-2016, 01:11 PM
  #29  
Member
 
Benz Mike's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Laporte, Indiana
Posts: 115
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
2006 SL55 AMG
Good idea on cutting the outflow vents larger. I will definitely do that as well ! What did you cut them open with ?
Old 03-28-2016, 01:50 PM
  #30  
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
latemodel21's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Santa Clara, Ca
Posts: 1,167
Received 229 Likes on 172 Posts
2003 SL55 / 2002 SLK32
Originally Posted by Benz Mike
Good idea on cutting the outflow vents larger. I will definitely do that as well ! What did you cut them open with ?
I used a die grinder with a 1/2" burr like this
Amazon.com: SGS Tool Company 10178 SA-5 Double Cut Carbide Bur 1/2 Diameter 1/4 Shank Diameter: Industrial & Scientific Amazon.com: SGS Tool Company 10178 SA-5 Double Cut Carbide Bur 1/2 Diameter 1/4 Shank Diameter: Industrial & Scientific
and then finished it up with a 1/2" sanding drum on a dremel https://www.zoro.com/dremel-drum-san...A&gclsrc=aw.ds

but you could also just do the whole job with the dremel (and 1/2" drum)

Cheers,
Chris
Old 04-01-2016, 12:14 PM
  #31  
Member
 
Benz Mike's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Laporte, Indiana
Posts: 115
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
2006 SL55 AMG
Any update on the fitment of the ZZP ?
Old 04-01-2016, 07:08 PM
  #32  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
B Feelgood's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 396
Received 21 Likes on 15 Posts
SL63, GTR
Originally Posted by Benz Mike
Any update on the fitment of the ZZP ?
Definitely not a plug and play install, however not too bad. Will update tomorrow.
Attached Thumbnails Heat exchanger options for the SL55...-20160331_141321.jpg  
Old 04-03-2016, 06:54 PM
  #33  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
B Feelgood's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 396
Received 21 Likes on 15 Posts
SL63, GTR
Well, I finally finished up the install the afternoon. I would say that I spent approximately 10 hours on this project that included two trips to the local hardware store.

I ended up using one 90 degree fitting and one straight fitting for the hoses. The oil cooler had to be moved back considerably and I had to remove the plastic air flow shroud that enclosed it as there just wasn't any room for it. The passenger side fog light housing had to be trimmed in the rear so that it wouldn't obstruct the hose. Also, the front bumper had to be notched on the left/right for the HE end caps, and the left side front bumper support bracket had to be trimmed. The notches on the front bumper can't be seen with the mesh grill in place.

So to recap, it fits. However, it certainly required a lot of patience and time to make it do so. For the price, it's worth it if you have a free weekend. As afar as I know, there is not a direct fit heat exchanger for the SL55, so any one that you buy is going to need some work.
Attached Thumbnails Heat exchanger options for the SL55...-1.jpg   Heat exchanger options for the SL55...-2.jpg   Heat exchanger options for the SL55...-3.jpg   Heat exchanger options for the SL55...-4.jpg   Heat exchanger options for the SL55...-5.jpg  

Heat exchanger options for the SL55...-6.jpg   Heat exchanger options for the SL55...-7.jpg  
Old 04-03-2016, 08:34 PM
  #34  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
B Feelgood's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 396
Received 21 Likes on 15 Posts
SL63, GTR

Also worth mentioning that I got exactly 10 quarts of coolant out of the approximate 14 quarts in the cooling system. This was done simply by draining from the radiator petcock. I couldn't locate the drain plugs on the engine block to get the remaining 4 quarts out unfortunately.
Old 04-04-2016, 12:09 AM
  #35  
Senior Member
 
m-svt-amg's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 258
Received 7 Likes on 7 Posts
2003 SL55
Originally Posted by Benz Mike
Looks good ! It will Be nice because you can mount it backwards and wont see the ZZP through the grill.
Can it actually be mounted backwards?
Old 04-04-2016, 12:13 AM
  #36  
Super Member
 
carguyshu's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Kansas
Posts: 952
Received 125 Likes on 95 Posts
2003 E55, 2003 SL55, 2014 CLS63, 2018 q50 Redsport, 1968 Camaro SS, 1999 Trans am Firehawk
it actually has to be mounted backwards in the SL. The way he installed it in the pic it is backwards. on the backside it says ZZP. You could always make a stencil of the AMG logo and get some black paint and make it say AMG on the front side. I'm considering doing this myself.
Old 04-04-2016, 12:16 AM
  #37  
Senior Member
 
m-svt-amg's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 258
Received 7 Likes on 7 Posts
2003 SL55
Originally Posted by carguyshu
it actually has to be mounted backwards in the SL. The way he installed it in the pic it is backwards. on the backside it says ZZP. You could always make a stencil of the AMG logo and get some black paint and make it say AMG on the front side. I'm considering doing this myself.
I actually prefer the blank look. If only they had a thermal coated version like AFCO for the Lightning:


Old 04-04-2016, 12:16 AM
  #38  
MBWorld Fanatic!
iTrader: (1)
 
Sir-Boost-a-Lot's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Orlando
Posts: 2,092
Received 29 Likes on 22 Posts
1967 Pro Touring turbo LSX Camaro
Yeah. That core doesn't matter which way the coolant or air flow across it.

Originally Posted by m-svt-amg
Can it actually be mounted backwards?
Old 04-05-2016, 12:40 AM
  #39  
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
JoeNobody's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,226
Likes: 0
Received 23 Likes on 21 Posts
Mercedes
Looks good! You may want to swap the in/out hoses so the outlet is on the top of the heat exchangers, otherwise it'll be difficult to bleed all the air out of the system.
Old 04-06-2016, 11:38 AM
  #40  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
B Feelgood's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 396
Received 21 Likes on 15 Posts
SL63, GTR
Originally Posted by JoeNobody
Looks good! You may want to swap the in/out hoses so the outlet is on the top of the heat exchangers, otherwise it'll be difficult to bleed all the air out of the system.
Should the HE inlet/outlet hoses by swapped permanently or just for the process of bleeding the air and then moved back to the positions in the picture?

I ran a clear hose from the air bleeder nipple into the coolant reservoir tank, clamped the downstream coolant hose, and ran the pump for about 20 minutes. Whenever I was at the dealership, the tech had mentioned something about parking on a steep hill while the engine is running to help bleed the system?
Old 04-06-2016, 11:44 AM
  #41  
Senior Member
 
m-svt-amg's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 258
Received 7 Likes on 7 Posts
2003 SL55
I think they should be permanently swapped. Otherwise, bleeding the air from the HE will require pushing bubbles down through it rather than letting them float to the top.
Old 04-06-2016, 12:15 PM
  #42  
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
latemodel21's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Santa Clara, Ca
Posts: 1,167
Received 229 Likes on 172 Posts
2003 SL55 / 2002 SLK32
Originally Posted by B Feelgood
Should the HE inlet/outlet hoses by swapped permanently or just for the process of bleeding the air and then moved back to the positions in the picture?

I ran a clear hose from the air bleeder nipple into the coolant reservoir tank, clamped the downstream coolant hose, and ran the pump for about 20 minutes. Whenever I was at the dealership, the tech had mentioned something about parking on a steep hill while the engine is running to help bleed the system?

If you look at any (and every) Mercedes factory configuration for Heat Exchangers (and for most radiators for that matter) ... the output is at the bottom (because heat rises presumably).

Getting the air out can be tricky but your hoses are configured correctly and should remain that way

Cheers,
Chris
Old 04-06-2016, 01:28 PM
  #43  
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
JoeNobody's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,226
Likes: 0
Received 23 Likes on 21 Posts
Mercedes
Look at how Renntech installs their second heat exchanger, and the outlet is on the top to allow air to escape.

The reason the factory has the outlet is on the bottom is to ensure the pump does not run dry on the first startup after install. But with two radiators that no longer is possible.
Old 04-06-2016, 01:53 PM
  #44  
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
latemodel21's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Santa Clara, Ca
Posts: 1,167
Received 229 Likes on 172 Posts
2003 SL55 / 2002 SLK32
Originally Posted by JoeNobody
Look at how Renntech installs their second heat exchanger, and the outlet is on the top to allow air to escape.

The reason the factory has the outlet is on the bottom is to ensure the pump does not run dry on the first startup after install. But with two radiators that no longer is possible.
Pump running dry is bad for sure (but how does having 2 heat exchangers change the likelihood of this?)

Every Renntech second heat exchanger kit I see has a crossflow HE, but I have seen some BMW kits that do it backwards, so it would come as no surprise if Renntech has on occasion as well. I will admit that having the water flow in the opposite direction of heat is only a mildly compelling argument as compared to not being able to get all of the air out (if that is an issue). For my installs, to speed refilling, etc , I always add an air-bleed at the top of the new HE. But, in an install like Brian's here, I see no reason why the air would not come out eventually.

In the end, I'm sure either way will be effective enough.

Cheers,
Chris
Old 04-08-2016, 10:44 AM
  #45  
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Welwynnick's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Welwyn, Herts, UK
Posts: 2,605
Received 329 Likes on 266 Posts
2006 S600
Radiator outlets should always be at the bottom.

There are lots of good rules about cooling systems that aren't obvious from a casual inspection, and that's one of them.
  • The pump inlet pressure should be as high as possible.
  • The pump should be located at the lowest point in the system.
  • Locate the pump after the radiator, to keep it as cool as possible.
  • Mount the pump horizontally, to minimise end loads on the bearings.
  • To avoid air locks, the outlet should be at the top of the pump.
  • The pump outlet pipe must always flow upwards.
  • The pump's pressure/flow characteristics should be matched to the system resistance curve to achieve best performance.
  • Don't run a pump into an excessively high resistance, or the impeller will be unbalanced, and wear the bearings.
  • Don't run a pump into an excessively low resistance, or the fluid incidence angle will be wrong, and cavitation will wear the impeller.
  • Always keep air and contaminants out of the system.
  • Bleed the high points of the system to the reservoir.
  • The bleed tubes should not run downwards at any point.
  • Feed the pump from the bottom of the heat exchanger, to minimise air ingestion.
  • Don't use more anti-freeze than necessary.
Nick

Last edited by Welwynnick; 04-08-2016 at 07:10 PM.
The following users liked this post:
latemodel21 (04-08-2016)
Old 04-12-2016, 08:49 PM
  #46  
Newbie
 
Dmitriyamg's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
05' Mercedes sl55 Facelift/ 1972 Benz W108 280se 4.5/
Originally Posted by SL65amg
My upgraded HE is from Eurocharged, bought it from Jerry....its in line with the stock one...the shop that installed it said its better to have both instead of just a replacement...works great...even in very high summer heat with high humidity the temp needle doesn't get high...even in bumper to bumper 5 o'clock traffic....I also have the Johnson CM30 intercooler pump with water wetter added and phenolic spacers.....

Nice!! I just purchased a sl55 and the same HE with the Eurocharged stage 1 kit. How are the results with the HE? Did you purchase anything else from them? If you have any photos that'd be great! Also I have the SL55, do Those come with a stock like the sl65 or is the HE an addition to the SL55?
Old 04-12-2016, 09:04 PM
  #47  
Senior Member
 
m-svt-amg's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 258
Received 7 Likes on 7 Posts
2003 SL55
Originally Posted by Dmitriyamg
Nice!! I just purchased a sl55 and the same HE with the Eurocharged stage 1 kit. How are the results with the HE? Did you purchase anything else from them? If you have any photos that'd be great! Also I have the SL55, do Those come with a stock like the sl65 or is the HE an addition to the SL55?
The HE on the stock SL55 is actually one of the better units in the m113k family. The E class has a lighter chassis and better weight distribution, but they gave us SL guys better cooling
Old 04-12-2016, 11:18 PM
  #48  
Newbie
 
Dmitriyamg's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
05' Mercedes sl55 Facelift/ 1972 Benz W108 280se 4.5/
Originally Posted by m-svt-amg
The HE on the stock SL55 is actually one of the better units in the m113k family. The E class has a lighter chassis and better weight distribution, but they gave us SL guys better cooling
So keep my stock HE or add the new HE to it?
Old 04-12-2016, 11:33 PM
  #49  
Senior Member
 
m-svt-amg's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 258
Received 7 Likes on 7 Posts
2003 SL55
Stock he is fine for stock boost.

Add a new he if you plan on going all out.
Old 05-01-2016, 08:10 PM
  #50  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
B Feelgood's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 396
Received 21 Likes on 15 Posts
SL63, GTR
Originally Posted by Nor Cal SL55
Here is a mock up of my Weistec HE. It is a 26-3/4" x 6-3/4" dimension that fits tight up against the oil cooler (OC). Haven't had a chance to finish the mount, but looks like it will fit ok. I moved the oil cooler back on the stock mounts and it is solid. The HE rests on the OC shroud and I'm still pondering the final fitment.

What's the final verdict on the Weistec heat exchanger?

Do you know what the thickness of it is? Did you have to trim the bumper at all? Did you find the angled inlet/outlet ports beneficial when routing the hoses?

From your posts, it appears that the only modification that you had to do was to move the oil cooler back a peg on the stock mounts.


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.

Quick Reply: SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: Heat exchanger options for the SL55...



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 07:29 PM.