hanknum

I did some searching and did not find anything conclusive...some said that they felt definite increase, while others said they couldn't tell a difference. Each of the chip companies obviously promise approx. 15-20 hp.

I wanted to get some input from those who have "chipped" their cars. I'm especially looking for those who have done it on the 320 motors (or other normally aspirated ones). I know it is easier to get more power from chipping a super/turbo charged motor by just increasing the boost. But, I've got and '02 C320 and just wanted to see what others have experienced on these motors.

Thanks

Henry

jokerswld34

well i just chipped my c230 K SS with a powerchip from Speedtuning USA. I went with the Stage 2 with advanced timing to mate with my kleeman headers, hi-flow cat and Brabus exhaust. Although we are having a problem breaking the speed limiter, the power delivery is much better and i certainly gained 20 hp. the power is smooth all the way through the rev band and pulls much harder towards redline. the chip doesnt do what a chip for say a turbo Audi or VW would do for power, but it definitely makes the car feel stronger, pull harder and gives you more confidence when aggressively changing lanes or just going for a blast down the highway. Also, Oliver at Speedtuning was great with customer service, best i have had with any performance modification, and he can explain to you what your car will do once chipped. check out the website and give him a call speedtuningusa.com. Price was very reasonable too. hope this helps

LILBENZ230

Can you post up your baseline and new dyno chart to show the 20hp gain?

Glyn M Ruck

Here we go again

Glyn M Ruck

I posted this yesterday on the W204 forum.
quote
"The MB ECU tune is pretty much optimised for driveability, durability & fuel consumption without stumble in certain conditions. It is very difficult to improve on. You can add in some places but you always loose somewhere else. It's all about compromise. Most ECU tunes without other hardware push the power & torque up the rev range. If you have a 7G auto do not mess with the ECU if you value driveability - Don't say to me what about AMG? They balance all the issues that MB do standard & reprofile the TCU."
unquote

LILBENZ230

Yeah Glyn.. how does one state they certainly gained 20hp and not post any proof whatsoever?

91RS

I thought we couldn't do anything with the PCMs on these cars because of the "nannies?"

M-bENZ

I had the chip from Speedtunningusa too (stage II) but I dont think I gained 20hp. Yes it does pull stronger than b4.

Andy

XsuperbeeX

FrankW

keven (kcheng)'s car is ecu tuned by speedinnovation as well as MJ50's C240. you can ask them for their feedback.

Mike (waveykat) also have a tuned C320.

all three of them has the under-drive pulley kit and other bolt-ons.

TemjinX2

yeah its best to do a tune after you do your hardware mods..ie..intake/header/exhaust. There's already a thread with a base line and final on a c320 with underpulley and tune.

TemjinX2

https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...ason-sale.html

Glyn M Ruck

Yep! - as Frank, Mike & I say - ECU tune after hardware - WOT without that.

FrankW

whoever going to read that make sure you read the entire thread.

the number they posted first up was skewed.

when the hell was TVT banned?

hanknum

Thanks Frank. The first thing I did when I started reading that thread was pull out my calculator because the RWHP number sure seemed low.

My plans are to do air filters, UD pulley, and "chip". I want to keep it under $1k. The filters need replacing anyway, and the pulley is a known quantity (mechanically speaking, if you underdrive a pulley, you reduce the parasitic draw from the engine). The chip or tune I'm still having some hesitation on. I'll try and contact the members you suggested and see what how they feel.

Lastly, are people saying that the stock C320 airbox is restrictive? I thought that they were pretty good since they had ram air with 2 inlets. Is it after the filter that makes them restrictive?

Thanks

Henry

jturkel

shoot LET a PM. i remember asking Jake (loungn14) back in February how much power a C320 would get from a tune and he told me 15whp depending on mods. Shoot him a PM. I'm sure he can give you a decent idea of what you can pick up if any.

FrankW

when you open up the airbox you'll see all the little square looking section inside on top of the box. those are what makes it restrictive since the air can't pass through the box cleanly to the TB. take renntech for example their box raised up the volumn and without the square sections inside.