Kleeman C55 S8, stats don't add up
#1
Kleeman C55 S8, stats don't add up
Was seriously considering this mod to a C55 and read a review of this car in the December car and driver mag. Supposedly has 570 hp and 580 torque. Then I saw the quarter mile times (12.2 at 117) and something doesn't add up. The E55 which has 469 hp and 516 torque and weighs at least 400-500 lbs more has a well established quarter mile time of 12.4 at 116.5 according to most mags including car and driver. If the Kleeman power figures were correct I would expect a trap speed significantly higher than the E55's. Are Kleeman's figures reliable, what gives?
#2
Super Member
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: bay area, california
Posts: 714
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
'14 428i M-Sport, '02 C32 AMG
that's also just one test. i have seen car and driver take some really fast cars and test them super slowly. for instance, just look at the supertuner challenges. all the super fixed up vipers and vettes never test as fast as they can. like the lingenfelter 427 c5 testing around 12-flat. yes even bad off the line launches would result in a slower ET with a higher trap speed, but car and driver tested some tuned cars ridiculously slowly, and even the trap speeds weren't up to par. i don't think they are a really reliable source for comparing tuned cars.
plus perhaps gearing is an issue? i don't know the exact gearing but i think the E55's much taller, i wouldn't be surprised if the c55 hits 4th before the trap and the e55 still in 3rd? or close to it. in this case maybe the c55 might drop out of its max powerband when around the 117 or so speed. the taller gear may help off the line, because ther'es soo much torque that close ratio gearing may cause too much wheelspin if not driven properly.
that said, i also have a lot of trust in kleemann so i might be slightly biased. their claims never seem inflated, dyno proven by 3rd party customers, and everyone i have heard of running kleemann superchargers are thoroughly impressed. best bet, get a kleemann charger and race an e55, tell us the result :p
plus perhaps gearing is an issue? i don't know the exact gearing but i think the E55's much taller, i wouldn't be surprised if the c55 hits 4th before the trap and the e55 still in 3rd? or close to it. in this case maybe the c55 might drop out of its max powerband when around the 117 or so speed. the taller gear may help off the line, because ther'es soo much torque that close ratio gearing may cause too much wheelspin if not driven properly.
that said, i also have a lot of trust in kleemann so i might be slightly biased. their claims never seem inflated, dyno proven by 3rd party customers, and everyone i have heard of running kleemann superchargers are thoroughly impressed. best bet, get a kleemann charger and race an e55, tell us the result :p
#4
MBWorld Fanatic!
Originally Posted by KompressorKev
that's also just one test. i have seen car and driver take some really fast cars and test them super slowly. for instance, just look at the supertuner challenges. all the super fixed up vipers and vettes never test as fast as they can. like the lingenfelter 427 c5 testing around 12-flat. yes even bad off the line launches would result in a slower ET with a higher trap speed, but car and driver tested some tuned cars ridiculously slowly, and even the trap speeds weren't up to par. i don't think they are a really reliable source for comparing tuned cars.
Originally Posted by KompressorKev
plus perhaps gearing is an issue? i don't know the exact gearing but i think the E55's much taller, i wouldn't be surprised if the c55 hits 4th before the trap and the e55 still in 3rd? or close to it. in this case maybe the c55 might drop out of its max powerband when around the 117 or so speed. the taller gear may help off the line, because ther'es soo much torque that close ratio gearing may cause too much wheelspin if not driven properly.
#7
Originally Posted by ajoe
Was seriously considering this mod to a C55 and read a review of this car in the December car and driver mag. Supposedly has 570 hp and 580 torque. Then I saw the quarter mile times (12.2 at 117) and something doesn't add up. The E55 which has 469 hp and 516 torque and weighs at least 400-500 lbs more has a well established quarter mile time of 12.4 at 116.5 according to most mags including car and driver. If the Kleeman power figures were correct I would expect a trap speed significantly higher than the E55's. Are Kleeman's figures reliable, what gives?
Keep in mind that the Kleemann C55 has huge aftermarket rims and brakes which adds significant rotating mass. I've driven this car back to back with an E55 and the Kleemann C55 feels significantly more powerful. I've also seen the car on a dyno and their power claims seem to be accurate.
Trending Topics
#9
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: 43°38'N / 79°52'W
Posts: 1,743
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
EuroCharged 2012 C63 BS Coupè
Originally Posted by AMG PWR
Do you know where I can get some pictures of this car? I have the mag article but I cant find it. Also I found the stats on the car but no damned pictures.... :v
#11
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: North Cuba/West Bimini
Posts: 2,256
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Cars and boats!
the kleeman C55 only traps 117mph on high boost yeilding 570hp and 580lb ft? Even if its lost in wheelspin and cuts a 2.6 60ft time with a 12.2 ET, it should at least be trapping in the 120s with that kind of HP/Weight ratio IMO. 19" wheels should have also gave it more gear!!!
People smoke all of first and 2nd gear on teh E55 if they just stomp it with ESP off but if you can modulate the throttle you wont spin much if none and cut a good 60ft time with a good ET. Im sure the Car and Driver guys should have known that one.
Not taking anything away from the C55K, it is a bad *** car but you are right, the stats dont match up
People smoke all of first and 2nd gear on teh E55 if they just stomp it with ESP off but if you can modulate the throttle you wont spin much if none and cut a good 60ft time with a good ET. Im sure the Car and Driver guys should have known that one.
Not taking anything away from the C55K, it is a bad *** car but you are right, the stats dont match up
Last edited by BenzoAMGpower; 04-12-2005 at 09:19 PM.