Trekman

its AMGSC fault from start to end! HPS will be washing their hands off with this mess. he should have pulled that SC off a year ago but still kept on trying to push the car to its grave.

E55Cent

I'm sorry Robert for what happened to your motor. I hope you leave HPS for good this time. At least you have a better understanding how cars work. I think we have all learned a lot.
I guess I'm still the record holder for the HPS system. I'm glad I bought the Generation 1 because I was very close to getting the Gen 2.

MARK CUMMINS

Here Ya Go......4k on a Non Modified Complete Engine

For the Same Price as The HPS Kit!

2005
Engine
Mercedes SLK -4K,SLK55,171,AMG,CO LD=223,ALL GOOD 4,000 A P083MK $9995.17 Potomac German Auto USA-MD(Frederick) E-mail 1-888-873-3236

pshek

If I we're in Robert's position, I would cut my losses and start with a different engine. I'd get an E55K motor and swap it in. But only serious individuals would actually do something like that... Josh at HOP is the man!

AMGSC

BAD NEWS:
Core failed pressure testing at MechTech. I was right. Entire tank of coolant poured into engine in one 1hour of driving.

GOOD NEWS:
1) It's actually a smaller tank that I thought. I measured it and it's only 4"x 4" x 6" so according to Jim at Mechtech, there should be no engine damage. As a matter of fact, the water/coolant actually cleans out the internals and most of it never gets inside the engine. He told me that Mercedes advises customers to fill up the coolant when the core fails in order to save the pump from failure as well.

2) A replacement core is on it's way and the car should be ready tomorrow. They will also check for any signs of damage when they lift the plenum. I didn't ask if I would have to pay for any of this but that's the least of my worries. I'm sure HPS and MECHTECH will do the right thing and rectify the problem.

I just want to add that Jessie really did the best he could. It was very difficult to access the intercooler tank and you really can't easily tell if it was empty unless you took the cap off or used a bright flashlight to see the coolant level or lack of.

I'm not trying to blame HPS or Jessie. My goal of this thread was to provide a chronicle of my experience so that others know what to be aware of when attempting to do heavy mods. Another purpose was to let performance shops/tuners/kit builders get some feedback on how their products and services are doing in order to improve them for other potential customers.

Right now, I'm comtemplating just driving it easy for a while until some company develops a reliable TT or SC for the 6.3 motor. This science project has reached its close.

AMGSC

I wonder if Josh can build a custom SC for the new 6.3 motor. Will it fit inside my engine bay?

One thing I'd have to say is Josh really impressed me with his knowledge. All the little adjustments HPS or I made, (i.e. injectors, plugs,etc...) that helped the kit make a bit more power were first suggested to me by Josh and eventually it turned out to be true.

jgsx

Dear lord. You're already looking at using another fly by night blower kit? You never fail to amaze me.

Trekman

its time to sell that hunk of steel! I would buy a honda and do those mod on it. not on a AMG, you are worried that you hope you dont get charge for a new core but you kept on dreaming on doing stupid stuff to your car. I think if you do the math you must have spend more money than when you started.

Kev04C320

I really don't know wtf I should say. You are really dumb as a rock... Seriously, where is your common sense?

By the way, this is a Mercedes, not a 'stang so you can't just shoehorn a 6.3 engine into your and expect it to work

AMGSC

Let's keep this civil. I don't want this thread escalating into hurling insults at each other. I did'nt say I was going to do it. Obviously there are Mercedes Specialists out there that can do this. We are not talking about splitting the atom here. Sure a Benz is more difficult but who says it can't be done. Of course I would weigh the cost vs benefits. Of course I wasn't as cautious this first go around but hey we all learn from experience.

For all of you that say I don't heed your advice, that's false BUT SOME of you C32 owners have a bias against the C55's potential of extending the advantage. The C32 is a great car but who says that it's the only C body car that can make significant power through modding. You guys almost unanamously give props to Renntech and Kleemann but all you guys are doing is driving up their price even more.

I never said I would not consider a Kleemann SC if they made one for the 6.3 motor. I'm done with this 5.5 motor with a 11:1 CR. There's just not much more you can do with it. Imagine a 6.3 motor with 10+psi. If I can't get a motor to fit under my hood and configured properly then I'll just get the C63 and go with Kleemann's new kit for that motor.

AMGSC

Not bad! Even better than the Ebay offer. Now what about a 6.3 motor where the body has been totaled but the engine is fine. That's what REALLY excites me. That may still be a better deal than buying the C63. I really like the styling the C55 much better since it's more distinctively BENZ. Then I'd ask Kleemann when their kits for this new motor will be released.

JamE55

How can you say it's false when it's clearly written all over this thread that majority if not all of the people subscribed in this thread are telling you and have told you to cut your losses back on page 10 and yet you still continue with your project that all it's given you are problems after problem.

How much money have you already spent on this project (s/c, getting it fixed, dynos etc..)? Do you think with all that money you wasted you could've just bought a kleemann s/c and get it done with one time? Just think about it.

It's because their products actually works. And what you are paying for is peace of mind not this 100page thread. Although it is kind of fun to read when you're bored at work. LOL

Trekman

I think your missing the point here.... everyone here would love to see a fellow member modding his/her car and making it fast as it can. the point that everyone is telling you if you want to mod your car the CORRECT WAY and keep its value is to go with a tuner that has real good experience with this cars.

example:
Dragon bought his car for maybe $60000 Plus the Kleemann upgrade
he drove it had fun with it.
sold it close to $60000 to $70000.

you paid $60000 for the car
paid HPS to install their Version of a SC $6000 to $7000
its been a year and your car never ran properly
even if you tried to sell that car, its not worth anything. maybe $20000

big difference
I feel bad for you, because your the victim here no one else. It was you who paid for all the tuning, dyno, Pump parts, ect.

Kev04C320

That's just part of the theatrics to get your attention. I don't intend on mudslinging. However, you obviously do lack some common sense despite your stated education level (a degree from the University of Spoiler Children/Chinese).....

1. You don't try to fix something that has already been proven is poorly designed (you even admitted that) and faulty, which can result in the engine blowing up (Linh's 55). There's no way you can fix the periphery of the system (like adding H2O/MEOH injection, tuning the ECU, replacing the pump) when the actual problem is in the blower itself. Do you get that point? You just headed towards a downward spiral and ended up in self destruction. Do you feel good about blowing up the car and not being able to let your son drive it like you have planned?

2. I don't know why you're feeling like you're being persecuted by the jealous 32 owners. Are you sure they don't like you or are they giving you objective advise on how to add horsepower to your car appropriately? Some how this reminds me of my mother-in-law, whom I suspect to be suffering from paranoid schizophrenia..... It's your own car, you can do whatever you like to it. People just don't want to see you follow Linh's footsteps because we've seen how ugly it became afterwards. They are doing this out of courtesy, but you don't seem to appreciate or even listen to it.

3. Pages ago, we already warned you over and over again what could happen if you continue to pile stuff on the motor. There's only this much abuse an engine can take. There's no way back once you overstepped the boundary. Now, even with a brand new engine, people would be cautious when buying your car, so basically you'll end up with a car that is worth substantially less than what it should be.

4. How much money did you put into fixing the HPS system? The numerous tunes, upgrades, MeOH kit, etc etc. You could have started out with a RENNtech system (which actually uses a tried-and-true blower) and custom fabricated parts to really build up the car's power (long tube headers, cat-back exhaust, etc etc). Instead, you had a car that was not running correctly and ended up in the shop more often than you wanted. Do you think it was worth the money?

5. It's not a problem to do something wrong, but repeating your mistake again and again would prove to other people that you're really dumb...... Learn from your mistakes is the least that you can do. Instead, you seem to be in denial from Post #1.

So, in conclusion, grow the heck up, Mr. AMGSC. Do you see what have you done to the poor little W203 AMG that you have? I would have loved a white W203 but there weren't any in my neighborhood when I bought mine, so I consider you to be the lucky one. However, instead of pampering your AMG, you chose to butcher it further and further.... I really feel bad for your car.

Trekman

Amen....

you know how much I love my AMG ever since I bought the car it has never seen 1 drop of rain. and I see you (AMGSC) you must have Lot of money to burn to not care about you car....

AMGSC

Don't forget the approxmately 20+ weeks of car rentals after dropping my car off. At $200 per week x 20 = $4,000. I just rented a car again for this week and had to miss another day of work which I can not afford to do often given my responsibilities at my company.

I guess I just don't like to throw it the towel. Kind of like that boxer named Arturo Gatti until he met Floyd Mayweather and Baldimir and was knocked out. He finally saw the end. He had the heart of a lion but physically and technically he was limited. Kleemann, you might say is the Floyd Mayweather and Renntech the De La Hoya of SC kits but I was just hoping that a new challenger can surprise everyone with an upset knockout.

jgsx

You're like Apollo Creed in Rocky IV . . . an Apollo Creed that never knew how to box.

AMGSC

Rocky could'nt box either. What's your point? I bet MechTech who does over several million dollars a year in revenue modding cars knows a little more than you. Do you own a tuner shop that does steady business? They tune MB, BMWs, Muscle cars, Vettes, Lotus, Buggies, etc..

Kev04C320

I see you still don't get the point.

It's not about the tune. It's about the paper weight that you bought and thought would out perform both KLEEMANN and RENNtech.

Thericker

I love the fact you guys, keep using the phrase I coined for the gen II

jgsx

You're obviously not familiar with Rocky IV. Apollo was a cocky little ***** and wouldn't throw in the towel even though he was getting beat to hell, so he got knocked to death.

Kev04C320

That's good term that you coined

If it doesn't do what it was advertised to do, it's nothing but an oversized paper weight.

OJwerks

mig888

Well I googled hps to see if there was somekind of response regarding the failing intercoolers on AMGSC's C55. I found some pics which I cant post as I will probably be banned for or sued by HPS since its pics of you guessed it intake with coolant crust all inside the plenum.....AmazinG


But I did find an interesting piece on the hps site I thought you guys would have an interesting laugh at.

HPS:

R.A. Industries has over 35 years of experience producing complex precision products for companies such as NASA and Boeing. Aerospace tolerances and quality standards are perhaps the strictest in the world, and HPS draws on this very unique and precise background to develop their world-class supercharger systems.

As the world's only Mercedes-Benz tuner with this type of background and expertise, HPS produces products with standards that are simply unparalleled. It's no wonder that HPS has earned accolades from retailers and customers alike in over 10 countries.

General Notice about our suppliers.

Due to supplier issues, HPS can no longer continue to work with Speed Innovation and/or Jessie Diakis. HPS will not be held accountable or responsible for any tuning issues from this company and/or individual on any HPS vehicles. This will include but not limited to the following: Any internal or external engine damage including the entire drive-train, transmission related issues, failed vehicle mass air flow meter sensor including related emissions control system components, ECU computer issues (Hardware & software related anomalies), and/or other related components. If a HPS customer choose to use this company and/or individual even after reading this statement you are at your own risk. You also release/waive all your rights and/or claims against HPS. You also void any remaining factory warranty from HPS and are on your own. Even if this individual mentions, a design flaw. Which there is no design flaws with this supercharger system. Based on our knowledge he is not a Mercedes-Benz technician, ASE certified mechanic, automotive engineer, and/or anything else related to it. This information is written to protect HPS and a friendly reminder.

pshek

AMGSC, whatever Jim at Mechtech or HPS told you about coolant leaking into the intake sounds like BS to me. Coolant/water can't be good for an engine. Coolant is not combustible. Some of the coolant dries up and coats the inside of the intake with crusty sh*t. It certainly won't "clean" the inside of an engine. Jessie's tuning doesn't have any relation to the failed intercooler core on the HPS kit. It failed because HPS failed at producing a good Gen 2 kit. It just plain sucks. However, I think Jessie shouldn't have even messed with the A/F on your car since it isn't running properly. If you follow Jim's advice, make sure you carry a few gallons of coolant in your trunk just in case something bad happens. (fingers crossed)

I've heard of intercooler core failures on AMG kompressor motors and Kleeman kits now. I'm just not surprised to see the intercooler core fail on the HPS kit.

Your engine is better off without the HPS kit.