diem24

I'm new to this site and MB's altogether. Just bought an 05 C55 Blk/Blk w Nav. Taking a poll of top 3 performance mods done. How does the value of the different exhaust systems compare to the res removal? How about intakes and filters? Looking for the best and then opinions on bang for the buck. Thanks!!!!! Nik

BLACKROOF C55

Welcome, Nice Choice you will have fun with that car, cars a blast to drive and alot of upgrade options avail.. heres some options. happy suffin

http://www.performanceproducts4benz....+Mercedes-Benz

http://euroteckmotorsports.com/index...owse&pageid=40


http://www.kleemann.dk/site/Main

http://www.evosport.com/product/default.aspx?catid=120

Quicktwinturbo

it's not really worth to modd a C55 to make it go fast.. $ to power ratio is ****ty on our car..

example.. $3000 renntech airbox + chip = 15hp gain...
Header $1500-$2000 = 10-20hp gain?

Just do what I did.. Get a set of greenfilter and remove your resonator and call it a day

but then if you have money to burn, go all out and send ur car to Klemmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmannn.. expect to drop atleast 10G for 100-120hp gain.

billtc55

You can get the Green Filters here for $110 + shipping a pair and a free cleaning kit included of ordered before the July 15th

ProjectC55

Forget the air box.

I have ECU upgrade,Kleemann cams,kleeman headers, custom exh,and green filters all totaling I'd say alot of $$$ at least 5 to 6k for everything. Have not redynoed car yet but can beat some AMG E63's in the 1/4 mile I'm sure.

rbaker

Nobody mentioned underdrive pulleys... they're relatively cheap (I think I paid $350) but you'll probably want to get them installed by someone who's done it just to avoid the hassle with these things. I'd 2cd Green Filters or offer the ITG's as a good alternative since I heard they now make a replacement element (just don't over oil either, or you'll foul up your MAF). I also just added a cooler thermostat & intake manifold isolation gaskets to cut heating of the intake charge & loss of power after the cars been running a while. I may do an ECU mod if I can figure out which one actually works. After that, I'm debating custom headers, more intake isolation & head porting, but that gets expensive. As others have pointed out, the prices for current aftermarket airboxes & headers from most are an absolute ripoff, especially considering the limited HP benefits.

BTW, resonator delete wont get you any more HP, just cooler (louder) sound. I think the exhaust manifolds are probably much more restrictive than the mufflers, so I can't imagine changing muffs will gain you much either.

If you want handling, 0 out the toe in front & rear (or almost 0) and add washers to the front strut for 1/2 degree more negative camber. Then replace the heavy factory battery with a lightweight Hawker Odyssey (~24 lbs vs 65 lbs) and maybe even some wider front wheels, or space them out slightly for wider front track. Those tricks will improve turn in greatly, which these things need.

Addicted2Speed

Forget the exhaust, airbox, and headers and start saving for the supercharger. You won't even feel 15-20hp gain, its not worth it...

ProjectC55

Price wise for the headers,I can agree with you. Where I will disagree with you is in the hp gain. You will notice a nice hp gain in the hp area you mentioned.
With the exh and headers alone there will be a noticeable gain especially when eliminating the primary cats and adding an X or Y pipe.. The exhaust is the biggest restriction alone on these cars. I can tell you that my car is a mid 12 sec car that should run over 110mph in the 1/4 mile. Stay tuned!

ProjectC55

Not worth it. Many folks have noticed very little to no gains.

Quicktwinturbo

hows ur car sounds with all of your mods??? Does it sound like an american v8?? Just curious..

ProjectC55

It sounds mean but not krazee! it sounds a little similar to an American v8 underfull throttle if not better,but definitely sounds more similar to an E39 M5 at full throttle with exhaust.

Vadim @ FD

[QUOTE]Not worth it. Many folks have noticed very little to no gains.[QUOTE]

Sorry, but it is not the case. A lot guys have done UD pulleys and noticed nice gains. The gains are not huge, but 5-7HP for $380 is not bad.

Tump43

I agree with Vadim and have done this mod to my C55; I also had it done to my former '99 C43. Even if the HP increase is not significant, what this mod does do is provide more usable torque accross the entire RPM range, especially in the low range. While UDP's may not increase your total hp, they certainly keep the engine from loosing as much hp before it hits your wheels.
I can't wait till I get my billet aluminum harmonic dampner -- same size as OE but half the weight.

Regards,

c32AMG-DTM

Not looking to start an argument - but Renntech's site advertises their Stage II for C55 (ECU, carbon fiber airbox, and SS headers - for $8k msrp) adds 40hp and 44 lb-ft of torque... I'd think you'd feel that much of a jump in power, assuming their numbers aren't inflated.

Agreed that the S/C addition from Kleemann or Renntech is a huge jump - but big bucks too... might as well save the $$$ towards a C63, IMHO.

ProjectC55

I hear ya Marc and Vadim but I only got my info from two well known guys from the forum that have pulleys and told me it's not worth it. So I did not bother spending the $$$$. By the way here is a hint: One owner has a 1999 W210 E55 and the other has a W209 CLK55. Both heavily modded.

I feel for 380.00 ( purchased SS Cats by Metal Cats+SS reso by Vibrant) I was able to get better results building my exh system secondary Cats back! Of course this price does not incld labour.
You'll definitely feel hp,usable TQ across the Whole entire RPM range,low rpm's up with the setup I have. Just this mod alone prior to cams and headers turned my car into a BEAST. You can ask NYC_SRT8 who has a heavily modded SRT8 300C (12.6 @112mph 1/4 mile). B4 cams and headers car ran with him on a roll until speeds and rpm's got very high. After cam and header mods both cars are always neck and neck!
I don't feel I'm missing the pulleys at all. The SRT8 does not have them either.
Could I get a little more from the pulleys is debatable to me based on talking to guys from the forum.

Fifth Ring

Also, when putting big bucks into any modification, you have to consider two hidden costs:

(1) if you have a warranty, you may have voided it, and

(2) if the modifications are significant, you may actually reduce your resale value. You definitely limit the size of the market you can sell your car into (no CarMax or trade in for you!).

ProjectC55

I believe Renntech modded cars do not void the MB warranty. I cannot speak for Kleemann but I can't say that their stuff voids the MB warranty for sure or sometimes that depends on the dealer. Just like BMW and Dinan.

Some guys here have received very good $$ for their AMG's when modded with Evosport,Kleemann or Renntech goods.. By adding a S/C or increasing the performance of their stck S/C AMG's. Like they say "there is an *** for every seat"! This goes for Modded M5's as well.

ProjectC55

OT Marc you need to stop being a stranger,forget the lawsuits for a minute, and bring the car to EnglishTown one evening. By the way I changed my handle to ProjectC55! Send me your # again You have also been missing our Captree meets.

Carl!

Vadim @ FD

Most of the gains from UD pulleys come in the first three gears. I have noticed that a lot of people do not like to race from the stop to stop, but on the freeway. In that case you are not going to feel a major difference.

Try to pick up a used set through classifieds, you will be surprised.

Addicted2Speed

Renntech and kleemann both void the warranty just the same lol

rbaker

I have the UDP's on my C55 and they gave a slight improvement. Maybe I'm one of the few guys that has stoplight-to-stoplight fun. Put it this way, I've never been passed by an E55 from 0-60, although I'm sure part of that is a good launch & correct tire pressures. Put it this way... do pulleys give you huge HP? NO. But does anything that's cheap for an AMG give you big HP?

Tump43: About that damper, does the aluminum one you're going to install have any type of "damping" to it? Or is it just a big pulley? I'd be hesitant about just putting one on that has no real damper designed in.

ProjectC55

Try doing your exhaust by changing everything from the secondary cats back to 3" and you'll see what I mean. This mod is cheaper than putting on headers and cams and you'll notice a nice difference for the $$ Guaranteed!

I agree 100% If it has no dampening I would not touch it.

Vadim @ FD

Yes, you are right. However, it also makes your car LOUD. Which many, many AMG owners will not tolerate.

rbaker

I'd love to do a full exhaust with headers, as the factory setup looks really awful. I'm used to BMW M's, and the factory headers they have put our AMG's to shame. I've just been hesitant due to emissions crap here in SoCal & some shops look at you funny even if you have a different center or muffler. I REALLY want headers & pipes, but maybe I'll just try modding it from the secondary cats back???

BTW, when under the car this wknd I measured the pipes & found that AMG used 2-1/2" duals from the downpipes back to the Y before the resonator. Then they increased to a 3-1/8" single into the resonator, and a 2-3/4" out (they used metric equivalents of course). Then they Y-off into 2-1/4" duals to the mufflers. I'm a little dissapointed by the small pipes as the system goes back, considering the supposed HP these things should make.

Did you change everything from the secondary cats back to mufflers?

Tump43

Yes, it is a regular engineered damper with a rubber (or other felxible material) ring. If I ever get the thing I will let you all know where to get one.

Regards,