Capn

Considering parts are limited and prices are high for aftermarket support for C55, has anyone successfully modified (custom fabrication) to open up their C55's OEM restrictive intake, manifolds, headers, exhaust, etc and seen power gains?

This is probably something nobody has done but I thought I'd ask

maverik259

get oem kevlar intakes from clk550 and airbox from sl55 or e55...they provide way more airflow, i know cuz my gas mileage decreases by about 3-4mpg avg after the mod plus w/o my k&n filters...

Capn

Here's Klemann's take on why creating an intake for the C55 is negligible:

"That said, intake systems dont' allow the ECU to be tuned more aggressively one way or the other- the MAF sensor is the choking point on the inlet system and it's not possible without significant ECU mapping to make the MAF any larger, so anything you do upstream of the MAF will help, but it won't do enough to say, run more ignition timing which is where the majority of power comes from when we talk about tuning a NASP engine. Tuning an ECU is relative to how good the car is from the factory. Mercedes-Benz air boxes and inlet systems are well designed from the factory and it's highly unlikely you'll see anymore than 5-10 HP by reworking the inlet, again, because the MAF sensor is the bottle neck. What you'll get from KLEEMANN is a safe, reliable tune which will optimize the ECU specific to the headers for excellent power, a smooth power band, and factory like drivability".

Capn

So what can be done with these big ugly things?:

maverik259

ok so why'd you ask?

Capn

I actually got an answer from Kleemann regarding the intake after posting this thread.

Wondering if anybody done work on the OEM headers (including primary cats) and exhaust.

Nachtsturm

Just look at Dre's car.

Intake, crank pulley, tune and exhaust work on a tire is running 12.3's.

Yes, they respond to mods.

I am able to pull high 12's in my CLK55 with less mods and more weight.

Best bang per buck, get some high flow drop in filters, get kleeman headers, and tune from a reputable shop. On the conservative side.... Circa 25-35whp

On a side note, You plan on modding a car you are currently selling?

Capn

Yes, I'd love to throw on a tune and headers and enjoy the car until it sells but the little voice inside is saying don't.

Nachtsturm

It could sell tomorrow, IMO, if you are selling it, it is not even worth looking into, unless you have money to burn.

Capn

Money to burn? Nope but I'm just twiddling my thumbs hoping to find a used set of Kleemann headers.

91RS

https://mbworld.org/forums/c32-amg-c...aust-done.html

Nachtsturm

I guess that is where we differ, I would never modify a car I currently have for sale.

Saaboteur

Hah! That's my photo! (and my beat up old workbench!).

BTW, those are W210 E55 exhaust manifolds.

dre5373

I agree with this statement to a degree as the stock and modified Renntech airboxes retain the MAF housing. The elbow into the intake manifold sucks too. The Needswings setup replaces both. You discard the MAF housing and elbow for a new 3" elbow with a MAF sensor flange. How much of a benefit? I honestly don't know how much HP-wise, but without retuning and adding the crank pulley I dropped .144 in the quarter mile. The cams are going in this weekend, so dyno and retune shortly after and we'll see how it all works out.

Headers and exhaust are what I would recommend to anyone first, as crappy as the stock exhaust manifold is.

Tump43

Best I can recollect, I went from 362 hp stock to 420-25 hp by adding Kleeman long tube headers that delete the primary cats, replacing the secondary cats with high flow ss cats, boring the throttle body out to 80-81mm, having Speedybenz modify (i.e. bore out & smooth out) both the MAF sensor housing and the intake elbow. These mods along with a custom Jerry ECU tune, AMS crank pulley, Rennsport cf air box and the Evosport underdrive pullies has made the car quite fast and most enjoyable. As of yet I have not taken it to the track and cannot supply you with real 1/4 mile, 0-60 or lap times. I do have Dash Dyno but have not yet figured out how to get it to give me 1/4 mile, 0-60 and hp numbers. My best guess, though, given that stock 0-60 time is 4.9s, my car is now at 4.5s - 4.6s 0-60 and the high 12's in the 1/4 mile.

Capn

Has anyone done a Wavetrac/Quaife diff install?

ECU, Headers, and Diff and I think you can get 0-60 in 4.5sec and 1/4mile in 12.8s.

Throw on drag radials and you'll probably be in the 12.4-5sec range.