Aftermarket crankshaft/underdrive pulley on stock C55?
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Senior Member
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 384
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C55 AMG, E55 AMG
Aftermarket crankshaft/underdrive pulley on stock C55?
My C55's underdrive pulley is almost due for replacement.
If I replace it with an aftermarket pulley while leaving everything else bone stock, will there be a noticeable gain? And will the gains be worth the extra $$$ (since it's a little more expensive than stock)? Or is it pointless to do a pulley upgrade without getting at least an ECU tune?
Are there also cons with aftermarket pulleys? Like some other components of the engine being stressed out more etc?
If I replace it with an aftermarket pulley while leaving everything else bone stock, will there be a noticeable gain? And will the gains be worth the extra $$$ (since it's a little more expensive than stock)? Or is it pointless to do a pulley upgrade without getting at least an ECU tune?
Are there also cons with aftermarket pulleys? Like some other components of the engine being stressed out more etc?
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 408
Likes: 1
From: AZ
C32, C55, 08 E63
UD pulleys are usually lighter than the stock ones which offer a little bit of a power gain but not much. The biggest issue ive read with ligher UD pullys is they often dont offer the vibration dampening like the stock UD pulley. This can be an issue as the vibrations can cause premature wear and failure in the rotating assembly. I havent had any experience with UD pulleys for these car but have with other makes and this was my experience with them.
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 706
Likes: 3
From: Lebanon & Nigeria
W209 CLK55 AMG Kompressor, ATV BRP 800 CAN-AM
Hey guys,i've heard many that had the EvoSport underdrive pulley on their C55 or CLK55, all of them where happy from the result.
As well,i have a friend who install it on his CLK55,the gain was 8-11 hp, no need for a different tune,he didnt change the tune after installing the new pulley and that was the gain...
The set is for 379$, we can make a group buy if we there is many interested http://www.evosport.com/product/prod...VO.PER.MV8.PK1
As well i heard about the AMS crank pulley which as well my friend has it and i think (not sure) the gain was 10 hp, It's a very simple mod, using the AMS pulley reduces the weight on the crank, less rotational mass...
Hope it will help the info i gave...if any interested in group buy,i will be in...
As well,i have a friend who install it on his CLK55,the gain was 8-11 hp, no need for a different tune,he didnt change the tune after installing the new pulley and that was the gain...
The set is for 379$, we can make a group buy if we there is many interested http://www.evosport.com/product/prod...VO.PER.MV8.PK1
As well i heard about the AMS crank pulley which as well my friend has it and i think (not sure) the gain was 10 hp, It's a very simple mod, using the AMS pulley reduces the weight on the crank, less rotational mass...
Hope it will help the info i gave...if any interested in group buy,i will be in...
Super Member
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 660
Likes: 3
From: Maryland
2006 C55, 1995 C36
Hmmm...are we talking lightweight crank pulley or underdrive pulleys? I have the AMS crank pulley with no issues but only a few thousand miles after install. I was a little hesitant due to the number of members who expressed concern (albeit with no actual experience)...even AFTER I picked it up. But given that members I trust posted positive reviews I went ahead and installed it. Talk about NERVOUS lol. I was less stressed changing cams than playing with the crank bolt! Maybe I lurk on the E55 boards too much 
Nothing but good stuff to say so far, she definitely revs faster now. The diff in weight between the two is VERY noticeable, but I added a Needswings SLK55 DCAI at the same time, so no idea how much was due to which. I check for pulley wobble pretty often, all is good so far.
ChiCho, if you set up the Evosport UDP group buy, count me in brother!
Nothing but good stuff to say so far, she definitely revs faster now. The diff in weight between the two is VERY noticeable, but I added a Needswings SLK55 DCAI at the same time, so no idea how much was due to which. I check for pulley wobble pretty often, all is good so far.
ChiCho, if you set up the Evosport UDP group buy, count me in brother!
Last edited by dre5373; Feb 11, 2013 at 10:41 PM.
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Newbie
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 9
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2006 C55 AMG
I am in...
... but, are there any questions about the dampening quality\characteristics of this aftermarket pulley? Do these engines need dampening? (I am not talking about external balance\counter balance requirements).
Again, I am not talking about engine balance, I know these engines are internally balanced. Specifically, I am curious as to whether or not the factory crank-pulley provides vibration dampening OR if it is truly neutral (just a pulley).
I have done the pulley upgrade on SEVERAL C5 and C6 Corvettes, which are also internally balanced. That being said the LS series engines DO use the crank-pulley as a vibration dampener to cancel (absorb) harmonics.
... but, are there any questions about the dampening quality\characteristics of this aftermarket pulley? Do these engines need dampening? (I am not talking about external balance\counter balance requirements).
Again, I am not talking about engine balance, I know these engines are internally balanced. Specifically, I am curious as to whether or not the factory crank-pulley provides vibration dampening OR if it is truly neutral (just a pulley).
I have done the pulley upgrade on SEVERAL C5 and C6 Corvettes, which are also internally balanced. That being said the LS series engines DO use the crank-pulley as a vibration dampener to cancel (absorb) harmonics.
Super Member
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 660
Likes: 3
From: Maryland
2006 C55, 1995 C36
I am in...
... but, are there any questions about the dampening quality\characteristics of this aftermarket pulley? Do these engines need dampening? (I am not talking about external balance\counter balance requirements).
Again, I am not talking about engine balance, I know these engines are internally balanced. Specifically, I am curious as to whether or not the factory crank-pulley provides vibration dampening OR if it is truly neutral (just a pulley).
I have done the pulley upgrade on SEVERAL C5 and C6 Corvettes, which are also internally balanced. That being said the LS series engines DO use the crank-pulley as a vibration dampener to cancel (absorb) harmonics.
... but, are there any questions about the dampening quality\characteristics of this aftermarket pulley? Do these engines need dampening? (I am not talking about external balance\counter balance requirements).
Again, I am not talking about engine balance, I know these engines are internally balanced. Specifically, I am curious as to whether or not the factory crank-pulley provides vibration dampening OR if it is truly neutral (just a pulley).
I have done the pulley upgrade on SEVERAL C5 and C6 Corvettes, which are also internally balanced. That being said the LS series engines DO use the crank-pulley as a vibration dampener to cancel (absorb) harmonics.
http://www.germanpowertuning.com/
Super Member
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 660
Likes: 3
From: Maryland
2006 C55, 1995 C36
It's still on their website, guess you'll have to email them from the website and see. I picked mine up used but nib.
