'98 C43 - A post for my noob questions
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: Westerville, OH
1998 C43 Red
'98 C43 - A post for my noob questions
I have a 98 c43 that i bought from miami and really know nothing about where to start my upgrade process. I have a list of personal fixes i need to take care of this summer, but among most things i am still very new to the concept of tuning, even though i own a supercharged c43.
With that said, please excuse any stupid questions i may ask.
I plan on keeping the stock 17's and just lowering it.
The car came with a 2nd gen HPS s/c and the guy i bought it from said he tuned the ECU to his own liking which I can tell when i switch it into sport mode. I plan on resetting that as I don't like the way it drives.
I would love to find a renntech exhaust as well as an airbox, but would it add any gains with the s/c? (the airbox)
More to come,
With that said, please excuse any stupid questions i may ask.
I plan on keeping the stock 17's and just lowering it.
The car came with a 2nd gen HPS s/c and the guy i bought it from said he tuned the ECU to his own liking which I can tell when i switch it into sport mode. I plan on resetting that as I don't like the way it drives.
I would love to find a renntech exhaust as well as an airbox, but would it add any gains with the s/c? (the airbox)
More to come,
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 498
Likes: 7
From: South Florida
1998 C43, 2017 Honda Accord Sport
Exhaust will add slight, if any. Honestly, power for price, it's not worth it either. It's more for looks/sound.
I'll take that S/C off your hands though.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 4,437
Likes: 43
From: PDX
1999 C43, 2008 P30 E63, 2014 SQ5, 2024 Model Y Performance
If you are running stock headers then Kleemann headers will definitely add power. I would contact Eurocharged and tell them what you have and they will make a custom tune for your ECU (with free reflashes for life).
I would suggest switching out the stock monos as they are HEAVY. Since you are running a S/C you might want to look into the phenolic spacers to reduce heat soak.
I question what you mean when you say you switch in to "sport mode"??
I would suggest switching out the stock monos as they are HEAVY. Since you are running a S/C you might want to look into the phenolic spacers to reduce heat soak.
I question what you mean when you say you switch in to "sport mode"??
Senior Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 260
Likes: 24
From: Hudson Valley, NY
2005 E55 Black, 2007 GL450 Carneol Red
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: Westerville, OH
1998 C43 Red
I want to get a kleemann exhaust to avoid having to customize my stock exhaust, mainly so if i ever sell the car i'll have the stock parts and the aftermarket parts. Would you recommend modding my stock exhaust rather then buying the aftermarket? or would the money just be better repurposed to the Kleem xhaust?
Get in line for the S/C.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: Westerville, OH
1998 C43 Red
If you are running stock headers then Kleemann headers will definitely add power. I would contact Eurocharged and tell them what you have and they will make a custom tune for your ECU (with free reflashes for life).
I would suggest switching out the stock monos as they are HEAVY. Since you are running a S/C you might want to look into the phenolic spacers to reduce heat soak.
I question what you mean when you say you switch in to "sport mode"??
I would suggest switching out the stock monos as they are HEAVY. Since you are running a S/C you might want to look into the phenolic spacers to reduce heat soak.
I question what you mean when you say you switch in to "sport mode"??
And yea, what #3 said, it's a winter-eco/sport switch. I have been having an odd problem in sport where it's holding 4th gear at 4,000 rpm for no apparent reason. Yet, once i switch it out of sport into winter/eco it shifts to 5th and then stays in 5th.
The problem persists only during aggressive acceleration and driving. My mechanic found a cracked oring by the tranny pan where the wiring harness meets it. he thinks that could be the culprit for it. getting it fixed this weekend.
any hints?
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 498
Likes: 7
From: South Florida
1998 C43, 2017 Honda Accord Sport
I want the exhaust for the sound more then anything, i love the girthy rumble.
I want to get a kleemann exhaust to avoid having to customize my stock exhaust, mainly so if i ever sell the car i'll have the stock parts and the aftermarket parts. Would you recommend modding my stock exhaust rather then buying the aftermarket? or would the money just be better repurposed to the Kleem xhaust?
Get in line for the S/C.
I want to get a kleemann exhaust to avoid having to customize my stock exhaust, mainly so if i ever sell the car i'll have the stock parts and the aftermarket parts. Would you recommend modding my stock exhaust rather then buying the aftermarket? or would the money just be better repurposed to the Kleem xhaust?
Get in line for the S/C.
Modding your stock exhaust is virtually free (remove secondary cats)...maybe a tad bit of money if you want to get high-flows for your primary cats. That'd be infinitely cheaper than getting a Kleemann exhaust.
It's up to you, really.
Trending Topics
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 4,437
Likes: 43
From: PDX
1999 C43, 2008 P30 E63, 2014 SQ5, 2024 Model Y Performance
I have read your project thread and i like what you're doing. I hope to pick your brain for info as i progress on my project. Thanks for the info. I was aware of the stock monos being heavy, but i was also thinking if i do switch them out it'll be one of the last things i buy.
And yea, what #3 said, it's a winter-eco/sport switch. I have been having an odd problem in sport where it's holding 4th gear at 4,000 rpm for no apparent reason. Yet, once i switch it out of sport into winter/eco it shifts to 5th and then stays in 5th.
The problem persists only during aggressive acceleration and driving. My mechanic found a cracked oring by the tranny pan where the wiring harness meets it. he thinks that could be the culprit for it. getting it fixed this weekend.
any hints?
And yea, what #3 said, it's a winter-eco/sport switch. I have been having an odd problem in sport where it's holding 4th gear at 4,000 rpm for no apparent reason. Yet, once i switch it out of sport into winter/eco it shifts to 5th and then stays in 5th.
The problem persists only during aggressive acceleration and driving. My mechanic found a cracked oring by the tranny pan where the wiring harness meets it. he thinks that could be the culprit for it. getting it fixed this weekend.
any hints?
I have never heard anyone complain of the issue you are describing, sorry I couldn't be more help. If you can, take a video of it happening and post it. we have a couple members here who are MB techs and are good at diagnosing problems and I bet the video would help.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,053
Likes: 398
From: A.D., U.A.E
2000 (W202 C200) & 2000 (W202 C55)
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 549
Likes: 0
From: Oregon
'97 c36
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 5,889
Likes: 322
From: Land of mountains, cheese, chocolate and watches
12' W204 C63 AMG coupe "T-Rex", 12' W451 Smart Fortwo Pulse (99' W202 C43 AMG + Ultima Can-Am sold)
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: Westerville, OH
1998 C43 Red
Surprisingly i checked it and it didnt make its way into any connectors at the tcu. It was damn close though. Pulled the connectors out and examined them. No oily funk on or around the crucial stuff. Sprayed them with a cleaner and reinserted them. So now i wonder, if it could be the conductor plate?
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 549
Likes: 0
From: Oregon
'97 c36
Surprisingly i checked it and it didnt make its way into any connectors at the tcu. It was damn close though. Pulled the connectors out and examined them. No oily funk on or around the crucial stuff. Sprayed them with a cleaner and reinserted them. So now i wonder, if it could be the conductor plate?
check the spring on the main pressure regulator valve. ( many threads on this) mine was broken in two and still was shifting. If the spring is good then might think about the conducer plate. I do believe a failing plate will normally throw a code but you need star diagnostics to see it. Do some searches there is a ton of 722.6 info out there.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: Westerville, OH
1998 C43 Red
Uploading vids and pics to photobucket now.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: Westerville, OH
1998 C43 Red
second and third are videos. you can hear me click the switch to W to get it to shift and then i put it back into S. After a mile or so, it would slip out of 5th into 4th.
But only during aggressive driving does this problem persist. Non-aggressive driving in S doesn't provoke the problem.
But only during aggressive driving does this problem persist. Non-aggressive driving in S doesn't provoke the problem.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 940
Likes: 0
From: Chapel Hill, NC/Montreal, QC
1995 C36 AMG, 1998 C43 AMG
Nice car. Love the red ones. Definitely not a fan of the HUGE star grilles or the eyelids, but love the red 202 AMGs, especially when they're supercharged 
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 4,437
Likes: 43
From: PDX
1999 C43, 2008 P30 E63, 2014 SQ5, 2024 Model Y Performance
Sorry, I meant @ WOT it revs to the red line in "S" but if you are in "W" it will shift just before red line @ WOT
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 4,437
Likes: 43
From: PDX
1999 C43, 2008 P30 E63, 2014 SQ5, 2024 Model Y Performance
Wow, I have never seen that before. My only question is how did you figure out you needed to switch it to "W" to get it to shift?
Your problem is obviously electronic. Either you have some wonky tune or your electronic gear selector switch has gone south. Knowing how the switch works I would be leaning towards the tune.
I can switch from "W" to "S" at anytime and there is no immediate noticeable effect unless I am at a dead stop, then it starts out in 2nd.
P.S. I agree about the star grille and eyelids, they do not look good IMO.
Your problem is obviously electronic. Either you have some wonky tune or your electronic gear selector switch has gone south. Knowing how the switch works I would be leaning towards the tune.
I can switch from "W" to "S" at anytime and there is no immediate noticeable effect unless I am at a dead stop, then it starts out in 2nd.
P.S. I agree about the star grille and eyelids, they do not look good IMO.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 549
Likes: 0
From: Oregon
'97 c36
Yeah for sure nothing to do with main pressure spring. Id check it though next time your in the tranny. Never seen this before either. If I had to throw a dart at it I'd say it's the conductor plate. Idea being the speed sensors are wacked and is isn't reading rpm right. (low) when you switch it into winter mode with lower shift points it's shifts into last gear. Total shot in the dark though. Gonna take some software to trouble shoot it properly.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: Westerville, OH
1998 C43 Red
Its funny you mention the tune. The previous owner said he didn't like the way the car was shifting so he made mods to the chip. do you really think that could be the problem?? I have done an ECU and TCU reset and the problem persists.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: Westerville, OH
1998 C43 Red
And it was during the first time I got the car back after having the bearings on the s/c replaced that i noticed it. that was only a week into me owning the car mind you. it didn't do it on the drive up here from miami. and i was interchanging W/S because of the mountains and what not.
I wanted to have some fun with her so i clicked on savage mode. after a few miles it starts doing that. I returned the car to W and it shifted into 5 fine. i think it's also starting to hold 3rd at times but not as regularly as 4 holding out on 5th.
I wanted to have some fun with her so i clicked on savage mode. after a few miles it starts doing that. I returned the car to W and it shifted into 5 fine. i think it's also starting to hold 3rd at times but not as regularly as 4 holding out on 5th.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: Westerville, OH
1998 C43 Red
Thanks bud. Red is super rare in the states apparently. love it. previous owner did those,, additions. i tend to agree with you.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,053
Likes: 398
From: A.D., U.A.E
2000 (W202 C200) & 2000 (W202 C55)
Did you check the shift switch, it might not working properly, and in the same time be sure the adjustment bushing is NOT damaged.........
ZAYED,,
ZAYED,,
Last edited by cm60k; Feb 28, 2012 at 08:15 AM.
