C43/55 Ready for Fun
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Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 24
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1998 Mercedes C43
C43/55 Ready for Fun
Hello, I am getting rid of my C43/55 due to a divorce. It has everything. Take a look at the classifieds for more info. It has been driven very little for the last few years to to the break-up of my ex-wife and myself. Penske double adjustable shocks custom built and dyno tested just for this car. Custom rear and front sway bars, 17lb battery, Light forged SSR wheels, Custom Brakeman Rotors and Calipers, custom spring perches and Eibach race spring on each corner, ride ht adjustable at both front and rear in about 15 minutes. Always well maintained and with regular transmision oil changes too. Also comes with all the stock stuff.
I hate to part with it, but the divorce is causing this mayham in my life. This car has not been on the roadracing tracks like my previous C43 was. Only one day at drag strip. Approximately 250lbs plus have been removed form the chassis, via, brakes, battery, wheels, etc. And you can really notice the difference. Jeff
I hate to part with it, but the divorce is causing this mayham in my life. This car has not been on the roadracing tracks like my previous C43 was. Only one day at drag strip. Approximately 250lbs plus have been removed form the chassis, via, brakes, battery, wheels, etc. And you can really notice the difference. Jeff
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 672
Likes: 15
From: New Zealand
C43 w/clk55 Organs
Oh man, sorry to hear about the rough time,I've been through similar and its tough,it makes you reconsider what is important(which is usually not cars)...It might seem stupid now but If you can hold onto it and store it somewhere - you wont look back in 2 years and regret that sale!!! ,it sounds like you have put alot of effort into your 202's over the years.
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Joined: Mar 2010
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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)
I'm sorry to hear about your current woes and the need to sell your C43/55. I had to sell on my Porsche 964RS some years ago for the same reasons 
When I see the price those vehicles are reaching today, I could kill myself for having done so but I guess that's life...
Oh by the way, your MB certainly looks to be a super built vehicle with top products.
When I see the price those vehicles are reaching today, I could kill myself for having done so but I guess that's life...Oh by the way, your MB certainly looks to be a super built vehicle with top products.
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Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 24
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1998 Mercedes C43
I built and machined almost everything on it. The spring perches that are ride ht adjustable. You can change out springs in about 40 mins. And the Penske shocks retail for about $2000 each. Got them when I raced Superbikes and they were a sponsor. Well after I quit racing, but I still got them for a ton less than retail plus we dyno'ed them and I had them change the valving until I was happy with the performance. Plus I made a custom front and rear swaybars. The intake manifold was torn apart and ported and I fabricated Intake Stacks that are the right length to pick up the return wave back to the intake valve. There is a formula to help figure that out. With it on it revs out hard to redline and makes a deep growling noise at full throttle. I would guess it makes about, and this is not BS about 50 more Hp with it on. And another 50 Hp with the full exhaust on it with the race cats X-pipe and Kleeman Headers I also ported to flow better and then had them ceramic coated by Swain Tech. Plus a bunch of other stuff. I can fool the computer into thinking the MAF is flowing whatever rate of airflow I want it to read. Thats because I machined the Throttle Body bigger and all the intake piping is ported out to about 82 mm, if I remember correctly.
At the drag race track I could not get off the line but still would pull about 115 mph at the line. I caught and passed a std Corvette and the new C63 and my car are a dead heat.
At the drag race track I could not get off the line but still would pull about 115 mph at the line. I caught and passed a std Corvette and the new C63 and my car are a dead heat.
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Joined: Mar 2010
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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)
That's some serious performance upgrades and excellent results. It shows that some nice horses are lurking inside those m113 blocks just waiting to be awaken 
Last edited by DRBC43AMG; Jan 7, 2014 at 04:25 AM.
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From: A.D., U.A.E
2000 (W202 C200) & 2000 (W202 C55)
That's great upgrade, can you post some pics. of your intake job,
from several past years we looking to upgrade bolt-on intake, but most performance shop doesn't like to work with N/A intakes....
!!??
ZAYED,,
from several past years we looking to upgrade bolt-on intake, but most performance shop doesn't like to work with N/A intakes....
!!??ZAYED,,
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,418
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From: America
1999 C43 AMG, 2005 E55 Wagon
I'm absolutely 100% interested in learning as much as possible about this intake modification you speak of. 50 hp? If that's for real, we may have finally found a "bolt on" upgrade for the C43 that nets an actual result.
And how on earth did you get another 50 from exhaust???
And how on earth did you get another 50 from exhaust???
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,053
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From: A.D., U.A.E
2000 (W202 C200) & 2000 (W202 C55)
I think its hard to say 50hp can be gained from intake alone, its more realistic if we can say
intake+throttle+maf+ECU = 25hp>>>30hp,,
Kleemann headers+ported+ceramic coated = 15hp>>>20hp.....
ZAYED,,
intake+throttle+maf+ECU = 25hp>>>30hp,,
Kleemann headers+ported+ceramic coated = 15hp>>>20hp.....
ZAYED,,
Last edited by cm60k; Jan 7, 2014 at 04:20 PM.
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Joined: Apr 2006
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From: Bay Area, CA
98 C43, 15 Alfa 4C LE, 18 Tesla Model 3 DM Perf, 08 Duc S1000, 02 Duc 998, 98 Duc 748, 01 Miata
I have seen a picture or two of the intake manifold and this is not bolt on by any stretch of the imagination. The internals of the intake manifold were gutted and custom velocity stacks were made.
Some one is going to pick up one hell of a C43. I believe savage6br = SpeedyBenz, correct?
Some one is going to pick up one hell of a C43. I believe savage6br = SpeedyBenz, correct?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2013
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1998 Mercedes C43
Yes, I am Speedybenz. I developed I think a vacuum leak in the manifold so I will be taking it apart. When I do I will take lots of pics.
That was kinda like Robert Downey Jr. saying "I am Iron Man" Lol.
But yes, I think my car is probably the best handling mercedes in the Country that isn't a full on race car. And with all the go fast parts on it. It really haul ***. I have had it up to 175mph on a back road and it was still pulling hard. But my passenger who agreed it was OK to go fast started to freak out so I backed off.
That was kinda like Robert Downey Jr. saying "I am Iron Man" Lol.
But yes, I think my car is probably the best handling mercedes in the Country that isn't a full on race car. And with all the go fast parts on it. It really haul ***. I have had it up to 175mph on a back road and it was still pulling hard. But my passenger who agreed it was OK to go fast started to freak out so I backed off.
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Joined: Dec 2001
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300ce
I built and machined almost everything on it. The spring perches that are ride ht adjustable. You can change out springs in about 40 mins. And the Penske shocks retail for about $2000 each. Got them when I raced Superbikes and they were a sponsor. Well after I quit racing, but I still got them for a ton less than retail plus we dyno'ed them and I had them change the valving until I was happy with the performance. Plus I made a custom front and rear swaybars. The intake manifold was torn apart and ported and I fabricated Intake Stacks that are the right length to pick up the return wave back to the intake valve. There is a formula to help figure that out. With it on it revs out hard to redline and makes a deep growling noise at full throttle. I would guess it makes about, and this is not BS about 50 more Hp with it on. And another 50 Hp with the full exhaust on it with the race cats X-pipe and Kleeman Headers I also ported to flow better and then had them ceramic coated by Swain Tech. Plus a bunch of other stuff. I can fool the computer into thinking the MAF is flowing whatever rate of airflow I want it to read. Thats because I machined the Throttle Body bigger and all the intake piping is ported out to about 82 mm, if I remember correctly.
At the drag race track I could not get off the line but still would pull about 115 mph at the line. I caught and passed a std Corvette and the new C63 and my car are a dead heat.
At the drag race track I could not get off the line but still would pull about 115 mph at the line. I caught and passed a std Corvette and the new C63 and my car are a dead heat.
Impressive. I understand the possible loss of 60 ft time due to wheel spin, but what was your 1/4 mile time when you ran the 115mph? Thanks
Ted
Thread Starter
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Joined: Oct 2013
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1998 Mercedes C43
It is hard to remember, because it was quite awhile ago. But I believe the time was in the low 12 sec range. I am sure I would have been in the 11 sec range cause my 60 foot times were I think over 2 secs. I basically just sat there until I let off the gas a little to get moving.
I really need to fix the Manifold with the Intake Velocity Stacks that seems to have a vacuum leak, because it makes a huge difference.
I hope I am getting the drag race times right. But I think so. I did kill a 2010 model Corvette on the top end and he was shocked. It will smoke all the Dodge SRT's, Evo's, WRX, etc Jeff
I really need to fix the Manifold with the Intake Velocity Stacks that seems to have a vacuum leak, because it makes a huge difference.
I hope I am getting the drag race times right. But I think so. I did kill a 2010 model Corvette on the top end and he was shocked. It will smoke all the Dodge SRT's, Evo's, WRX, etc Jeff
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 636
Likes: 29
From: MN, USA
C43 5.4, ML320CDI, Fords
If you could get me more info on the intake modifications you did that would be awesome.
I have the 55 engine in my c43 along with kleemann headers full exhaust no cats. I'd like to do something to the intake and I do have a spare 55 intake manifold to work with so I don't have to risk destroying my only one.
Did you use the stock airbox as well?
I have the 55 engine in my c43 along with kleemann headers full exhaust no cats. I'd like to do something to the intake and I do have a spare 55 intake manifold to work with so I don't have to risk destroying my only one.
Did you use the stock airbox as well?
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 636
Likes: 29
From: MN, USA
C43 5.4, ML320CDI, Fords
Or if you are interested maybe we could work out some kind of trade. I could send you a good 55 intake to put on the car to sell and I could deal with resealing it. I could kick in a little cash let me know.
greg_mulfort@hotmail.com
greg_mulfort@hotmail.com
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,418
Likes: 194
From: America
1999 C43 AMG, 2005 E55 Wagon
Very sorry to hear about the marital troubles, Jeff. Crying shame that we're losing the best member w202 community has ever had. Super sad I can't just buy your car. It belongs in an MB museum for what was possible with the w202 chassis.
Would love to pick your brain some time, or hear some stories about life with your multiple C43's.
Would love to pick your brain some time, or hear some stories about life with your multiple C43's.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 5,889
Likes: 323
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)
When I read the description of the mods and saw Penske shocks I immediately thought of Jeff aka Speedbenz. So it is indeed you and your vehicle. Sorry to hear you need to part with that great machine...
