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My C63 507 did not have any differential cooling at all. Not even a few cooling ribs. Strange, because according to the electronic parts catalogue (EPC), it is supposed to have a finned heat sink attached, that Mercedes calls a 'Rectifier'. I suspect the C63 has that rectifier outside the US, but here we do not seem to have it.
When driving the car hard, e.g. during a track day, the differential oil gets hot and we do not even have a temperature indicator/alarm to know when that happens. I got suspicious when, after a track day, I found some diff oil had been expelled through the vent on the top side of the diff, and that bit of oil smelled burnt.
It took me quite a while to sort though various options of alternative diff covers to find the right one that can actually accommodate the rectifier, but I have finally figured it out, and with the help of Tracy at oediscountparts.com, got what it takes to add passive cooling to my car's diff.
According to William Vetter from MBUSA (he is the AMG Black Series rep in the Private Lounge), that set up should be fine for shortish runs of up to 30 minutes or so. Endurance racing would require the full differential cooling kit from the Black Series with oil pump and radiator.
Here is how it works, if anybody wants to do the same thing (the quoted oil is for the LSD):
1. Buy the rectifier (part number A171 351 01 08, ca 85$; part 200 in the attached drawing) and the 2 bolts needed to attach it (part N000000 001536)
2. Buy Differential cover (A204 351 06 08, ca 205$, part 30 in the drawing)
3. Get 3x500 ml of Castrol 75W 140 limited slip differential oil
4. Swap out the stock diff cover against the new one and attach the finned rectifier. In order to do that the differential needs to be lowered from the car and the exhaust may have to be removed partially to get at it. About 3 hrs of work.
Can someone tell me how to directly embed pictures in a post? I thought if I did it this way that would work, but alas, no. Hopefully you can at least see them when clicking.
Can someone tell me how to directly embed pictures in a post? I thought if I did it this way that would work, but alas, no. Hopefully you can at least see them when clicking.
It took me quite a while to sort though various options of alternative diff covers to find the right one that can actually accommodate the rectifier, but I have finally figured it out, and with the help of Tracy at oediscountparts.com, got what it takes to add passive cooling to my car's diff.
My god, Bernhard, from the OG pioneer of the Cooling Package, to the Racing Brake BS Upgrade, to now this - you, Sir, are the MF MAN!
Thank you for all that you do for those who like to go fast around the track.
Will this Differential Cover fit on the regular Non-LSD C63? Am swapping out my old diff for a Wavetrac LSD and would like to get this passive cooling installed at same time, if possible.
Glad if I can help - many of those things are really easy - if only someone told us.
According to the electronic parts catalogue, there are only 3 differential covers for all C63s, including BS. One is the one for the BS track package with temperature switch and oil coupling. The other 2 I have both installed on my diff and I know they are interchangeable. So I think it is a pretty safe bet, that the cover and heatsink fit any of the C63 differential housings. I also had the track package cover in my hands, but that one I did not install. That may be a phase 2, if required. And whether the differential housing contains the stock diff or an after market LSD will not make a difference.
The reason why I called out the LSD as a consideration, is because I think the required oil will be different. If you put in a Wavetrac or a Quaife, just use the oil they recommend.
Quick Update: The finned heatsink seems to do fine for track days with typical 20-25 minute runs. I had no more episodes of burped diff oil or burnt smell after installing this upgrade.
So, as long as we do not do endurance races, the C63 diff should be thermally healthy enough also for tracking, with the 'rectifier'.
Great thread/posts Wobble, thank you. With all your "pioneering" efforts on searching out these improvements, have you had time to look into the new Weistec trans pan that is supposed to help cooling and hold more fluids? Don't mean to drag this off track, but figured we were on the driveline cooling theme.
Quick Update: The finned heatsink seems to do fine for track days with typical 20-25 minute runs. I had no more episodes of burped diff oil or burnt smell after installing this upgrade.
So, as long as we do not do endurance races, the C63 diff should be thermally healthy enough also for tracking, with the 'rectifier'.
For grins: The finned heatsink, the 'rectifier'; is actually a part from the old SLK55. Mercedes just reused an existing part. I already had one on my SLK since 2008 and did not know it.....
Jim, next season will be upon us in no time - you got to get moving with your upgrades. My Clubsport coilovers are going in TODAY!
Rectifiers were installed on some EUR and AUS cars, but not US cars.I've got the Weistec trans pan and the valve body/TCU upgrade going in over the winter. Will report back next season.
Thanks, I figured. I loved the way they looked on other AMG's, particularly the E55.
06-26-2015, 06:48 PM
