Powerchip, Exhaust, and intake Questions + pics of my 2003 CL55 AMG with recent mods
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
2003 CL 55 AMG
Powerchip, Exhaust, and intake Questions + pics of my 2003 CL55 AMG with recent mods
Hey everyone I bought the 2003 CL55 AMG in January and did some recent mods to it. I installed
OEM Designo rear roof spoiler and trunk spoiler
AMG Eurosport 20" Wheels
The cars been lowered
Painted my calipers yellow with the AMG signs visible
8000k HID headlight bulbs and Fog lamps
Removed resonators
I have some simple questions I've been searching this forum for days and can't get the answer im looking for. I want to get the Powerchip Performance ECU Upgrade, and K&N Drop In filters, a custom exhaust starting from the headers 3" straight piping to an X pipe then to stock AMG Mufflers. Is this a good setup to run? Will doing 3" straight piping give me much more power considering i will be chipped? I really appreciate if someone can help me out on this one. What is the best custom exhaust setup to have to make the most power?
Thank you
OEM Designo rear roof spoiler and trunk spoiler
AMG Eurosport 20" Wheels
The cars been lowered
Painted my calipers yellow with the AMG signs visible
8000k HID headlight bulbs and Fog lamps
Removed resonators
I have some simple questions I've been searching this forum for days and can't get the answer im looking for. I want to get the Powerchip Performance ECU Upgrade, and K&N Drop In filters, a custom exhaust starting from the headers 3" straight piping to an X pipe then to stock AMG Mufflers. Is this a good setup to run? Will doing 3" straight piping give me much more power considering i will be chipped? I really appreciate if someone can help me out on this one. What is the best custom exhaust setup to have to make the most power?
Thank you
Junior Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From: Waimea, Hawaii
2003 V12 CL600, a Supercharged 2002 Z06, an 89 Corvette and an 07 Jeep Wrangler
Congratulations on your car. It is beautiful! I am doing some similar upgrades to my CL600. I am just removing my mufflers. I'm moving to Hawaii where they have no emissions. As for the K&N filters, I ordered filters many years ago and when they came they didn't fit. K&N the company was baffled so they sent a tech to my house (they are an hour and a half away from me) and measured my air boxes, took lots of photos and made the exact fit for the CL600. They also sent me two free filters. They are great company! I run them in my two Corvettes as well.
As for th ECU tuning I'm going with Speedriven. They seem to be a good fit for what I want.
Good luck!
As for th ECU tuning I'm going with Speedriven. They seem to be a good fit for what I want.
Good luck!
Hey everyone I bought the 2003 CL55 AMG in January and did some recent mods to it. I installed
OEM Designo rear roof spoiler and trunk spoiler
AMG Eurosport 20" Wheels
The cars been lowered
Painted my calipers yellow with the AMG signs visible
8000k HID headlight bulbs and Fog lamps
Removed resonators
I have some simple questions I've been searching this forum for days and can't get the answer im looking for. I want to get the Powerchip Performance ECU Upgrade, and K&N Drop In filters, a custom exhaust starting from the headers 3" straight piping to an X pipe then to stock AMG Mufflers. Is this a good setup to run? Will doing 3" straight piping give me much more power considering i will be chipped? I really appreciate if someone can help me out on this one. What is the best custom exhaust setup to have to make the most power?
Thank you
OEM Designo rear roof spoiler and trunk spoiler
AMG Eurosport 20" Wheels
The cars been lowered
Painted my calipers yellow with the AMG signs visible
8000k HID headlight bulbs and Fog lamps
Removed resonators
I have some simple questions I've been searching this forum for days and can't get the answer im looking for. I want to get the Powerchip Performance ECU Upgrade, and K&N Drop In filters, a custom exhaust starting from the headers 3" straight piping to an X pipe then to stock AMG Mufflers. Is this a good setup to run? Will doing 3" straight piping give me much more power considering i will be chipped? I really appreciate if someone can help me out on this one. What is the best custom exhaust setup to have to make the most power?
Thank you
Junior Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From: Waimea, Hawaii
2003 V12 CL600, a Supercharged 2002 Z06, an 89 Corvette and an 07 Jeep Wrangler
At first I thought the car sounded to loud. I have since decided that the car does sound much better than before. I removed the muffles and ran straight pipes out to the chrome tips. The car should have less restriction without the mufflers. I may have gained some HP. I am moving to a state without smog so no mufflers works out just fine. I am planning to take a short video. When I do I will post it.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,803
Likes: 12
From: Charleston, SC
GL450
If you want performance, on the CL55k, your best bet is to focus on tune and pulley before going to the exhaust. The exhaust is pretty efficient on most of these cars, particularly the CL. A tune will help a good bit, and the pulley will increase boost. After that I would look at cooling. These cars have massive amount of heat. Only after that would I really look at the exhaust, unless your goal is simply sound.
I think the K&N filters are a good simple upgrade, and they eliminate the need to always buy new paper filters. Especially on the forced induction models that use a MAP instead of MAF, there is no chance of fouling the sensor.
I think the K&N filters are a good simple upgrade, and they eliminate the need to always buy new paper filters. Especially on the forced induction models that use a MAP instead of MAF, there is no chance of fouling the sensor.
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Super Member
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 939
Likes: 5
From: Del Mar, CA
2003 CL600 2005 745Li
Also what measurement are you at from from the ground to top of the wheel arch when you are at the lowest setting ? Front and back please
Thanks man, looks great !
Last edited by 1995E320Cab; Sep 26, 2011 at 08:28 PM.
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 8
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2004 CL55, 2006 BMW M5, 2009 Escalade
cl55
i dont know the exact measurement, but i know it's a finger clearance all around.
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 25
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From: Central VA (USA)
1999 SL500 Sport
IS A Difference between Mufflers and Resonators
Remember, there's a difference between mufflers (under the car) and Resonators after the axle.
Removing the muffler is a good idea (it will reduce low-end torque, but you'll never know it).
Removing the resonator is NOT. It can cause hi-way, overdrive drone...hence why its called a 'resonator'. All sound resonates.
I'm looking for an early 2000 CL55 and will prolly do muffler delete; However, not seeing any viable Intake mod. K&N panels are useless HP. Do for convenience, but that's it.
Removing the muffler is a good idea (it will reduce low-end torque, but you'll never know it).
Removing the resonator is NOT. It can cause hi-way, overdrive drone...hence why its called a 'resonator'. All sound resonates.
I'm looking for an early 2000 CL55 and will prolly do muffler delete; However, not seeing any viable Intake mod. K&N panels are useless HP. Do for convenience, but that's it.
