CL-Class (W215) 2000-2006: CL 500, CL 600

CL600 2003 cooling upgrade recommendations

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Old Dec 10, 2014 | 09:50 PM
  #1  
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2008 S65 AMG, 2005 SL65 AMG, 2005 Porsche Carrera, 2011 Shelby GT500, 2001 Acura CL Type S
CL600 2003 cooling upgrade recommendations

Hello again,

I want to upgrade the cooling system and while I have read the excellent thread about intercoolers and pumps (located here: https://mbworld.org/forums/m275-v12-...ion-pumps.html) I still need specific recommendations.

Speedriven offers intercoolers but from what I have read here on the forum, they are either unobtainable or difficult to obtain.

Part by part, pound by pound , which intercooler upgrade can reduce the operating temperature of the V12 by 8-10% or, specifically, from 85-95 degrees celsius to below 80 degrees celsius? Even more interesting question: how to add an "ice bucket" which would allow ice to be used to improve the cooling (on the track for example)?

Thank you,

S.

Last edited by CL600CK60V12; Dec 10, 2014 at 09:53 PM. Reason: md
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Old Dec 10, 2014 | 10:19 PM
  #2  
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sl600
I can tell you what I have done, if it is the best way I cannot say. I went with the Speedriven intercooler and heat exchanger with scorpion intakes. I am also installing TTM style scoops to force more air under the bonnet as this is the biggest issue with the scorpions as they suck the stale hot air from under the hood. Speedriven are hard to deal with however they have recently told me that they have hired someone to deal with phone calls and emails so I will give them the benefit of the doubt at the moment.
I have also moved my starter battery to the trunk and will use that space for a 2 gallon coolant expansion tank for ice or just to bleed the system and extra coolant capacity.
I also have a vented hood to help the air flow.
I will do a Eurocharged dyno tune once all is completed with should be in the next couple of weeks so I will let you know how my plan works out.
I also got the upgraded coolant pump from speedriven but I actually don't know the specs.
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Old Dec 11, 2014 | 10:22 AM
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Guys, what temperature do you guys see on the dash with your CL600TT? I've seen mine go from 83-84 cruising on the highway to about 92-93 idling in traffic. is this normal?
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Old Dec 11, 2014 | 10:55 AM
  #4  
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2008 S65 AMG, 2005 SL65 AMG, 2005 Porsche Carrera, 2011 Shelby GT500, 2001 Acura CL Type S
Temperature

I see about the same temperature range when driving CL600TT

Originally Posted by SL55_Forever
Guys, what temperature do you guys see on the dash with your CL600TT? I've seen mine go from 83-84 cruising on the highway to about 92-93 idling in traffic. is this normal?
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Old Dec 11, 2014 | 11:03 AM
  #5  
CL600CK60V12's Avatar
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2008 S65 AMG, 2005 SL65 AMG, 2005 Porsche Carrera, 2011 Shelby GT500, 2001 Acura CL Type S
cooling upgrade

Sounds awesome. What improvements do you see in engine temperature when driving?


Vented hood. Now I am wondering why Mercedes did not make vented hood at the factory - with all that heat being produced by the V12. Can you post some pics of the hood? From my experience with GT500, vented hood alone would help.

Originally Posted by F1BHP
I can tell you what I have done, if it is the best way I cannot say. I went with the Speedriven intercooler and heat exchanger with scorpion intakes. I am also installing TTM style scoops to force more air under the bonnet as this is the biggest issue with the scorpions as they suck the stale hot air from under the hood. Speedriven are hard to deal with however they have recently told me that they have hired someone to deal with phone calls and emails so I will give them the benefit of the doubt at the moment.
I have also moved my starter battery to the trunk and will use that space for a 2 gallon coolant expansion tank for ice or just to bleed the system and extra coolant capacity.
I also have a vented hood to help the air flow.
I will do a Eurocharged dyno tune once all is completed with should be in the next couple of weeks so I will let you know how my plan works out.
I also got the upgraded coolant pump from speedriven but I actually don't know the specs.
Reply
Old Dec 11, 2014 | 11:15 AM
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Originally Posted by CL600CK60V12
I see about the same temperature range when driving CL600TT
Are you stock? I have a eurocharged tune.
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Old Dec 11, 2014 | 03:50 PM
  #7  
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2008 S65 AMG, 2005 SL65 AMG, 2005 Porsche Carrera, 2011 Shelby GT500, 2001 Acura CL Type S
Carlsson

It's not stock - it has a Carlsson performance package which includes ECU/TCU tune. It puts out 625HP and has superquick shifts . I won't disclose the top speed but I will say that it accelerates 0-60 in under 4 seconds.

Originally Posted by SL55_Forever
Are you stock? I have a eurocharged tune.
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Old Dec 11, 2014 | 05:41 PM
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sl600
My project is not finished yet I will report findings and pictures once done.
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Old Dec 11, 2014 | 06:01 PM
  #9  
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I use a BMW X3 engine rad for the HE, and a Pierburg CWA100 pump with a custom pump controller. The controller has an IC coolant temp display, and that runs about 30 degC pretty much all of the time. I haven't monitored IAT's for a while, but if the coolant is cool, I figure the IC system is doing its job.

Its not repeated WOT runs that overloads the IC system so much as heat soak following a stop with the engine hot. It takes a few miles for a cold engine to warm up, but it also takes a few miles for a hot IC system to cool down.

Nick
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Old Dec 11, 2014 | 09:03 PM
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Originally Posted by Welwynnick
I use a BMW X3 engine rad for the HE, and a Pierburg CWA100 pump with a custom pump controller. The controller has an IC coolant temp display, and that runs about 30 degC pretty much all of the time. I haven't monitored IAT's for a while, but if the coolant is cool, I figure the IC system is doing its job.

Its not repeated WOT runs that overloads the IC system so much as heat soak following a stop with the engine hot. It takes a few miles for a cold engine to warm up, but it also takes a few miles for a hot IC system to cool down.

Nick
Hi Nick,

What are your mods and have you done the 1/4 mile yet? Times?
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Old Dec 12, 2014 | 10:53 AM
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Originally Posted by SL55_Forever
Hi Nick,
What are your mods and have you done the 1/4 mile yet? Times?
Much of the work I've done is just to keep it reliable and on the road, but these are the mods:

I've got a Eurocharged tune, claimed to be good for 600bhp/700lb/ft.

IC system has a BMW X3 engine rad for the heat exchanger - four times stock size.

Pierburg CWA100 electric pump.

Custom IC pump controller based on Tecomotive tinyCWA, reprogrammed for IC systems.

All the ABC hoses in the engine compartment have been replaced with new removable ones, with compression joints and firesleeve insulation.

The coil packs, intercoolers and IC pipes all have additional heat shields.

The steering rack bushes are uprated with 95 Shore A hard bushes.

The steering rack pre-load has been adjusted to reduce the steering friction/damping.

The front strut mounting top bushes have been replaced with deeper bushes to accomodate wear in the lower bush and avoid free play.

The IC system also has a header tank / swirl pot to help fill, bleed, inspect and top-up the coolant.

I replaced the IC fill valves with bleed nipples to provide bleed pipes to the header.

Sorry, I've never taken it to a dyno or a track.

Nick

Last edited by Welwynnick; Dec 12, 2014 at 10:58 AM.
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Old Dec 12, 2014 | 02:58 PM
  #12  
CL600CK60V12's Avatar
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I removed the engine cover and the operating temp is now even below the "80" mark (or at "80") when driving on the highway and at about "85" (halfway between 80 and 90) when driving through town.

Engine cover will stay in the trunk (underneath the beach equipment). It looks totally badass without it LOL
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Old Dec 12, 2014 | 03:15 PM
  #13  
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Originally Posted by CL600CK60V12
I removed the engine cover and the operating temp is now even below the "80" mark (or at "80") when driving on the highway and at about "85" (halfway between 80 and 90) when driving through town.

Engine cover will stay in the trunk (underneath the beach equipment). It looks totally badass without it LOL

I'm a total newb to the V12TT but could you show me how/where to take the engine cover off? Is it just simple clips???
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Old Dec 12, 2014 | 09:07 PM
  #14  
CL600CK60V12's Avatar
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From: Florida
2008 S65 AMG, 2005 SL65 AMG, 2005 Porsche Carrera, 2011 Shelby GT500, 2001 Acura CL Type S
engine cover

yes, it is just simple clips. I had mine removed while I had some other service tdone. Most places will happily remove this for you. Engine gets better cooling without the cover (my foot tells me so). I noticed that engine runs about 5 degress Celsius cooler without the cover. Not a bad "tune" for a such a simple step. If I could only pour some ice on top of the engine...
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Old Dec 12, 2014 | 09:08 PM
  #15  
CL600CK60V12's Avatar
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From: Florida
2008 S65 AMG, 2005 SL65 AMG, 2005 Porsche Carrera, 2011 Shelby GT500, 2001 Acura CL Type S
tune

great info. taking notes as fast as I can thank you.

Originally Posted by Welwynnick
Much of the work I've done is just to keep it reliable and on the road, but these are the mods:

I've got a Eurocharged tune, claimed to be good for 600bhp/700lb/ft.

IC system has a BMW X3 engine rad for the heat exchanger - four times stock size.

Pierburg CWA100 electric pump.

Custom IC pump controller based on Tecomotive tinyCWA, reprogrammed for IC systems.

All the ABC hoses in the engine compartment have been replaced with new removable ones, with compression joints and firesleeve insulation.

The coil packs, intercoolers and IC pipes all have additional heat shields.

The steering rack bushes are uprated with 95 Shore A hard bushes.

The steering rack pre-load has been adjusted to reduce the steering friction/damping.

The front strut mounting top bushes have been replaced with deeper bushes to accomodate wear in the lower bush and avoid free play.

The IC system also has a header tank / swirl pot to help fill, bleed, inspect and top-up the coolant.

I replaced the IC fill valves with bleed nipples to provide bleed pipes to the header.

Sorry, I've never taken it to a dyno or a track.

Nick
Reply

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