BroadSt Bully

Please someone answer these questions about the Underdrive pulley system for the CLK.

First, who has one?

Whats gains in what gears and what's the increase in torque?

What's the pro's and con's?

Does Evosport warranty any damage that this product maybe cause?


thanks....

Petie

i have them, dynod at 13hp increase i believe. dont know torque increase...im sure nothing big......pros would include much more power with other systems running (A/C, etc.), and assuming that the parts are installed properly, i dont know that there are any cons......once again if installed properly, all they pulleys do is run the power steering, a/c, and alternator using bigger pulleys so less power is needed, thus more power for your engine to use driving your car....Ben can go into more detail.....

Eric

BroadSt Bully

So is helps in Lower gears?

What parts come with the Kit. (Belts etc)

Where would I go to replace a belt for the future?

Mach430

Our underdrive pulley kit consists of a new power steering pulley, water pump pulley, alternator pulley and a belt. Replacement belts are available through us. The gains are immediate. As soon as you stomp on the pedal from a stop, you will have 13-15 more HP at the wheels than you currently do. The gains are consistent for any V6 or V8 motor from 1998 and on. The A/C runs off a pulley that is not replaced by our kit--it's a Mercedes, that would be sacreligous!

As I have mentioned before we have pulleys on hundreds of BMW street and race cars. Not one car has experienced a problem with our kit. The alternator is spinning less, so if you have a large aftermarket stereo, I would recommend using your factory alternator pulley with your factory belt, as hi-end stereos demand a lot of battery power.

The pulley kit is only on sale for another couple days. As of October 1st, our pulleys will be $599 (currently on sale for $499).

KevinV

How much is the installation?

Petie

1 hour, about $60, but when i went to get mine installed, my power steering pump was screwed, so i had to get that fixed in addition, so i ended up spending more. but thats just my car, install time is 1 hour at the most....easy install...

Eric

BroadSt Bully

Your power steering pump was screwed on a 2000 model already?
Did the MB Dealership install yours underdrive pulley kit?

Mach430

The mechanic who installed his pulley was unable to get the pulley off the pump. He was either using the wrong pulley puller, or it may have just been installed too tight from the factory. This is the first I our his mechanic had heard of this happening. His power steering pump was and still is perfectly fine.

Thanks

Ben

Petie

Yes, that is correct, didnt mean to scare anyone, found out that is was in fact the factory that installed the pulley too tight, making it very difficult to remove. no problem with the pulley kit, just bad luck as far as my car goes. Once the mechanic got my stock pulley off, the EvoSport pulley fit perfectly and everything is running great.

Eric

BroadSt Bully

Just a few concerns

Will it blow my crankshaft?
Will it imbalance your motor?
Will it idle rough?


Evosport sales it but what company makes the parts?

ima55r2

What are the differences from OE to the pulleys you've got?

Wouldn't it be possible to get the same gains by just going to a smaller crank pulley and appropriate belts?

BroadSt Bully

I just had a Renntech Rep suggest this would cause more problem for the minimal gain for non supercharged CLK's.

Now I'm more confused at who to believe....

Mach430

What do underdrive pulleys have to do with a supercharger? Cars with superchargers actually have smaller gains...

Let me clarify a few things. None of our underdrive pulley kits have ever included a crank shaft pulley. Thus, they in no way affect the way the crank spins. Absolutely none of your mentioned concerns are a problem. This really is an easy upgrade. I would be more concerned with running K&N filters than underdrive pulleys.

I would be more than happy to explain this to you over the phone.

Thanks

Ben

Petie

Evosport is a tuner, they build their own stuff......

BrabusCClass

I have the Evosport Underdrive pulley kit and its great. I feel the difference especially with the A/C on and this summer it was pretty hot in the san fernando valley. I had it for a few months now and took it to Vegas, San Diego, San Jose, SLO, basically all over the place and its running fine. My dealer serviced my car the other day and they didnt know.

The pulleys are a bit lighter and a tiny bit smaller. The install took about a hour or two. There is no difference in idle or anything. Its just like stock. Honestly if I didnt mention it to anyone, no one would know.

BroadSt Bully

Honestly, I think Ben is truely trying to get me the best mods for my car. On the other hand, the Renntech Rep is only got dollar signs is his eyes. I've had quite few speed shop techs mention it's a good thing. So if your interested you might want to save hundred dollars and buy one now while its on sale.

Petie

RennTech = the Dark Side (why would someone tell you that underdrive pulleys are bad for your car??? because they dont sell them i guess....)

BroadSt Bully

Exactly do you sell them...

But check out this listing

THESE PRICE REFLEX A 230C NOT A CLK 430 but it's an example

kleemann steel pulley kit ($599) - 1 year warranty (1 year installation warranty if installed at approved shop)
220hp/227lb-ft

kleemann alloy pulley kit ($899) - 1 year warranty (1 year installation warranty if installed at approved shop)
232hp/239lb-ft

väth pulley kit ($1200?) - 2 year warranty on parts?
Performance(Achievement): 165 kW = 225 PS (basis 193 PS), 168 kW = 228 PS (basis 197 PS) torque: 320 Nm of 2.800 U/min (ok, this is a direct translation from their website...)

<strike>carlsson pulley kit ($???)
169 kW (230 PS)/ 5200 1/min</strike> unavailable in the US

renntech pulley kit ($1695) - 2 year limited warranty on parts
Larger Crankshaft Pulley, Idler Pulley Belt, ITG Air Filter
220@5300 HP 248@2500-4800 Torque
With out air filter ($1495.00)

wetterrauer pulley kit ($1295)
pulley that maintains the magnetic clutch, a drive belt, fuel pressure regulator and special air intake pipe for the increased air volume 230 HP 236 ft/lbs peak

You see the RennTech Rep knew I can buy a cheaper kit so down talked the pulley kit totally. Then he stated the only thing for my car was an airtake,ECU, and exhaust sytem which they sell for $3000 dollars. I might add he was very short with me unlike the Evosport staff.

I'm very openminded about mods; however, the Renntech reps think only good mod for your MB is from there company.

At the end of the conversation the guy told me didn't even have a benz he drives a Toyota.

Now go figure...

Petie

I think, my friend, you have gotten the gist of how renntech works. by the way, have you seen Renntech's air intake system? its just another airbox that has a larger volume sitting on top of the engine......whats better than hot air going into your engine???....a WHOLE LOT MORE hot air going into your engine.......

Eric

BroadSt Bully

Can we get some RennTech customers to write in to the forum and express thier satisfaction.

Petie

yeah that would be nice....all i ever hear is horror stories, it cant be all bad........

BroadSt Bully

Dude,

Off the record, How did you earn that name?

Petie

I am assuming you are talking about "Petie"? i hope so because thats what im gonna explain.....my name is Eric Pedersen, im currently a college baseball player. Dont know how big of a baseball guy you are, but pretty much everyone on a baseball team has a shortened version of their last name as a nickname....thus my name was Pete, which quickly turned to Petie because im somewhat short, play second base, bat leadoff, im just a scrappy ballplayer, so i guess the ie on the end is fitting....so as for a really funny or exciting story behind the name, dont have one, sorry..........

Eric

BroadSt Bully

That's cool, I was short to until I started getting some. So try that..
Now i'm 6'7 270lbs.

Petie

man, youre a big dude, is the CLK comfortable for someone your size???