Underdrive Pulley Update
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 5,660
Likes: 2
From: Charlotte, NC
2000 CLK430
Underdrive Pulley Update
While my pulleys have been installed, i have been at college and my car back at home. This past weekend my parents brought my car up to me, and i finally got a chance to drive my car since the install. Took it out today and drove it hard, and its awesome. With only about a 15 HP increase (which is more than enough for $500), i wasnt expecting to really feel much of anything. When i shift the car down to first gear, the gas pedal feels completely different under my foot than it used to, the car is MUCH more responsive in 1st. Just to test it further, i turned my A / C all the way on full blast on the coldest temp, and drove it hard like that......no difference!!!! i was amazed, im so used to it lagging with the A/C on, not anymore. i am completely satisfied with the pulleys and would definitely recommend them. Talk to Ben (Mach430) if you are interested or want more info on them (or just look at the thread on this forum about the pulleys.....)
Eric
Eric
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 35,855
Likes: 3
From: Southern CA
Cars on average lose up to 10% of their power with the A/C on. The A/C pulley is another pulley that the engine has to spin in order to work. A stock car will have the A/C in addition to the 3 pulleys that we change taking power from the engine with the A/C on. With our underdrive pulleys, the A/C is not as much of a drain because the 3 other pulleys are not demanding as much power as they used to.
Last edited by Mach430; Oct 1, 2002 at 10:51 AM.
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 14
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From: Pittsburgh, Pa
99clk430
An air cooled refrigeration system requires about 4 HP per ton of refrigeration. I don't know what the capacity is of the CLK's cooling system, but I would be very suprised if it was over two tons, since the average house where I live (PA) is about two and a half tons. Assuming it is two tons, thats 8 HP, or about 3% of the CLK total HP. Of course, we all know the CLK isn't an average car with 275 hp!
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 35,855
Likes: 3
From: Southern CA
The A/C is run by a pulley, and thus crank rotation is required in order to make it work. This is why it takes a lot longer for your A/C to kick in when the car is first turned on in park, than it does while you are driving. Do a test with your A/C off and then on. It does make a significant difference in power. I even notice my car requiring more braking effort with the A/C on then with it off (this one I haven't figured out yet).
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 5,289
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From: So Cal
W213 '17 E43 ///AMG - W211, W208 no more
i sometimes notice that the brakes actually release/slip when the AC is on... when i come to a stop, the brakes will actually come loose and slip, causing the car to move forward an inch or 2... anyone else have this problem?
this is not the only car i've experienced this problem with...
this is not the only car i've experienced this problem with...
