Performance Upgrades For Dummies
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 4
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2008 CLK550
Performance Upgrades For Dummies
Fist of all want to say Hi-A. Long time guest of your site, but took the leap and joined as it time to wither sht or get off the pot, meaning I either continually buy new cars or keep one for more then a couple of years. I think my CLK500 is the one to keep as I just can't find anything wrong with it. So, now I want to, for the first time ever, personalize it to be mine!
I would like to start with performance enhancements, but know extremely little about them. All I have ever done was install a Dinan chip in a 325ES way back in my yute.
I would be very greatfull if this great group could list the upgrades, in sequence if such a thing exist, to get my girl screamming a bit louder. My buddy and neighbor will receive his Lexus LFA this spring and I have to be ready for him! Went looking at the RB Spider today, but thought, scrw him, I will work with what I have. Plus luckily he can't drive and at least I have a few track hours.
All assistance is very much appreciated...A
I would like to start with performance enhancements, but know extremely little about them. All I have ever done was install a Dinan chip in a 325ES way back in my yute.
I would be very greatfull if this great group could list the upgrades, in sequence if such a thing exist, to get my girl screamming a bit louder. My buddy and neighbor will receive his Lexus LFA this spring and I have to be ready for him! Went looking at the RB Spider today, but thought, scrw him, I will work with what I have. Plus luckily he can't drive and at least I have a few track hours.
All assistance is very much appreciated...A
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 605
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From: NJ,USA
'10 c63,'03expedition,ducati999,22'Donzi
welcome to the forum bud.ur going to need two kleeman superchargers and race suspension and the biggest brakes you can find to keep up with the LFA though.lol
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Joined: Mar 2008
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C63s Cabriolet, BMW M4, Civic
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,071
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From: NoVa
2004 S55 (SOLD, miss it every day), 2009 GL550
+1 and +1
it might be cheaper to trade your 500 for a 55 and tune that
good luck, please do keep us informed, I am interested in what can be done to a 500.
I must say I am disappointed in this thread. I feel cheated! I was expecting some easy tuning tips for dummies (
), not someone asking for them 
it might be cheaper to trade your 500 for a 55 and tune that
good luck, please do keep us informed, I am interested in what can be done to a 500.
I must say I am disappointed in this thread. I feel cheated! I was expecting some easy tuning tips for dummies (
), not someone asking for them
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,250
Likes: 21
From: Los Angeles, CA
Supercharged CLK500,ML500,S580
Your competing with a $400K (performance wise, $200K) 550hp, 3400lb, 2-Seat supercar. If you are serious about this, then lets go with straight line performance (verses track performance). Modding MBs is not cheap compared modding other marks. betrezra has a thread about supercharging his CLK55 here:
https://mbworld.org/forums/clk55-amg...-thread-3.html
With all the mods he's doing, he will probably get around 450-500whp. You will need at least that much hp, if not more. A 55K conversion (with tranny and mods) is your best bet as far as power goes.
Weight loss (by this time, your wallet should be lighter
). Strip at least 400-500lbs off the car. Light weight wheels, gut the interior, CF body panels, lexan glass, ditch the AC and radio.
Get a LSD, light weight coilovers and the widest rear tires you can.
After that, you might be able to beat the LFA in a straight line.
Edit: I just noticed your signature says CLK550. If that is indeed the car you have, there is no Supercharger option; so you have to get the 55K conversion.
https://mbworld.org/forums/clk55-amg...-thread-3.html
With all the mods he's doing, he will probably get around 450-500whp. You will need at least that much hp, if not more. A 55K conversion (with tranny and mods) is your best bet as far as power goes.
Weight loss (by this time, your wallet should be lighter
). Strip at least 400-500lbs off the car. Light weight wheels, gut the interior, CF body panels, lexan glass, ditch the AC and radio.Get a LSD, light weight coilovers and the widest rear tires you can.
After that, you might be able to beat the LFA in a straight line.
Edit: I just noticed your signature says CLK550. If that is indeed the car you have, there is no Supercharger option; so you have to get the 55K conversion.
Last edited by 2MCHCAR; Dec 4, 2010 at 08:07 PM.
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Super Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 872
Likes: 2
From: Saint Louis
CLS 63 S AMG , s500,clk550
the best upgrade would be to add the black series badge on the car for instant gains 
at the end of the day..its a lexus.... toyota, as long as your brakes work you'll win
at the end of the day..its a lexus.... toyota, as long as your brakes work you'll win
Last edited by fusion2007; Dec 5, 2010 at 03:21 AM.
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Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
2008 CLK550
The Truth Hurts LMAO
Well I certainly got a lot of good laughs from your "helpfull" coments lol. As it turns out he called me from Chicago as all LFA owners were invited to track with an LFA if they wanted too. He said it is "f-en Unreal". He also said that they have 6 for sale in the USA stil, only $430K plus tax! He has the exhaust note and a video for me, how thoughtfull! I asked him to find out how hard it is to repair a "keyed" carbon fibre door panel....
OK, I wil give up on the LFA, just hate loosing to him is all. But he has bigger pockets, so it was bound to hapen.
Regardless of my spoiled friend and his LFA, would you be so kind as to let me know the best performance upgrades I can do to my 550 (I said 500 in my post, but it is a 550). I would not do these myself, so need to import and find a local good shop to install for me.
By the way, saw the new E550 cabriolet in the showroom, also a nice toy. Also the new SL, very sleek.
thanks for the laughs guys..A
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
2008 CLK550
+1 and +1
it might be cheaper to trade your 500 for a 55 and tune that
good luck, please do keep us informed, I am interested in what can be done to a 500.
I must say I am disappointed in this thread. I feel cheated! I was expecting some easy tuning tips for dummies (), not someone asking for them
it might be cheaper to trade your 500 for a 55 and tune that
good luck, please do keep us informed, I am interested in what can be done to a 500.
I must say I am disappointed in this thread. I feel cheated! I was expecting some easy tuning tips for dummies (
), not someone asking for them 
I deserve all I am getting I suppose, always fun to be a newbie...for a while that is
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From: A Canadian in Dubai, United Arab Emirates
'05 C200K SS, '05 Kleemann CLK500K, '08 Hummer H3 & '92 Z34 5sp (track car in Canada)
