Inexpensive ways to gain HP
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Again, we have to define "inexpensive". Buy a 2006 CLK500 for $13,000, then a Kleeman supercharger installed for $12K, and you have a $25K coupe with over 450hp and 580lb. ft. of torque. It's less expensive than a Mustang GT, and infinitely more fun to drive. 
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Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
I was going to pass the nitrous comment but that's not practical.
Better to buy an AMG with uprated brakes, larger rear axle etc. etc. that will maintain balance & reliability.
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Sorry, no, there isn't anything around that price range. Now, if you don't care about emissions checks, you could delete the cats and drop in headers, along with the required ECU tune, you can do some good there. That would be about $3K ($2K+/- for the headers, $1K+/- for the ECU tune), so an average of $1500 per part, I guess.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 586
Likes: 3
From: Arizona
e63 NA
Most guys hit on the high points but I was a new owner last year and looking into the same things. Here are what I think is "inexpensive" mods for the 500.
As many will say, 'you have to pay to play', but there are fun mods we can do to the 500 engine without breaking bank.
1. Deleting resonator (and or 2ndary cats) - I was very happy when I did this. You won't notice more HP but it will feel like it as during WOT your car now sounds like a beast. $100-200
2. High Flow Muffler, like Magnaflow (tons of threads). You probably don't want to do 1 and 2 together or your will get a lot of drone (or take some care with exhaust to get to sound right). $100
3. ECU tune. This is the biggest bang for the buck really. Searching will yield a TON of results. For reliable tunes these start around 600 and can go up from there. Expect 30-30 Hp/Torque. $600
4. Pulley - I haven't really researched this much but they do make upgraded pulleys which can pump out another 5 percent hp/torque, $500
5. Headers - add decent power and will improve engine sound. $1000
6. Intake - not many available for our cars, have to fab up from 55k or renntech. Not much hp/torque, will feel more responsive on highway though. ~$500
There are a lot more things to do, if you search around you will see people who have done 20+ things. I am not fully there yet, but for me personally, my final performance mod list will be simply:
Intake, ECU, Exhaust
Air in, air out + tune
As many will say, 'you have to pay to play', but there are fun mods we can do to the 500 engine without breaking bank.
1. Deleting resonator (and or 2ndary cats) - I was very happy when I did this. You won't notice more HP but it will feel like it as during WOT your car now sounds like a beast. $100-200
2. High Flow Muffler, like Magnaflow (tons of threads). You probably don't want to do 1 and 2 together or your will get a lot of drone (or take some care with exhaust to get to sound right). $100
3. ECU tune. This is the biggest bang for the buck really. Searching will yield a TON of results. For reliable tunes these start around 600 and can go up from there. Expect 30-30 Hp/Torque. $600
4. Pulley - I haven't really researched this much but they do make upgraded pulleys which can pump out another 5 percent hp/torque, $500
5. Headers - add decent power and will improve engine sound. $1000
6. Intake - not many available for our cars, have to fab up from 55k or renntech. Not much hp/torque, will feel more responsive on highway though. ~$500
There are a lot more things to do, if you search around you will see people who have done 20+ things. I am not fully there yet, but for me personally, my final performance mod list will be simply:
Intake, ECU, Exhaust
Air in, air out + tune
Super Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 985
Likes: 16
From: Queens, NY
2009 clk-350 (Black) AMG, 2009 clk-550 (Pewter) AMG
man i have a clk 350 and would love to have 300hp, your lucky. HATE THOSE 335i owners that rev next to me.. but then again my car is much nicer =]
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Well, don't hate those 335i owners too much - they are stiff competition even for my CLK550. There's a guy who works down the highway from me and we "meet up" about once or twice a month. I always beat him, but barely. The 335i has an awesome engine, but the 3-series is no CLK when it comes to all around driving pleasure.
Super Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 985
Likes: 16
From: Queens, NY
2009 clk-350 (Black) AMG, 2009 clk-550 (Pewter) AMG
^ totally agree, was looking into a 335i coupe before i saw the beautiful clk350. in all honestly i dont know anywhere i would be able to "gun" my car. overall the clk is a much better car and better built, the 3-series feels cheap =\ that was a deal breaker for me and not to mention every one owns one, well at least here in NY
