Turbo charging vs Super Charging a CLK500
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 2,562
Likes: 197
From: Austin, TX
2006 E55, 2012 GLK350 & 1992 190e sportline
i say do it. If i had crazy money, like I am going to assume you do, I would build all kinds of bat sh#t crazy stuff. I think there is better bang for the buck options than an sls motor in a clk but what do I know. DO IT!
Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 217
Likes: 19
From: Chicago, IL
2003 CLK500, 2003 CLK55, 2008 CLK550
Turbocharging vs supercharging? Why make them compete. Do both!!
If you need inspiration:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nissan_Micra#Super_Turbo
If you need inspiration:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nissan_Micra#Super_Turbo
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,250
Likes: 21
From: Los Angeles, CA
Supercharged CLK500,ML500,S580
As someone who currently drives a supercharged CLK500, my vote is inserting a 55K motor. It's unique enough as a project; only a handful of people have done it (it's not clearly documented on how to-do it online, at least at the level of detail required; perhaps to keep it a trade secret and force people to go to those shops for the conversion).
After the motor is installed, there is a big aftermarket that supports it so you can go nuts on the horsepower!
After the motor is installed, there is a big aftermarket that supports it so you can go nuts on the horsepower!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 1,319
Likes: 14
From: SoCal
None for now
As someone who currently drives a supercharged CLK500, my vote is inserting a 55K motor. It's unique enough as a project; only a handful of people have done it (it's not clearly documented on how to-do it online, at least at the level of detail required; perhaps to keep it a trade secret and force people to go to those shops for the conversion).
After the motor is installed, there is a big aftermarket that supports it so you can go nuts on the horsepower!
After the motor is installed, there is a big aftermarket that supports it so you can go nuts on the horsepower!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,250
Likes: 21
From: Los Angeles, CA
Supercharged CLK500,ML500,S580
- I'm still loving all the HP/TQ and the 24/31 (City/Hwy) gas mileage (when I'm not driving like a mad man)
- Not totally supercharger related, but I still get lots of complements for the exhaust
- No problems with the transmission at all (I even have a Eurocharged TCU tune). Even though the CLK55s have beefier transmission internals, my CLK500's transmission have held up after all these years (maintenance is key).
- I'm not 100% sure, but I believe the ESP tuning for the CLK500 is not as aggressive than the CLK55s. I can peel/burn out with it turned off (I have a quaife LSD).
- No issues with the supercharger itself, all problems encountered (smog related) were due to bad initial installation, which was resolved when I took the car the Kleemann HQ.
- I've had heat exchanger and H/E water pumps fail, which I documented in this forum. If you follow my recommendations, those new components I selected have held up.
- Maintenance Items like CPS sensor and EGR valve are more difficult to access because of the limited space the Supercharger provides.
BTW, I remember asking about the Kleemann Cams on another thread. Those cams are identical to the 55K cams, which give you about 10HP (15HP tops) on a forced induction car. There is probably no benefit to them on a N/A car.
Sorry for the thread jack OP.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,250
Likes: 21
From: Los Angeles, CA
Supercharged CLK500,ML500,S580
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,254
Likes: 171
2002 CL500 to CL55 conversion
i know this is an old thread but theres some hit or miss info that should be redacted -
at least on my 2002, my cl500-cl55 swap was direct plug and play, i don't even have as much as a check engine light afterwards. it's been 4 or 5 years i think since, and when recently testing my compression it tested out great.
judging from exhaust smell and long term fuel trims, it seems im running a bit rich (aren't all mercedes of these era?) so im sure a tune would help a lot with getting my AFR back in spec. overall the car is pretty quick and keeps up with many newer sports cars
considering these engines can be found dirt cheap (n/a 55) i usually will recommend this route to anybody considering major engine work on their 430/500 engine of these era. why spend $2500 replacing engine lifters when you can get a good 55 engine on ebay for $1500... like i said, this was my experience with my 2002 w215 with ME 2.8. could maybe not work out as easily for other people but worth a shot. even if you had to have the ecu coded for the EIS, or the vin or whatever, a 55 swap could still be cheaper than a lot of engine repairs
at least on my 2002, my cl500-cl55 swap was direct plug and play, i don't even have as much as a check engine light afterwards. it's been 4 or 5 years i think since, and when recently testing my compression it tested out great.
judging from exhaust smell and long term fuel trims, it seems im running a bit rich (aren't all mercedes of these era?) so im sure a tune would help a lot with getting my AFR back in spec. overall the car is pretty quick and keeps up with many newer sports cars
considering these engines can be found dirt cheap (n/a 55) i usually will recommend this route to anybody considering major engine work on their 430/500 engine of these era. why spend $2500 replacing engine lifters when you can get a good 55 engine on ebay for $1500... like i said, this was my experience with my 2002 w215 with ME 2.8. could maybe not work out as easily for other people but worth a shot. even if you had to have the ecu coded for the EIS, or the vin or whatever, a 55 swap could still be cheaper than a lot of engine repairs
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