Turbo charging vs Super Charging a CLK500
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Joined: Jan 2010
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From: Bay Area, California
2015 S63 AMG Coupe, 2003 CLK500, 1986 TVR 280i
Turbo charging vs Super Charging a CLK500
I am at a point with my '03 CLK500 that I could use another 100 horse power. So, I am contemplating the two customary approaches and I was wondering if anyone has actually done either of these on an actual car in California.
I am familiar with the pros and cons of the two systems. So, I would appreciate any advise regarding the practical aspects of the upgrade (e.g. cost of parts, known issues and complications) instead of the usual lag vs no lag discussion that ensues with a question like mine.
I like to do the upgrade myself. Alternaltively, if you know a shop in NorCal that you trust, and has done such an upgrade, I would be interested to talk to them for advice or may ask them to do the work. This will include a new fully adjustable coil-over suspension, and probably larger brakes all around (calipers/rotors/pads)
Thank you !
Pomchal
'03 CLK500
'86 TVR 280i
I am familiar with the pros and cons of the two systems. So, I would appreciate any advise regarding the practical aspects of the upgrade (e.g. cost of parts, known issues and complications) instead of the usual lag vs no lag discussion that ensues with a question like mine.
I like to do the upgrade myself. Alternaltively, if you know a shop in NorCal that you trust, and has done such an upgrade, I would be interested to talk to them for advice or may ask them to do the work. This will include a new fully adjustable coil-over suspension, and probably larger brakes all around (calipers/rotors/pads)
Thank you !
Pomchal
'03 CLK500
'86 TVR 280i
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I don't know of any turbocharger for the M112 engine, but there are options for superchargers - Kleeman, and even the OEM from the M113 5.5.l AMG engine. A less expensive option might be to just sell the CLK500 and upgrade to a CLK55 or CLK550.
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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)
The Kleemann system for the 5L M113 is very impressive, I have zero regrets doing mine.
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Kleemann would have to be the only option. I don't see any reason for anything else since it is so easy in comparison. A centrifugal supercharger would probably fit but for little benefit over a roots or twinscrew. I can't see one or two turbos fitting anywhere unless you relocate a lot of things to have a high mount single turbo with a crossover pipe... probably not worth it.
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From: Tampa, FL
2006 CLK500
I am not suggesting this but more of an observation of some v8 cars around me. The turbochargers that sit at the back of the car. Usually right next to the bumper. I think a brand is STS Turbos. I have seen them on Vettes and SRT8 charger at my work.
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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)
Yes, those remote mounted turbos are out there but installation gets a little tricky when you don't have a lot of room to work with as you have to plumb the boost back to the engine under the car. It's basically like adding another exhaust pipe. A shop I use to run back home did a few of these on motorhomes and full size trucks.
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From: Tampa, FL
2006 CLK500
Yes, those remote mounted turbos are out there but installation gets a little tricky when you don't have a lot of room to work with as you have to plumb the boost back to the engine under the car. It's basically like adding another exhaust pipe. A shop I use to run back home did a few of these on motorhomes and full size trucks.
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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)
Turbos stay cooler? If that's what you've been told its flat out wrong, turbos work off the exhaust system and get extremely hot, just look under the hood of one after a few runs at night, they glow red. Anything that compresses air is going to generate heat but a belt driven SC is not going to be anywhere near as hot as a turbo.
The remote turbos keep the generated heat out from the engine bay but present other issues in piping and spacing. Personally, I've always been a fan of SC conversions on V8s, the new TT E500s (4.8L) are very impressive but that's a factory setup. To each their own but for me, I love the instant massive bottom end toqrqe of the SC.
The remote turbos keep the generated heat out from the engine bay but present other issues in piping and spacing. Personally, I've always been a fan of SC conversions on V8s, the new TT E500s (4.8L) are very impressive but that's a factory setup. To each their own but for me, I love the instant massive bottom end toqrqe of the SC.
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From: New Zealand
+1 rear mount turbos in my opinion are a very last resort option. They are complicated, less efficient and quite untidy (stuff spread out all over the car from front to back). You want the turbo as close to the exhaust manifold as possible to conserve as much heat as you can. Turbos work mainly from the thermal expansion of the exhaust gases than from the force of the air flow through the engine.
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From: Tampa, FL
2006 CLK500
Well thanks for that lesson. I did not know too much on those. I feel like V8s should always be supersharged. Leave the turbos for V6 and I4. That is just my barnyard opinion though.
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From: Carrollton Texas
clk and e coupe
100% correct, Picking up a good used motor isnt cheap, like you said you will need the ecu, but think of your car as a computer network, allot of the systems are vin specific. So you are going to have to replace allot of other components to get it to work properly. It would be cheaper to just by a newer model.
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2004 clk500
100% correct, Picking up a good used motor isnt cheap, like you said you will need the ecu, but think of your car as a computer network, allot of the systems are vin specific. So you are going to have to replace allot of other components to get it to work properly. It would be cheaper to just by a newer model.
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Not worth it. It would probably be cheaper and less headaches to repair the wrecked vehicle. You'll end up getting in drive authorization issues that are either not solvable, or too expensive to solve.
Former Vendor of MBWorld
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From: Carrollton Texas
clk and e coupe
The cost and the time you could by a newer clk550 and mod it.
and in the future it would have more resale value and easier to sell then a hybrid Mercedes.
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2004 clk500
the reason I asked is because I would like to build a sleeper . I know I should buy a clk55 instead ,but what about a 2015 sls amg ? I will use everything from the car ,all the wiring and seats steering wheel and everything els . Is that a perfect engine that will fit in the clk? I know I'd have to make a couple adjustments . But what do you think ? I really don't care for the look of the sls. Just want to build a sleeper .
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Swap in a 55 supercharged engine transmission ecu and loom if you want a fairly straightforward swap. It will make a superb sleeper and very fast. Add mods and good luck getting traction. With enough money you can do anything.
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From: California
2023 E450 AT, 1996 S420, (sold) 2004 CLK320 Convertible (v8, 6 speed)
You can buy clk63 (not black), install bumpers, side skirts from clk320 and de-badge it 
It has save m156 engine and you can get one for about 30k
It has save m156 engine and you can get one for about 30k
Last edited by dzmitry; Jan 10, 2017 at 10:47 PM.
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From: Hollywood, CA
W209, W124
One day I went over to Bud's Auto Parts on US36 in Avon Indiana and got a distributor from an '82 Monte Carlo and jammed it in my 1968 SS396. Slid right in. I went from 20,000 Volts to 40,000 and never had to buy or set points & condenser again. I did have to run a 12V line for ignition power, but other than that it was a +,+,+. I also didn't need a coil anymore, all ignition functions were digital and inside the HEI distributor. An AMAZING upgrade, for $35.
Mercedes rarely gives you such things. I put a '92 LH module in my '93 400E and got 15 more WOT hp, but just about everything else, is CRAZY expensive.
Especially when a CLK55 or C55 can be had for peanuts. Even a CLK550 is a deal now. I never cared for the AMG interiors, I liked the real wood and leather in my 500. The black plastic and Al trim looks suspiciously like a 320 to me.
But as much as I would like to put a Supercharger or Turbo on my CLK, I doubt I ever will. Want power? Get a SLK55 or a SL600 for 1/10th of it's list price and spend your wrench time and money putting it back in new shape.
Mercedes rarely gives you such things. I put a '92 LH module in my '93 400E and got 15 more WOT hp, but just about everything else, is CRAZY expensive.
Especially when a CLK55 or C55 can be had for peanuts. Even a CLK550 is a deal now. I never cared for the AMG interiors, I liked the real wood and leather in my 500. The black plastic and Al trim looks suspiciously like a 320 to me.
But as much as I would like to put a Supercharger or Turbo on my CLK, I doubt I ever will. Want power? Get a SLK55 or a SL600 for 1/10th of it's list price and spend your wrench time and money putting it back in new shape.
Last edited by MacVidMB-V8; Jan 11, 2017 at 06:47 AM.
