Modding NA 55 Engine? What can I do?
I know that generally the supercharged 55 AMG's get more attention in this matter, and that the gains on NA 55 engines are not as great, but I'd like to explore some options if people can give me their opinions.
I am actually very happy with the "seat of the pants" feel of my S55, I think it pulls pretty strongly. I've driven various newer AMG's, (S55k, SL65, C63, etc) and while obviously they are faster, in lower speed driving I did not feel a night and day difference, just a mid-day to evening difference. (haha
) Anyway - I'd like to possibly mod it in the future for a bit stronger performance, regardless - as I think I can get a bit more out of it.
So I've done some research, and while I have not really seen many people mod this NA S55, some work has been done to the CLK55, E55 W210, etc - which is the same engine.
So what can I do, and how much power can I realistically gain from the stock 354hp, 391lbs of torque it currently has?
Here is what I think, let me know if my gain estimates are off:
Headers (Like Kleeman or Evosport) Can I get at least 20hp/tq from these?
Pulleys (Should give me around 11hp gain?) My engine can take upgraded pulleys correct?
ECU - Another 15-20hp gain?
So with those above mods, can I realistic gain close to 40/50hp? Or is that too optimistic and I'd be around 30hp total with all of those?
Any other mod that is reasonable and would get me gains? I don't want to supercharge, I know that's an option, but I just want a little more lively performance out of it and nothing mind boggling.
Thanks!
I think Hooleyboy had a great list on the C55 register (hope he doesn't mind me sharing) that I've had a look at to get started https://mbworld.org/forums/c32-amg-c...arts-list.html
Have a look there - quite bit will be the same or similar
Last edited by Johnpidge; Feb 11, 2011 at 06:07 PM.

)So many things should the same!
However there are a few people who tenaciously chased after N/A HP with big wallets and had good gains...... but I believe not as much as just bolting on the Kleemann.
One caveat....... if you plan to go really big in the end.... then do it in stages..... get the heads p/p, cams (if you want the sound and high rpm hp), exhaust mods.... then later do the blower.
Unless you own a speed shop, it's really hard to justify slowly modding your car because of the cost of dynotime/tuning cost for these cars. So plan your mods carefully.
Stage 1 included: AMS headers, hiflo 2ndary cats, LSD, tune, and renntech air box... and made some modest gains..... but these would all support the blower so I was OK with it.
Last edited by betrezra; Feb 12, 2011 at 06:20 AM.
However there are a few people who tenaciously chased after N/A HP with big wallets and had good gains...... but I believe not as much as just bolting on the Kleemann.
One caveat....... if you plan to go really big in the end.... then do it in stages..... get the heads p/p, cams (if you want the sound and high rpm hp), exhaust mods.... then later do the blower.
Unless you own a speed shop, it's really hard to justify slowly modding your car because of the cost of dynotime/tuning cost for these cars. So plan your mods carefully.
Stage 1 included: AMS headers, hiflo 2ndary cats, LSD, tune, and renntech air box... and made some modest gains..... but these would all support the blower so I was OK with it.


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Get a nice dual exhaust system done (3" each side),high flow cats,some high flow airfilters and I guarantee that you will feel a nice difference in your car. Especially topend guaranteeed.
There is also a nice ram air systen you can put at the end of the intake tubes by your front grill. I will look them up. FOUND https://mbworld.org/forums/w211-amg/...nice-pics.html
Get a tune if you want from Kleemann.
This is all you will need. Cams are optional but you would definitely have to get a tune in that case. The cams and a tune would bring all these parts together beautifully. I recommend PTE cams or Klemann. Blackbenzz could tell you all about the PTE cams.
Forget the stupid pulleys,they will make lttle to no hp difference at all.
Last edited by ProjectC55; Feb 12, 2011 at 01:55 PM.







