Performance for '96 E320
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Performance for '96 E320
I'm a new owner of a 50K mile old '96 E320, clean car got it for $9K. Now, even though the car is pretty fast stock, I always want to go faster and may even, on occaison, go out on the track and throw the car around some twisties. But lately, the car has been feeling sluggish compared to the younger cars inhabiting the track and I have even succumb to a Honda Civic Hatch that had managed to pass me from the start and then continued to build length along all the straights, while I, attempted to try and catch up in the corners, the attempt was futile and the Civic won. I'd like the car to get up to around 300HP, nothing too much, just enough to be able to know that I'm not going to get beat by another young punk. What can I do to attain this goal?
Thank you,
Gene
Thank you,
Gene
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Sorry, but buying a new car is not an option. I don't want the car to be super fast, maybe 300HP might be too much, especially considering to reach that level I'dhave to fork over $4,000+ for either a supercharger or turbocharger kit, so maybe.. 250 horsepower? Haha. I guess I can answer my own question for now and say the best two options for the car now is to get a new exhaust system, something a little more free-flowing (remove resonator and such) and then a Cold Air Intake. Oh well, thank you for all your help.
And I just noticed my username, ER20, meant E320, oh well.
Thank you
Gene
And I just noticed my username, ER20, meant E320, oh well.
Thank you
Gene
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From: NY
2014 E550 4matic,, sold 2012 E 350 4matic,,sold 2010 e350 4w,sold 2002 e320 se
I can tell you that this forum can help you attain nice HP gains without dropping thousands.I am currently poppin out about 280HP with a chip,sport exhaust,better air flow filter(K&N),,,and I expect some more when I get around to the underpulleys and Iridium plugs.Plus,Im getting better gas mileage,so check it out Gene,and welcome.
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Thank you Stemags. I guess the first thing I'll do is change the air filter.
Question: What's the most preferable size of piping for an exhaust for our cars? 2.5"? 2.75"? Smaller? and would removing the resonator cause any problems?
And to Stemags: What chip are you using? I've checked a couple of companies and have yet to find one that offers it for the E320.
Thank you,
Gene
Question: What's the most preferable size of piping for an exhaust for our cars? 2.5"? 2.75"? Smaller? and would removing the resonator cause any problems?
And to Stemags: What chip are you using? I've checked a couple of companies and have yet to find one that offers it for the E320.
Thank you,
Gene
Last edited by 1996ER20CRZY; Jun 6, 2005 at 04:35 PM.
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From: NY
2014 E550 4matic,, sold 2012 E 350 4matic,,sold 2010 e350 4w,sold 2002 e320 se
Hey,no problem Gene,Im using the Powerchip 93 Gold,and Im not sure about what pipe size is best,but the well made Remus is a good match.Air filter,,,easy.Resonators???I'll let someone else help with that one.I have a G2 timer thingy,,probably acurate to within 5 HP,,I hit 285HP with a zero to 60 run at 6.4secs.And that was with snow tires on,,IT CAN BE DONE 
Heres a link for the chip,good luck.They are great to deal with,,,very accomodating.
http://www.powerchipgroup.com/choices.asp?entry=powerchipgroup%2Ecom
Heres a link for the chip,good luck.They are great to deal with,,,very accomodating.
http://www.powerchipgroup.com/choices.asp?entry=powerchipgroup%2Ecom
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From: NY
2014 E550 4matic,, sold 2012 E 350 4matic,,sold 2010 e350 4w,sold 2002 e320 se
Hey,no problem Gene,Im using the Powerchip 93 Gold,and Im not sure about what pipe size is best,but the well made Remus is a good match.Air filter,,,easy.Resonators???I'll let someone else help with that one.I have a G2 timer thingy,,probably acurate to within 5 HP,,I hit 285HP with a zero to 60 run at 6.4secs.And that was with snow tires on,,IT CAN BE DONE Whitey knew this would happen 
Heres a link for the chip,good luck.They are great to deal with,,,very accomodating.
http://www.powerchipgroup.com/choices.asp?entry=powerchipgroup%2Ecom
Whitey knew this would happen Heres a link for the chip,good luck.They are great to deal with,,,very accomodating.
http://www.powerchipgroup.com/choices.asp?entry=powerchipgroup%2Ecom
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Hm, I'll check it out. Thanks again stemags. Regarding my question about the resonators; I've owned the car for a while but haven't started thinking about modifying it until lately (after I got beat by a Honda H/B 
) thus the reason I say I'm "new". I also just want to make sure that the resonators aren't connected to some hidden computer that'll shut the car down until they are replaced/returned. And if I can get this car into a range where it can easily take down some engine-swapped Honda (N/A) I'll be good. :P Kind of wierd for someone of my age to be thinking like this, but I don't like to lose.
) thus the reason I say I'm "new". I also just want to make sure that the resonators aren't connected to some hidden computer that'll shut the car down until they are replaced/returned. And if I can get this car into a range where it can easily take down some engine-swapped Honda (N/A) I'll be good. :P Kind of wierd for someone of my age to be thinking like this, but I don't like to lose.
Last edited by 1996ER20CRZY; Jun 6, 2005 at 10:55 PM.
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98 W210 Advantgarde
Originally Posted by 1996ER20CRZY
Hm, I'll check it out. Thanks again stemags. Regarding my question about the resonators; I've owned the car for a while but haven't started thinking about modifying it until lately (after I got beat by a Honda H/B ) thus the reason I say I'm "new". I also just want to make sure that the resonators aren't connected to some hidden computer that'll shut the car down until they are replaced/returned. And if I can get this car into a range where it can easily take down some engine-swapped Honda (N/A) I'll be good. :P Kind of wierd for someone of my age to be thinking like this, but I don't like to lose.
) thus the reason I say I'm "new". I also just want to make sure that the resonators aren't connected to some hidden computer that'll shut the car down until they are replaced/returned. And if I can get this car into a range where it can easily take down some engine-swapped Honda (N/A) I'll be good. :P Kind of wierd for someone of my age to be thinking like this, but I don't like to lose.You can safely remove your resonator - it is not connected electronically. Not sure about noticeable HP gains but my car felt more responsive and sound was much better. Also, get the lightest possible wheel you can find (with all the above mods) and you'll be good.....now, go get em ricers, I did just the other night and I'm not even a 320
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2014 E550 4matic,, sold 2012 E 350 4matic,,sold 2010 e350 4w,sold 2002 e320 se
Whitey,,,as you know,,the poor fella in a G35 coupe fell prey to the bad boy all chipped and remused out.Not to mention the loser in a 5.0L Mustang,numerous ricers,and several Bimmers including a 540i.Gene doesnt like to lose,so this is right up his alley. Dont be shy Gene,post some pics man.
p.s....got me a new M35x today,,zowee.Maybe he was breaking in his oil??
p.s....got me a new M35x today,,zowee.Maybe he was breaking in his oil??
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W205 C300
I have not heard of a chip for inline 6 in the 96 E320. Change the intake and exhaust to help. I think BergeWerks had a different cam that you can put in.
I do not believe that the 280HP figure is correct. Look at the figure for the AMG C36 and E36 3.6L engine (275HP). Even the new 3.5L E350 is listed at 269HP. You must not be entering the correct weight of your car so the Gtech is giving you an incorrect HP reading.
I do not believe that the 280HP figure is correct. Look at the figure for the AMG C36 and E36 3.6L engine (275HP). Even the new 3.5L E350 is listed at 269HP. You must not be entering the correct weight of your car so the Gtech is giving you an incorrect HP reading.
Last edited by E-Klasse; Jun 7, 2005 at 05:28 PM.
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2014 E550 4matic,, sold 2012 E 350 4matic,,sold 2010 e350 4w,sold 2002 e320 se
Yeah,Ok,believe what you will,I replicated it several times,consistent readings.BTW,how else could I have outrun some of the cars I mentioned without the HP I stated?
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W205 C300
Why would AMG bother to bore the 3.2L block out to 3.6L and upgrade the exhaust and other things to only get 275HP when they could have got 280HP the way you did. You must have put the wrong weight in. Your results would repeat over and over incorrectly.
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2014 E550 4matic,, sold 2012 E 350 4matic,,sold 2010 e350 4w,sold 2002 e320 se
I knew there would be one like you,so I'll answer your question,even though you didnt answer mine. 
They (AMG) do that so people would spend more to get the HP.Did you know that the engine output on the E320 was tamed to satisfy the average driver?That the engine,with a few electronic mods such as a chip,can put out what its capable of?They dont because there's money in higher output,if the consumer wants to pay for it.
The weight question you bring up is a non issue,its done correctly,along with the C of D,and other specs the unit asks for.
So that brings me to the original question E klasse,how do you suppose I outran those other cars with their higher stock HP output?? 
They (AMG) do that so people would spend more to get the HP.Did you know that the engine output on the E320 was tamed to satisfy the average driver?That the engine,with a few electronic mods such as a chip,can put out what its capable of?They dont because there's money in higher output,if the consumer wants to pay for it.The weight question you bring up is a non issue,its done correctly,along with the C of D,and other specs the unit asks for.
So that brings me to the original question E klasse,how do you suppose I outran those other cars with their higher stock HP output??
Originally Posted by E-Klasse
Why would AMG bother to bore the 3.2L block out to 3.6L and upgrade the exhaust and other things to only get 275HP when they could have got 280HP the way you did. You must have put the wrong weight in. Your results would repeat over and over incorrectly.
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2014 E550 4matic,, sold 2012 E 350 4matic,,sold 2010 e350 4w,sold 2002 e320 se
Your rite E,I'm past believing 'cause Im living it ,and was attempting to share my experience with Gene. 
He's going to be able to decipher the "shape" of things .Btw,have you actually researched whether they have a chip for an inline?I myself was skeptical about the 40 or so HP that Powerchip promised.Until I bought one that is.In combo wth the exhaust and filter Im using,does 275-285 really seem unattainable?Anybody?
,and was attempting to share my experience with Gene. He's going to be able to decipher the "shape" of things .Btw,have you actually researched whether they have a chip for an inline?I myself was skeptical about the 40 or so HP that Powerchip promised.Until I bought one that is.In combo wth the exhaust and filter Im using,does 275-285 really seem unattainable?Anybody?
Last edited by stemags; Jun 7, 2005 at 09:04 PM.
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E55, GLS450, GL63, GLE350
I do not believe that the 280HP figure is correct.
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2014 E550 4matic,, sold 2012 E 350 4matic,,sold 2010 e350 4w,sold 2002 e320 se
Originally Posted by BlownV8
Prove us wrong!
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US? Got nothing to prove,just stating a fact,its a GT2 Timer,Passport makes it,not gtech.Why dont you prove me wrong,Im tired of bickering with know it alls.
There is really no way we can "prove" you wrong. There are facts and there are opinions. Until you actually run your car on a dyno, you can't really refer to speaking the "truth" concerning your hp. A performance meter is not going to accuratly tell you your hp. I feel that it can give you pretty accurate times if the roads are flat, you've done the correct set-up, ETC.... However, to say that you car has X amount of HP without an actual dyno test is hot air at best.
Take it to a dyno and have it measured. You may be happy or you may be disappointed but at the very least you will know the truth.
Last edited by BlownV8; Jun 8, 2005 at 11:06 AM.
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'98 E320 4Matic, '85 380SL
Powerchip lists a chip for the M104 inline six in the S-class, but for some reason they do not list one for the E-class. It's the same motor, although the power output in the S320 is 228 hp vs 217 hp in the E320, perhaps due to exhaust differences. Maybe that chip will work.
