Air Marshall Eldritch

Here is a link to an interesting article in Motor Trend, in case anyone missed it. For a mere $8k, you can bolt on an Eaton supercharger for an extra 100+ horsepower.

Pretty interesting.

(kidding about the "mere" 8k)

Air Marshall Eldritch

Here is the link:

http://www.motortrend.com/july01/benz/1.html

oresama99

odd that the article doesn't mention the gains in torque, biggest gains with a bolt on supercharger i thought.

still, cheaper than the kleeman system.....a 'mere' 14K.

Air Marshall Eldritch

Wow, for 14k, I'd just go with the E55 and get all the mechanics to match the power output!

KenE55

The article clearly indicates the problem with supercharging the E430: fantastic power but the tires/brakes/suspension can't handle it.

Since the E55 integrates those upgrades already, my question is, do they make a supercharger for the E55? I sent off an email to HPS to ask them if they plan to make such a system.

Has anyone in the US installed the Kleeman system on an E55? Is it reliable? Does it pass smog tests? Did it shave much off the 0-60 and 1/4 mile time? And how thirsty does the E55 get when supercharged?

oresama99

14 grand is for the 4.3 v8 kit which will get you higher output than a stock E55, 430hp/393lb-ft vs 349hp/391lb-ft. but, i guess the charger will add more weight to the car. to address the mechanics, i would think a relatively simple suspension/wheel and tire upgrade would allow the 430 to get the power down pact. also, 14 K doesn't include installation.

KenE55:
the tuning company Birds in the UK just started a line of superchargers for Mercs. i just read about them in the latest issue of benz enthusiast. they didn't say anything about a kit for the E55 but you might check with them as well.

Air Marshall Eldritch

Supercharge the e55? WHat's next, Nitrous?

AJChenMPH

Apparently so:

https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...&threadid=5596

E55 KEV

RBrenton88:

I'd like to see you trade your E430 for a new E55 with a $14k check. Not going to happen. Not even for a used 1999 E55. You better transpose those numbers and find a check for $41k.

oresama99:

I have seen that supercharger by Birds UK. It is called the "Spirit". That is one FUGLY looking unit. Looks like something a "Mad Scientist" invented. Here it is:



The Kleemann Superchargers are just plain beautiful and well designed.

oresama99

HA! mad scientist, excellent. fugly indeed.
simon atik from evosport had the kleeman unit installed on his E55. i think he has since sold the car, but i'm sure he would be willing to answer any questions you may have. i purchased my koni/H&R suspension from him and we spent several phone calls discussing the set up, he's very helpful.

KenE55

As I said in an earlier post, I emailed HPS regarding the E55. Here is the interesting reply:

<<
Thank you for your interest in HPS products.
Since there are no external differences in the 430 and
the 55 engines our E430 system will install on the E55
with no modifications with excellent results. Our
recent testing of a CLK55 with our system resulted in
a reduction of the 0-60 acceleration time from 4.75
seconds to 3.8 seconds. Our Supercharger Systems are
distributed by CEC (Claus Ettensberger Corporation).
Your contact will be Jeff Cadavid (jeff@cecwheels.com).
You can reach him by telephone at: Office 800/766-0064
or Cel 310/753-7534. Thanks again for your interest in
HPS.

Bruce Eikelberger
Director of Engineering
>>

So, who's going to try it first?

I will call or mail Jeff and find out what it costs, warranties, hp and torque, etc. I'm not super serious at this point, but I will consider doing it. You can never have too much vitamin H or vitamin T.

If everything looks great, then the question is, should I wait for the W211 E50/E55 AMG which will likely have the supercharger, and a Mercedes warranty, for about the same cost if I trade up.

JamE55

From 4.75 to 3.8 secs?? This is something i would like to see in black and white! Wonder how much this would cost??

Let us know Ken.

otoupalik

There is NO way you can get under 4 seconds if the power claims are real! Too much power. You will simply spin the tires. The MB trani will nto allow you to really modulate the throttle to get such a launch!

Thanks

Brad

Mr. Vanos

3.8s? Is that theoretical or actual? We've done several Kleemann 55 Supercharger upgrades and I will guarantee there is no way you can hit 3.8s in the car with the stock traction control. And these cars are pumping out well over 520hp! The car will sit there spinning tires through 3 gears! Trust me, I've driven both the E55 and CLK55 Supercharged cars. The cars are lots of fun and way too fast!!! But, the traction control is a major problem. You will need some R compound or slicks for grip and even that will spin.

For kicks, here's a drag time from a Kleemann CLK55K in Atlanta. All stock, except for the compressor:

dtclk320

Is there any way you could delete the traction control altogether. Doesnt Dinan do it for BMW??

Mach430

It is possilbe in some models to run the car in "test mode," which bypasses the ESP. However, doing this completely shuts off the ESP, whether the button is pressed or not. Even then, traction is still the key issue here. The Kleemann 55's put out more power than street tires can handle. As Mr. Vanos said, changing to a slick would dramatically improve traction, and thus acceleration from a standstill, but slicks are not pratical for road use. If you notice in the 1/4 mile ticket posted, there is only a 4.3 second gap from 1/8 to 1/4 mile. Yes, the car has already accellerated, which accounts for part of the quickness, but this is where the Kleemann 55 really shines! Being that the car is already in motion, traction is not "as much" of an issue, letting the car show its fury. I have also been in both a CLK55 and CLK55K, and witnessed (from the stock 55) the Kleemann CLK55 completely leaving us in seconds.

JamE55

This is exactly what i thought. Under 3.8 secs seems very wrong. Even the kleemann CLK55 that Mr. V listed i don't think will do 3.8secs.

Brandon @ Kleemann

Ok, so you knew it was coming. Here goes.

You get what you pay for. Do you think that 8 grand is a good deal for an off the shelf Eaton with no intercooler? The installation looks like a 4th grader did it. If this is acceptable for you Im sure HPS/CEC would love to sell you one. Has anyone ever SEEN one of these on a car?? My point is this- that article ran almost a year ago- where are all the HPS cars? I drive mine all over the country and let people thump it with no mercy. 40K miles and counting.. I would bet you my lunch money that if you call HPs/CEC you will get a quote that isnt anywhere close to that price, trust me, Ive done it ;-)

Look close at the HPS unit- where is the bypass? The Eaton blows through the stock throttle body- what happens to all that air when the throttle closes?? If this were an acceptable solution to supercharging why dont others duplicate it?

Competition is a good thing- its keeps markets lively and stimulates development. KLEEMANN has no competition in my opinion. We offer the best kompressor system for the money, period. Do your research, look at power outputs, look at design details and make your own decision.

Brandon @ Kleemann

Really... Interesting. From MBUSA.com:

5.5L 24-valve V-8 engine; 349 hp @ 5,500 rpm
Net torque 391 lb-ft @ 3,150 - 4,500 rpm
0-60 mph in 5.4 seconds

So what happened to the .65 seconds to get it to 4.75? Remember the Bugatti EB110? 700+ hp with all wheel drive, barely broke 4.0 sec. This situation with the HPS is impossible.

E55 KEV

Kleemann, I am sold on the Kleemann design, however, the MBUSA figures for zero to sixty @ 5.4 (E55) are lower than most independant test. The MBUSA 0-60 times are conservative. Test from Motor Trend on the E55 was 4.8 in March 2000 & 4.99 in the April 2002 issue. Lots of factors involved with time figures.

Air Marshall Eldritch

E55 Kev:

I thought that 14k was pretty close to the spread between a new 430 Sport and the e55. Sorry if I was off base there.

-RB

KenE55

OK, KLEEMANN,

Would you give me (us) some more data on the Kleemann system for the 2002 E55? I am interested in adding such a supercharger to mine. How much does it cost, with installation? What are the before/after measured hp/torque data?

Thanks for your time!

awiner

The price for a Kleemann system for a 2002 E55 is $16,995.00 + Installation ... The Kleemann supercharger will boost your stock E55 (349 hp / 391 tq lb-ft) to approx 550 hp / 504 tq lb-ft).

KenE55

Thanks Adam for the pricing information on the Kleemann system... but I still don't know what the installtion costs. KLEEMANN sure is quiet now! I'll assume the total cost is around $20k. I'm sure it is a fine system, and outrageous performance. However, I believe the next generation W211 AMG car will be supercharged, and I doubt MB will raise the price $20k over the current car. So I think I'll wait for the factory version, and get a nice MB warranty and probably very comparable performance.

HPS never did return any of my further inquiries about dealers, installation costs, warranty, or specs. So I suppose it's not a real product.

otoupalik

Ken,

Brandon ("KLEEMANN") has been away, so I will answer.

Installation is $1800 for the 55 kit.

Yes, the new 211 will be sc'ed, but it will be no where near the performance level of the Kleemann w210 e55. We will have a kleemann kit for the 211 though that will give it like performance!

AMG is going to SC's as it is a cheaper way for them to get to similar performance levels as the existing amg cars. It is all a matter of dollars and cents!

Thanks

Brad