Benz-O-Rama

L.E.T. custom tune, complete with good dyno numbers.

So, L.E.T. worked their voodoo on my car this morning. Car had Evotech ECU tune prior, and ran an impressive (USA N/A E500 Record) 13.49@102.5 with nothing else but the tune and AMG mufflers. Since then, I've added VRP shorty headers, deleted the secondary cats, and replaced the resonator with an x-pipe. Ran the car again at the track in similar D/A and turned a not so impressive 13.60@99mph. So, it was obvious that the mail order Evotech tune was not able to take advantage of the exhaust mods. And was running a little rich, falling on it's face on the big end of the track.

Today, on a Dyno Dynamics (load bearing) dyno, L.E.T. tuned my car. Keep in mind that Dyno Dynamics dynos return much lower than expected numbers, due to the fact that they're load bearing. Shop owner/manager (can't remember) stated that cars that dyno at his shop will routinely dyno ~15% less than a Dynojet inertia dyno, always. And everybody at this dyno/tune day experienced the same thing. So, here's the numbers, and keep in mind that it was 94* in DC today.

Baseline (Evotech) 234.8-HP and 255-TQ at the wheels.

L.E.T - 249.7-HP and 274-TQ at the wheels.


Numbers seem low, I know. But keep in mind of the affects of a load bearing dyno. We have to make some assumptions to calculate crank horsepower.

Assumption #1 - Dyno Dynamics dynos return 15% less than a DJ.
Assumption #2 - My 2004 E500, equipped with a 7sp auto will have a drive train loss of 18%.

So, using those assumptions, here's what I've come up with.

Evotech - HP - 234.8 * 1.15 = 270.02 at the wheels and 270.02 * 1.18 = 318.6 at the crank.

Evotech - TQ - 255 * 1.15 = 293.25 at the wheels and 23.25 * 1.18 = 346.03 at the crank.

Those numbers appear inline with what Evotech promised, although torque seems low. No doubt, this is because of the removal of the secondary cats and resonator. But as you can see, I received zero gain from VRP headers, as the car was not tuned to take advantage of the extra airflow. It was actually dumping fuel, to richen it up.

L.E.T. - HP - 249.7 * 1.15 = 287.16 at the wheels and 287.16 * 1.18 = 338.84 at the crank.

L.E.T. - TQ - 274 * 1.15 = 315.1 at the wheels and 315.1 * 1.18 = 371.81 at the crank.

These numbers appears to be right on target with what the manufacturers of my mods claim as gains on my car. So total gains over stock are:

HP - 338.84 - 302 = 36.84 net
TQ - 371.81 - 339 = 32.81 net

And remember, this was in a sweltering 94* and humid day.


So, whether you agree to believe the assumptions or not, the fact of the matter is the L.E.T. tune returned 15HP and 20TQ, ABOVE AND BEYOND my Evotech tune.

Thanks again to Wayne and Tony. For anyone on the fence about the L.E.T. tune, I can honestly say that I would recommend it without hesitation. Wayne's knowledge of these cars is staggering and he even let me upload my own tune! How about that! He also offered me a "no gain, no pay" guarantee. Try that with a mail order tune.

Abboushi

GOOD S#it Clayton, Thats Impreesive fro the NA 5.0, Whats next? Im getting headers done by this summer!

tashakes

OK, so xplain this to me like I'm a 4 year old: I understand that the ECU can be tuned for maximum efficiency, I always thought that by tuning they (among other things) force the ECU to perform at the highest allowable octane rating and therefore allowing the maximum hp/tq available. I would think that the ECU would compensate for the new headers and exhaust, why doesn't it? Maybe my train of thought is stuck on my A4 Turbo days, where simply allowing the ECU for higher boost from that little turbo would give you a gain of 30%. How completely off of reality am I on this?

BTW, nice numbers, C. Glad to see that all the hard work is paying off.

nikon

I like the numbers, good job. Enjoy it now

Benz-O-Rama

**EDIT** of my first post...

Just checked my timeslips again and realized that at my last outing, I was running consistent 13.7X@99mph. And this was with a better 60' time. That thing was really falling on it's face on the big end.


I've asked Wayne to reply to your question, as I don't want to post erroneous info.

155

Wow Clayton the LET tune was a success

15hp and 20 lbs/tq @ wheels is a huge gain. I wouldn't be too concerned about the actual numbers. If it makes you feel better, sign up for the next Dynojet dyno day and throw down a big number

Props

Benz-O-Rama

Yeah man. And it was 15hp/20tq OVER TOP of my Evotech tune. The extra HP/TQ is no doubt attributed to the fact that L.E.T. was able to custom tune for the exhaust mods.

Wayne at L.E.T. is a complete witch doctor when it comes to these cars.

W211 Ryda

Impressive numbers Clay! Can't wait to see your new E.T after the tune.

Benz-O-Rama

** cough cough ** May 8th ** cough cough **


Hopefully it'll be nice and cool with some negative D/A. If it's warm with positive D/A, I'm gonna be disappointed even though I know I have more HP now. Today was the first non 90* dry day that we've had in DC since the re-tune. Car feels strong.

NCE500

It sounds like the LET tune helped, and that will hopefully be verified on the 8th. Does your car run/feel any faster since the tune?

I did a couple of time trials with my 550 a few weeks ago, and ran 2 very consistent low 13.30's @107 on a hot day, so your HP/Torque numbers may actually be a bit conservative. I was so pleased with the stock results that I may just leave mine alone......depending on what the LET handheld is about when it gets released of course.....

Keep us posted on how you do on the 8th.

Benz-O-Rama

13.3x is right on par with all of the auto rags. Actually, most say 13.4x@105 so you appear to have a strong car. Who knows what temp, D/A, and track prep they were testing in though.

We've only had one non-90* dry day since the tune. It's either been close to 100* or raining since last weekend. Yesterday was in the upper 60's and dry at the end of the day and, yes, it felt stronger.

The record run I had was in unbelievable racing conditions. I can't remember how low the D/A was, but it was like 35* that day. So, I can't expect to have similar conditions in May, but with the extra 15HP/20TQ, we'll see.

I'm not expecting the world, but I'd love to be back in the 13.4x range again. This is when I wish I had my stock 17's to slap back on. I'm running those big 19's with super low profile tires, so that's hurting too. And my 18" E63 P30 wheels are anchors.

ChicagoX

Any updates ?

NCE500

+1, how did you do on the 8th?.

For grins I'm going to get my recently acquired 01 into top running shape and do some time trials in June after returning from vacation. I'll post up results when I have them.

Benz-O-Rama

Threat of rain on the 8th, so it was postponed until today. It rained again. We've had 2 non-rainy days in the last 3 weeks. It's DC, not Seattle.

**Sigh**

Benz-O-Rama

May 22nd is the new date. Hopefully it's not too warm and I see some good times.

Benz-O-Rama

Good news and bad news.


Good - Tomorrow is the day to test my LET tune
Bad - Gonna be upper 80's

Good - I just installed a 15lb Braille racing battery and lost 45lbs of weight
Bad - My VIPs are bent and being fixed, so I'll be running on AMG boat anchors. Weight gain is 40lbs

Good - I bought the Auto Enginuity data logger w/ dyno and 1/4 mile program
Bad - I don't have a Window's laptop to run it on.

nikon

Did you ever get the AMG air filter box? If I'm not mistaking, you had mentioned something about it a while back.

Benz-O-Rama

Yep, got it. Then sold it before I even put it on. I had my doubts about gains and as soon as I saw a dyno of an M113 engine before and after the AMG airbox, I got rid of it. Dyno showed a loss of HP and TQ with AMG box on. Can't remember the number exactly, but I think it was a loss of 3hp/TQ at the wheels.


As for today, not good. Everybody there saw a loss of about .30 off of their personal best, me included. It was just too damn hot, I guess. I saw a loss of .2x in my 60', .3x in my 1/4 and 3.5mph.

On an odd note, there was an M6 there running the same E.T. as me.


I'm done racing until the fall, or maybe forever in this car. I'm loving the Sl55's right now, so who knows.....

155

I hear you Clay. I'm enjoying my car for what it is and not what I want it to be. I'll take care of that on my next car purchase. On behalf of all of the E500 owners we thank you for being the guinea pig for mods ;-)

nikon

I feel your pain, nonetheless don't give up. Unless you get a brand new AMG, you don't know what it has been through. I'm going through the same dilemma, once an a while. At least you know your car which is what I would say to myself.

Benz-O-Rama

I don't feel so bad now....


My brother runs an NHRA alcohol SuperPro car. Today I was a pit crew member at Mason Dixon Dragway and he was 3 tenths off all day. We talked to 4 other people running and they were all 3 to 4 tenths off. Something weird with the Maryland heat this weekend. He lost in the semi's when I talked him into dialing in with a 9.07 when he wanted to dial a 9.05. He's normally an 8.8x car but with heat and humidity, I though 9.07 was it. With the sun setting, he picked up a hundredth and ran a 9.06@152mph. Game over. I paid his entrance fee, got in my 13 second MB and drove home.


So, if my w211 is still around this fall, I'll run her again. But, don't be surprised if you see a "part out" thread in the near future.

nikon

I have an idea. It has worked well in the past for me with a couple of my BMW's . http://www.nitrousdirect.com/wetnitrouskits.html It will wake up the dead!

BoughtaBenz

He might want to let his voodoo Doc work on his tune first because the extra timing that was put into his car to pick up that power could blow up his motor on spray!

Nitrous and timing DO NOT mix!

Nice power pickup through the tune! People often forget that dynos are tuning tools and the DD one that you got your car tuned on is one the best made.

Taking that Beauty to the track and seeing what it traps will give the final chapter to that story! Hopefully, you can get a low D/A day and gets some good runs!

Good Luck!