Tuning GL550 2011
02-09-2019, 01:51 PM
#27
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Emmett, ID, USA
Posts: 2,579
Received 573 Likes
on
482 Posts
2007 GL450
Anyone know why this is? I've never heard it discussed before.
Possibly the rolling friction is higher because the sidewall flexing is more concentrated and thus more severe.
Or when people put on low profile tires they end up using softer compound tires, thus increasing rolling friction.
Possibly the rolling friction is higher because the sidewall flexing is more concentrated and thus more severe.
Or when people put on low profile tires they end up using softer compound tires, thus increasing rolling friction.
02-09-2019, 03:19 PM
#28
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: In my garage
Posts: 8,424
Received 1,003 Likes
on
810 Posts
E55, GLS450, GL63, GLE350
Centrifugal forces. When the weight is further from center mass, it takes more energy to turn the wheels. You can take a set of 19" wheels and tires and a 22" set of wheels and tires with both having the same rolling diameter and weight but it takes more energy to turn the 22's since the weight is dispersed further from the center mass than the 19's.
Last edited by BlownV8; 02-09-2019 at 03:35 PM.
The following users liked this post:
WinterPark321 (02-10-2019)
02-16-2019, 11:13 PM
#30
Member
Dear members, although many things are possible, here are my humble and uneducated thoughts on the matter.
I own a 2010 GL 550 and frankly I don't see any point in further improving the performance of this vehicle. If it was a different body type, maybe but with this behemoth SUV and while it is already powerful enough, not sure about the need. If I owned a 350 or 450 and looking for more, I'd just sell it and get a 550.
Two more opinions about the gains after tuning, 1) What about reliability. What are you losing with the increased stress on the engine? 2) Milage claims. Do you really believe that a company that has 100+ years of know-how with tens of thousands of engineers who are specialized in these cars don't have a clue on what mod companies are improving.
Within the automotive space, where the competition is extreme, a 50% milage increase should benefit MB more than anything and they could buy out any (or all) of these companies in a heartbeat if those claims were even close to real life. And please do remember that this engine block was MB's one of the most reliable blocks.
Simple physics can not change extremely unless there is a specific reason behind it like older Japanese performance cars which were intentionally detuned to stay below 286hp.
A modern V8 engine with 5.6 liters of displacement can not produce that many power without the addition an extra component such as a turbocharger (or two), supercharger or compressor.
If you want to get extra couple of horsepowers for a couple of grand, be my guest but I'd strongly recommend against. Removing some weight and doing aerodynamic upgrades would certainly have a much better impact on power to weight ratio as well as consumption but then you'll certainly lose some of the luxury full size suv criteria. What I mean is there was a reason why they had GL 350, 450 and 550. 350 was a proper luxury full size SUV with decent on and off road performance. 450 was for people who wanted more and 550 was for even more.
I own a 2010 GL 550 and frankly I don't see any point in further improving the performance of this vehicle. If it was a different body type, maybe but with this behemoth SUV and while it is already powerful enough, not sure about the need. If I owned a 350 or 450 and looking for more, I'd just sell it and get a 550.
Two more opinions about the gains after tuning, 1) What about reliability. What are you losing with the increased stress on the engine? 2) Milage claims. Do you really believe that a company that has 100+ years of know-how with tens of thousands of engineers who are specialized in these cars don't have a clue on what mod companies are improving.
Within the automotive space, where the competition is extreme, a 50% milage increase should benefit MB more than anything and they could buy out any (or all) of these companies in a heartbeat if those claims were even close to real life. And please do remember that this engine block was MB's one of the most reliable blocks.
Simple physics can not change extremely unless there is a specific reason behind it like older Japanese performance cars which were intentionally detuned to stay below 286hp.
A modern V8 engine with 5.6 liters of displacement can not produce that many power without the addition an extra component such as a turbocharger (or two), supercharger or compressor.
If you want to get extra couple of horsepowers for a couple of grand, be my guest but I'd strongly recommend against. Removing some weight and doing aerodynamic upgrades would certainly have a much better impact on power to weight ratio as well as consumption but then you'll certainly lose some of the luxury full size suv criteria. What I mean is there was a reason why they had GL 350, 450 and 550. 350 was a proper luxury full size SUV with decent on and off road performance. 450 was for people who wanted more and 550 was for even more.
02-17-2019, 12:04 PM
#31
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: In my garage
Posts: 8,424
Received 1,003 Likes
on
810 Posts
E55, GLS450, GL63, GLE350
If you want a fast 7 seat MB, get the GL or GLS 63. Love my 63 but the 450 is a keeper too. Will most likely drop in a 550 engine so it lasts another 250k+ miles since my 450 has the CEL from the cam timing being slightly off due to worn cam gears. It still runs great even with the timing slightly off.
