nuttertmf

Powerchip v Evosport Ignition Upgrade v Evosport Pullies for a CLK 430 How much does each cost (including install) which is the best mod for the money, what are the gains for each, how does each change the ride (responsiveness, top end power, low end power) any information on any of them is greatly appreciated.

*edit let me add shrik cams to the list

blackbenzz

I'm also wondering the same thing. I've done searches on this topic and it seems like the evosport pullies are the biggest bang for the buck. CLK55 airbox is supposedly really good as well. There are claims that it adds 20hp. I personally find that hard to believe because renntech claims 23hp with intake and chip! I'll probably end up doing all of them as soon as I pay for my damn tuition.

theine

Here they are in the corrected order:

1- Powerchip 25 HP @ $840 = $33.60 per hp
2- Evosport Power Pulleys 13 HP @ $449 = $34.50 per hp
3- Evosport Performance Ignition Stage I, 10 HP @ $620 = $62 per hp
4- Schrick Camshafts 25 HP @ $2,500 = $100 per hp

brianw430

Hey theine,

Is the number for the Evo puleys rwhp? And are the rest fwhp? Just curous as I thought the Evo pulleys were also adding about 18-20 at the flywheel. And would make them a better "bang" yet! I love mine!

Thanks!

theine

All the numbers are at the crank, the pulleys will give you 13 rwhp.

Mach430

Our pulleys will add 13 whp (as Theine said), with ZERO hp added at the crank. The reason to this is that pulleys increase the efficiency of the engine's accessories, so that less power is lost powering these. As a result, a greater percentage (of the same initial power) is available to the wheels.

Thanks,

Ben

Denlasoul

Arent the CLK55 and CLK430 airboxes the same?

If they arent, then what is the difference? Larger airbox, intakes?

One thing you could do also, is to try and lower the running temp of your car. It's really cheap, heatshileding and header wraps, stuff like that.

blackbenzz

When you talk about the evosport pullies hp gain, are you talking about doing all the pulleys or the audiophile setup which doesnt effect the alternator? Does anyone know how much the audiophile one adds?

Mach430

We currently do not offer an audiophile setup for the car. Those with large power demands on their system should set aside our alternator pulley and use their stock belt.

Thanks,

Ben

blackbenzz

Any idea how much rwhp that setup will put out?

cyclocross

Hi, guys. A couple of comments:

"CLK55 airbox is supposedly really good as well. There are claims that it adds 20hp." - blackbenzz

The MBUSA website quotes 342 HP for the 2003 CLK55 AMG and 362 HP for the 2004 model. Is this where you found the 20 HP number? Does anyone know if MB made any other changes to the engine from 2003 to 2004?
edit: Is the '04 CLK55 airbox significantly different from the C43 airbox?


"Our pulleys will add 13 whp (as Theine said), with ZERO hp added at the crank" - Mach430

The Evosport website states that the RWHP decreases as you go up in the gears: 1st-13 HP, 2nd-9 HP, 3rd-7 HP (they used a 2000 E320 as the example). This makes sense as the transmission and final drive gear ratios are multiplying the crank HP. There is less multiplication in the higher gears. This also implies that the actual HP increase at the crank is on the order of 1.0 to 1.5 HP; not a lot for $449 plus installation.

FWIW, Ford put an underdrive pully on the Bullitt Edition Mustang and claimed an increase of 5 HP, from 260 HP to 265 HP.
edit: They used a smaller diameter crank pulley.

Mach430

cyclocross,

Actually, no hp is gained at the crank, as nothing about the engine nor its inputs/outputs are changed. All underdrive pulleys do is make it easier to spin the engine's accessory pulleys--where power is lost. By making this more efficient, less power is lost, but at no time is any crank hp gained. The reason why less hp is achieved in higher gears is simple physics. An object already in motion is easier to accelerate than one from a standstill.

Many companies offer underdrive pulleys utilizing a smaller diameter crank pulley. We chose not to do this, as this could put the motor at risk. Our method does not in any way change the way the engine works/spins the crank--it's a safer way to gain power.

Thanks,

Ben

m444

Does the C32 ODPS pulley kit have a smaller crank pulley?

Why would a smaller crank pulley be ok for the C32 and not the CLK430?

Mach430

The ODPS kits have a larger crank pulley (smaller would spin the supercharger slower). Safety and reliability have not been an issue on the 32K motor, and while we could have changed the crank pulley in our underdrive pulley kits, the simple question would be why? We can achieve the same power whether through changing the crank or by changing the accessories (from which we choose).

The difference is by changing 3 accessory pulleys (alternator, power steering, and water pump) we do not in any way affect the crank, thus not adding any degree of risk to the motor. Safe or not, changing the crank pulley would change this from no risk to some risk. Why risk it? Additionally, changing the crank pulley would also underdrive the air conditioning; something I know I would never want!

Thanks,

Ben

cyclocross

Hi, Ben. A minor nitpick ...

True that the engine itself is not changed, but SAE J1349 rates the HP of an engine at the flywheel with all accessories (pumps, alternator, etc.) installed. Thus, if you have reduced the power required to drive the accessories the power "saved" shows up at the flywheel.

For those of you who are interesed, this link has clear explanations of the various HP ratings:
http://neptune.spacebears.com/opine/horsepwr.html.

BTW, I like your design of using three accessory pullies and not the HB - more reliable motor. I guess Ford made a special HB for the Bullitt Mustang.