03 S55 amg vrp stage 4 upgrade
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2003 mercedes benz s55 amg
03 S55 amg vrp stage 4 upgrade
Hello, I’m going to be installing a stage 4 kit on to my s55 amg ( product from victory road performance). Does anyone know if my drive train from the transmission output back will be able to handle the power? What should I look into upgrading? I’m already going to be upgrading transmission internals but I want to run wider tires so I’m worried the extra grip may break something. If you have any suggestions on what sizes will fit without interference I’d appreciate it too (hoping I can fit 275s at least)
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'06 MB S55 AMG; '04 Audi Allroad 4.2; '05 BMW M3 Conv.; '92 MB 500E
Are you on 18s or 19s? 19" factory wheels happily accept 285s. It's noticeably more grip but certainly not enough to break anything. I suppose what I'm running is stage 2 from Tony Lawshee with a TCU tune. Cooling pump was upgraded long ago and I went with an 83mm s/c pulley.
I don't know what the stage 4 numbers are but keep in mind the same transmission handles the 65 output (600+hp/700+tq). You might need to handle the cooling (which is probably included). The only thing I might think about is a quaife or wavetrack diff to put the power down, but I don't have any "proof" they are better, just the word of people much more knowledgeable than me.
GL, that's all I've got.
maw
I don't know what the stage 4 numbers are but keep in mind the same transmission handles the 65 output (600+hp/700+tq). You might need to handle the cooling (which is probably included). The only thing I might think about is a quaife or wavetrack diff to put the power down, but I don't have any "proof" they are better, just the word of people much more knowledgeable than me.
GL, that's all I've got.
maw
Last edited by maw1124; Jul 26, 2022 at 11:57 PM.
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2003 mercedes benz s55 amg
Currently I’m on 18s, so 285s won’t rub in the fenders? I also still have factory abc suspension of that helps to know as well. The stage 4 kit claims it will bring the power output up to 700 hp and 800 ft lbs to the wheels. Included with it some cooling mods such as a faster flowing auxiliary (secondary electric pump) compared to factory. An extra coolant tank for the trunk and a product the call the killer chiller which ties in to your ac unit to keep intake temps low while retaining ac functionality. I’m also planning to split cool the system and have a larger secondary heat exchanger so I hope these all will keep the engine happy. Biggest selling point for me was the 70 mm clutched supercharger pulley as I want to retain factory safety features in case I get an issue down the line. Now I’m just trying to pre plan for what may need to be beefed up.
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'06 MB S55 AMG; '04 Audi Allroad 4.2; '05 BMW M3 Conv.; '92 MB 500E
Those numbers are where I see ruined transmissions. But I’m not paying as much attention as that sentence might lead you to believe, so YMMV.
The only ruined transmissions I see on these are people who (1) didn’t change the fluid, filter and connector plugs; or (2) tune a 65 for more power. Full stop. The transmission can handle 1000 Nm of torque says AMG. Run the calculator but above that, all bets are off, and I don’t know how to beef up the transmission.
I buy MB AMG for the hardware, not to change the hardware. The software I’ll tinker with — the hardware, not so much. Sure, I went to an 83mm pulley and smaller belt for kicks, but I also keep a stock pulley around “just in case”. OEM is such for a reason, and nowhere does that matter as much as in MB AMG, in my opinion. “Constructors Championship” or “24 Hours at Spa Francorchamps” ring a bell? Not breaking is the only thing that matters.
No, I don’t have rubbing anywhere on stock suspension settings with 285s out back. Well documented here by @welwynnick.
GL,
maw
PS… if I had it to do all over again, I’d skip the clutched pulley and just have it engaged full time for purely linear throttle. The smaller the pulley size, I find the more violent the clutch engaging. It’s less Sonderklasse.
The only ruined transmissions I see on these are people who (1) didn’t change the fluid, filter and connector plugs; or (2) tune a 65 for more power. Full stop. The transmission can handle 1000 Nm of torque says AMG. Run the calculator but above that, all bets are off, and I don’t know how to beef up the transmission.
I buy MB AMG for the hardware, not to change the hardware. The software I’ll tinker with — the hardware, not so much. Sure, I went to an 83mm pulley and smaller belt for kicks, but I also keep a stock pulley around “just in case”. OEM is such for a reason, and nowhere does that matter as much as in MB AMG, in my opinion. “Constructors Championship” or “24 Hours at Spa Francorchamps” ring a bell? Not breaking is the only thing that matters.
No, I don’t have rubbing anywhere on stock suspension settings with 285s out back. Well documented here by @welwynnick.
GL,
maw
PS… if I had it to do all over again, I’d skip the clutched pulley and just have it engaged full time for purely linear throttle. The smaller the pulley size, I find the more violent the clutch engaging. It’s less Sonderklasse.
Last edited by maw1124; Jul 27, 2022 at 12:30 AM. Reason: PS
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2003 mercedes benz s55 amg
I’ve already purchased the stage 4 kit. I’m not sure if your aware but the s/c pulley is also shimmed so maybe a smaller gap can help with the harsh engagement?? I’ll let you know if I find if it does help. Other than that, I’ve found Renntech services who can upgrade the trans to handle the abuse, how much it can handle specifically I’m not sure I’m waiting for a response as I’ve asked today for specifics. So I’m sure the trans will be great with no issues as they have better/ more friction media on the clutch discs, I’ll be getting a billet 3400 stall torque converter and bigger input shaft plus a bigger transmission drip pan to help out with the cooling.
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'06 MB S55 AMG; '04 Audi Allroad 4.2; '05 BMW M3 Conv.; '92 MB 500E
Like I said, YMMV. GL. None of this is news to me. I’ve watched people go this route the entire 13 years I’ve owned the car and the results are predictable. RENNTech is basically the only tuner who has been around the whole time, so let that guide what you do.
maw
maw
