SL-Class (R230) 2003 -- 2012: Discussion on the SL500, SL550, SL600

SL/R230: I topped my cars speed yesterday (question regarding removal of limiter)

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Old May 10, 2006 | 02:05 AM
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I topped my cars speed yesterday (question regarding removal of limiter)

i got it to 160 mph. It bumped to 6500 rpms then switched into 7th gear and wouldn't go any faster. Is there a DIY way to remove this limiter without messing up anything?

This is my car parked on the street near my gf's apartment (i had to include a pic)
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Old May 10, 2006 | 03:26 AM
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Originally Posted by hopspitfire
i got it to 160 mph. It bumped to 6500 rpms then switched into 7th gear and wouldn't go any faster. Is there a DIY way to remove this limiter without messing up anything?

This is my car parked on the street near my gf's apartment (i had to include a pic)
Tail wind ? Downhill ? NOS ?
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Old May 10, 2006 | 10:32 AM
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Originally Posted by hopspitfire
i got it to 160 mph.
In my humble opinion...you are nuts.
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Old May 10, 2006 | 01:06 PM
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Originally Posted by LovinSL600
In my humble opinion...you are nuts.
I second that emotion!!!!
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Old May 11, 2006 | 03:52 AM
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it was on a track

Originally Posted by benzmodz
[..] Downhill ? NOS ?
It was downhill, about -10 degrees off ground level, no NOS

but isn't the limiter stuck at 155mph? then how was i able to go 160...unless the needle is 5mph off...(i wasn't using the digital mph readout, i should have been)

Last edited by hopspitfire; May 11, 2006 at 03:56 AM.
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Old May 11, 2006 | 07:15 AM
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Originally Posted by LovinSL600
In my humble opinion...you are nuts.
Welcome back Lovin.
I reached 160 mph a few months ago on a flat highway, 3 lanes with NO other cars around. I did not hit the rev limiter and backed down because there was traffic coming up ahead of me. The brakes easily clamped the car down to 80.
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Old May 11, 2006 | 07:19 AM
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Originally Posted by LovinSL600
In my humble opinion...you are nuts.
Woa! OT but I just saw that you have a 997TT on order. I'm picking mine up June 26 if the launch date is truly June 24. Black on Black, sport chrono, ceramic brakes, 6 speed and more. You getting 6 speed or Tip?

Sorry for the thread hijack.
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Old May 11, 2006 | 08:46 AM
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Originally Posted by hopspitfire
it was on a track



It was downhill, about -10 degrees off ground level, no NOS

but isn't the limiter stuck at 155mph? then how was i able to go 160...unless the needle is 5mph off...(i wasn't using the digital mph readout, i should have been)
Under certain conditions you can launch the car into a momentary overspeed. It usually corrects itself.

I wouldn't try going faster / delimit unless the tyres and rims were rated for the task. Nothing says ouch more than seeing your car on the exotic wrecks website. Think about 4 rubber contact patches and how precise the setup must be to have stable and safe high speeds.

With the correct setup there is no problem doing that speed but I do not encourage illegal speeds (if that is indeed the case).
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Old May 11, 2006 | 12:30 PM
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You can delimit your ride by upgrading your ECU with one from Renntech. Be sure your wheels & tires can handle that load. Be sure your brakes can stop you at those speeds. Be sure you are by yourself on the road. At those speeds, the only person that might catch you will be driving a much cheaper Z06 vette who probably doesn't care tearing up something. Just dont do it.

http://www.renntechmercedes.com/
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Old May 11, 2006 | 12:43 PM
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My run was boring. No drama at all.
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Old May 11, 2006 | 01:44 PM
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I've had mine that fast many times...no drama.

Yes, a ECU upgrade is the only way to remove the limiter
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Old May 11, 2006 | 09:20 PM
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These cars are built to handle high speeds without drama. At 160 mph, the MBenz will not flinch nor waver. Don't try that speed in a built Civic...the "spoiler" will fly off.
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Old May 11, 2006 | 10:00 PM
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SL55, ML500, GT3 RS, 997C2S
Originally Posted by HLG600
These cars are built to handle high speeds without drama. At 160 mph, the MBenz will not flinch nor waver. Don't try that speed in a built Civic...the "spoiler" will fly off.
There is a vid like that out there somewhere. Please post it if you can.
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Old May 12, 2006 | 03:38 PM
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155 or 160 mph is no big deal for the car (provided the tires are properly rated; don't recall what the standard SL tires are in the US). The cars and engines are designed to sustain near top/top speeds for extended periods of time. I remember some stretches in southern Germany and France (burgundy region) where you can open up your car until you get tired of it Not like the typical 5 minute speed drive you get to enjoy here in the US

Either way, there isn't a whole lot more to gain on the standard 500 even if you disable the limiter. Without other mods, an SL500 max. speed is 165mph, maybe up to 168mph (on a good day and some tail wind, that is ).
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Old May 12, 2006 | 06:21 PM
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Originally Posted by Scruffyone
There is a vid like that out there somewhere. Please post it if you can.
its someones sig on this forum... i see it all the time in the w203 threads...
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Old May 12, 2006 | 11:10 PM
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Originally Posted by Scruffyone
There is a vid like that out there somewhere. Please post it if you can.
ha i saw that.. with a white mitsubishi eclipse i think..
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