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Just purchased 2013 SL550 with 9500 miles.
Planning to install Renntech ECU upgrade, performance air filters and most likely Renntech stainless mufflers.
I wanted to get a benchmark of my car's performance prior to installing the performance accessories to see how much they really helped in terms of acceleartion. I found a few videos of renntech modified cars and dyno graphs, but nothing which really showed the performance gain as far as acceleration times.
So this evening I borrowed a friends Solo DL timer which has performance tests 0 - 60, 1/8 and 1/4 miles based on GPS readings from numerous satellites.
I played with it a little and so far my best 0 - 60 time has been 4.42. Also got 4.44, so I'm thinking that's probably pretty close to it's best 0 - 60 time. I will do a few more tomorrow then planning to redo the test after having the performance parts installed and post my findings. I would be happy to video if any interest.
Hoping others in this forum have already completed similar enhancements and could provide some feedback as to how effective. Not sure the mufflers are worth much as far as performance improvement goes. Might do them for the SL63-type sound.
Thanks,
Eric
Austin, TX
Last edited by ericnaustin; Jul 22, 2015 at 02:38 AM.
Reason: clarification
I am interested in putting in Renntech as well. Just to let you know that you aren't alone in the interest. Thanks for the information, I await your further testing.
I have checked into this as well. I am only worried about what it does to my warranty.
If the tune causes a problem then it won't be covered. If the problem is caused by other than the tune then it is covered. The likelihood that the Renntech would cause an engine problem during the warranty period isn't high imo. When you see that many of the MB dealerships actually provide the service speaks for itself.
My local dealership has installed Renntech tunes for 5 years and said that they have never had any issues. I am not going to drive it that hard most of the time anyway.
Any expectations of what 0 - 60 will be post ECU flash?
I am hoping for 1/2 sec 3.78 would be great!
My guess is that it should be around that if you can get it to bite. One of my employees has a 2006 Z06 with mods which took it to 800 hp, but all it did at the first was shred tires. He had to go to racing slicks to do well at the strip. That is why I am so interested in actual data since we don't really know if the extra hp will actually be useable. My guess, and it is a guess, is that it will be.
The curb weight is 3935 and most estimates are that the peak stock horsepower is actually 449. If I take your 4:28 and guess that your weight is 170 lbs. then your car is actually producing about 465 hp and the gain to 530 would give you a 3.88 second 0-60.
Ordered the Renntech higher performance ECU flash and high-flow air filters today. $2917. Will install next week and re-run 0 - 60 and 1/8 miles tests and post results.
Last edited by ericnaustin; Jul 24, 2015 at 01:24 AM.
Reason: typo
Not sure how much 0 - 60 will improve due to traction, but I'm hoping for 1/2 sec.
Suspect gains will be more noticeable in 1/8 mile. I might take a couple videos this weekend and post for better comparison.
Very simple to remove ECU. Called Renntech and they walked me through it. No tools required. Plastic cover snapped off, ECU unplugged. 1 min job. Expect ECU back in two days.
Last edited by ericnaustin; Aug 4, 2015 at 08:30 PM.
Reason: additional details
Oops... No. I had Renntech on the phone and they mentioned nothing about disconnecting the battery. I literally told him, "ok popping hood now, removing plastic cover..." . No mention of disconnecting battery. I do now recall reading that the battery needs to be disconnected. Hope/suspect it will be ok.
Oops... No. I had Renntech on the phone and they mentioned nothing about disconnecting the battery. I literally told him, "ok popping hood now, removing plastic cover..." . No mention of disconnecting battery. I do now recall reading that the battery needs to be disconnected. Hope/suspect it will be ok.
That's why I asked. I have seen some instructions that say disconnect it and some have not. I look forward to your results and to see whether that is a problem or not. Hopefully, it is just an unnecessary step.
I found this thread that makes me think it will be okay to have the battery still connected.
I inquired with Renntech if I had to disconnect the battery before I plugged back in the ECU and I was told, "No you do not !!". Maybe this is just specific to the M278?
I inquired with Renntech if I had to disconnect the battery before I plugged back in the ECU and I was told, "No you do not !!". Maybe this is just specific to the M278?
Thanks. I would think that as long as you don't wake it up with the key everything should be fine. I had a tune on a BMW 335i and lots of people swore that you needed to disconnect the battery, but lots of other people kept the keys 50 ft away and never had a problem. Opinions may vary. I am looking forward to your reports.
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