SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: How to mod a stock sl55
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2010
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2003 sl55 amg
How to mod a stock sl55
Hi all, I'm new to MB world, my ride is 2003 sl55 amg I had it for a few years and now I'm planning to mod my car.
Can I get some suggestions on what to do and who has the right parts that give satisfactory results. Should things be done in order? I thought about getting a pulley and ECU work done first, is there need for new intake and exhaust if I get that done? btw I'm from Toronto
Can I get some suggestions on what to do and who has the right parts that give satisfactory results. Should things be done in order? I thought about getting a pulley and ECU work done first, is there need for new intake and exhaust if I get that done? btw I'm from Toronto
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 631
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From: Paris.
E320
Hi all, I'm new to MB world, my ride is 2003 sl55 amg I had it for a few years and now I'm planning to mod my car.
Can I get some suggestions on what to do and who has the right parts that give satisfactory results. Should things be done in order? I thought about getting a pulley and ECU work done first, is there need for new intake and exhaust if I get that done? btw I'm from Toronto
Can I get some suggestions on what to do and who has the right parts that give satisfactory results. Should things be done in order? I thought about getting a pulley and ECU work done first, is there need for new intake and exhaust if I get that done? btw I'm from Toronto
Check Renntech,Kleemann,Evosport,Speeddriven.
Chassis : You can lower the car with a Lowering Module.
Wheels : Anything you want.
Body : CF Lip for AMG bumper, Decklid spoiler are the most common mods.You can upgrade your SL55 bumper for a SL65 one.You can also order a Brabus or lorinser bodykit (more rare)
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 414
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From: Ft Lauderdale, Florida
G63, 360CS, CLK63 BS, 997.2TT, 328D
It all has to do with what your goals are for the car if i was in the search for power i would start with stage 1, a good tune, a Supercharger pulley 168-175mm, and a Johnson CM3O Intercooler pump. This should get your can into the low low 12s high 11s in the upper 117-119mph range every car is different. Then from there you have headers and throttle body which offer huge gains when added together if you want to do these two additional mods the 180mm can be beneficial but would not put a 180mm on without doing headers and throttle body just my opinion as others may feel differently.
Justin
Justin
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 375
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From: Lynnwood in summer, Fountain Hills during the rainy season in Wa.
2008 Maserati QP EGT, 2005 SL55AMG , 2002 CLK55AMG 2002 C230K Coupe
When the OEM gives up, most likely it's already gone and you don;t know it yet.
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 631
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From: Paris.
E320
Heat Exchanger. Upgrading the intercooler on 55k engines is difficult and expensive (Custom Top mount intercoolers, or CLK-DTM intercooler in stock location). No company offers a really working system right Now
Front mounted Heat exchanger and Intercooler pump can be easily Upgraded.
Front mounted Heat exchanger and Intercooler pump can be easily Upgraded.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 414
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From: Ft Lauderdale, Florida
G63, 360CS, CLK63 BS, 997.2TT, 328D
On your sl55 the stock Intercooler with an upgraded pump works very well you could also inline a e55 style front mount intercooler for two cooling sources.
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From: San Juan, Puerto Rico
2004 SL55 AMG
Then from there you have headers and throttle body which offer huge gains when added together if you want to do these two additional mods the 180mm can be beneficial but would not put a 180mm on without doing headers and throttle body just my opinion as others may feel differently.
Justin
Justin
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Thread Starter
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2003 sl55 amg
As a matter of fact my intercooler pump is probably shot. At the track I couldn't break into 12's, car quits pulling strong at half way down the track. I used to run mid to high 12 everytime before.
What is a good replacement pump that can be reliable for future mods?
What is a good replacement pump that can be reliable for future mods?
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 631
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From: Paris.
E320
Johnson CM30
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Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Arizona
SL55AMG, Ferrari 348, Ferrari Testarossa, Ferrari F40, Ferrari Mondial t, Ducati 916, Indycar
Modding your car all depends on what your goal is. The 55 is a great car to tune, with lots of potential.
The ECU tuning and pulley is where most start. We get requests for many different pulley sizes and match the software to the pulley, which is very important.
We lower these cars using the STAR system and/or links. Aside from improving the car's looks, it makes the handing much sharper.
We have found that the car's stock cooling system is adequate unless you are going above a 172mm pulley.
The Johnson pump is good, but the latest model OEM works well too.
Feel free to call or email with any questions.
The ECU tuning and pulley is where most start. We get requests for many different pulley sizes and match the software to the pulley, which is very important.
We lower these cars using the STAR system and/or links. Aside from improving the car's looks, it makes the handing much sharper.
We have found that the car's stock cooling system is adequate unless you are going above a 172mm pulley.
The Johnson pump is good, but the latest model OEM works well too.
Feel free to call or email with any questions.
Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 181
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From: Canada
SL55 AMG, Range Rover Evoque
If you have an Apple Mac, with Snow Leopard, you may want to try my free software (at site below) to help with and SL55 modifications. Also includes a wheel and tyre fitment visualiser..........Geo.
Free OS X 10.6 RoadTest Simulation software :
http://www3.sympatico.ca/gmacgruer/Index.html
Free OS X 10.6 RoadTest Simulation software :
http://www3.sympatico.ca/gmacgruer/Index.html
PREMIER SPONSOR
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,922
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From: Huntington Beach, CA
None fast enough!
Hi all, I'm new to MB world, my ride is 2003 sl55 amg I had it for a few years and now I'm planning to mod my car.
Can I get some suggestions on what to do and who has the right parts that give satisfactory results. Should things be done in order? I thought about getting a pulley and ECU work done first, is there need for new intake and exhaust if I get that done? btw I'm from Toronto
Can I get some suggestions on what to do and who has the right parts that give satisfactory results. Should things be done in order? I thought about getting a pulley and ECU work done first, is there need for new intake and exhaust if I get that done? btw I'm from Toronto
thanks
brad
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2003 sl55 amg
I don't have a mac unfortunately, but I wanted to thank everyone for the responses and suggestions. I think I wanna go ahead with the pulley and ecu setup. What is the price range for what I wanna do?
PREMIER SPONSOR
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,922
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From: Huntington Beach, CA
None fast enough!
Our evo1 kit is $2495 which includes choice of 168(170)mm or 178(180)mm crank pulley (the only clean sheet design not re-using the problematic OE damper), under drive pulleys for water pump, power steering and alternator and software.
Thanks
Brad
Thanks
Brad
Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 88
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From: SoCal
'03 SL55. Wife drives '06 SL500 and Range Rover Evoque
Are the short tube headers for more torque, and the long for top end freeway kind of stuff? What's recomended?
Thanks...
(I have a "wife aceptance factor" problem when it comes to mods!)
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From: Huntington Beach, CA
None fast enough!
Thanks.
Power Gains: +80HP*/85 FT-LBS.* with evo2.
Add the HE and you will get it in any weather.
Shorty headers are designed to work with the cats. If you eliminate the pre-cats you will pick up another 10-20 hp (and the same or slightly less torque).
thanks
brad
Power Gains: +80HP*/85 FT-LBS.* with evo2.
Add the HE and you will get it in any weather.
Shorty headers are designed to work with the cats. If you eliminate the pre-cats you will pick up another 10-20 hp (and the same or slightly less torque).
thanks
brad
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,703
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From: Arizona
SL55AMG, Ferrari 348, Ferrari Testarossa, Ferrari F40, Ferrari Mondial t, Ducati 916, Indycar
Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 88
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From: SoCal
'03 SL55. Wife drives '06 SL500 and Range Rover Evoque
Ok....I'll stop messing with you guys 
If you wana play, you gota PAY! "How fast do you wanta go?!?"
Seriously though, from what I've been reading, you guys do one Helluva job with these cars and I appreciate all your hard/fun work
Looking foreword to using your parts/services in the hopefully near future!
Thanks for listening,
Ray
If you wana play, you gota PAY! "How fast do you wanta go?!?"
Seriously though, from what I've been reading, you guys do one Helluva job with these cars and I appreciate all your hard/fun work
Looking foreword to using your parts/services in the hopefully near future!
Thanks for listening,
Ray
