SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: Tune & DR Only SL65 MIR Results
Although I haven't had a chance to dyno the car post tuning I have MHP v3 CDT (ECU & TCU Tuning), drop in BMC filters, and C63 wheels (thanks guys!) with Nitto 18" DRs out back.
I made about 7 passes learning the car (for some reason the burnout was a real pain lol), but in the end I got my best pass in the worst air of the day, which made me happy.

This is a full weight 2006 SL65 Designo with 3/4 tank of half 93, half 100 (I miscalculated fuel consumption otw to MIR doh!). No skinnies or lightweight wheels, just what's posted.
Overall I'm very happy and I think if we can get the 60's down it will run 10s, especially considering it was 74F at the time of this pass and DA was
+1249'!!!!
I would love to put this monster in the 10s with just filters, tuning and DRs!
Thanks again for a great day guys!
Andy from MHP was there taping and he got mine on video as well, I will post as soon as he sends me a link.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVw-JPAxrH0
Last edited by JHDavis; Feb 19, 2011 at 06:04 PM.
Any suggestions for lowering my 60'? I'm going to get custom drag wheels made which will help but other than that? Do you leave ABC on/off? What about ride height?
600/65 guys, what rpm do you leave at? Auto sport mode or manual? I left in auto all day.
Thanks guys!!!
One more question, how hard or easy is it to cut the cats out of this car? Or would I need a whole new exhaust?
Last edited by JHDavis; Feb 19, 2011 at 11:45 AM.
Any suggestions for lowering my 60'? I'm going to get custom drag wheels made which will help but other than that? Do you leave ABC on/off? What about ride height?
...
One more question, how hard or easy is it to cut the cats out of this car? Or would I need a whole new exhaust?
....
- ESP off (I've also launched in dyno mode but it didn't make much difference for me)
- Ride height high
- Left foot on brake, right foot on accelerator
- Release the brake and ease into the throttle at the same time
- Take about 1 second to reach wide open throttle (less with drag radials)
You're basically trying to ride the accelerator right up to the point where ESP would kick in if you gave it any more throttle. (ESP off is a bit of a misnomer; ESP can engage even with ESP off.) You'll probably be able to find that line with just a bit of practice.
On your cat question, you definitely do not need to replace the entire exhaust and can either straight pipe or use high flow cats instead.
Good luck! Enjoy!!
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I'm going to make one of the MIR events this season, finished up getting my SL ready for Summer season, she is looking/running great.
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I have read on the V-12s with a tune there is a very fine line between realizing the absolute max performance because the MBs electronics often will fight back and dial boost/timing down trying to protect the drivetrain from the new excessive power/torque...
Did you have issues with the ESP fighting you or did the DRs control the wheel spin enough? You stated burn-outs were a pain...
What were you doing to get those results in an SL65?
1. Trans mode?
2. ESP on or off?
3. Stomp on throttle or roll-on power?
4. Launch RPM?
Last edited by EXECMALIBU; Feb 19, 2011 at 05:22 PM.
- ESP off (I've also launched in dyno mode but it didn't make much difference for me)
- Ride height high
- Left foot on brake, right foot on accelerator
- Release the brake and ease into the throttle at the same time
- Take about 1 second to reach wide open throttle (less with drag radials)
You're basically trying to ride the accelerator right up to the point where ESP would kick in if you gave it any more throttle. (ESP off is a bit of a misnomer; ESP can engage even with ESP off.) You'll probably be able to find that line with just a bit of practice.
On your cat question, you definitely do not need to replace the entire exhaust and can either straight pipe or use high flow cats instead.
Good luck! Enjoy!!
Wanna hear more of that TT V12!I have read on the V-12s with a tune there is a very fine line between realizing the absolute max performance because the MBs electronics often will fight back and dial boost/timing down trying to protect the drivetrain from the new excessive power/torque...
Did you have issues with the ESP fighting you or did the DRs control the wheel spin enough? You stated burn-outs were a pain...
What were you doing to get those results in an SL65?
1. Trans mode?
2. ESP on or off?
3. Stomp on throttle or roll-on power?
4. Launch RPM?
Auto/Sport
ESP off
brake torqued to 2000rpm then stomped
Thanks guys! Huge help!
Be careful with the what I've highlighted. With the amount of torque that we put to our rear wheels at such a low RPM, our axles scream for mercy.
If you trailored the car to the track, then by all means, have at it. But if you drove it there, you might want to leave off-idle, to insure that you'll be able to get home.
Your times will won't be as good, but it's all about having fun first. Snapping an axle in one of these bad boys, is not fun. Almost every one of us, that races the V12TT platform, either has already snapped one or more. BTW, next time, try RAISING the ABC to highest level. That will allow for more rear end squat on launch.
Last edited by Benz-O-Rama; Feb 19, 2011 at 08:37 PM.
No doubt that the axles are under EXTREME stress but having SL65 parts might be a little better but still probably the weak link in the drive train...
I have not read that anyone has broken the SL65 axles. That does not mean that there may not be lots of them in 2 pieces in the tuners trash bins...
If you trailored the car to the track, then by all means, have at it. But if you drove it there, you might want to leave off-idle, to insure that you'll be able to get home.
Your times will won't be as good, but it's all about having fun first. Snapping an axle in one of these bad boys, is not fun. Almost every one of us, that races the V12TT platform, either has already snapped one or more. BTW, next time, try RAISING the ABC to highest level. That will allow for more rear end squat on launch.
What rpm do you launch at?
Raising the susp makes sense for weight transfer, why that didn't occur to me at the track I'll probably never know. Oh well, lots of stuff to work on improving for the next trip. Thanks again.
No doubt that the axles are under EXTREME stress but having SL65 parts might be a little better but still probably the weak link in the drive train...
I have not read that anyone has broken the SL65 axles. That does not mean that there may not be lots of them in 2 pieces in the tuners trash bins...

Thanks again guys, keep the advice flowing!
No doubt that the axles are under EXTREME stress but having SL65 parts might be a little better but still probably the weak link in the drive train...
I have not read that anyone has broken the SL65 axles. That does not mean that there may not be lots of them in 2 pieces in the tuners trash bins...

Makes sense that the SL65 get stronger ones though, and the LSD will help.
What rpm do you launch at?
Raising the susp makes sense for weight transfer, why that didn't occur to me at the track I'll probably never know. Oh well, lots of stuff to work on improving for the next trip. Thanks again.
Thanks for the heads up, I wonder if my dealer's parts dept. manager could figure it out?
Thanks again guys, keep the advice flowing!

I tend to leave off-idle most of the time. The other times, I'm just bringing the revs up enough to take the slop out of the driveline. I don't think I've ever left over 1300 RPMs or so. I'm scurred.

I see you're in Ohio. I can only assume you'll be at Timmayfest in June?
Last edited by Benz-O-Rama; Feb 19, 2011 at 09:15 PM.
Makes sense that the SL65 get stronger ones though, and the LSD will help.

I see you're in Ohio. I can only assume you'll be at Timmayfest in June?
Gotcha, I definitely need to play around more with launch rpm and technique, 1.79 is pathetic for a car with this much torque. One of the naturally aspirated C63s was cutting 1.58s, crazy!
Yes definitely will be in attendance for that event, are you coming out? I'm sure we'll be back at MIR before then but will be nice to meet whenever it happens.
Thanks
In terms of axles, I had about close to 25 passes on my previous CL65 and everytime it left the line I could have sworn I was going to brake an Axle but false alarm. I was one fo the lucky ones not to tow it home. I was putting 920+ rwtq by the way.
In terms of axles, I had about close to 25 passes on my previous CL65 and everytime it left the line I could have sworn I was going to brake an Axle but false alarm. I was one fo the lucky ones not to tow it home. I was putting 920+ rwtq by the way.

Thank you, 920rwtq+ is just crazy!! Good to know you had a good amount of passes in without breakage and that kind of torque.
Definitely my number one goal is nailing the launch for next time.
LOL I forgot to mention on my first pass and every subsequent one the rollbar popped up on launch, scared the **** out of me thought I got rearended by a 7 second car or something.
After a few passes I just left it up. Anyone know how to get around that? LOL!!!
Yes, well I tried and it worked half the time lol. It seems like at least to me, if you don't get the revs up high enough in 1st before shifting into second, even though there's a ton of torque at 3000rpm the car will bog due to ESP pulling timing?
2nd gear burnouts are the norm for the rest of the world but I need more time figuring it out in the SL lol. So much to remember before making a pass, whatever happened to kick, pull, bang, screech?
So my question is does anyone use manual mode? Would seem as if you hit the shifts you would run quicker and faster right?
Please let me know your thoughts guys!
Also redynoing tomorrow post ECU and TCU tuning (only change). Will be running the same Mobil 93 octane I ran on the dyno stock.
Here are my stock (with BMC filters) graphs:


Any predictions?

My C6 Z06 made 438rwhp SAE on 93 on the same dyno stock then 488rwhp SAE after a tune and cai.
[I] "Yes the burnouts made me look like a moron no question about it. If I didn't get enough wheelspin going before hitting the brake to hold the car the engine would just bog. Track officials looked at me like I rode the bus lol. Never had this problem before, welcome to a MB TT V12 eh?" [/I]
Hey I couldn't agree with you more about the burn outs. I was having the same problem with trying to keep them spinning and braking at the same time, and that was with street tires. I was wondering if just staying in the water and getting them spinning to a much higher speed maybe when I spun up to dryer pavement they would get a little hotter without just stopping right away. But then again I don't know how the axles would like that, especially with sticky tires.
[I
Hey I couldn't agree with you more about the burn outs. I was having the same problem with trying to keep them spinning and braking at the same time, and that was with street tires. I was wondering if just staying in the water and getting them spinning to a much higher speed maybe when I spun up to dryer pavement they would get a little hotter without just stopping right away. But then again I don't know how the axles would like that, especially with sticky tires.




