SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: Determining mod's to just purchased SL55?
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 79
Likes: 1
From: Austin,TX
2003 SL55
Determining mod's to just purchased SL55?
Hi All,
I purchased a 03 SL55 in May and am planning various additions to it so I have been reading threads on ECU upgrades, pulley's, heat exchangers, etc..
Anyway, I just noticed that I have an auxilary heat exchanger on the lower front end of the car so now I am wondering how I could determine what else may have been done to it?
It was loaded (127K...I have the sticker) when purchased new, lived its previous life in Miami and serviced by Miami MB before making its way to Austin where I purchased it. Looks like a standard SL55 with 47K miles, 18" AMG 5 star wheels, etc... so I was a bit surprised when I notced the Heat exchanger.
Thoughts on how to determine what else it may have?
David
I purchased a 03 SL55 in May and am planning various additions to it so I have been reading threads on ECU upgrades, pulley's, heat exchangers, etc..
Anyway, I just noticed that I have an auxilary heat exchanger on the lower front end of the car so now I am wondering how I could determine what else may have been done to it?
It was loaded (127K...I have the sticker) when purchased new, lived its previous life in Miami and serviced by Miami MB before making its way to Austin where I purchased it. Looks like a standard SL55 with 47K miles, 18" AMG 5 star wheels, etc... so I was a bit surprised when I notced the Heat exchanger.
Thoughts on how to determine what else it may have?
David
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 321
Likes: 63
From: Miami, Fl
08 ML350, 2011 E550 Cab
99% sure its your oil cooler buddy.. Post some pics..
Hi All,
I purchased a 03 SL55 in May and am planning various additions to it so I have been reading threads on ECU upgrades, pulley's, heat exchangers, etc..
Anyway, I just noticed that I have an auxilary heat exchanger on the lower front end of the car so now I am wondering how I could determine what else may have been done to it?
It was loaded (127K...I have the sticker) when purchased new, lived its previous life in Miami and serviced by Miami MB before making its way to Austin where I purchased it. Looks like a standard SL55 with 47K miles, 18" AMG 5 star wheels, etc... so I was a bit surprised when I notced the Heat exchanger.
Thoughts on how to determine what else it may have?
David
I purchased a 03 SL55 in May and am planning various additions to it so I have been reading threads on ECU upgrades, pulley's, heat exchangers, etc..
Anyway, I just noticed that I have an auxilary heat exchanger on the lower front end of the car so now I am wondering how I could determine what else may have been done to it?
It was loaded (127K...I have the sticker) when purchased new, lived its previous life in Miami and serviced by Miami MB before making its way to Austin where I purchased it. Looks like a standard SL55 with 47K miles, 18" AMG 5 star wheels, etc... so I was a bit surprised when I notced the Heat exchanger.
Thoughts on how to determine what else it may have?
David
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 79
Likes: 1
From: Austin,TX
2003 SL55
99% sure its your oil cooler buddy.. Post some pics..
Thanks...I think you may be right but when I looked at a couple of threads the pictures looked exactly like the followind so that is why I assumed it was a HE..post #2 and Post 8...3rd thumbnail
https://mbworld.org/forums/sl55-amg-...exchanger.html
Thanks...I think you may be right but when I looked at a couple of threads the pictures looked exactly like the followind so that is why I assumed it was a HE..post #2 and Post 8...3rd thumbnail
https://mbworld.org/forums/sl55-amg-...exchanger.html
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 321
Likes: 63
From: Miami, Fl
08 ML350, 2011 E550 Cab
99% sure its your oil cooler buddy.. Post some pics..
Thanks...I think you may be right but when I looked at a couple of threads the pictures looked exactly like the followind so that is why I assumed it was a HE..post #2 and Post 8...3rd thumbnail
https://mbworld.org/forums/sl55-amg-...exchanger.html
Thanks...I think you may be right but when I looked at a couple of threads the pictures looked exactly like the followind so that is why I assumed it was a HE..post #2 and Post 8...3rd thumbnail
https://mbworld.org/forums/sl55-amg-...exchanger.html
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,703
Likes: 5
From: Arizona
SL55AMG, Ferrari 348, Ferrari Testarossa, Ferrari F40, Ferrari Mondial t, Ducati 916, Indycar
It probably is your oil cooler.
As far as ECU/pulley mods goes, we have some great packages. We design everything ourselves.
Here are links to our MB and testimonials pages. Let me know if you have any questions.
http://www.veloceperformance.com/mercedes.htm
http://www.veloceperformance.com/testimonial.htm
As far as ECU/pulley mods goes, we have some great packages. We design everything ourselves.
Here are links to our MB and testimonials pages. Let me know if you have any questions.
http://www.veloceperformance.com/mercedes.htm
http://www.veloceperformance.com/testimonial.htm
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 586
Likes: 12
From: Phoenix AZ
2005 C55 AMG - 2018 340i - 2006 SL55 AMG - Sold
I think you are on the right path. Pulley + software + heat exchanger + heat pump and you should be good to go. Your only decision is how aggressive you want the pulley and software to be....
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Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 79
Likes: 1
From: Austin,TX
2003 SL55
I have read several threads about the performance results of Long Tubes and an ECU.
I am curious....do they create noticeable drone or noise? Much louder than the clips I have heard of SL55's with the resonator deleted?
I am curious....do they create noticeable drone or noise? Much louder than the clips I have heard of SL55's with the resonator deleted?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,630
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From: Chicago
W215 V12TT Build by Speedriven, W221 S550 4Matic
Aftermarket Heat Exchanger 
The Secondary one that is layed sideways behind the grille should be placed in an upright position behind the aftermarket one.
Remember you can do many mods to your car; however the 55K motor is famous for hear soak. The first and smartest thing to do to your car would be to bring as much cool air in as possible. Do a Heat Exchanger and Pump, you might also want to go with the rear tank for your coolant in the rear just so that it is even cooler. After all your cooling is done you can move on to the airflow, get some better filters, wrap your intake tubes for a little less heat in the air intake tubes and complete the flow with an exhaust (including headers, since they restrict a lot of the flow as well) After all that is finished I I would move to the things that you will need a tune for such as pulley which is the best bang for the buck. You can later go to new injectors, fuel support and so on.
Good Luck with your project, hope it works out and the car is flying.
The Secondary one that is layed sideways behind the grille should be placed in an upright position behind the aftermarket one.
Remember you can do many mods to your car; however the 55K motor is famous for hear soak. The first and smartest thing to do to your car would be to bring as much cool air in as possible. Do a Heat Exchanger and Pump, you might also want to go with the rear tank for your coolant in the rear just so that it is even cooler. After all your cooling is done you can move on to the airflow, get some better filters, wrap your intake tubes for a little less heat in the air intake tubes and complete the flow with an exhaust (including headers, since they restrict a lot of the flow as well) After all that is finished I I would move to the things that you will need a tune for such as pulley which is the best bang for the buck. You can later go to new injectors, fuel support and so on. Good Luck with your project, hope it works out and the car is flying.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 79
Likes: 1
From: Austin,TX
2003 SL55
JMF003 and Kamilclk,
Thanks a lot...those pictures really helped. Everyone was right...I am now certain it is the oil cooler...MANY THANKS to all.
I guess I ought to add the cost of an HE to the mods list...
Thanks a lot...those pictures really helped. Everyone was right...I am now certain it is the oil cooler...MANY THANKS to all.
I guess I ought to add the cost of an HE to the mods list...
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 79
Likes: 1
From: Austin,TX
2003 SL55
+1 Best first mod is long tube headers and a tune IMHO
I have heard this and may be interested in doing this. Do LTH's create noticeable drone / noise if the rest of the exhaust is stock? Or should you always remove the resonators to help it breathe?
I have heard this and may be interested in doing this. Do LTH's create noticeable drone / noise if the rest of the exhaust is stock? Or should you always remove the resonators to help it breathe?
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 6,897
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From: Central WI (BFE)
SL55, ML500 & Acura TL
I don't think the resonators are creating a ton of restriction. You can leave them on if you wish. I have not removed mine. I did delete the secondary cats though.
Here is a link you might find interesting: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gq59jWb6qaQ I went the more traditional route with pulley and tune as the first mod. I did install an additional HE with the first round of mods and recommend it to anyone. Even the stocker will benefit from it.
Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 99
Likes: 0
2005 SL 55
Interesting topic but I am curious as to what is the cost of these mods and what is the performance difference? My stock 55 is a fast car right now, what is the performance difference with the mods 0-60? I have had modified cars in the past and when it comes time to sell its always an issue to most buyers. If you track your car or quarter mile maybe its justified. Just my 2 cents.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,653
Likes: 5
From: Ann Arbor
'03 SL55
Interesting topic but I am curious as to what is the cost of these mods and what is the performance difference? My stock 55 is a fast car right now, what is the performance difference with the mods 0-60? I have had modified cars in the past and when it comes time to sell its always an issue to most buyers. If you track your car or quarter mile maybe its justified. Just my 2 cents.
And as you point out, there's no financial return on the money invested.
On the other hand, I've had a lot of fun picking the mods, chatting with tuners and fellow modders, and executing the mods. That journey alone made it all worthwhile for me, if that makes any sense.
And, yeah, having a much faster car at the end of it all is kind of neat, too.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 6,897
Likes: 85
From: Central WI (BFE)
SL55, ML500 & Acura TL
Interesting topic but I am curious as to what is the cost of these mods and what is the performance difference? My stock 55 is a fast car right now, what is the performance difference with the mods 0-60? I have had modified cars in the past and when it comes time to sell its always an issue to most buyers. If you track your car or quarter mile maybe its justified. Just my 2 cents.
2003, 2004, 2006, aftermarket, air, amg, drone, forum, intake, modification, modifications, mods, navigation, r230, sl55
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