Zoops

So, I'm a new owner of a 2007 SL65 AMG. The car is great but there are a few things that I'd like to change.

First off is the pedal response. The latency from when you apply your right foot to actual power kicking in is simply too laggy and I'm not talking about boost lag but rather the drive-by-wire delay. I know a similar issue in the Maserati GT is easily fixed with a module from Fomula Dynamics (difference like night & day). Does a similar device exist for the SL65, or will a reflash of the ECU do the trick?

Second is the sound which is just WAY to dampened OEM. I did the muffler delete today after reading raving reviews on here. Sure it's louder but still not to my satisfaction - not even close. One of my other cars is a 2013 Super Trofeo Stradale with Larini exhaust. If my SL65 could be equally loud I'd be perfectly happy daily driving it (I know it'll never be that loud but you get the idea). There doesn't seem to be ANY sound hindrance from turbo-back except from one cat on each downpipe. Does these cats really eat up that much sound? Is there a cat delete DP on the market?

Third is the suspension. The SL65, to me at least, feels like riding on the back of a pissed off hippo - this car is heavy and doesn't feel agile. I don't see any buttons to stiffen up suspension or drop it low. I'd like to remove the entire ABC suspension and convert to a coil over setup. Is there a comprehensive how-to guide somewhere on here? How has all of you guys managed to drop the suspension to your preferred ride height?

I am also considering painting the inside of the headlight housing black I have searched but didn't find any pictures. If someone has it please post a pic, thanks

V12TTenthusiast

The suspension control is located where the shifter is to raise and lower as well as use comfort or sport suspension. If you remove the cats you will be surpised how much louder they get. Finally there is something to make the throttle more responsive but I forgot what that part was called.

Zoops

I'd be very interested in knowing more about that part making the throttle response better. Anyone knows?

Removing the cats seems like a rather big operation with them located half way up the engine bay and all. Can the downpipes be unbolted from underneath the car without too much hassle?

carguyshu

sprintbooster is what you are looking for. There's one for sale right now in the classified section https://mbworld.org/forums/engine-pe...-like-new.html.

You have 2 options on the coil over, either a black series suspension (which is pretty expensive and rides like a lumber wagon) or the SL350 with either factory or bilstein or KW coil overs.

there is a guy in florida that sells the straight up factory SL350 suspension

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Coil-Spring-Conversion-Kit-Mercedes-R230-SL55-AMG-2002-2008-OEM-/191278933160?_trksid=p2054897.l4275
he claims it takes 15+ hours to install. There are several threads about this.

V12TTenthusiast

Yep that's what its called, I heard that fixes that laggy response your talking about, as for coil overs the ride will be rougher, and you wont get the ability to adjust ride height anymore, but with the prices of Arrnot struts, and rebuilt abc pumps and valve blocks, maintaining the suspension isn't pricey as it use to be, but its still a pain when something does go out.

I have a video clip of what exhaust will sound like with catless downpipes, and exhaust cutouts which act like a muffler delete, but the sound is a little bit different now since there's billet turbos and port/polished heads. If you pm me your cell I can text it to you so you can hear it at 3k rpm (once i get a new abc pump I'll get a wot run to 6k rpm). I might have the old video of when the car was just ecu/tcu tune with just the custom exhaust if I can find it, that will prob give you a better idea of what catless downpipes will do to the sound.

Zoops

Thanks for the response guys.

The coilover conversion does seem like a huge PITA.

How did you guys drop the suspension lower than OEM? I'm sure the height adjustment button is a lift system rather than meant for lowering, meant to get over obstacles such as speed bumps or in/out of driveways. Even at the lowest setting the car is still sitting ridiculously high.

V12TTenthusiast

There's 2 ways you can do this, 1 is getting lowering links($100-$300), it drops the overall suspenion by the mm you set the links by, most people set the stock low setting as the high setting on the new setup.

If you want total control you buy a lowering module, it cost alot more ($500-$1500) but you can fully control the height of the car down to the mms of each wheel on certain lowering control module

Zoops

The lowering module sounds nice. 500-1500 is a huge range though. Who makes them?

V12TTenthusiast

Brabus, Carlsson, Kleemann, Renntech, Lorinser, um the guys who made Renntech's V2 lowering module forgot what they were called but now sell it since Renntech only sells V3 now (Renntech V3 module is 1350-1500) so you can see why the range is so big

Zoops

This one is cheap compared to the Renntech: http://loweringmodule.com/index.php/...e-wremote.html

I wonder if you get what you pay for or it's as good.

V12TTenthusiast

Yeah thats renntech's v2 model, v2 had an analog remote to control the ride height, on v3 you could control it through an app via usb cable. I heard ppl had no complaints about v2

Zoops

That's some premium for the app feature huh

V12TTenthusiast

well as you can see on v2 it only has 8 settings, on v3 you can control the ride height to the point by mms for each wheel if I remember right, plus I think maybe in V2 you had to splice the wires, I'm not sure but in V3 you swap the wires around

Zoops

Gotcha. I am looking for the lowering links now. Once I've set the perfect height on my new wheels I don't have a need to adjust it anymore especially when I can still lift the front and rear on the OEM button. I guess the links will be enough for my need.

F1BHP

I have been through most of this already.

The sprint booster is good the green middle setting works well.

I used lowering links and have no problems and the ride is still good and gives you the ability to still raise the car for bumps and steep driveways.

The suspension is much more difficult the sl350 kit is not a direct fit on the sl65, this is the same as the sl65 black suspention which will also require mods to other suspention components.

I used the Kleemann catless 3" downpipes with resonator delete and 200cell high flow cats which give a much better sound. However I am also fitting an electronic bypass valve so the exhaust will be a straight through when wanted.

Hope some of this helps

Jan T

I never heard of that sprint booster, but sounds interesting. But I know for me anyway, I have much better throttle response with my SL600 RENNtech ECU car than my non RENNtech SL65. I plan to do the ECU and pump on the SL65 soon, but Murci set me back for the moment. Then I will have a feel for before & after with those two simple upgrades.

Viper98912

http://programainc.com/mercedes-benz...22210099r.html

r_martin126

What were your fit/finish impressions of Kleemanns downpipes? Iv been thinking about going this route and fitting a 65 muffler/bumper

F1BHP

r Martin I was not around when they installed the downpipes however on Thursday the car will be on a lift to get the rest of the exhaust done so I will get a good look then and let you know.

sound 8

Have you had your EARS TESTED lately...

r_martin126

F1BHP

My guys going the engine work let me down so the car did not make it to the exhaust shop. Should be early next week.