SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: I love the SL55 but just want a bit more...
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 135
Likes: 16
From: Port Coquitlam BC
2018 E63S AMG
I love the SL55 but just want a bit more...
Want your opinions on this. I love my 2007 SL55 AMG. I love the power, looks, comfort, etc. I see so many people modding their SL's and I love following the threads. I want to keep mine stock because I have no complaints, but I do feel there are some items that can improve the car with little cost. I am thinking..
1) Shardul's Belt Wrap Kit. It just makes sense and I can feel the belt not engaging as quick as I would like.
2) Better air filters from K&N. Or another brand people have had success with?
3) Headers. I love the Eurocharged one's I see currently for sale. I would like to just have the manifolds breathe a little better.
4) Regular maintenance and over-the-top taking care of the car. Best fluids and regular maintenance. Really just looking after "Betty" and keeping her in top shape.
I bought a 2007 because I like the additional benefits from the slightly improved motor and I really love the Performance Package.
Cheers!
Shaun
1) Shardul's Belt Wrap Kit. It just makes sense and I can feel the belt not engaging as quick as I would like.
2) Better air filters from K&N. Or another brand people have had success with?
3) Headers. I love the Eurocharged one's I see currently for sale. I would like to just have the manifolds breathe a little better.
4) Regular maintenance and over-the-top taking care of the car. Best fluids and regular maintenance. Really just looking after "Betty" and keeping her in top shape.
I bought a 2007 because I like the additional benefits from the slightly improved motor and I really love the Performance Package.
Cheers!
Shaun
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 338
Likes: 15
SL65 AMG
Start with a pulley, tune, and belt wrap kit. Also cut the secondary cats and resonators out, it won't be obnoxious loud but give the right battle cry when getting on it. If you need more after that then search for some headers and a FTP intake. Seriously the pulley and tune alone brings the 55 to life! I had a SL55 before my 65 and still miss the exhaust note.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 135
Likes: 16
From: Port Coquitlam BC
2018 E63S AMG
Thanks for the replies guys!
I see just a simple tune is good. I think the mods I listed may just make the stock motor a bit better (better engagement of the pulley, a bit more air flow and exhaust flow). Pulley and tune? It's just that little bit better. I get it. Cool 
The 2007 has 510 HP and 531 torque (instead of 493/513). Upgraded supercharger. 80 mm throttle body instead of 74 mm. Slightly different tune to make up for the larger TB? (correct me if I'm wrong here).
Thanks guys.
Shaun
What changes were made to the motor on the 2007 SL55?
Thanks guys.
Shaun
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 306
Likes: 19
From: West Chester, PA - USA
2003 SL55 AMG
I'd forgo the K & H filters. Anything that let's more 'air' through also lets more dust/contaminants through. I want VERY CLEAN air going through the precision supercharger, and into the cylinder bores.
Just my opinion - YMMV (your mileage may vary)!!
Just my opinion - YMMV (your mileage may vary)!!
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 135
Likes: 16
From: Port Coquitlam BC
2018 E63S AMG
Good point about the filters...
Isn't BMC a very good foam filter (no oiling). My car is a summer driven car only in Vancouver BC (similar to Seattle in climate) so little dirt (good roads here) but the best filter with most flow is what I'm after.
Shaun
Shaun
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 531
Likes: 88
From: EDH, CA.
2012 E63 AMG
Want your opinions on this. I love my 2007 SL55 AMG. I love the power, looks, comfort, etc. I see so many people modding their SL's and I love following the threads. I want to keep mine stock because I have no complaints, but I do feel there are some items that can improve the car with little cost. I am thinking..
1) Shardul's Belt Wrap Kit. It just makes sense and I can feel the belt not engaging as quick as I would like.
2) Better air filters from K&N. Or another brand people have had success with?
3) Headers. I love the Eurocharged one's I see currently for sale. I would like to just have the manifolds breathe a little better.
4) Regular maintenance and over-the-top taking care of the car. Best fluids and regular maintenance. Really just looking after "Betty" and keeping her in top shape.
I bought a 2007 because I like the additional benefits from the slightly improved motor and I really love the Performance Package.
Cheers!
Shaun
1) Shardul's Belt Wrap Kit. It just makes sense and I can feel the belt not engaging as quick as I would like.
2) Better air filters from K&N. Or another brand people have had success with?
3) Headers. I love the Eurocharged one's I see currently for sale. I would like to just have the manifolds breathe a little better.
4) Regular maintenance and over-the-top taking care of the car. Best fluids and regular maintenance. Really just looking after "Betty" and keeping her in top shape.
I bought a 2007 because I like the additional benefits from the slightly improved motor and I really love the Performance Package.
Cheers!
Shaun
I also recently installed a 77mm clutched pulley, ECU/TCU tune. I did a base line dyno before I did anything and the car was pretty dang impressive stock. I am scheduling a dyno this coming week to get numbers after all this new work. We'll see what the differences bring.
Best of luck with your car!
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 531
Likes: 88
From: EDH, CA.
2012 E63 AMG
I see just a simple tune is good. I think the mods I listed may just make the stock motor a bit better (better engagement of the pulley, a bit more air flow and exhaust flow). Pulley and tune? It's just that little bit better. I get it. Cool
The 2007 has 510 HP and 531 torque (instead of 493/513). Upgraded supercharger. 80 mm throttle body instead of 74 mm. Slightly different tune to make up for the larger TB? (correct me if I'm wrong here).
Thanks guys.
Shaun
The 2007 has 510 HP and 531 torque (instead of 493/513). Upgraded supercharger. 80 mm throttle body instead of 74 mm. Slightly different tune to make up for the larger TB? (correct me if I'm wrong here).
Thanks guys.
Shaun
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 306
Likes: 19
From: West Chester, PA - USA
2003 SL55 AMG
Shaun,
Be careful with any filter that uses oil. IF the car uses a hot wire for airflow measurement in the Mass Air Flow component, that oil can - over time - coat the wire, producing incorrect measurements. Quite a few guys who had filters with oil treatment had that experience with the later model Porsche 928's.
Be careful with any filter that uses oil. IF the car uses a hot wire for airflow measurement in the Mass Air Flow component, that oil can - over time - coat the wire, producing incorrect measurements. Quite a few guys who had filters with oil treatment had that experience with the later model Porsche 928's.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 992
Likes: 245
From: Tucson, AZ
'20 X5 M50i; '17 Ram 3500; Golf Cart; Bikes; Scooters
I went with the smaller SC pulley and belt wrap. That was all it needed to make it perform a 'little' better, especially at the altitude in Denver. Air filters are stock.
Otherwise all filters and fluids have been swapped, as well as the crank sensor, shift lever lockout, and all of those little things that can leave you stranded.
I have run K&N before on other vehicles, but also feel they can let some dirt through, and this vehicle wants none of that!
Otherwise all filters and fluids have been swapped, as well as the crank sensor, shift lever lockout, and all of those little things that can leave you stranded.
I have run K&N before on other vehicles, but also feel they can let some dirt through, and this vehicle wants none of that!
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 135
Likes: 16
From: Port Coquitlam BC
2018 E63S AMG
Could not find one...
....and the price was too good for this SL55
I'm good with the power, just trying to improve upon perfection (to me anyway). Best car I have owned...
If the OP wants more, get a 65!
(to me anyway). Best car I have owned...
and your are 
then all is 
Member
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 80
Likes: 12
1992 400E, 1997 SL500, 2007 SL55 AMG, 2016 E400
I got my SL55 in March. I have put in K&N filters, replaced the spark plugs, got TCU and ECU tunes and a smaller SC pulley from Eurocharged and installed an oil catch can. The improvement in power is really noticeable and I'm happy with the money I spent.
I'm now thinking about a Quaife or Wavetrac LSD. Just trying to decide between the two.
I'm now thinking about a Quaife or Wavetrac LSD. Just trying to decide between the two.
Last edited by Noir230; Jun 21, 2016 at 03:36 PM.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 955
Likes: 127
From: Kansas
2003 E55, 2003 SL55, 2014 CLS63, 2018 q50 Redsport, 1968 Camaro SS, 1999 Trans am Firehawk
The K&N will provide little if any gains, particularly on a stock or near stock car given that the air intake system is so well designed. For 1 or maybe 2 hp its not worth the risk of sending dirtier air into the engine.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 487
Likes: 4
From: North Carolina, US
'06 E500, '99 ML430 and '07 SL65
I don't know about Wavetrack but I would advise that if you do decide for Quaife, that you look at Birds Auto in the UK. James Bird is the guy we talked to.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 955
Likes: 127
From: Kansas
2003 E55, 2003 SL55, 2014 CLS63, 2018 q50 Redsport, 1968 Camaro SS, 1999 Trans am Firehawk
We had a Quaife group buy back in the fall and ended up getting them form the official re-seller in the UK. If you look around you will find that there is a company in the US that is selling Quaife LSDs but it is an older rev. that was initially designed for some GM cars. They just happen to fit some M-B diffs as well.
I don't know about Wavetrack but I would advise that if you do decide for Quaife, that you look at Birds Auto in the UK. James Bird is the guy we talked to.
I don't know about Wavetrack but I would advise that if you do decide for Quaife, that you look at Birds Auto in the UK. James Bird is the guy we talked to.
Member
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 80
Likes: 12
1992 400E, 1997 SL500, 2007 SL55 AMG, 2016 E400
I have had K&N filters on two of my cars for years and have not seen any indication of dirt getting into the engine.
We had a Quaife group buy back in the fall and ended up getting them form the official re-seller in the UK. If you look around you will find that there is a company in the US that is selling Quaife LSDs but it is an older rev. that was initially designed for some GM cars. They just happen to fit some M-B diffs as well.
I don't know about Wavetrack but I would advise that if you do decide for Quaife, that you look at Birds Auto in the UK. James Bird is the guy we talked to.
I don't know about Wavetrack but I would advise that if you do decide for Quaife, that you look at Birds Auto in the UK. James Bird is the guy we talked to.
Thank you. I sent an email to Bird's.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 955
Likes: 127
From: Kansas
2003 E55, 2003 SL55, 2014 CLS63, 2018 q50 Redsport, 1968 Camaro SS, 1999 Trans am Firehawk
Does that mean you tore down the engine & inspected it with gauges? You can run a car with no filters for a long time & it not appear to have any damage or indication that dirt got in. Try running a k&n in one side & an oem filter in the other & see how much more dirt the oem filter stops from getting into your motor.
Member
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 80
Likes: 12
1992 400E, 1997 SL500, 2007 SL55 AMG, 2016 E400
Does that mean you tore down the engine & inspected it with gauges? You can run a car with no filters for a long time & it not appear to have any damage or indication that dirt got in. Try running a k&n in one side & an oem filter in the other & see how much more dirt the oem filter stops from getting into your motor.
No I haven't, but since you are the one making the assertions, what research have you done, or what studies can you cite, to show that dirt is getting into the engines? Have you had K&N filters and have you had a bad experience with them?
