SL55 AMG, SL63 AMG, SL65 AMG (R230) 2002 - 2011 (2003 US for SL55 and 2004 for the SL65)

SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: Meet my heavily modified SL55 and help suggest next steps!

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Old Mar 7, 2020 | 04:59 PM
  #1  
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Talking Meet my heavily modified SL55 and help suggest next steps!

Hey all,

It’s been a long time since I’ve been on here, I briefly introduced myself a couple of years back. I was compelled to hop back on today and reconnect with all of you.

I’m in the process of making some changes to my SL55 for the upcoming show season here in New England, so I figured I’d show y’all what I’m working with and open the boards up to suggestions for more fun goodies I might not be aware of.

First on the list is a new set of wheels which I’m in the process of deciding on/ordering. For context, below is my current mod list and some photos. The car was originally built by Brian Fisher (FisherFast on YouTube and IG) and I've added just a few small touches since then.

Also if anyone wants to connect on Instagram you can find me at @JamesMSama as well. Let me know you’re from the forums and I’ll follow you back.

Enjoy!

James

Mod list:

77mm clutched supercharger pulley
CWA100 high flow intercooler pump
Supercharger belt wrap kit
Bosch 550cc injectors
Eurocharged custom dyno tune
Eurocharged TCU tune
Split cooling kit
Custom exhaust with x-pipe
Hydro dipped “carbon fiber” engine covers
Hydro dipped “carbon fiber” interior trim pieces
Kenwood touchscreen/bluetooth stereo
Satin black roof wrap
Upgraded headlight bulbs, same as the new S-Class
SL63 grill
SL63 carbon fiber spoiler
Carbon fiber rear diffuser
Large additional front mount heat exchanger
Air intake inlets enlarged
20” Niche wheels
Lowering links
Carbon fiber front lip
SL63 clear brake light
Currently 484whp/574wtq (so far)










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Old Mar 8, 2020 | 03:28 AM
  #2  
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Looks great and I’m sure it scoots. Not sure what i would do with it next. Headers and exhaust maybe.
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Old Mar 8, 2020 | 04:45 AM
  #3  
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2003 SL55 AMG GT , 2000 BMW 323I coupe
Sweet ride! I would love to have a FisherFast SL. That guy is awesome.
The mods you have are perfect. If that was mine, I'm not sure I would add anymore upgrades. You've got enough power, a great sound system and exterior/interior upgrades. I don't know what else you can do other than drive it and show it off. I have the same color with the carbon fiber spoilers also. What brand of additional heat exchanger is in it? I'm experiencing horrible heat soak issues. I would like to have a split cooling system and secondary HE installed in mine so any info would be great.
Good luck deciding what else to do with that beast.
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Old Mar 8, 2020 | 07:21 AM
  #4  
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Very nice James. Beautiful car, what year is your 55?

I too am a fan of Brian Fisher's work, such a perfectionist. Are you still in touch with him? I'd love to hear about his long term results of testing the 77mm Griptec supercharger pulley.

I second the guidance of wrightbenz, long tube headers from MBH are the logical next step.Should put you well over 500 whp and provide a scream at WOT letting all around you know there's a beast in their midst.

I'm a little surprised by the relatively low dyno numbers given your mods. Some "load" dyno's such as Mustang read low relative to "chasis" dyno't like DynoJet because they measure power under different circumstances. Was a "load" dyno use for your measurements? Just for compairison, my 2008 totally stock 55 read 445whp and 503lb ft TQ on a DynoJet.

Bill
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Old Mar 8, 2020 | 12:16 PM
  #5  
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Front "Lower Lip"

Who made the "Lower Lip" and have ya run into anything with it?
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Old Mar 8, 2020 | 12:54 PM
  #6  
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Looks nice but damn I hate decals. Keep it clean!
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Old Mar 8, 2020 | 01:51 PM
  #7  
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Thanks all! I'll do my best to answer whatever I can:

@wrightbenz it moves quite good, I've had traction control come on around 60mph...headers and a full catless exhaust are next, and probably last, on the performance list!

@03sl55amgmjd I agree his builds are fantastic! I appreciate the kind words - I honestly am not sure about the brand of the heat exchanger, I will have to ask Brian and see what he says. I've only experienced heatsoak once or twice, I'll see what info I can get from Brian, but I know he custom fabs all of the work himself.

@smithwn55 Thank you! It's a 2005, it's just about to turn 49k miles, it had 37k when I purchased it and I believe around 33 when Brian first sold it. We do text now and then so I could reach out with some questions.

Interesting about your dyno numbers. This is the actual dyno video of the car:
, Brian has also indicated to me that he keeps the tunes relatively moderate because he builds the cars to sell them and therefore keeps safety as a priority. As I further modify the car I'll get a bit more aggressive.

@6444johnf this seems to be the same lip in terms of appearance, it was already on the car when I purchased it so unfortunately I'm not sure where it was ordered from: https://www.ebay.com/itm/03-05-Merce...-/321939870622

@hyperion667 to each their own! I put some of these on specifically for a rally and just left them, the big AMG logo has sort of become a trademark of mine in the area because I had a similar one on my CLS55 as well.

Thanks again for all the feedback!

- James
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Old Mar 9, 2020 | 01:50 PM
  #8  
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Car looks amazing

I’m very interested in what bulbs you put in the car. I’m having trouble with my ballast now and I want to change my bulbs. What do you recommend ?
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Old Mar 9, 2020 | 04:00 PM
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Thanks for the information
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Old Mar 9, 2020 | 04:31 PM
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`


https://www.mbhmotorsports.com/produ...g-tube-headers

More power and incredible sound -

These are the best headers available -


Thank-You
D.B.


.
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Old Mar 10, 2020 | 06:28 AM
  #11  
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Yes please ask Brian if he has any long term results on the Griptec SC pulley. Pros/cons versus a belt wrap kit. 77mm is my target diameter.
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Old Mar 14, 2020 | 08:06 AM
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SL55AMG
Lovely Car, the black roof has given me ideas too ! I think i have a

similar Rear Diffuser to your one already !
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Old Mar 14, 2020 | 10:10 AM
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Lovely car James, I’ve found it in IG in the last as well as your limitless channel.

Enjoy it and yes fisher is amazing
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Old Mar 14, 2020 | 10:59 AM
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Awesome! What's your IG? I want to make sure I follow you back.

I've also been chatting with Brian the past few days and let him know about the questions here on the forum, hopefully he will chime in or shoot me a text with some more info for you guys!

Originally Posted by Das Geld 2
Lovely car James, I’ve found it in IG in the last as well as your limitless channel.

Enjoy it and yes fisher is amazing
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Old Mar 14, 2020 | 11:00 AM
  #15  
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I love that diffuser @Tony Ryan ! The black roof transformed the whole car. I went with satin black, personally. I considered matte and gloss but I really like the way the satin has just enough shine to it.

Originally Posted by Tony Ryan
Lovely Car, the black roof has given me ideas too ! I think i have a

similar Rear Diffuser to your one already !
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Old Mar 15, 2020 | 09:36 AM
  #16  
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Thanks James, mines a bit of a patchwork Quilt right now so the Black roof is a great idea , mines also got he Pan roof glass in smoked black so even cheaper to wrap ,lol . Love your car , great job !! Mines going a slightly different way with mods too .
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Old Apr 8, 2020 | 10:12 AM
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Car looks great ! You compete in any Slipstream events at Pocono?
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Old Apr 8, 2020 | 04:11 PM
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89 SL500 Silver ,97 SL500 Carlsson 04 Mercedes SL55 AMG , 07 Mercedes SL55 AMG convertedBlack series
headers and diff lock is a must. interchiller aircon cooling would make alot hp.
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Old Mar 19, 2021 | 03:22 AM
  #19  
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Originally Posted by JamesMSama
Hey all,

It’s been a long time since I’ve been on here, I briefly introduced myself a couple of years back. I was compelled to hop back on today and reconnect with all of you.

I’m in the process of making some changes to my SL55 for the upcoming show season here in New England, so I figured I’d show y’all what I’m working with and open the boards up to suggestions for more fun goodies I might not be aware of.

First on the list is a new set of wheels which I’m in the process of deciding on/ordering. For context, below is my current mod list and some photos. The car was originally built by Brian Fisher (FisherFast on YouTube and IG) and I've added just a few small touches since then.

Also if anyone wants to connect on Instagram you can find me at @JamesMSama as well. Let me know you’re from the forums and I’ll follow you back.

Enjoy!

James

Mod list:

77mm clutched supercharger pulley
CWA100 high flow intercooler pump
Supercharger belt wrap kit
Bosch 550cc injectors
Eurocharged custom dyno tune
Eurocharged TCU tune
Split cooling kit
Custom exhaust with x-pipe
Hydro dipped “carbon fiber” engine covers
Hydro dipped “carbon fiber” interior trim pieces
Kenwood touchscreen/bluetooth stereo
Satin black roof wrap
Upgraded headlight bulbs, same as the new S-Class
SL63 grill
SL63 carbon fiber spoiler
Carbon fiber rear diffuser
Large additional front mount heat exchanger
Air intake inlets enlarged
20” Niche wheels
Lowering links
Carbon fiber front lip
SL63 clear brake light
Currently 484whp/574wtq (so far)









where did you buy your CF diffuser?
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Old Mar 19, 2021 | 08:47 AM
  #20  
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89 SL500 Silver ,97 SL500 Carlsson 04 Mercedes SL55 AMG , 07 Mercedes SL55 AMG convertedBlack series
Go full SL63 front , or take it all out ,Black series body kit. More fun.


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Old Mar 20, 2021 | 10:27 PM
  #21  
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Mbh headers & limited slip
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Old Mar 28, 2021 | 09:57 AM
  #22  
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Hi James, Incredible 55! I am thinking about buying the red FisherFast sl55 he is currently working on. Any suggestions or comments?
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Old May 7, 2021 | 03:02 PM
  #23  
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2006 SL55 AMG
JamesMSama where is the rear diffuser from....what brand or do you have a link?
If you ask Brian and he's knows, please let me know.
if you every decide to sell the rear, diffuser, please let me know. i'll take this off your hands.
Thank you
Ajai
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