First impressions: KLEEMANN SL65 ECU upgrade
 

Well, I didn't want to keep you all in suspense. I got my ECU back from Kleemann (yes, Kleemann) by FedEX this morning and installed it. I've had only a little while to drive around with the ECU in place, but here are my first impressions:

1) The SL65 is now substantially faster. 1st gear is just a joke - any speed, any surface, warm tires, it does't matter... wheelspin. The SL now lights up the tires even starting from a roll in 2nd gear, where before it would stay hooked up. 100 MPH arrives considerably more quickly.
2) The SOTP difference is surprising subtle. Kleemann did an excellent job of integrating the boost increase with the existing powerband, so there's never a jolt of power which breaks the tires loose. Instead the midrange power just keeps building, and tha car pulls like a demon in 2nd at around 50 MPH. The traction control is still well-integrated, and the extra power doesn't overwhelm the ECU's techniques for containing it. Someone who hadn't recently driven a stock SL65 could easily think this was a stock vehicle -- just a very fast one :)
3) I haven't found any downside at all so far. Shifting is normal, traction control is normal, engine doesn't run hotter or more roughly, etc. It just feels like a faster SL65. I suppose that's the highest complement I could pay!

Next steps - dyno and dragstrip :y

Sounds cool.That's exactly how my SL55 felt with the ECU upgrade...I also had the speed limiter removed....that is a fun test...............202!

Treynor, you are crazy.

Damn Treynor you are a speed addict lol. :bow: :bow:

Thanks for all the fun reading Treynor. You inspire me!!! I can't wait to hear the results.

amgB

Umm, I just looked at their site, you wanna know what Ben's? Silver Arrow is putting out?



704bhp 1300nm

:hammer: :hammer:

Guess that answers the question I was going ask, "Why didnt he go with Renntech?". :y

These figures describe the hardware change version of the 65 upgrade where the turbos are changed. The ECU only upgrade adds approx 129 hp and 200 lbs/ft of torque- these are not peak to peak gains. The mid range from 2200 to 5100 is where the major increases are found. Peak HP numbers will rise approx 10%, TQ approx 30%- the gains through the mid range are rather huge. :zoom:

The webiste will be updated to address the differences bewteen the two levels of tuning, my apologies for it being not as precise as it should be.

I am confident that our bi-turbo ECU solutions are every bit as effective as anyones elses, if not better. We will meet or beat any valid offer for bi-turbo tuning. :y

Looking forward to the postings of dyno's and ET's-

That matches my SOTP impressions. The midrange is simply incredible on this car now - it makes my DC Performance SRT/10 Viper feel like a peaky Honda Civic by comparison. If I can get traction up at the 'strip, that midrange is going to translate into some pretty insane 60' times.

What about the transmission? I thought MB couldn't handle more than 800lbs of torque and that is why they restricted it?

What does the torque come out to in terms us dumb americans can understand? Since we refuse to buy into the metric system i need someone to convert for me.

So do i hear 10's in the quarter?

T

Treynor

Great impression! :y I told you Kleemann is the best way to go. Oh and don't worry about the downside don't think you'll find one other the going through rubbers every 3000miles. :hammer: :D Pics and vids are appreciated! :naughty:

> What does the torque come out to in terms us dumb americans can understand?

I'll know for sure when I get this puppy on the dyno, of course, but AFAIK the torque increase is about 120 ft/lbs (from 740 to 860) in the midrange.

> What about the transmission?
I'm not overly worried about the tranny - the power is *really* smooth and the shifts are still lift-throttle. I imagine it's now that much easier to blow up the driveline by doing stupid stuff (e.g. uncontrolled wheelhop at full throttle). My S600 has survived more than 100 1/4 mile passes on drag radials and upgraded ECU, and it doesn't have the uprated tranny & axle shafts that are on the SL65.

If you are going to bring the 65 out to Sac Raceway, please let us know when you'll be doing so :y

The SL65 is the only AMG car that comes with LSD. And if you could get the wheelspin that easily now, wow, thats insane!

Wow! Treynor, everytime I read your posts, I just drool... I love Vipers, do you mind sharing some pics and specs?

Thanks!

Kleemaan seems to have very nice "Mercedes" like upgrades to our cars. Where did you get your installed if you are in Sacramento? I am down here in Orange County and their web site only list 1 dealer about 50 miles away. That doesn't seemed to be much representation considering I live in the land of rice racers and modified cars.

AmgB

Doc, I feel the same way, why the NM all the time????

This site is good for all kinds of converstions, http://www.projects.ex.ac.uk/trol/scol/cctorq.htm

BTW, 1300 NM is 959 lbs ft !!! :y

Wow, insane HP from a lil'o Mercedes 6 liter. I LOVE IT!

I would hardly call that engine little! :D

The SL65 is a "6.5L" V12TT. Who'd imagine an engine this size going into a production AMG just a year or two ago. Also, with a V12 Twin-Turbo to boot! :y

The 65 AMG is a 6.0 liter V12. Straight from the MB website:

MSRP
$179,720.00*

Engine
AMG-built twin-turbocharged 6.0L SOHC 36-valve V-12 engine

Net Power
604 hp @ 5500 rpm

Net Torque
738 lb-ft @ 2,000 - 4,000 rpm

Thanks CoryU:

I stand corrected. 6.0 V12TT for the SL65 and 5.5L V12TT for the SL600.
I knew of the larger displacement on the SL AMGs vs. the SL600 and used the wrong reference point along with the AMG's "65" thinking 6.5L.

It's still absolutely amazing from just a year or two that we would have a 6.0L V12TT making easily 800+ ft-lbs TQ and ~700HP with a minor ECU mod.

Just goes to show you how DC Marketing likes to deceive us with it's unclear Model designations and HP ratings. Thank goodness the HP are higher rather than lower!

Can anyone confirm that DC officially obtains vehicle performance figures with 1 passenger and 150 lbs. (luggage simulated weight) in the truck, hence the typical conservative numbers?


Ben, sorry for highjacking your thread! :hammer:

Any updates on your G-machine?

I've driven it some more since last I posted. It is indeed faster than stink, and the midrange is just insane. I'm going to try to get some more in-car video this weekend to compare acceleration vs time again. I have a dyno appt for Sat 12/4