SLK-Class (R170) 1998-2003: SLK 200, SLK 230K, SLK 320

SLK/R170: Performance mods for 230?

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Old May 19, 2003 | 08:08 PM
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Performance mods for 230?

Im looking at getting a slk230 sometime this summer because something about them is just sexy. The first question is what kind of hp are we looking at with about 3-4k in mods? I don't want big name **** like Lorinser because IMO its over priced just like Dinan is for BMW. How much would a set of pulleys run with the proper software for it? What boost numbers we looking at? Thanks in advance in case this has been posted already.
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Old May 20, 2003 | 12:37 AM
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From: Hamilton , ONT. Canada
CLK320 & SLK230
Hello

imo , why dun get a slk320 , since I think the supercharge on slk230 is pretty " noise " .... , i believe the V6 engine should be " quiet "

well , maybe u can get the K23 Power Upgrade Kit from Evosport , it is $1,757 if slk230 is made be4 may 2000 , 192hp/200lb-ft ---> 232hp/239lb-ft
but it is only $599 or $899 if the slk230 is made after May 2000

here is the link , take a look
http://www.evosport.com/product/perf/perf_mercedes.html

see the slk section

or , anyone has other advice , thx share
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Old May 20, 2003 | 08:39 AM
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230 upgrades

You may want to contact Lin at "ldnguyen1970@hotmail.com" - he's put an inexpensive pulley kit for the 230 SLK together which quite a few folks are already using. I think the cost is less than a grand and will get you ~30 hp minimum. In addition, you could go for a complete Supersprint system (exhaust header and muffler) = ~$1,500. A larger intercooler also makes a lot of sense but is more difficult to get - Racetec intercooler (www.racetec.dk) may be one option (in the US, Dynospot racing is selling them), or try Vaeth.com in Germany (I have theirs, huge and difficult to install) - this will cost you another grand. The total hp gain is 50-60hp. To all of this, you need to add labor costs which will vary depending on your DIY commitment.
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Old May 20, 2003 | 11:38 AM
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Thanks, anything else?

Supra thanks for the info. Mastermind I can't get to the racetec site. For the kleeman kit whats it include as far as upgrades? Im thinking about saving up for the kleeman kit since 2gs for 40hp doesn't sound bad since it should be reliable. Is the intercooler an smic or fmic? And if its a smic how easy is it to acess? Im thinking about using no2 to cool the intake through the smic or fmic. Not direct port, just used to cool the air. How much does the superstint system add? Thanks again.
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Old May 20, 2003 | 01:12 PM
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website

Sorry, is racetec.at (=austria). There isn't much info on their website though so you may have to call, or contact dynospot in the States. Renntech also has an intercooler for the SLK. The racetec is a little smaller than the Vaeth, the endtank design of the Renntech is is bit odd so this one wouldn't be my first choice. Supersprint promises 10-15 hp. However, I think that you need a free flowing intake as well e.g., larger intercooler to take fullest advantage of a better exhaust system.
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Old May 20, 2003 | 09:36 PM
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Ok so overall

If you had superstint + kleeman upgrade + racetec intercooler your looking at 260hp? Overestimating?
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Old May 20, 2003 | 10:36 PM
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Possible? Maybe...

A guy on a German SLK fan website, just a few days ago, claimed that he got 253 hp = +56 hp (the German spec 2.3L has ~197 DIN hp) on the dyno WITHOUT intercooler or Supersprint goodies, just a (Vaeth) pulley kit, and to top it off, reported a 0-65 mph time of FIVE POINT ZERO seconds! That's AMG32 territory. Another SLK fan got 225 hp from a pulley kit plus intercooler on the smaller 2.0L European spec SLK which normally has only 163 hp. Thus, 60 hp may not impossible provided one can believe those testimonials. I wished I knew a dyno here in NJ to verify my gains!
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Old May 20, 2003 | 10:55 PM
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Wow

What mods do you have mastermind? 56hp from just that pulley? Are you sure? Thats pretty insane. How much does that vaeth kit run? With the side mounted intercooler and those vaeth pulleys you should haul some ***. Wow the MB is more potent than i thought.
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Old May 20, 2003 | 11:01 PM
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Re: Wow

Mastermind any chance theres a english site for vaeth?
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Old May 21, 2003 | 12:35 AM
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From: Hamilton , ONT. Canada
CLK320 & SLK230
whoa !!!!
i m very interested in that pulley kit , it is kind of unbelievable
just the pulley kit then gain 253 hp = +56 hp
pls share more info. about it here , thank you
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Old May 21, 2003 | 10:31 AM
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Väth

My car: I have probably one of the first SLKs with a pulley kit on this side on the Atlantic: my car was delivered Sep 1997, I got an H&S pulley kit 3 months later. The H&S kit came - then - with a 25 cm alloy pulley ring, an upgraded fuel pressure regulator, a new idler pulley and a new belt. The only problem was the fuel cut-out at 3000 rpm (also called "hole"). Väth's kit came out a year later, promising no "hole" so I ordered their kit. The trick: their kit relocates the mass air sensor (MAS) thus taking this device out of an area of increased (by higher boost) turbulence. MAS prefers smooth air flow or gets crazy. Their pulley ring was smaller though (22 cm) so l stuck with the H&S pulley. Worked perfectly. But that's of course only enough for a few months. I subsequently got the full Supersprint, GIAC chip and Väth intercooler treatments. They also offer metal cats for the SLK but there I stopped - the MB cats aren't that restrictive.

To contact Väth: They NEVER respond to e-mail. Call and ask for Jasmin (she's the owner's daughter) - she speaks English fluently. Tel + 49 - 6021-454740. They can ship you all of the above except for the GIAC chip. You will have to wire the money though in advance to their German bank - no credit cards, please. Another tip: Become member of that German SLK website (http://www.mbslk.com/), and you may get a discount, too.
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Old May 21, 2003 | 11:46 AM
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Slk german?

Id join that german slk site but I can't read german so im basically handicapped when it comes to that stuff. Whats your hp at mastermind? Whats the GIAC chip? I don't get that number btw since its german im kinda lost. Does vaeth have a US website in english? And hows the quality on there stuff?
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Old May 21, 2003 | 02:03 PM
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HP

I do not know - never dynoed the car but that's why I'd be grateful for any hints as to where a dyno might be in the great state of NJ.

Väth's stuff is good quality, especially the intercooler. Their website has some bilingual parts.

If you want to pay less and not deal with customs, call ASP racing: they can send you a good pulley kit for less than a $1000.

www.GIACusa.com is a well-established chip company. I got their hardware through PES-tuning.com in NJ. Approx. $700. BTW PES is also selling Kleemann products for the SLK. www.Kleemann.dk is a Danish firm. Kleemann too has a pulley kit for the SLK, plus intercooler etc if you like. They tend to be a bit pricey though. Same goes for US tuner Renntech.

Since so many kits are now on the market, after a few years of market testing, most kits are really very similar, and usually of good quality. A difference I've noticed now is that more companies are providing complete pulley replacements rather than just a pulley ring.

BTW, for SLKs build after 2000, you won't need MAS relocation, and replacing the chip is somewhat dicey as MB switched from Bosch to Siemens where removal of the chip requires a lot more care and patience. But maybe GIAC has tackled this now.
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Old May 21, 2003 | 02:35 PM
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Re: HP

Originally posted by mastermind
www.Kleemann.dk is a Danish firm. Kleemann too has a pulley kit for the SLK, plus intercooler etc if you like....
KLEEMANN does not offer any intercooler upgrades for the SLK230, or C230 kompressor cars.
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Old May 21, 2003 | 02:53 PM
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HP

If i buy the slk itll be a 99 most likely. So any US companies selling IC kits? They all seem to be german which presents a problem coming over seas. Ill check out GIAC and Kleeman since they seem to have us shipping at least but that still prsents a problem with the intercooler. Is your intercooler mounted on hte side?
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Old May 21, 2003 | 04:43 PM
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Intercooler

The intercooler is mounted low behind the bumper apron, right in the middle. That's where any replacement IC goes too.

As said, I got mine from Väth, took approx. 3 weeks and a trip to the airport. The exchange took a full afternoon because of the size and spec. adaptations required.

Renntech is a FL -based company. Dynospot in CA may still have Racetec-IC.

Since you (will) have a 99 SLK, you will also need to relocate the MAS.

You can also go to this thread to read more about MAS and SLK:
http://www.benzworld.org/forums/mess...4&id=20&view=t
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Old May 21, 2003 | 06:44 PM
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Vaeth IC

During installation
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Old May 21, 2003 | 10:53 PM
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Nice

I can instlal the vaeth IC myself but can you buy the kleeman IC seperate? Im trying to buy an IC basically by itself.
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Old May 21, 2003 | 10:53 PM
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Very nice

BTW that intercooler looks sick. Any kills with your current mods? What can you stand up to?
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Old May 22, 2003 | 08:30 AM
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IC

You can order these items separately. I don't know whether Kleemann includes a MAS relocation kit so you may want to ask before you order.

Kills? Well, few people in NJ seem to race..All the Vettes, Porsches et al seem to dribe STRCTLY speedlimit (maybe too many points already).

The only guy so far who really wanted to know it was a Volvo R (250 hp), uphill - he quickly gave up. The other guy I remember had a Boxster but I am not sure he really tried seriously.
And ll this before I had the intercooler. Now the car feels even stronger, very smooth. like a small block.
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Old May 22, 2003 | 11:07 AM
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Nice

So the vaeth kit was a PITA to install? Sounds fun. Did you do it yourself or have another company install it? Im pretty proficient with an engine and IC's but if it need sprofessional install Im not gonna DIY.
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Old May 22, 2003 | 11:25 AM
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Installation

You can do it yourself. I don't have a garage or tools so I went to a shop. It took them an afternoon, though but since I wasn't there I am not sure how many coffee breaks were in that time.
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Old May 22, 2003 | 12:27 PM
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installation

what was the total cost for all your mods included installation?
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Old May 24, 2003 | 08:34 AM
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6 grand

over 5 years
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Old May 24, 2003 | 10:04 PM
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From: Buffalo, NY
2013 C350 Coupe 4matic
I can't understand how GIAC can be a good chip company. They are almost impossible to contact. They don't give out their phone # and the only way to contact them is through email. Sounds like great support if something is wrong w/ the chip. Also they said they've been working on a chip for the post-FL slks for about a year...wtf? Is it worth waiting for such a company to develop the chip? or should I go with another company such as powerchips or upsolute?
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