SLK 32 AMG Upgrades
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slk 32 amg
SLK 32 AMG Upgrades
Hi all,
I am about to purchase my very first Merc
I have opted for the slk 32 amg - as it's got a decent 2nd hand price over here in the UK especially since the release of the r171 and upgrades to the engine are much more affordable.
I plan on having the following upgrades done immediatly: I have rough estimates for the increase in bhp as a result but I was wondering if someone with experience would be able to confirm these stats and tell me what sort of improvement will I be looking at on the 0-60mph time.
Thanks:
Upgrades as follows: (Max estimate)
Kleeman Stage 1ECU Upgrade and Speed Delimiter & Pulley: +50bhp
K&N High Flow Air Filter: +4bhp
Sprintbooster: ?bhp
Schrick Performance Camshafts: +30bhp
High Performance Manifold Upgrade: +15bhp
Sports Free-Flow Catylic Converter: +10bhp
So I'm being told roughly an extra 100bhp from the standard ?360? so 450~bhp in total.
Is that a realistic performance increase and eitherway what sort of 0-60 time improvement would I be looking it.
Stylistically I am adding a slr bonnet and the diablo doors - I am also looking for some custom interior work however there are few companies it seems that offers that in the UK. So any help on that front is also appreciated.
Also, is it worthwhile upgrading the suspension or breaks? - Or is the standard amg equipment fine?
I am about to purchase my very first Merc
I have opted for the slk 32 amg - as it's got a decent 2nd hand price over here in the UK especially since the release of the r171 and upgrades to the engine are much more affordable.I plan on having the following upgrades done immediatly: I have rough estimates for the increase in bhp as a result but I was wondering if someone with experience would be able to confirm these stats and tell me what sort of improvement will I be looking at on the 0-60mph time.
Thanks:
Upgrades as follows: (Max estimate)
Kleeman Stage 1ECU Upgrade and Speed Delimiter & Pulley: +50bhp
K&N High Flow Air Filter: +4bhp
Sprintbooster: ?bhp
Schrick Performance Camshafts: +30bhp
High Performance Manifold Upgrade: +15bhp
Sports Free-Flow Catylic Converter: +10bhp
So I'm being told roughly an extra 100bhp from the standard ?360? so 450~bhp in total.
Is that a realistic performance increase and eitherway what sort of 0-60 time improvement would I be looking it.
Stylistically I am adding a slr bonnet and the diablo doors - I am also looking for some custom interior work however there are few companies it seems that offers that in the UK. So any help on that front is also appreciated.
Also, is it worthwhile upgrading the suspension or breaks? - Or is the standard amg equipment fine?
Last edited by perpetual; Feb 22, 2008 at 05:59 AM.
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Joined: Sep 2006
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I would not spend more than 3-4k for upgrades for this car. Just get the basics like pulley/ecu and headers. The other stuff is not worth it IMO and will give you very minimal gains for the money. 400hp should be plenty for that car and you'd be looking at 0-60 in around 4.3 seconds with the right tires and 1/4 mile in mid-high 12's. It is worth it to upgrades the brakes. Just don't get carried away with blowing so much money into a cheap car, otherwise you will regret not getting a nicer car since the beginning.
SLK32 is a very decent car for the money and can be very fast with upgrades. In the US, you can buy one for around $20,000 and mod it to slightly over 400hp with about 3-4k more. Very good roadster for the money, although personally, I would probably get something like a BMW M3 or even CLK55 for $10,000 more.
SLK32 is a very decent car for the money and can be very fast with upgrades. In the US, you can buy one for around $20,000 and mod it to slightly over 400hp with about 3-4k more. Very good roadster for the money, although personally, I would probably get something like a BMW M3 or even CLK55 for $10,000 more.
Last edited by Tuskir; Feb 23, 2008 at 06:50 PM.
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C43, SLK32, CLK63 Black Series
I think +50 from ECU and pulley is pretty optimistic. I'd expect more like +25.
The biggest improvement in 0-60 time you'd see is with an LSD. The car already has more than enough hp to break the rear tires loose. With an LSD you'd get both rear wheels working instead of just one. The only option for an LSD on an SLK32 is a Phantom Grip, http://www.phantomgrip.com/. They do have an application for the SLK32.
The biggest improvement in 0-60 time you'd see is with an LSD. The car already has more than enough hp to break the rear tires loose. With an LSD you'd get both rear wheels working instead of just one. The only option for an LSD on an SLK32 is a Phantom Grip, http://www.phantomgrip.com/. They do have an application for the SLK32.
Last edited by SteveL; Feb 26, 2008 at 01:27 PM.
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From: Miami, FL
Lotus Elise SLK55
I think +50 from ECU and pulley is pretty optimistic. I'd expect more like +25.
The biggest improvement in 0-60 time you'd see is with an LSD. The car already has more than enough hp to break the rear tires loose. With an LSD you'd get both rear wheels working instead of just one. The only option for an LSD on an SLK32 is a Phantom Grip, http://www.phantomgrip.com/. They do have an application for the SLK32.
The biggest improvement in 0-60 time you'd see is with an LSD. The car already has more than enough hp to break the rear tires loose. With an LSD you'd get both rear wheels working instead of just one. The only option for an LSD on an SLK32 is a Phantom Grip, http://www.phantomgrip.com/. They do have an application for the SLK32.
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 471
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From: Columbus Ohio, FL
AMG
I think +50 from ECU and pulley is pretty optimistic. I'd expect more like +25.
The biggest improvement in 0-60 time you'd see is with an LSD. The car already has more than enough hp to break the rear tires loose. With an LSD you'd get both rear wheels working instead of just one. The only option for an LSD on an SLK32 is a Phantom Grip, http://www.phantomgrip.com/. They do have an application for the SLK32.
The biggest improvement in 0-60 time you'd see is with an LSD. The car already has more than enough hp to break the rear tires loose. With an LSD you'd get both rear wheels working instead of just one. The only option for an LSD on an SLK32 is a Phantom Grip, http://www.phantomgrip.com/. They do have an application for the SLK32.
Do you know anyone who has used this 'phantomgrip' LSD on a SLK32? $500 seems pretty decent. Is this high quality? How much of a difference do you see it to make?
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LET C32 2002
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LET C32 2002
Stylistically I am adding a slr bonnet and the diablo doors - I am also looking for some custom interior work however there are few companies it seems that offers that in the UK. So any help on that front is also appreciated.
Also, is it worthwhile upgrading the suspension or breaks? - Or is the standard amg equipment fine?
Also, is it worthwhile upgrading the suspension or breaks? - Or is the standard amg equipment fine?
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 560
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C43, SLK32, CLK63 Black Series
Super Member
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Posts: 560
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C43, SLK32, CLK63 Black Series
I know of one other person besides myself who has one installed. He hasn't had any problems with his that I am aware of. My car is still in LA getting some mods so I haven't driven with it yet but the couple of guys who have driven it like it. I'll let you know when I get it back. It should at least be good for a couple of tenths to 60.
Last edited by SteveL; Feb 27, 2008 at 08:51 PM.
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C43, SLK32, CLK63 Black Series
It may be budget but it is the only option. Quaife does not have an application for the 198mm ring gear in the SLK32, period. You might be able to some how get a Quaife to work but I'd estimate at least $4k or maybe even $5K to get it to work unless you can do the work yourself and even then, it would be at least $2500.
If Quaife had an application for the SLK32, I would have gone for it.
If Quaife had an application for the SLK32, I would have gone for it.
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C43, SLK32, CLK63 Black Series
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From: Atlanta, GA
SLK32
Steve is correct.
Making the diff work in the SLK32 is no small feat. You would need to find a differential that fits a Quafie and then also fits our cars and hopefully the drive shaft. Then you have the challenge of finding new axels that fit the new differential and are short enough to connect to the hubs. Then you have the retaining clips for the axels.
You could easily spend $4k + the cost of the Quafie and have something that does not fit.
It can be done if you have enough money and time.
The quafie is worth every penny. It is superior to the Phantom grip in every way and would be the only way to go if they made one that would fit our car.
Stickier tires unfortunatly are not the answer. It is very easy to spin stikier tires than the Toyo RA1's.
Making the diff work in the SLK32 is no small feat. You would need to find a differential that fits a Quafie and then also fits our cars and hopefully the drive shaft. Then you have the challenge of finding new axels that fit the new differential and are short enough to connect to the hubs. Then you have the retaining clips for the axels.
You could easily spend $4k + the cost of the Quafie and have something that does not fit.
It can be done if you have enough money and time.
The quafie is worth every penny. It is superior to the Phantom grip in every way and would be the only way to go if they made one that would fit our car.
Stickier tires unfortunatly are not the answer. It is very easy to spin stikier tires than the Toyo RA1's.
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From: Atlanta, GA
SLK32
I would disagree with Steve on the Brakes and the Suspension.
The stock brakes are great for 99.9% of the people whether or not they have increased the perfomance of the car. If you track your car and encounter brake fade then maybe you want to consider upgrading to Brembo, Stoptech, etc. Otherwise I would just swap the fluid and brake pads.
I added RENNtech springs to my car. They give it a nice little drop and make the suspension a little firmer. Unless you are changing springs for cosemetic reasons I would put it lower on my list.
The biggest limiting factor of this car is usually the driver.
If your springs or shocks are worn and need replacing I would spend the extra money to upgrade the springs and shocks at that time.
The stock brakes are great for 99.9% of the people whether or not they have increased the perfomance of the car. If you track your car and encounter brake fade then maybe you want to consider upgrading to Brembo, Stoptech, etc. Otherwise I would just swap the fluid and brake pads.
I added RENNtech springs to my car. They give it a nice little drop and make the suspension a little firmer. Unless you are changing springs for cosemetic reasons I would put it lower on my list.
The biggest limiting factor of this car is usually the driver.
If your springs or shocks are worn and need replacing I would spend the extra money to upgrade the springs and shocks at that time.
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C43, SLK32, CLK63 Black Series
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From: Columbus Ohio, FL
AMG
If it were you, how would you lower a car keeping in mind you wouldn't want to take away from performance? Also, how do you all feel the multispoke r171 SLK55 wheels would look on a SLK32?
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C43, SLK32, CLK63 Black Series
On the wheels, I have Renntech Monolite 10 spoke wheels which I think look pretty good. Most of the the R171 wheels will look good on the SLK32.
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From: Atlanta, GA
SLK32
Like Steve I am running the RENNtech springs. They lower the car nicely but are a bit soft in my book. Maybe a set of Koni's would round out the application.
If I had to do it over I would probably go ahead and get the KW Variant 2's for the car. They just were not available when I purchased everything.
I really like the look and weight of the RENNtech monolite wheels.
The R171 wheels don't look bad on the car but for me they are too heavy to be considered an upgrade.
If I had to do it over I would probably go ahead and get the KW Variant 2's for the car. They just were not available when I purchased everything.
I really like the look and weight of the RENNtech monolite wheels.
The R171 wheels don't look bad on the car but for me they are too heavy to be considered an upgrade.
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C43, SLK32, CLK63 Black Series
http://www.slk32.com/pages/picturega...s/Image47.html
http://www.slk32.com/pages/picturega...s/Image43.html
http://www.slk32.com/pages/picturega...s/Image38.html
http://www.slk32.com/pages/picturega...s/Image46.html
?
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LET C32 2002
Some links for you...some of these are pretty old. My grill is different now and I have a stubby antenna and a few other changes.
http://www.slk32.com/pages/picturega...s/Image47.html
http://www.slk32.com/pages/picturega...s/Image43.html
http://www.slk32.com/pages/picturega...s/Image38.html
http://www.slk32.com/pages/picturega...s/Image46.html
http://www.slk32.com/pages/picturega...s/Image47.html
http://www.slk32.com/pages/picturega...s/Image43.html
http://www.slk32.com/pages/picturega...s/Image38.html
http://www.slk32.com/pages/picturega...s/Image46.html
