I'm going to buy a 1st generation HPS supercharger system and I want to do the install my self. The system looks very simple. No, water lines, oil lines or intercooler. Has anyone installed one them selves or had their local mechanic install one. How long did it take and is it as easy as I'm guessing?
Thanks.
2000 E55

 

thericker55 has the Gen 2 system IIRC.

The Gen 1 system wasn't that good from what I've read. The newer one is levels above the previous one.

 

I have no experience with HPS but I had a non intercooled self contained Paxton that I put on my Vette.

Several things that I noted:

It did not perform like they said it would. No way it produced 150 HP that was advertised.

Ran HOT as H3LL, no intercooler meant inlet air temps were cooking temps. Not good for HP. I live in Louisiana where it's cooler than Ariz where you are. Paxton is a well known manufacturer of SC but this item was a POS. No oil lines, no intercooler, no way.

I took it off and sent it back, the vendor refused to accept it, so I took it up with AMEX and they sided with me. Fortunately I got my $5600 back.

Unless your an excellent mechanic or know a master mechanic that is familiar with MB I wouldn't consider putting any SC on it. Reliability will go out the window.

Hope this helps and you can learn from my dumb mistakes.

 

The gen II HPS is intercooled so that's the one you need. No way I'd run an Eaton without an intercooler on an E55 engine.

 

I had a Gen I on my E430 and it ran great. The only problem was a noisy fuel pump which was replaced under warranty. It dyno'd at 90+ RWHP over stock. Performance does fall off a little in very high temps (made a run to Vegas in the heat), but no pinging or other problems. Filter access sucks however, and I would be very carefull if you had to drive in deep water for whatever reason since it mounts low. Ran it for almost 10K before selling it. Also, it's not recommended on 55's because it would have to spin up too fast to make the boost on these motors, making a lot of heat and reducing blower life. Pop for a Gen II or Kleemann.

 

What about adding an Aquamist like many Vette, turbo and Active Autowerkes owners use. I know many people that use the Aquamist with no problems and they got more HP and the HP didn't drop off.

 

Doesn't matter, the blower is too small for the 55 engine. You have to use a really small pulley to spin it up fast enough and it will then be running really hot. It might be OK for the short term, but again, it isn't recommended.