Grumpy666

The E55 is rated at 469 HP and 516 lb-ft and the S55 is rated at 493 HP and 516 lb-ft. If these cars use the same 5.4L block, can someone please clarify what's done to the S55 for the power difference? Also, how much torque can the 5-speed tranny take before it blows its cookies? TIA.

darren_dallas

From what I understand the main differences for the E55 are:

1. restricted (smaller) air inlet tubes
2. smaller downpipes (S55, CL55, SL55 have roughly 70mm downpipes I believe)

other than that I believe they are identicle. As far as the transmission, I believe it is rated to roughly 900nm. I'm going off memory so hopefully someone else will chime in as I could be way off.

04E55 AMG

None.....They dyno the same HP & TQ (SL55,CL55,S55,E55)

Do a search and you will see this discussed many times, it is all about marketing.

Grumpy666

OK, I did the search, but the results were too inconsistent to be definitive. The only S55 I found dyno'd at a little over 430HP. The E55's ranged from 400-425HP. Different dynos and varying atmospheric conditions make it difficult to compare numbers. The different air flows between S55 and E55 and the desire to have similar power-to-weight ratios are probably the main contributors to the advertised difference.

BTW - does anyone know what modifications MB does to this engine to get the power levels of the SLR McLaren?

medici78

Internally is anybody's guess, but the SLR uses a different intercooling system.

E55AMG99

Factory claims that the engines are exactly the same when built. Due to installation differences like the intake tract, exhaust diameter, length and routing, etc., they must rate the power lower.

IanSL55

I have a SL55 and a E55 and for every E55 owner saying the cars have the same HP and TQ there is a SL55 owner saying they're not...

Personally I've never seen the logic in what's been frequently termed a "marketing" move - the E55 is hardly going to steal any sales from the SL or CL class, while understating it's HP immediately gives up a competitive edge to the BMW Audi - the real MB sales stealers.

I'd wager that the SL has greater HP due to the airbox and exhaust (these parts are certainly different), however it's moot when it comes to performance... I have NO DOUBT that the lighter and more aerodynamic E55 is a quicker car.

When I have the chance I'm going to run both my 05's on the same dyno one after the other... and perhaps put this argument to rest.

~ Ian

rflow306

I have compared my dyno numbers with that of a cl55 on the same dyno. The days were different but the correction factor was about the same. My car was about 3-5 hp more I will try to post both runs tommorrow. I will post sae and uncorrected and include the weather conditions. The best senerio would be to dyno both cars back to back on the same day, forgot to mention both cars were stock.

04E55 AMG

A good buddy of mine has owned a 05 E55 and a 05 CL55 and they dynoed the same which matched my 04 E55 (prior to mods ).

E55AMG99

Exactly! Besides the TUV will not allow a manufacturer to under nor overstate HP.