OK, We all have 55K engines, but why are they all different?
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: Los Angeles
A Few
OK, We all have 55K engines, but why are they all different?
A couple of questions that most of you might be able to answer; they kind of puzzle me since we all (S, CL, SL, CLS, E) have the same engines.
1. Why does the SL sound so much different from the E?
2. Why is the E's engine rated at 463HP, and the SL, S, CL at 493HP? Is the boost different?
Also, never thought...?, how does our E55 compare to a 5 series in terms of weight balancing?
I've been driving the E for a couple of months and think its a great car, also had an E39 M5, and it just, felt a different, a little better...
1. Why does the SL sound so much different from the E?
2. Why is the E's engine rated at 463HP, and the SL, S, CL at 493HP? Is the boost different?
Also, never thought...?, how does our E55 compare to a 5 series in terms of weight balancing?
I've been driving the E for a couple of months and think its a great car, also had an E39 M5, and it just, felt a different, a little better...
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From: Hong Kong
C55AMG W203; 330i E90
I know too little about AMG engine designs except a few things:
1. All 55 AMG engines displacement are 5439cc.
2. Only C55, CLK55, ML55 SLK55 are NA , others are with Kompressor.
3. SLK55 has 7hp less than a C55 or CLK55 (even it is the same engine)because SLK has a shorter exhaust.
4. Paradox: SL55, CL55 have more power than a E55, CLS55 because SL and CL are representing top of the class which would cost you more ?
Please correct me if I am wrong
cnt
1. All 55 AMG engines displacement are 5439cc.
2. Only C55, CLK55, ML55 SLK55 are NA , others are with Kompressor.
3. SLK55 has 7hp less than a C55 or CLK55 (even it is the same engine)because SLK has a shorter exhaust.
4. Paradox: SL55, CL55 have more power than a E55, CLS55 because SL and CL are representing top of the class which would cost you more ?
Please correct me if I am wrong
cnt
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From: Salt Lake City (but not Morm)
2003 E55 & 2014 GL550
2 possible answers
1) Marketing....having the S Class have the same hp as the E55 would tempt some into just buying the E. Benz put out the hp numbers in order of class ranking. We have had guy after guy run their E55 on the dyno and have it spec close to 500hp stock.....Gid-e-up is the highest so far at 517.
2) Exhaust and intake restriction. This is the official line from Benz. The E is said to have a more restrictive exhaust manifold and smaller intake tubes which knocks power a bit. The S and SL have larger engine compartments which would allow for less restrictive exhaust.
Both seem legit.....probably a little combination of both.
I believe it is the exact same Kompresser motor that they stamp out in Germany. 5.5 that is.
1) Marketing....having the S Class have the same hp as the E55 would tempt some into just buying the E. Benz put out the hp numbers in order of class ranking. We have had guy after guy run their E55 on the dyno and have it spec close to 500hp stock.....Gid-e-up is the highest so far at 517.
2) Exhaust and intake restriction. This is the official line from Benz. The E is said to have a more restrictive exhaust manifold and smaller intake tubes which knocks power a bit. The S and SL have larger engine compartments which would allow for less restrictive exhaust.
Both seem legit.....probably a little combination of both.
I believe it is the exact same Kompresser motor that they stamp out in Germany. 5.5 that is.
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From: Florida
CLS 55 AMG
Well...from what i heard, in the E55, the dual twin exhaust systems inside diameter is only 70mm, versus 90mm which is found in the SL55, S55 and the CL55. That restricts flow, reducing rated horsepower from 493 to a mere 469...hope this can help...
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Joined: Nov 2004
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From: So. Cal.
2006 CLS55-030, 2002 BMW 540 Wagon, 1995 VW Jetta GLX
silk32 - Check this site out and see what motor the SLK55 actually has. 
- Bob
http://www3.mercedes-benz.com/omb/amg/en/home/index.htm
- Bobhttp://www3.mercedes-benz.com/omb/amg/en/home/index.htm
Last edited by Evolution Marine; Aug 30, 2005 at 02:39 PM.
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2024 C8 Z06- 2025 BMW CS- 2022 Porsche 992 GTS
Originally Posted by silk32
slk55+sl55 have the same engine.
the sl55 has a better super charga
the sl55 has a better super charga
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Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Chicago, IL
Real Cars
SL/CL/S55 have more rated hp for a few reasons:
Intake routing/piping
Cooling capacity (we have 1 less cooler)
Exhaust routing/piping
In real life this doesn't amount to much, but then you throw in the marketing curve and voila - E55 is rated less, but is still the fastest in a straight line.
-m
Intake routing/piping
Cooling capacity (we have 1 less cooler)
Exhaust routing/piping
In real life this doesn't amount to much, but then you throw in the marketing curve and voila - E55 is rated less, but is still the fastest in a straight line.
-m
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 372
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From: Los Angeles
A Few
Hey Guys,
Great answers! I definitely think that our W211 is better than all the other 55K's in terms of performance, I just recently drove the CLS55 and feel so cramped in there (I'm 6'2") that my head was almost rubbing the ceiling.
The SL does sound a bit nicer then our E's, and that's a shame because we are the better car (handling, speed, responsiveness, even though the higher-end AMGs have ABC).
Would increasing the the diameter of the exhaust pipes to 90mm versus the E's 70mm improve the sound? How would one do that?
Great answers! I definitely think that our W211 is better than all the other 55K's in terms of performance, I just recently drove the CLS55 and feel so cramped in there (I'm 6'2") that my head was almost rubbing the ceiling.
The SL does sound a bit nicer then our E's, and that's a shame because we are the better car (handling, speed, responsiveness, even though the higher-end AMGs have ABC).
Would increasing the the diameter of the exhaust pipes to 90mm versus the E's 70mm improve the sound? How would one do that?
Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 99
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From: Pacific Northwest
04 E500 Brabus Wagon
exhaust sound improvements
I don't know why the same engine in different vehicles produces different hp numbers but exhaust could have something to do with it. Maybe different factory programmed chips that electronically move the valve timing around to change the torque curve to better suit the vehicle weight or something may have an influence as well.
headers and a new exhaust system with the stock mufflers and resonators removed and replaced with performance mufflers will result in a nice performance upgrade for a S/C E55 as well as a really great sound but the down side is the 10+ grand cost.
Another option to really improve the sound is a cat back custom built system from a local hot rod shop in your city. I did it to my E55 and the sound is mellow when driving around but truely european V-8 muscle when I step on it.
headers and a new exhaust system with the stock mufflers and resonators removed and replaced with performance mufflers will result in a nice performance upgrade for a S/C E55 as well as a really great sound but the down side is the 10+ grand cost.
Another option to really improve the sound is a cat back custom built system from a local hot rod shop in your city. I did it to my E55 and the sound is mellow when driving around but truely european V-8 muscle when I step on it.
