Jakpro1

Thanks again to the masters at Kleemann and Evosport. Cory and Brad just kicked a$$!!!

Okay, instead of having my guys try to install the gears from the SL in the E (my guys said they had not swapped a whole bunch of differential gears before), we ended up just ordering an entire SL55 diff and installing that.

Again, lot of guesswork and NO TAKEBACKS with ole AMG, so you get as close as you can and go for it. So far, we are 2 for 2.

Although they told me it fought them every step of the way and they were STUNNED at how tight it is to get that sucker in, it actually bolted right up to the frame with no mods needed (drilling, fabricating etc)

The Problems

My car is an early 2003 W211 E55 and AMG switched the rears late in 2003. The SL55 rear we ordered was the newer rear design so we were worried about my old LSD fitting. Cory at Klee was right there for me with the info and he was right on the money. I would need the newer LSD. I caught them at an odd time and they didn't have any in stock so I called EVO and snagged a Quaife. Brad just bent over backward for me and I was SO pleased with those guys as well. New LSD arrived next day overnight and was ready for install.

Last small problem we encountered was again that newer Diff needed new halfshafts.....if you've ever had to replace, you know that I was bummed at the unexpected 800PER that I had to dish out. Other than that, she went right in. Quaife LSD was a dream to install and not a SINGLE bit of shimming was needed.

Tranny reflash

Again, this is where Kleemann just kicked a$$. The tranny TCU program is just killer!!! Car just punches you in the back on gear changes up and down. Have to see what happens when tranny learns my patterns (mostly around town normal driving with an occasional hammer and kill story...hopefully it doesn't smooth out...I LOVE IT)

You MUST and I repeat MUST have the TCU flashed for 2.82 gears or she quickly will go into limp mode on you. If the tranny stays as tight and punchy as it is now, this will be my favorite part of this mod.

Feel

Honestly, it's not the "terror" that we all were talking about on tire spin. Not like the car has turned into a "sit and spin" or anything. Few launches on it.....first one of course was the stomp just to see and I DID get some extra wheel spin. Then I tried the slowly going to full throttle launch and it was friggin magic. The car pulled so hard, I honestly felt a little strange....that hard acceleration feeling that messes with your mind for a sec. I had never been in a car pullling that hard and it was an experience I will never forget.

Just like Cory said (but I still don't know why), car also pulls harder on top end as well. 50-100+ is really wild now....AND FAST.

The Track

Here is the wild card....according to everyone, the car might actually be slower as it will shift to 4th on the run and that shift point should slow me down a tick. Then again, I was told by many that that putting SLR cams in our cars was "impossible". Hopefullly we'll know someday. Like I mentioned last week, family health issues have grounded me pretty much for December and most tracks out here close after that so it may be a Spring thing to know for sure. If I get hurt at the track...so be it. Still stronger on the top end and we E55 guys NEED that, so it's a good thing no matter what.

The Cost

Errr ehhhh....don't ask. Well okay, now that you asked.

***please note these prices are retail and I was given discounts on certain parts/services due to relationship with certain companies. Total came out to about 20% off total***

SL55 Diff.................3000$
Quaife LSD..............1700$
Seals and Parts Misc....150$
Kleemann TCU Flash...1500$
Labor........................1000$
Half Shafts..............1600$ (800 per)...most of you won't need these.

Again, there was no template to go on, no "Stage xxx" kits to buy....we kinda "educated guessed it" and came out with the victory again. I fear for the day when we lose one and a 5,000$+ mod doesn't work out, but for now....Mod on my Benz brothas....MOD ON!!!!

Can Drive 55

Glad to hear that it is working out. Can't wait to see what it does at the track.

vrus

Jim,

That's just awesome!!! That's all I gotta say!!

ChicagoX

A pioneer and a gentleman.

Cheers for jumping off the cliff again !!!

theboogers

great to see your ideas. maybe you should of bought a sl55 for the total cost of the upgrade? just kiddin

jangy

Here is a blurb on ratios of stock E55 vs SL55:

The E55 does have a slightly taller final-drive ratio than the SL55 (2.65 versus 2.82 for the sports car)

Just for clarification, I am talking about the W211, as I know the W210 has 2.82

Can anyone confirm?

mclarenm8d

Jakpro1, thanks much for the info !!! The service manager I work with has contacts with Kleemann, so this is going to work out pretty easy for my CL55 (I think/hope). I'm just going to pick up the diff and halfshafts from a wrecked older model year NA CL55 that has the 2.82s and then run slightly shorter tires.

Best wishes to you and your family.

Auraraptor

Jakpro1, can the dealer just reflash my ECU to that of a SL55? (I have an SL600) I want to swap to a 2.82 as well.

prodigymb

nice man. that's hella alot of money tho. was it worth the $$$ ?

shardul

iTrader: (1)

Nice mod good write up big money. If it puts a smile on ur face when you drive it is worth every penny.

Thericker

You are pissing in the wind on wanting this mod, the change from 2.65-2.82 will be nill. You will be better served getting an ECU/TCU flash from RENNtech/Kleemann..

The dealer will not re-flash your TCU to the the faster shifting 55/65 models specs, the reason the SL55 has 2.82 gearing & faster shifting program is that it has about 100 less torque & less horsepower vs the SL600.

There have been multiple dyno's showing the 600tt motor is extremely underrated from factory specs ie average is 450-480 rwhp 530-550rwto the 55k puts down average 410-420rwhp 440-470rwto..Shorter gearing on 600/65 would only result in more wheel spin.

E55Pilot

Interesting... Especially since I have SLR Cams in My E55

Ohbev

In sydney australia there i a diff place that does gearing and stuff most guys do the gearing on there hsv's they drop in new gears in the diff i have a 2003 e55 amg can i get them to change my diff gears to just say 3.5 would my esp and every thing still work fine or would i get an ecu problem coz the 2.8 is very highway with 3.5 it would acel very fast ?

Auraraptor

Different goals. The only reason I was thinking of going to a 2.82 at all is that I am going to have a differential built up with a Quaife unit in it, while keeping my OEM unit intact (so when I sell the car, I can easily swap back). I was just trying to decide if it would be worth it for me to buy a 2.82 instead of a 2.65 as my starting point, when you realize both cost about the same.

chiromikey

and you have jakpro to thank for that!!!

jmf003

Jakpro's comment was actually tongue in cheek. He is the godfather of the SLR cam mod.

jmf003

LOL. We cross posted.

I'm still running the SLR cams and remain ever grateful for the spacer and instructions you provided.

Are you still using them? Or have you moved on?

chiromikey

absolutely still using them!

C32madness

Kleeman TCU upgrade sounds very appealing.