If You Could Only do 2 Mods ...
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Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 460
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2006 SL65 ///AMG - GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN: 2005 E55; 2002 ML55; 2001 CLK55; 1992 BMW 850i; 1991 M5
If You Could Only do 2 Mods ...
I'm no expert, but I'm no newbie to the world of performance cars, either. I absolutely love my 05 E55. It's just a brute. I have done a great deal of reading and researching these cars both before and since my purchase. It seems to me like the 2 biggest "achilles' heels" for our Kompressed E55s are: 1) heat; and 2) traction. What else to you expect with over 500 lbs of boosted torque?? My thoughts are that the 2 best mods you can do for your car are an upgraded IC cooling kit (RT, Kleemann and Evo all offer very good upgrades) and an LS rear diff (Quaiffe seems to be a good choice). I read about the forum members who have posted verified LOW 12 second passes with BONE STOCK cars (even a couple high 11s) and I think to myself "geez, just keep this baby cool and make it stick!" I sure don't discount all you die hards who are pulling all the stops with TBs, pulleys, ECU flashes, Headers, cams, etc. You guys are really pushing the envelope and I think it's great. But "bang for the buck" tells me that an IC cooling kit and a Quaiffe are the way to go for someone like me who is an enthusiast, but primarily a "daily driver" kind of guy. I'm fishing for feedback and thoughts. Thanks!!
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Joined: Mar 2005
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Drives Slowly
Good topic and I'll play along. I assume you are talking about impromptu street races??????
(I did that for all the holierthanthou members).
First off lets review your picks:
1. LSD?? I know it makes absolutely no difference at the 1/4 mile track but on the street with irregular surfaces it may alter a race outcome.
2. IC mod. This mod would only be a factor if you have done repeated runs or your car is running hot.
Okay, if you are looking for stoplight dominance in your E55 the two best investments you can make are:
1. Very sticky tires and I'm not talking about drag radials that you have to heat up. I'm talking about very gummy autocross tires.
2. Take a few lessons at your local drag-way to learn how to launch the E55. Pull consistent 1.6sec 60ft times and no one will touch you.
Now, if your looking for dominance on the highway, the two best mods are ECU/belt and then headers or possibly ultralight wheels.
(I did that for all the holierthanthou members).First off lets review your picks:
1. LSD?? I know it makes absolutely no difference at the 1/4 mile track but on the street with irregular surfaces it may alter a race outcome.
2. IC mod. This mod would only be a factor if you have done repeated runs or your car is running hot.
Okay, if you are looking for stoplight dominance in your E55 the two best investments you can make are:
1. Very sticky tires and I'm not talking about drag radials that you have to heat up. I'm talking about very gummy autocross tires.
2. Take a few lessons at your local drag-way to learn how to launch the E55. Pull consistent 1.6sec 60ft times and no one will touch you.
Now, if your looking for dominance on the highway, the two best mods are ECU/belt and then headers or possibly ultralight wheels.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 13,394
Likes: 6
From: San Diego
2015 S212
I don't think the IC upgrade is needed on a bone stock motor, if you are talking street use. On repeated 1/4mile pulls, yes. You may wanna get the '06 upgrades (warranty) and leave that alone.
If we wanna talk "bang for the buck", I say:
1- get a pair of rear rims and put them on the front.
2- get a nice sticky set of tires.
Total cost will be $2500 max, and it will easily SMOKE an OEM car with the upgrades you mentioned.
If tires aren't considered a mod, then yes, get a Quaife as well.
If we wanna talk "bang for the buck", I say:
1- get a pair of rear rims and put them on the front.
2- get a nice sticky set of tires.
Total cost will be $2500 max, and it will easily SMOKE an OEM car with the upgrades you mentioned.
If tires aren't considered a mod, then yes, get a Quaife as well.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,498
Likes: 1
From: Dallas
SL65
Get a sprintbooster. Doesn't add any power, but the car will feel completely different and soo much quicker it's scary. $250 shipped. Can't beat it. I'd do it before any other mod. Don't listen to the naysayers that have never tried one. I've had mine a week and wish I would have bought it a year ago.
I've let a few people drive my car before and after since it only takes a few minutes to install and they've since ordered thier own for thier E500s and various other mercedes cars.
I've let a few people drive my car before and after since it only takes a few minutes to install and they've since ordered thier own for thier E500s and various other mercedes cars.
Last edited by bfnnrgn; Jan 20, 2007 at 09:45 PM.
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 37
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IC upgrade
[QUOTE=jangy;1950350]I don't think the IC upgrade is needed on a bone stock motor, if you are talking street use. On repeated 1/4mile pulls, yes....
I had "heat soak" numerous times when my car was bone stock. It was really frustrating to have the supercharger just stop making booost completely. I think it all depends on the climate (I live in Texas). Since my IC upgrade and other mods (including K2) I've had no issues.
If someone has ever experienced heat soak then I would recommend the IC upgrade. However, I'm not sure if I'd waste my money if there had never been any heat soak issues.
I had "heat soak" numerous times when my car was bone stock. It was really frustrating to have the supercharger just stop making booost completely. I think it all depends on the climate (I live in Texas). Since my IC upgrade and other mods (including K2) I've had no issues.
If someone has ever experienced heat soak then I would recommend the IC upgrade. However, I'm not sure if I'd waste my money if there had never been any heat soak issues.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,860
Likes: 3
From: Jacksonville Florida
209/W210 Estate /W211 modded by MBENZNL
Spend The Money on Learning HOW to Drive the car as The STOCK 55 is Way to Much for most Drivers....Locate a decent Instructor and Learn in Your car....Buy a set of track rims/tires and spend several Hours/Days in learning the habits of the car....Then Mod it....The Driving lessons may just save you and the car
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 763
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From: Maryland
07 S65
You might want to do a search on this forum. The LSD isn't going to help you at all. A good set of Toyo RA1's or any other R compound road tire will help more than the LSD itself. I would do the Pulley/ECU mod before the IC pump. Good luck.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,174
Likes: 19
From: London, UK
No longer stock '06 E55, A3 3.2 Quattro, GLE 400d, R107 280SL, Golf Polo
Bigger rubber (285's) - in my case on 19" AMG split rims...
Big Pulley (ASP)
TB & ECU (doing airbox at same time)
Heat exchanger - patiently waiting for VRUS to complete his testing
Headers (still no clarity on whether Evosports' will fit RHD so
)
Quaife (and 2.82 diff ratio at same time)
AirBox (if you did not do it at the TB point)
A set of Bleeks heads.....
and finally a set of SLR intercoolers and a cutout CF bonnet so they can peek out....
This is my pecking order....
That car will be an absolute monster
Big Pulley (ASP)
TB & ECU (doing airbox at same time)
Heat exchanger - patiently waiting for VRUS to complete his testing
Headers (still no clarity on whether Evosports' will fit RHD so
)Quaife (and 2.82 diff ratio at same time)
AirBox (if you did not do it at the TB point)
A set of Bleeks heads.....
and finally a set of SLR intercoolers and a cutout CF bonnet so they can peek out....
This is my pecking order....
That car will be an absolute monster
Last edited by stevebez; Feb 22, 2007 at 08:14 AM.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 378
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From: toronto
Audi's, a whole bunch of them
