guysandiego

I am a newbie -- i want to get more power with out too much headache. I have a 2006 E55 AMG and a warranty... So, I want to be able to switch stuff back to stock if needed. Here are some ideas -- I am not considering them all because I dont want to program a ECU. Maybe 1 of them or a combination -

1. Pulley Kit - obvious choice but I dont want to do the ecu or HE upgrades... too much work if I need to see the dealer. Maybe I can get a mild pulley that performs well throughout the power range.

2. Shorty headers --easy bolt on and off. power increase across the band

3. Airboxes and intakes --- I feel are overpriced for the power increase.

4. ZEX wet kit ~75shot --- Easy way to get power -- Not to dfficult to pull the bottle and lines out.

Already have - X-pipe - K&N drop ins

I have read many theads -- enough to make my head spin. Those threads have already proved very useful -- just looking for some more specific feedback.... heck Maybe someone has some old parts to sale

thanks for your thoughts

guysandiego

I am looking for suggestions - -- Specific brands would be helpful -- approximations on gains are fine too.

jikjak

well for pulley, go with something like the 168mm, i used kleemans 168mm for a long time and it worked great. that one wont require a tune or cooling upgrades.

ive seen great results from vadim's shorty headers and those are a direct bolt on.

i love the CF airbox and intake tubes as well and they do help more once u have modded the car.

u may also want to consider the 80mmTB upgrade. its a direct bolt on and looks OEM and they probably cant tell u changed it when u bring it in.

guysandiego

I will try to get the 168 pulley. Kinda sucks you get the smaller pulley and it costs more $$$. Need to find a deal... What kind of gains from that pulley?

I will also look into the shorty headers -- those are not outragously priced and have decent gains.

How much is the TB?? and what kind of gains? I think the $$$ to gain is not great - but I dont have the experience of having one --

If I can find those 2 things 'pulley & headers' -- i think I will be done--- I am not trying to go really crazy.

If I cant get a mild pulley -- I will really consider the headers and a small shot of NoS.

bassn_07

My friend (blueknight) was running a Evotech 168 pulley, VRP shorty headers, and K&N filters without a tune. His car ran very strong and ran a 11.8 or 11.9 and trapped 119 at Sacramento Raceway.

guysandiego

well- I cant expect crazy gains or performance because of my limitations... A simple set-up and bang for the buck... #1 keep my eyes and ears open for any small pulley deals -- maybe someone will upgrade and sell their old one. #2 search for headers

bassn_07

Terence don't you still have your old Kleeman pulley?

Contact Jikjak and see if he still has his.

James@ACG

If you are in san diego as it looks like, then you just need to see the right people if you are worried about warranty.

If you don't mind me asking, what are your concerns with the ECU upgrade? There is no physical changes done the ECU, just programming done via OBD2

Also with the new RAT or brick, you will be able to load your stock file whenever you wish.

Please feel free to stop by anytime.

James@acg

guysandiego

James -- I contacted you yesterday by phone...

I was concerned about the ECU because I thought it would be a lot of hassle getting it reflashed all the time.

Once I pay for the ECU tuning == How much trouble is the reflash? - Do I always need to return to that tuner -- or can Anyone reboot the ECU?

Also, the tuning cost is pretty crazy... I can nearly get some short headers for the price of a tune ! My thinking is I can get the ASP 180mm and a tune or get a mild pulley and headers = about the same cost.

Oh yeah - that 180 pulley will force me to mod my HE system --

Wish4_e55Wagon

Those are great numbers for being mildly tuned. Was your friend running drag specific tires?

guysandiego

Cool -- I think I found a used 168mm renntech pulley -- I guess its 1 year old and will get some pictures later --- but it is here in SD -- So, I can check it out when the shop upgrades the customer's car in a few days

$700 sounds good??? Seems fair to me -- and A used pulley seems pretty straight forward -- shouldn't be a risky purchase -

RenntechE55

I have some mods in every area of my car and my warranty has been fixing my car with no questions asked.

guysandiego

Yeah- I have hear stories that the SD dealer is cool too -- but i dont want to risk my warranty --Not sure how cool thy will be if you blow up your blower, engine or trannie --- Also, I dont need my car to be too extreme... I dont track my car or drag it... just might find a fast exotic once in a while -- and for more pleasure.

jangy

Consider at least headers or TB (if not both) if you do not want an ECU tune. You will still be leaving some on the table with a tune but not as much. The reason you need to add headers or TB is simply to drop PSI. Once we hit 14, the ECU pulls timing (if not tuned). Adding TB and headers drops the pressure and the 168mm increases it back. In the end, you have similar pressures and different loads.

Either way, I would consider a 168mm as a deal. If you decide to tune later, you can. James has all of those capabilities and was just running a pretty cheap special on cooling...

jangy

As for warranty, it is not about the dealership but rather the people you know. Do not show up at MBSD with a modded car and expect no issues. Most in SD will be fair once they get to know you. If the issue is a dynamic seat then they will not look at the mods. If it is engine related, they may.

guysandiego

thanks for confirming my thinking --

I will get the mild pulley 168mm if all goes as planned -- After enoying that new power for a month or 2 --- I will start my search for shortys, if i want more power.

And the added benefit of the header 1+1=3 ... was what I was thinking too.