GDB - E55

There are a ton of options as I consider the best performance mods to contemplate on my 06 E55, so I wanted to pose a question to the group.

What is the best $/HP-TQ mod to start with??

As a long-time racer I know that no modification can be done without impacting another part of the chain, but I am looking for the low hanging fruit for the E55.

The exhaust manifolds look restrictive, but I also know that a pulley swap is easy and relatively cheap. Both probably require an ECU flash to extract any gains.

Where do I start??

Thanks all.

GDB - E55

Just found this string after a week of searching...

Is the feedback still valid?

https://mbworld.org/forums/w211-amg/...des-e55-2.html

Jakpro1

Pulley would be easiest and cheapest BUT you do run into heat soak issues super fast so you would have to add 2nd heat exchanger while doing pulley IMO. Heat is a super problem and these cars weak link was the intercooler setup. Just blows.

Headers are a nice first mod IMO.

Documented nice gains right off the bat.

Here is one situation where they instantly picked up 35 to the wheels.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gq59jWb6qaQ

GDB - E55

Headers were definietly my first thought as well. I was shocked to see the factory manifolds. Looked like something you would see on a Ford log truck...

I have seen a few posts for different headers. Will check around. Any advice on brand and fitments?

They all seem like stupid money... $3K but I am accustomed to small block chevy performance prices.

Worth the wait

Kleeman headers are very well built, provide documented gains and have recently been reduced to $1495, including their "down pipes" to eliminate the primary cat if you are so inclined. You can also purchase their "race cats" (custom fab work required for both cat removal and replacement options).
If you remove the cat you must either live with a CEL (and the inability to pass emissions...legally) or have a tune installed to shut the O2 sensor off.

Lately many have been seeing great gains with long tubes from MBH and Floored Fab. These remove the primary cat and require custom (SS) welding to install. Unfortunately the design of our exhaust is such that, beyond the manifold, there is no where to really bolt it right in.
The shorties have the advantage of being bolt on, as long as you leave the first cat in place.

Whatever you do I would avoid going with a header that requires you to extend the O2 wires...I know some have had luck with this but IMHO it is asking for trouble.

I went with Shorties for Hevyron in CA...got a nice deal on a pre-owned, unused set. I love them and am very impressed with both the performance gain and the way they altered the exhaust note. Not obnoxious at all, simply more purposeful...lol.

Good luck, I think you simply cannot go wrong with a simple shorty header swap as your first mod.

BenJ

You can also install foulers (sp?) in the secondary O2 sensors to trick the ecu into reading a lower number.

hooleyboy

There are some great mods out there for these cars. Most common places people start are Pulley & Tune or headers. IMO, You cant go wrong either way.

AWOL

Is it safe to run headers without a retune? Does it lean it out?

I just bolted some VRP shorties up and was just curious. I didnt really notice that much of a sound difference

BenJ

The headers will lean out your tune and the best way to check on it would be to consult a local dynoshop to run your car and track its afr's. You may or may not need a tune.

hooleyboy

Headers with out a tune is safe. I havent seen a stock 55k any where near 12:1 AFR. Most all of the stock 55k motors i've seen on the dyno are running low 11's and even in the 10's for AFR.

Most of your sound is swallowed up by other components in your exhaust system.

GDB - E55

I have tried contacting local Kleeman dealers with no luck. Where is the best place to purchase online? I understand the pricing is fixed.

Worth the wait

Contact Cory directly at Kleeman USA. He is one of, if not THE, most helpful guy working with our platform.