Kleemann headers ... with stock pulley or bigger pulley?
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 210
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'05 E55, '12 C63
Kleemann headers ... with stock pulley or bigger pulley?
I am in a dilemma.
I am going to buy the Kleemann headers (and delete primaries) and send the ECU to them for tuning/deleting codes.
However, I am not sure whether to stay on the stock pulley or go bigger (and by bigger, I mean their 168 pulley).
I am debating for this main reason:
--I just don't want to be spinning all through 1st gear and make most of 2nd useless. This will basically make the car not as fast from a dig or slow roll, am I right? I want to be able to get the power to the ground.
For those that have just headers with stock pulley, or had that and upgraded to a bigger pulley - advice would be GREATLY appreciated.
I don't want to drop a few grand more and the car is basically spinning with anything more than 1/2 throttle.
Any help would be awesome.
Thanks in advance.
I am going to buy the Kleemann headers (and delete primaries) and send the ECU to them for tuning/deleting codes.
However, I am not sure whether to stay on the stock pulley or go bigger (and by bigger, I mean their 168 pulley).
I am debating for this main reason:
--I just don't want to be spinning all through 1st gear and make most of 2nd useless. This will basically make the car not as fast from a dig or slow roll, am I right? I want to be able to get the power to the ground.
For those that have just headers with stock pulley, or had that and upgraded to a bigger pulley - advice would be GREATLY appreciated.
I don't want to drop a few grand more and the car is basically spinning with anything more than 1/2 throttle.
Any help would be awesome.
Thanks in advance.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,835
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From: The Granite State
.
Welcome to the world of high HP.... and cars that need to be "driven".
In a car with maybe 300 - 400HP you can just floor-it and hold on while the car does all the work. When you start talking about cars with more power than that (especially 2WD versions) driver skill becomes a lot more important. Roll into the throttle as hard as the rear tires will allow, constantly reading that feedback from the tires and backpedaling as necessary to get the most possible from the car.
ESP helps from a dig if you are feeling too lazy to really "drive". The real attraction of adding more power than the car can handle in low gear is the way it adds urgency at highway speeds....and beyond. Being able to mash the gas at 75mph and get ferocious acceleration well beyond 100, 120, etc. would be awfully addictive.
-G
In a car with maybe 300 - 400HP you can just floor-it and hold on while the car does all the work. When you start talking about cars with more power than that (especially 2WD versions) driver skill becomes a lot more important. Roll into the throttle as hard as the rear tires will allow, constantly reading that feedback from the tires and backpedaling as necessary to get the most possible from the car.
ESP helps from a dig if you are feeling too lazy to really "drive". The real attraction of adding more power than the car can handle in low gear is the way it adds urgency at highway speeds....and beyond. Being able to mash the gas at 75mph and get ferocious acceleration well beyond 100, 120, etc. would be awfully addictive.
-G
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,182
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From: Northern VA
W211
Stay with stock pulley and see how the car is after tuned. If you think you need more power, than bump up to 168mm. But try and get a tune from where you can get free tunes/reflashes after more mods are added.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 4,173
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From: Puerto Rico
2005 E55 AMG
Most of 2nd will not be useless if you have decent tires. My car's 1st is useless but 2nd will only spin a little and pull cleanly all the way to 80mph. Our cars have looooong gearing so it makes it easier to put down 500whp and have it stick.
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 937
Likes: 15
From: Alpharetta Georgia
2006 E55, 2006 saab 93 aero, 2010 glk 4m
I say go for it and get a solid pair of tires for the rear (with racing compound). With your alignment set the way it should and a little training of your right foot, you will have no regrets.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,835
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From: The Granite State
.
Oh yes, that talk of alignment reminded me of a couple additional things:
1. Add a Quaife limited slip out back
2. Add a set of aftermarket toe-links for the rear suspension
Those two things seem to make a big difference (in addition to the alignment and tires) for guys trying to put down big power and also makes the whole system more predictable and easy to handle when the tires DO break loose.
-G
1. Add a Quaife limited slip out back
2. Add a set of aftermarket toe-links for the rear suspension
Those two things seem to make a big difference (in addition to the alignment and tires) for guys trying to put down big power and also makes the whole system more predictable and easy to handle when the tires DO break loose.
-G
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Thread Starter
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'05 E55, '12 C63
If I get the Kleemann headers installed, is it safe to drive the car with the Kleemanns headers and without the tuning yet? Since I'd have to set the ECU out to Colorado and I'd have to drive home from my Indy's shop.
Is it safe to drive around with aftermarket headers and no tune?
Is it safe to drive around with aftermarket headers and no tune?
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 4,173
Likes: 7
From: Puerto Rico
2005 E55 AMG
If I get the Kleemann headers installed, is it safe to drive the car with the Kleemanns headers and without the tuning yet? Since I'd have to set the ECU out to Colorado and I'd have to drive home from my Indy's shop.
Is it safe to drive around with aftermarket headers and no tune?
Is it safe to drive around with aftermarket headers and no tune?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,759
Likes: 96
From: NH
2012 C63 BS & 2014 E63 Estate & 2008 CLK63 BS
If I get the Kleemann headers installed, is it safe to drive the car with the Kleemanns headers and without the tuning yet? Since I'd have to set the ECU out to Colorado and I'd have to drive home from my Indy's shop.
Is it safe to drive around with aftermarket headers and no tune?
Is it safe to drive around with aftermarket headers and no tune?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,908
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From: Florida
03SL55
I've got Kleemans and 168 pulley. Im on 20's and traction is a big issue through first gear. My car completely shuts down and falls on its face if I punch the throttle. I've got stock wheels with Nitto drag radials that are going back on shortly, this way I will get to enjoy the added benefit of headers and pulley.
Going with headers usually drops boost by at least 1lb. and YOU MUST TUNE AFTER HEADER INSTALL..my car went from 483hp to 460hp after header install and no tune...after tune 493hp...if your going to do it, do it right.
Going with headers usually drops boost by at least 1lb. and YOU MUST TUNE AFTER HEADER INSTALL..my car went from 483hp to 460hp after header install and no tune...after tune 493hp...if your going to do it, do it right.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 4,173
Likes: 7
From: Puerto Rico
2005 E55 AMG
I've got Kleemans and 168 pulley. Im on 20's and traction is a big issue through first gear. My car completely shuts down and falls on its face if I punch the throttle. I've got stock wheels with Nitto drag radials that are going back on shortly, this way I will get to enjoy the added benefit of headers and pulley.
Going with headers usually drops boost by at least 1lb. and YOU MUST TUNE AFTER HEADER INSTALL..my car went from 483hp to 460hp after header install and no tune...after tune 493hp...if your going to do it, do it right.
Going with headers usually drops boost by at least 1lb. and YOU MUST TUNE AFTER HEADER INSTALL..my car went from 483hp to 460hp after header install and no tune...after tune 493hp...if your going to do it, do it right.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,908
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From: Florida
03SL55
No...you do not. Will it be better if you do? YES....but you don't HAVE to. There is also no reason to lose power by going with headers and no tune, you may lose 1psi but it's because the engine is more efficient. If you lost power it's because something else was going on.
GT, my car ran extremely rich after the header install. I cant remember the exact #s but, AFRs were very high thus robbing the engine from making the power it could have when tuned properly for headers. I agree you dont have to but why leave 30+ HP on the table not tuning.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 13,489
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haters crazy
GT, my car ran extremely rich after the header install. I cant remember the exact #s but, AFRs were very high thus robbing the engine from making the power it could have when tuned properly for headers. I agree you dont have to but why leave 30+ HP on the table not tuning.
Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 163
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From: Chico, CA
S55K AMG
GT, my car ran extremely rich after the header install. I cant remember the exact #s but, AFRs were very high thus robbing the engine from making the power it could have when tuned properly for headers. I agree you dont have to but why leave 30+ HP on the table not tuning.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 4,173
Likes: 7
From: Puerto Rico
2005 E55 AMG
GT, my car ran extremely rich after the header install. I cant remember the exact #s but, AFRs were very high thus robbing the engine from making the power it could have when tuned properly for headers. I agree you dont have to but why leave 30+ HP on the table not tuning.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,182
Likes: 15
From: Northern VA
W211
From MBH post i read, our cars are running pig rich stock from the factory. So adding headers would more lean. You should get a tune, since it will be needed to make sure the o2 senors are 'ready mode' and to clear and CEL codes.
