FinanceMike

Have a CLS55. After a quick tune it put down 444hp and 484ftlb on a dynojet. Best 1/4 mile is a 12.4 @ 112 in the Florida summer heat. I've got the mod bug but have been toying with the idea of keeping the pulley stock and throwing on a set of headers. Chances are I'd get something like the Kleemann. I'd rather do a shorty or something close to that.

What performance gains would these net on a stock pulley car? Any pros or cons with headers instead of the normal pulley?

Denroll

MBH has a +40hp (or torque) guarantee for the headers. The sound quality increase is worth the price alone.

To answer the question, it would be a great "only" mod, imo. More expensive than a pulley, though. But then again, you won't have to worry about a bad install wrecking your crap.

Shifter

This is the way I went also, as then you don't have to worry about cooling mods yet either. I'm also in FL.

berti_00

hey am in florida too and been thinking going with some headers too

chawkins2001

OP, go with the following:

1) 82MM throttle body
2) ARH or MBH Longtubes headers
3) Re-tune
4) LSD

That right there will put you damn close to 500rwhp/550rwtq+ and an 11 second sled. You really wont need to touch cooling except for the update bosch or meziere HE pump. Reliability will be your friend along with not having to worry about anything.

FinanceMike

I appreciate the response. This is exactly what I am looking for. I was planning on going with the standard pulley and tune but after driving a few, the fun comes to a quick halt after a few back to back pulls. The heat and humidity down here is brutal. My biggest thing is reliability and consistency.

Thanks again.

chawkins2001

Damn brotha, you are one lucky SOB

Jimshorts

This is what I would do... Ive got some shorty headers and a tune and on a good night I think I could see an 11.7-11.8 on street tires. Already got my 11 second pass with just these mods. Next I'm going with the larger TB and leaving the stock pulley. Should be right around 500whp with just those mods. Ive seen too many pulley problems.

gaspam

longtube headers would be good for about 40hp and its actually should lower your boost slightly which would result in a slightly cooler running engine so you would also benefit there in consistency of power vs heatsoaking

I have longtube headers and 172mm pulley and only upgrades bosch i/c pump and never have s/c shutdown and i run my car pretty hard.... you could go the 168mm pulley/headers route and be even less affected by the heat

lm7

I too am really put off by the idea of a crank pulley now. I am seriously considering the S/C pulley or headers but being in Ca the headers will be a hassle come smog time. Have you thought about the S/C pulley?

I think Craig hit the nail on the head for a stout and conservative setup that should be worry free.

FinanceMike

Nice catch. Spell check couldn't catch that slip up.


LM7,

I strongly considered the S/C pulley but after hearing how many guys have to keep re-shimming the pulley because it comes out of spec, I passed.

This is exactly why I am doing headers first. Too many pulley issues lately.

lm7

Yeah, I've been paying close attention to that feedback as well. Seems like the S/c pulley is the lesser of two evils at this point since failure may not be as immediately catastrpohic as the crank pulleys. I dont really have much option for a nice reliable gain like the LTH being in CA. Already have cooling mods and 82mm tb. Good luck with the headers I'm sure it will be sick

xpl0sive

do the headers for sure. i have a cls as well, i put in Kleemann headers, cut out both sets of cats and left the rest of the exhaust stock. car sounds almost stock at idle and cruising, but when you step on it, all hell breaks loose. gotta love the CLS mufflers....

here's a shot of the exhaust setup from underneath...



and the video for a sound sample

cahn935

going with some headers

amg guy

iTrader: (1)

CA has a new smog check in 2013. Visual and readiness check for 2000 and newer cars. Will be interesting. No more tail pipe sniffer

I Like Soup

Head always affects my dyno and Mexico runs...

But seriously, I think if you are going to do one mod, the exhaust is a good way to go (besides installing some more aggressive cooling options). If I were in the market again, I'd work with Mike and the MBH headers. As for pulleys, I don't think you can go wrong with an ASP pulley. I had a VRP 175mm pulley for a couple of years and then bought chiromikey's 180mm ASP pulley when he went with a bigger pulley a year and a half ago. I feel pretty safe, but understand the caution on the pulley front.

pullejo

Long tubes, a mild pulley (i.e. 168), tune, and bigger heat exchange is a happy safe fun route.

(Add some electronic cutouts after the LT's for more fun!)

Me with my lt's and cutouts open: FUN