BBBSS

The things I heard about the pistons in early 03's being weak has me worried about modding my car. Wondering who has a pulley or headers or other performance mods on earlier 03's and how long you've ran it like that. I'm not looking to set records but a pulley and headers would be something I'd like to do. Hate to have to sell the car and move to an 04-06 over this.

03'55AMG

I have an early 2003 too, June build date, and have never heard of weaker pistons, any links on here explaining? This is a scary thought.

vioilio

Bruce from TTM told me that the weaker pistons were in the cars produced until 03/2003. Any car produced after that does not have this problem.

BBBSS

I'm an 05/03 build according to the sticker in the door jamb with the VIN and paint code and whatnot.

Trying to find the threads I read this in, but I know Shardul was saying building an 03 was a bad idea. Something with the rings, never did get clarification. I've seen in brought up twice, maybe three times now. If it is indeed 03/03 and earlier only then I am hopefully fine but I'd sure like to know for sure before I pop a motor!

In this thread Shardul says it was 06/03 that the pistons were updated.

http://www.p lanetsupercar.com/forum/showthread.php?t=21016&page=1

Here's the thread saying don't build anything before 06/03 according to Shardul.
https://mbworld.org/forums/w211-amg/...-question.html

shardul

iTrader: (1)

I think they had different rings.

03'55AMG

Uh oh. I mistook myself. Our car was delivered to us in June, not built in June. Ill have to look now... Fingers crossed

BBBSS

Gotta be some history of blown motors if they had a bad design or weak parts though? As much as I look I only see one car that had an issue with ring lands that was an 03 but no one ever determined the real cause it seems. Owner felt he got a car that was hurt when he bought it as he had to tear the motor down 4K miles after buying it and the ECM had evidence of being messed with by a tuner.

BBBSS

Check the tag on the B pillar when you open the drivers door. Looks like this.

vioilio

Mine is 05/03

BBBSS

What mods do you have if I may ask?

vioilio

Brabus K8 Performance Package
Brabus LSD Differential with 40% Lock
Brabus Built Supercharger
Brabus Additional Custom Heat Exchanger (in series with Evosport Heat exchanger)
TTM/ARH Long Tube Headers with 1-7/8” primaries + X-Pipe
Kleemann Sport Camshafts
VRP 80MM Throttle Body Kit
Eurocharged 84mm Smaller Supercharger Pulley +2psi
Fabtech-Performance Looped Fuel Rail with 6AN Fittings
Bosch EV14 550cc 6 Hole Fuel Injectors
NGK Iridium LFR7AIX Step Colder Plugs
Magnecor KV85 8.5mm Ignition Wires
Johnson CM90 Pump Big Boy
Evosport Kompressor Cooling Package
Evosport Perfromance Rotors Kit (Front+Rear)
Evosport Phenolic Heat Spacer Kit
Evosport Green Filters
Needswings Intake Manifold Rubber/Cork 1/16” gaskets
Carbon Imports Carbon Fiber "Beast" Intake Tubes
TTM Intake Scoops

AKnight55

Now that's a nice list of mods

vioilio

More to come......

vioilio

Those up there are the GO mods Still more to come......

Here are the SHOW mods:

RENNtech Digital Lowering Module V2 with Remote
19" HRE 547R with Chrome lips and Powder coated faces and barrels
19x8.5 ET 35 with 245/35/19
19x10 ET 38 with 285/30/19
OEM W219 CLS63 Instrument Cluster Retrofit done by ME
OEM MB Comand NTG1 DVD Navigation Retrofit done by ME
W211 E63 Front Bumper conversion
Brabus Front Carbon Fiber Lip
Vorsteiner Rear Carbon Fiber Diffuser
Expression Motorsport Rear Trunk Spoiler
Lorinser Roof Spoiler
Eagle Eyes LED Smoked Taillights
K40 Hardwired Radar System with Laser Jammers

Future Modifications:
OEM MB Power Folding Mirrors Retrofit
OEM MB Distronic Retrofit
OEM W211 E63 Facelift Headlights Retrofit

And some pictures:

I Like Soup

Mine is August of '03, so I guess my experience won't matter much. I've got a bigger pulley and a long tube exhaust with no issues, for what its worth.

Check with chiromikey, he modded the **** out of his '03, but I don't know when his build date is.

chawkins2001

I thought I was modded

vioilio

I forgot to put Shardul's Belt Wrap kit in the list and custom Eurocharged Tune

Icandr55

05/03 build. Kleeman chip, pulley, headers, primary cat delete, K&N filters. All work done in '06 with 25k mi. Now has 55k on it, at track frequently, no problems. Has run as fast as 11.75 at 122.5 mph on a cool nite in WI.

WHTEVO

Whats that little reservoir for? Part of the cooling upgrade?

Aaron

vioilio

Yes, this reservoir came with the Evosport cooling package and it is used for the supercharger coolant system split. I'm thinking to replace it with 03-04 Mustang Cobra Reservoir.

BBBSS

Well I guess I won't be selling the beast for a new one after all. Thanks for everyone's input, I've had this in the back of my head since I read it and it bugged me. Especially after going through and doing a lot of maintenance just to get everything in tip top shape before modding.

vioilio

Keep it and enjoy it! One thing I know is that there are a lot of myths and legends out there. I heard bad stories about early E39 M5's and E46 M3's and their rod bearings. I used to own 2000 M5 and currently own 2002 M3 (my wife's) and never ever actually had any problems with them.