biminiLX

Hello everyone, great site that I am just getting used to.
I am VERY well-versed in Mustang tuning (1200hp '91LX turbo car and I have a 2014 GT500 on order), but this is my first AMG.

One year ago I bought a nice 2004 E55 for my DD with 94k for $20k.
I am the 3rd owner, bought from the same dealer where sold new and sold CPO.
The car is excellent and completely stock with the exception of K&N filters and an E63 rear spoiler, I love it.

It just past 110,000 miles and I want to do a few upgrades and maintenance, prior to me it was always been well maintained from the dealer (prior to purchase just had new fuel pumps for the recall).

Thankfully, my good friend is a MB tech and I can get OEM parts cheap.
We have the following plan:

Full tune up
OEM brakes and front suspension (control arms/links, etc)
NGK plugs NGK LFR7AIX
'Shardul' 84mm upper pulley/belt wrap kit/new belt
SC pulley/clutch rebuild
Logic Lab tune
Sonic tuning replica staggered 18" wheels (http://www.sonictuning.com/wheels/18...staggered.html) with Michelin Pilot Super Sport rubber 245/40 and 275/35

I want to keep it a dependable DD, just a bit more power while doing the maintenance.
Please let me know, any advice appreciated, thanks
-J

PACougar

I'm not sure what you mean by SC pulley/clutch rebuild if you're going to install a smaller SC pulley? Honestly I would get a set of Kleeman headers as well, that'll really go well with the SC pulley!

biminiLX

He was going to change the SC bearing due to the miles, I may not be explaining that correctly, he knows what he's doing though
It really is a DD, so I was going to hold off on headers, I like the quiet factory exhaust.
Headers and a custom H-pipe maybe in future, I have a great exhaust fab guy for the mid-pipe.
I do worry about the factory cats with the miles.
-J

PACougar

The bearing is part of the new SC pulley, so no need to change anything. The nice thing about the Kleemans is you don't have to replace the mid pipe plus they won't add much sound to the exhaust, just more go.

SterlingE55

This.

With these cars if you simply keep the factory mufflers almost regardless of what you do in front of that she will stay mild and quiet. It's nice bc you have that option. The interior is also so well insulated unless you put on loud mufflers or have a drone you barely notice the exhaust unless you roll down the windows in a tunnel.

biminiLX

Thanks guys, lets forget exhaust for now, that is a future plan.

How does the rest of the plan look?
-J

SterlingE55

Don't use OEM brake pads if you like your wheels clean. Akebono or EBC Red stop better, feel better, and less brake dust. Everything else looks good except for cooling. I believe even stock these things benefit for an aftermarket HE and maybe in split cooling. Looking forward to seeing her progress.

60nomad

Biminilx...you're from Fla?

All of the little mods like tune, better cold air, k&n filters and headers are not going to change your daily driving one bit...actually better gas mileage if not romping on it. These things, done by the right guy, is a pretty good difference!

...and what sterling says above is ohhhh soooooo true! I needed brakes badly when I got my car and just went and bought mercedes pads and slapped them on and the brake dust is sickening and they sqeak! Checking on a new brake setup now. Bottom line is I wasted $300 or so on the pads, maybe $330! I got them cheap but what a waste!

Toadster

Colder Plugs - NGK's are great!

S/C Pulley - fantastic!

Akebono brake pads - when mine are due I'm doing these! Less dust!

I've thought about getting Shardul's belt-wrap kit to be honest as well...

Kleeman headers would be a cheap (insert comment here) upgrade @ $1k too...

if you're running in the heat - either upgrade your cooling (bigger H/E) or convert to a Killer Chiller

kompressede

I didn't see an esu tune on your list? That will free up horsepower and it will still be a nice dd.

Don't do oem pads, and you should consider headers if you have a 1200hp car you should be very happy getting additional HP and will be a very nice DD, while getting better MPG.

Toadster

looks like he's doing a Logic Lab ECU tune

biminiLX

Toadster: Thank you very much for the links, just getting into researching the mod potential for this car and it is very impressive. My good friend doing the work and my brother who used to work at a MB dealership always told me to drive an E55, sure enough, first MB I've ever driven and I will probably drive AMGs for DDs for life, already spoiled

60nomad: Moved back to Ohio from PA, I was just in Florida for a Mustang drag race.
I am on most Mustang/SVT boards, I'm hoping to win a few True Street races this year with my '91 LX (bimini blue).

I'll try and get some pics of the cars and the AMG up here soon.

Thanks again guys.
-J

Manuyc

post some pics brah