bcurtis

I posted a similar thread a few months ago and am posting again want more specific advice. I live in Texas and am racing 2 other friends this fall (maybe in November when its cooler). We plan to race 3 times (20-140mph, 40-140mph, and 60-140mph). I have the E55 AMG, one friend has the CLS55 AMG and our mutual friend has the 2013 SRT8 Challenger.

I know the CLS55 and my car have the same motor but I read on Edmunds that the E55 (my car) has a better drag coefficient than the CLS55 (0.27 vs 0.31) and I'm not sure how this might change the outcome of the race. The SRT8 has the same horsepower as we do but its 300 lbs heavier and has a higher drag coefficient than both of the V8 Compressors.

Do you guys have any advice for me that would help we win the race? I know the race between the CLS55 and myself should be close but I'm hoping some advice will give me the edge.

Should I be in sport mode or manual transmission? Should the suspension be lowered to sport mode 1, 2, or comfort? Please advise. Keep in mind we are racing from a 20 roll, 40 roll, and 60 roll.

Thanks,
Bry

HeissRod

I would think that the Challenger will be left by the other 2 cars, especially on the initial torque jump.

viren.89

All of you running stock ?

If you will be racing from dig then - raise the suspension and in comfort mode.

Keep it in "S" mode transmission in 2 gear or 1st (depending on tires and all) and let it shift on its own.

I think 1st gear would be useless but maybe others can chime in on the gear number.

bcurtis

Everyone is stock (to my knowledge lol). Heiss: is the initial torque jump (the pull) harder at 20mph, 40mph, or 60mph? Do you think the lower drag in the E55 will give it an advantage over the CLS55?

viren.89: you mean press the raise button right? or do you mean put it in comfort mode?

SPatykAMG

Yes from a dig you should put it in raised mode for weight transfer. As far as the rolls go do not launch out of sport, use manual so you can set the correct gear ahead of time since at some speed sport will not downshift low enough. You should be able to beat both of them. Might as well do a EC box tune ahead of time to insure the win.

SterlingE55

The E55 is also lighter than the CLS. Most important thing is your heat exchanger pump. Change it out with the 010 Bosch version so you know you have a fresh pump. Cooling is the key to success with these cars.

What part of Texas?

SPatykAMG

Sterling55 is right especially doing multiple pulls like that your IATs will get very high.

bcurtis

Sterling: I am in the DFW area. He brags that he will beat me cause he has more racing experience. I also agree with you on the cooling. When its hot I can only get 2-3 good runs before the supercharger feels as though its not engaging (I guess due to the heat). How much are the heat e-xchangers?

marcmaddox

I own both a 05 E55 and a 2013 300 SRT-8...you got this if your car is running well and the 010 pump is a must have!

bcurtis

Marc: LOL! How much faster is your E55 than the C300 SRT8? The guy with the CLS is a big bragger. LOL! I've always heard the E55 was a better drag car than the CLS55.

SterlingE55

Haha if you were at a drag strip I could see where experience might play into it but not from a roll.

You can go frozen boost for a couple hundred (I forget) or eurocharged for about double (I think $400). Don't quote me on those.

marcmaddox

From a dead stop the E and the SRT ET in a quarter about the same (stock to stock) the big difference is in the trap speed. The E has an easy 3-5 mph advantage in the quarter and it keeps pulling beyond that. So, from a roll you should pull the SRT the whole way. I have no experience with the CLS.

bcurtis

Marc & Sterling: What is the rev limiter in the E55? When my car shifts it seems to go all the way down to 6700-6800 rpms. I'm not sure if the guy who owned the car before me did any work to it. I need to get a dyno done. LOL!

marcmaddox

If you don't have the newer Bosch 010 pump...get one ASAP! It really made a big difference in my car. Also, I got a tune from OE Tuning and it made a very noticeable difference!

marcmaddox

Try this...manually shift your trans into 1st with the button while in Sport mode. Accelerate and it should shift itself into the next gear at redline (seems to up shift harder this way as well, but may be my imagination). I think it's damn near impossible to time up shifts in manual mode without hitting the limiter.

MindBend

Get that upgraded pump in there for sure. A stealthy meth install wouldn't hurt either!

Rear tire pressure is key for your launch (ask the drag racers here what it should be for street tires).

taurran

Also remember to do the sneaky ECU reset before you head out to run.

My buddy here has a Challenger SRT 392 and I'd like to see how that one stacks up.

cij911

If he has "race experience" and is already bragging, he may have undisclosed modifications ....I would definitely mod the car properly before the race - headers, split cooling, larger heat exchanger, crank or s/c pulley, and a tune of course....

bcurtis

taurran: what is a sneaky ecu reset? how do you do it?

cij911

It won't make your car faster...just resets the shift points...that said once you go WOT, the shift points occur with a different mapping, so it really will have no effect on your race.

HeissRod

https://mbworld.org/forums/w211-amg/...set-works.html

SilverStrk

If you want to win here's my 02. Heat exchanger, new pump 010, tune, and throw on a smaller SC pulley just to be sure.. If the CLS guy is already bragging don't be surprised if he isn't telling you the truth that he's stock.. Spend some money and race them for some money, win the money and recoup some of Your mod money... Good Luck

EREBUS

I've got a CLS55 and live in Southlake/Keller. I would love to race you guys.

taurran

I always seem to get more responsive downshifts in sport mode at a roll. Unless he's running exclusively in manual mode, it should make a difference.

trev0006

+1 was going to say the same thing.