Originally Posted by James M

Maybe 2-3 months because I am now broke again after the exhaust and IC pump. I could just about afford modding my C32 but the E55 is another story - thankfully the build quality is top notch so I don't have to keep replacing irritating parts like valeo radiators, alternators, starter motors, electric window mechs and satnav LCD screens, etc - just tyres, brake pads and fuel. I was just looking at a quote I got from another reputable tuner and he guarantees only 50kw with crank pulley, decat and software. Now I am doubting my figures, but lets wait and see, because I know he is very conservative with his mods. I also spoke to a chap in Umhlanga who reckons his E55 makes 550kw rear wheels without nitrous? This is why I hate figures because everyone has their own. Either your car drops X or it doesn't - finished and klaar.

Originally Posted by James M

I dunno, have a look at a thread on this forum titled: Jerry EC tune = 605whp. Amazing results from just a tune! I might not be far off at all.
I agree about sea level vs us at 1800m above it. Thats what I love about S/C cars vs N/A - we have an unfair advantage over them. Maybe I should only get my car dynoed at the coast - just might never come home again afterwards.
Will keep you posted in a few months and hook up for a run to see the difference between our 2 cars.

Originally Posted by James M

Just figured out why your figures seem so low and mine seem so high.
You are quoting rwhp and I am quoting engine kw/hp - it all makes sense now.
I know my method is *** backward and rwhp is the true measurement, but I suppose I have been around dealers to long who quote engine output to inflate their figures. Jeez, you must have been tearing your hair out?
I am gunning for 400kw or 540hp on the engine with just a pipe and tune for starters (easy), after that with pulley and meth we will see if I can get to 600 engine hp.
Sorry for your troubles.

Originally Posted by James M

Guess I have forgotten how it is done since I sold my C32 - always swore by what was on the rear wheels and laughed at guys who quoted engine output (La la land exactly). Been out of the game for 2 years and had an ML320 cdi and a Suzuki Jimny in between AMG's so my brain obviously turned to mush and I bought into the sales pitch BS again like a 12 year old. I hate that AMG's run so damn hot up here - mine is always between 95 - 100 degrees. I spoke to a mate who owns a major engine rebuild company and he reckons that it is normal and safe because the newer technology allows engines to operate more efficiently at higher temps. This is why I have my heart set on meth/water. It is cheap, not to bad to install, makes more power with higher octane, steam cleans your pistons, drops your engine temp & charge temp, and allows you to safely advance your timing quite a bit. Just not in the mood to have a large reservoir in my boot yet and no space up front.

Originally Posted by James M

What you are mentioning sounds like the dreaded supercharger heat soak. I had it in my C32 and found it very quickly in my E55. I can do one good run, but have to cool the car off before I can repeat it - which is damn annoying when racing from robot to robot against a car you know you can destroy. I spent weeks researching and decided to go for the Bosch 010 IC pump upgrade because the johnson CM30 and Mezziere are not available in SA. Bosch are sold out in SA and in Germany(where they are manufactured) so I bought one off Ebay from the States, which should have been delivered last Friday, but good old SA customs has other ideas so I don't know when I will get it. It is an easy DIY install and sorts out most of your IC shutdown problems, but if you are more serious then you need a trunk cooler (simple split cooling is not adequate from what I have read). If you want I have contact details of a guy in Umhlanga who imports trunk coolers and other bits?

Originally Posted by James M

You mentioned you are going to upgrade your heat exchanger - are you going to custom fit an intercooler in front of your radiator? The heat issues with these cars seems to never end and I cant find any other way that would work better.
I am also not into installing a trunk tank and would be very interested in how to go about installing an intercooler. I met a C32 fanatic who was so desperate that last I heard he was going to cut a hole in his bonnet and install a Subaru type, water injected, intercooler because of lack of space up front.

Originally Posted by James M

I haven't looked at the E55 charge cooler yet, but if it is anything like the C32 then how do you upgrade it? Wasn't it sandwiched between the S/C and cylinder heads? My brain is working overtime and I am trying to come up with either an air cooler - turbo inter cooler style - mounted in front of the radiator (lots of plumbing) or a second small water cooler also mounted in front of the radiator plumbed into the existing charge cooling hose system. I reckon I can buy the small radiator here for under 1 grand and the hoses and clamps for under R 200.00. I don't think the upgraded Bosch 010 will have a problem with the extra liquid and there is no need to change wiring, just a few extra hoses and a few more litres of liquid in the existing system. Beats the hell out of a trunk tank cooler IMO. I must apologize to you again because I have once again quoted my expected power gains for sea level and totally forgot that I have lived in Joburg for most of my life - one of these days I will get it right.
The bucks factor with these cars in SA is a killer and waiting for imported parts that may or may not arrive is a pain in the ...... and whats going on with the costs of living/no work available and high cost of living in SA at the moment? If my wife finds out how much my exhaust cost and how much a tune is going to cost, I am a dead man. Reckon maybe 2 years of slowly budgeting and upgrading - by then the twin turbo 5.5L E-class will be out and we have to start all over again!

Originally Posted by James M

You hit the nail on the head - didn't know there was a front mount cooler. That's exactly what I am going to do - replace that little bugger for the biggest I can get. Easy job, but do you still need to split it after a bigger cooler? To my understanding splitting is installing another small reservoir inside the engine bay that holds 1-2L max? Wish we could just scavenge from the aircond and plumb it in to the intercooler - that would be seriously cool.
Luckily for me I am self employed and every now and then a customer pays in cash so I set it aside for 'car funds'. I get caught when the car is gone for a week to get something done! Yes this is a disease - last night I spent a few hours perving over some dudes Lime green, twin turbo Lambo Gallardo with 1250RWHP. That thing is stupid fast and I really, really need one. Wanna open a Teazers with me - Lolly had plenty cars in his garage?
Anyway I am chuffed that what I was planning to do, has already been done so it wont be hard to find info and advice. My new mod list is: install IC pump (if it ever gets here), upgrade front cooler, tune. That should do it for this year and next year I can look at crank pulley and meth, unless 2014 is like 2013 finacially. When will this damn recession end????

Originally Posted by James M

Which dyno do you use or recommend? My C32 was only dynoed once at Mr. Turbo, but that is too far away. I live near Sandton, but don't mind driving to a good dyno, especially if the price is good.
Wife comment is too true - whatever happened to 'prevention is better than cure'.

Originally Posted by James M

Sounds perfect because AMG conversions is just across the road and they probably use that dyno as well. Thanks - going to give them a ring tomorrow.
My exhaust is starting to 'break in' and sounds better and better everyday. When I start my car in the morning I always get a fright because it sounds like a DTM monster for the first few seconds before it settles. Just wish that damn Bosch pump would arrive so I can go and sort some M3's out this weekend.