Rob CL's E55 Build Thread
 

Starting this to track the progress of my AMG.

I've had many v8, v6 and four-banger cars, and have always had a love for torque and sleeper status. I've been able to keep my modding habit under control with exactly -none- of them.

Some of the more notable vehicles have been as follows:

Shelby Z Daytona
Conquest TSi
Grand Cherokee Diesel (MB OM642)
300C SRT-8
Crossfire SRT-6

I soon realized it could be cheaper to switch cars when bored, rather than women. So I changed some things around and decided to aim higher.

It didn't take more than a few Google searches to discover the mod-friendly E55 (w211). After some reading and many hours on YouTube, I was hooked.


Searching the used car sites provided a lot of high-mileage cars, with and without mods; most sellers asking prices that many of us in the cult would consider fair. But I wouldn't feel as satisfied to buy a project car that was already started.

I got lucky in July of 2013, when I spotted what was to be my 2005, with just 24k miles on the clock, and one owner. Being on vacation at the time, I placed a deposit on the credit card, and told the dealership that I'd need the full background on the car. -And they didn't disappoint.

After the 6-hour trek to take delivery, it took about three seconds to understand why such a love for these cars exists. All I had to do was lay eyes on the E55 in person, and I was hooked.
Attachment 388868

Per usual, I wanted to wait on mods until I'd had the opportunity to make a few drag strip runs, get the time nice and low (at altitude) then begin switching out parts.

I netted a 12.3@114 at about 1,200' above sea level, not including positive DA. I was pleased with this result. So, naturally, it was time to start ordering toys for the toy.


One of the first mods (a simple one) was added in summer 2014... A very tasteful carbon spoiler... Eye candy for sure.

Attachment 388869

Somewhere around 30k the driver's side header developed a tick under load. So rather than foot the bill to repair the stock system, I decided to order some mid-length headers.... And a bigger heat exchanger, because why not..?
http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/s...psepdpzktm.jpg
Attachment 388870

And wow... Wasn't ready for the in-your-face appearance of the bigger cooler. But hey, I think it looks great!
Attachment 388871
[to be continued]

Here's a short clip from my buddy's farm road. Not too bad for just two mods (H/E, Mids)...

Awesome!!!:y:y

I started out the same way. 04 with 22k and ran 12.2 @ 112mph:D

Now I'm here...........:crazy::nix:

Good luck!!!:y:y

That's great to hear!

That's how I started. I then left the scene for awhile...stopped modding but now I'm back. Just need to do my throttle body and loop my fuel rail.

Good luck with your 55! :)

I remember the same excitiment 8 years ago! Enjoy!

Uh-oh... You're screwed now :)

lol awesome! Can't wait to see what happens to her

Thanks for all the feedback, gents. Definitely excited to experience the full potential of this awesome car.

Waiting on some ECU tuning, so figured I'd add an acceleration clip... Enjoy.

Update: At 35k miles, the stock intercooler pump seems to have given up (hoping there's not a blockage in my new exchanger, but we'll stay positive on this one).
Attachment 387617

Time to order a new, bigger unit. I like the Johnson pumps, but have heard all kinds of mixed feedback.

Should I go for the Meziere, or Bosch unit instead? I don't have a trunk tank, just the bigger H/E. I think while I have it apart, I'll install the cooling split also.

And feedback is welcomed.

Bosch 010

Meziere WP136

Very nice build thus far! Look forward to more stuff and your progression. Good luck and congrats! :y

Attachment 374776

Finally got around to putting in the 010 pump. Man, what a difference! And after the glycerin bath my skin has never been smoother.

Tonight was a good night!


Attachment 373966

Only mods are the headers, box tune and this lovely heat exchanger I bought from Shardul. Track elevation is around 1,200' with another several hundred adjusted for DA (about 2,700' for this run).

Still, I'm quite impressed with this, on stock boost too!

very nice !!! well done !!!

Very nice!

Damn, 14.88 isn't to bad for your mods:)

Right you are! Didn't even air down, lift the suspension, or nothing. That Monte Carlo on the left was running 89oct I think! :nix:

UPDATE!

New personal best at the track this weekend during a private rental. Overall, I'm pretty happy with the results so far, though I think she's got 1-2 tenths left in her current form.

Your's truly on the left, vs a modded ZL1 Camaro. I'm still running Michelin PSS out back, full weight, pump 93oct. The Camaro had DRs, unknown (if any) other mods.
http://i59.tinypic.com/t7mixc.jpg

Congrats! That is awesome.

Thanks! I was pretty stoked with such a low 60'. I'm sure there have likely been others near or even better, but I still did a little in-seat dance when I saw the slip.

:zoom:

Damn, I need to get a tune! I managed a best of 11.96 at 500' DA last weekend with only long tubes, H/X, and hoosiers. Your 60' times are very impressive for running on street tires!

Whose boxed tune are you running?

What did your slip look like?

And Eurocharged. All the way.

I think that's pretty respectable for her short time taken to the track. I've never ran my car so with that said. Very happy for you!
It's very rewarding.

This was my best run ever:

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...e4e9a57da1.jpg