Heat exchanger decision
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Joined: Sep 2019
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CL55
Heat exchanger decision
Hey guys I have researched on the forums and other places about which H/E would be the best. From what I have read PB5 is just a frozen boost h/e and FTP is also a frozen boost h/e but he cuts the ends and rewelds it? So my only other options that I know of are PLM, VRP, Weistec and dtk which has that big front mount h/e but people say they have bad welds? as for PLM I am talking about the 25% bigger one since its competition is the vrp v2.
Fitment does not really matter since I have a CL so any H/E will require some cutting and finessing to fit. Obviously I cant find a direct comparison between all these h/e with the same setup and the same outside temp.
DTK is at the bottom of my list since I have heard bad stuff about their welds and my CL already has a big stock h/e infront of the radiator so not sure how it will like if I add another one in the way.
VRP is at the top of my list but unfortunately they are out of stock for now.
PLM might be the one I go with unless someone here can convince me to wait on the vrp one?
I have not heard too much about the Weistec h/e
Also for $179 I could get a frozen boost which is the same one ftp and pb5 sell but I've read it weighs a ton and the cooling is not that good??
Sorry if you find this post unnecessary, I have a bit of an ocd when trying to figure out what to buy for my car.
I live in Florida so cooling is #1 for me and I do not want a killer chiller, it looks hard to install for me and I have read people have problems with their ac temps in the cabin, I really need my ac here :/
If you have a H/E for sale please pm me I do not mind buying used.
Fitment does not really matter since I have a CL so any H/E will require some cutting and finessing to fit. Obviously I cant find a direct comparison between all these h/e with the same setup and the same outside temp.
DTK is at the bottom of my list since I have heard bad stuff about their welds and my CL already has a big stock h/e infront of the radiator so not sure how it will like if I add another one in the way.
VRP is at the top of my list but unfortunately they are out of stock for now.
PLM might be the one I go with unless someone here can convince me to wait on the vrp one?
I have not heard too much about the Weistec h/e
Also for $179 I could get a frozen boost which is the same one ftp and pb5 sell but I've read it weighs a ton and the cooling is not that good??
Sorry if you find this post unnecessary, I have a bit of an ocd when trying to figure out what to buy for my car.
I live in Florida so cooling is #1 for me and I do not want a killer chiller, it looks hard to install for me and I have read people have problems with their ac temps in the cabin, I really need my ac here :/
If you have a H/E for sale please pm me I do not mind buying used.
Last edited by MartinWake; Nov 12, 2020 at 01:51 AM.
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From: Indianapolis
2004 E55.98 SS Camaro.Jetta TDI. Expedition
I would do the the VRP secondary heat exchanger. The DTK is big and harder to install. People don't like the welds. It's nothing to look at but I have not heard of the newer one leaking
Last edited by Ls1toAMG; Nov 11, 2020 at 03:43 PM.
Thread Starter
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CL55
vrp 2ndary is the one that goes infront of radiator right? Not sure if it will fit on the cl since my stock heatexchanger is already there
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CL55
At the bottom where the e class has its stock heat exchanger mine does not have it so there it will get its own fresh air
I'd have to see its not a bad idea but just not 100% sure it will fit.
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Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2019
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CL55
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 70
Likes: 10
From: Porter Ranch, Ca.
W210, W164, W220, W222
Thread Starter
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CL55
My bad, I didn't realize you had a longer version of the video. You're description sounds correct to me. And yes, as for the S55 a primary H/E sandwich to the radiator and a auxiliary cooler at the valance. A few years ago while getting my car service at a local tuner shop in Orange County they were installing a PLM on a CL65 (granted if the front crash bar is similar to a CL55?), the fitment looked good with very minimal modification to mount it. With your setup, I feel the VRP secondary H/E would impede flow on the generous sized factory exchanger. Go with a valance mount, just my 2 cents. Good Luck!
