aguawaters

First i just want to say thanks to all the members now and in the past that have contributed all the valuable info here. I’ve done a lot of lurking and you guys have saved me much money.

With that said, I’ve had the car for a little over a year now. Always said I was going to keep it stock, But after installing a couple pulleys and seeing how easy it is to work on, as well as add so much hp to the car easy with a pulley upgrade, heat exchanger and a tune. I hear good things about split cooling too. Anyway I’ve delved into the world of upgrades.

I don’t need anything crazy, the car really is already a monster and the fastest car i’ve owned, faster than i need it to be really as we already know. But I am a speed demon and I kind of want to see what this engine is capable of. I ask about reliability because I really do daily drive this benz now although I didn’t plan for it, (pandemic made me give up the 1 series) It has held up so well despite the TLC it needs.

After I upgrade all my regular pulleys to metal ones, and replace my valve covers, and maybe a belt wrap kit, what size SC pulley is “safe” to daily, that’s all i really want to do and make it a little louder in the rear. Also what other preventative maintenance should be done to make it as reliable as it is now after an upgrade?

I now understand why the seller of this car told me “just wait your going to evenetually want to upgrade stuff on this car” when i told unplanned to keep it stock. these things are plug and play it’s too much fun.

lost27

Spend some time reading through my build thread to get an idea of what maintenance/upgrades could be in your future. Best to skip anything related to the throttle body if you want to keep it reliable.

nd-photo.nl

I just bought my CLS55, so let me chime in what I have learned:

Basically, a proper stage 0

• Oil + filter change
• Transmission service (fluids, connector, conductor plate)
• Proper spark plugs, gapped to 0.8mm
• Engine mounts + gearbox mount (Black series is a popular upgrade)
• Fuel pump + fuel sender unit
• Bosch 010 IC pump
• Both Flex discs
• Rear differential oil change

When you add power

• Split cooling
• Heat exchanger upgrade
• Belt wrap kit
• Pulleys (which you already did)
• Looped fuel rail

If you are a speed demon, then slap on some good tyres and make sure the suspension is fresh (good alignment & bushes + ball joints done)

aguawaters

Yea I’ve done a few of these like the Bosch IC pump, fresh Pirelli Pzero Nero’s ( great tires when heated up by the way and super necessary for speeds i’ve gone so far), a couple oil changes (although due for another), all spark plugs and coils (need new wires cuz im a goof and forgot to buy those). dual idler pulley but im goin to finish the rest of the pulleys. The rest I hadn’t heard of except engine mounts and a transmission service too! Im more focused on the reliability so thanks for this response. before any powers added I definitley want the car to have solid foundation

nd-photo.nl

Also brakes need to be serviced off course (fresh fluids + inspection). Consider upgrade brake pads (at least) and possibly also braided brake lines

UncleBenz55

Braided brake hoses have no benefit on the SBC, since your brake pedal is basically brake by wire.

APBTdogman

For daily driving i like the following:

-mbh longtubes with x over midpipe, stock mufflers
-77mm fixed pulley
-if you live in a warm climate a chiller is a must to enjoy these cars properly
-zerocat tcu