S55 AMG upgrades

[maxpaul]

Have just bought an S55 AMG and I love it so much power and the sound on hard acceleration is fantastic.
However are there any simple mods that work? I know on some cars simple mods to the air box can result in power gains or more of that fantastic engine sound.
Any thoughts ?
Paul

 

[tromppost]

Mods are a good way to break a great car IMO!

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Is it a normally aspriated or supercharged engine?

If the former, then traditional tuning is your best route. Header liberate some extra power, or an aftermarket supercharger.

If the later, then changing the supercharger pulley is the most cost effective route available to you, with headers again being another option.

Both will make you whince in terms of price, and parts tend to be cheaper in the US.

 

[maxpaul]

Thanks Bobbie
The car is Supercharged and was only looking for any simple mods dont want to invest any large sums of money as it has plenty of power already
Paul

 

[kwakdonut]

Once again I am amazed that someone buys a car such as this and still wants MORE power!!!!

 

[maxpaul]

Thanks for the comments. Its not so much the power its the noise its so rewarding I would just like more!

 

[kwakdonut]

Howard put an E55 back box on his CLK430 and, apparently, sounds awesome!!

Now thats a relatively 'inexpensive' mod for more noise surely?

Of course, you could go down the Ciroen Saxo route and put a K&N 57i on your air filter.....

 

[Ian_C]

1.Take out the middle silencers / take the cat off.....
2.Ram broom handle into rear silencer to loosen some of the sound material.
3.Get someone to open up silencer, remove wadding, weld it up again

Failing that :-
Open the window when driving

ian

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

If it's about enjoying the noise, as Ian_C suggests removing the centre box and replacing with a piece of matching pipe will be the most cost effective thing to do, and should be possible for any exhaust specialist.

For power a replacement pulley is the way to go - get one from the US though rather than a UK supplier (only really Kleemann in UK) as it will be cheaper.

Member Andy_cyp will be able to suggest based upon experience.

 

[stats007]

Headers don't do much for supercharged engines as the air is already forced into the cylinders.

A simple exhaust mod as mentioned and a remap should do the trick.

 

[e55]

Look at DMS ( expensive) and other aftermarket tuners.
I know with a simple remap you can get about 30-40BHP and if you change the pulley I understand you can get about 70-80 BHP.

Let us know how you go..................or if you want a cheaper thrill just get a sprintbooster for now

 

[talbir]

Headers don't do much for supercharged engines as the air is already forced into the cylinders.

Sorry ? By Headers you are referring to the exhaust manifolds right ?

Headers are a big part of the power output equation. Headers and the exhaust will not make any more power than the engine is capable off, but will maxmise the power made. Poorly flowing headers/exhaust will cost circa 25-40bhp on an S55 engine.

Engine room is the major hurdle on improving headers, but big radius bends on the exhaust will certainly help.


talbir

 

[stats007]

Precisely - so swapping out only liberates a small gain - this has a bigger effect on NA engines as the scavenging created by the exhaust gasses leaving can be optimised by changing the exhaust manifold dimensions (headers used for Sir Bobby of Dazzle's benfit ). Forced induction means the scavenging effect is reduced.

 

[Scorcher]

Speak to Steen at Kleeman UK - he'll make your car even more of a beast

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

There's little point referring to them as exhaust manifolds if maxpaul is going to look at tuner websites - they gear the terminology towards the US as the biggest market for this stuff.

Whilst a pulley and map are at the top of the list, headers are still swapped out in the US where most of the modified 55 engines reside.

 

[d w124]

same opinion as ian.if you bypass the cat,and put a custom exhaust you will get power and amaizing sound.

 

[talbir]

same opinion as ian.if you bypass the cat,and put a custom exhaust you will get power and amaizing sound.

Bypassing exhaust will result in higher power output, but so long as there is a front box in place, otherwise too much backpressure will be lost.


talbir

PS d w124...very nice looking w124 ! alamandine red ? lowered nicely, MAE wheels ??

 

[talbir]

Precisely - so swapping out only liberates a small gain - this has a bigger effect on NA engines as the scavenging created by the exhaust gasses leaving can be optimised by changing the exhaust manifold dimensions (headers used for Sir Bobby of Dazzle's benfit ). Forced induction means the scavenging effect is reduced.

Not sure the above means anything - improvement in headers will result in increased power output and it is not immaterial. Unless one is restricted by engine room, one should change headers to maximise powers. A good set of headers will result in more net power than high-lift cams !

All the major tuners will replace the stock headers, Brabus, Kleeman etc etc. Headers are a must if you want to maximise power.



talbir

 

[stats007]

For the expense it's not really worth it - and I disagree a set of headers will give more power than high-lift cams! Backpressure isn't needed either but that's an entirely seperate can or worms...

 

[st4]

.

Let us know how you go..................or if you want a cheaper thrill just get a sprintbooster for now

Waste of time and money. All is a multiplication trick from the signal input to the signal out put. On a drive by wire car (the S55 is) it will allow a greater throttle opening for less travel on the accelerator pedal. Unless the OP had difficulty in reaching 100% accelerator travel in >1 second the mod is completely and utterly useless.

I hope the OP runs the car on superunleaded, it should make a wee difference