arcbmwz3

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Hey everyone. I'm trying to get as much information as possible on the general Kleemann upgrades as possible. I plan on purchasing a new 350 or 55 SLK next year, but I'm a planner and enjoy having well thought out modifications to my cars.

With that said, I am trying to determine which car along with a few selected upgrades really make for the best overall balanced car. For instance, with just the kompressor it appears the 55 has huge gains in power, but does this power come at the expense of changing the driving characteristics of the car? To much wheel spin without a limited slip? Too much power for the chasis? etc.

Or, does the new 350 by adding a kompressor become an altogether different vehicle and even surpass the base 55 (assuming the 350 has the AMG suspension upgrades)?

So, I would really like to hear opinions from Kleemann "upgraders" what their experiences have been with their upgrades and what they think of the 350 vs the 55 with those upgrades.


PS...I would also like to hear from anyone about US shops that have their trust that provide the work for the Kleeman upgrades.

Thanks in advance.

alroumi

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Hello and thank you for bringing up this topic, I've had my fair and share with Kleemann and I can only tell you that I am really satisfied in having one of the professionals in the industry work on my car.

I have the full bolt ons which include Headers with downpipes, secondary race catalytics, Green filters, SuperSprint/Carlsson x pipe, Ecu upgrade derestricted for 98 octane and I must say the car is a real sleeper it really stacks up with the faster and more powerful cars due to its torque and availability at lower rpms. The car feels more powerful downlow due to the free flowing exhausts and ther larger diameter in comparison to the oem headers which are tight and small in diameter.

The car launches violently now and I've launched it from a stop and even with wheelspin the car catapults aggressively without having to burn too much rubber and staying in one position.

Here is my narrative from the upgrades,

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Today is a day I will truly remember for the rest of my life,

I am extremely moved with the joy that I received when I got my precious SLK 55 home. Let me first start of by telling you how powerful the car is at the moment, you've got to experience the torque curve to see how fast my baby monster catapults from the lower rpm's to its 6,700 rpm. The car is one ultimate sleeper if you are judging it by its looks, however open the tap and this thing will move like there is no tomorow, I was patiently waiting at the service counter in all silence reading the Mercedes Middle east magazine when I heard a thundering growl that is getting closer and closer. I said sounds familiar, like a mother recognizing her childs voice however it has matured and sounds even louder and deeper.

I told the service assistant I will be back shortly, I went out and saw my beautiful pride and joy parked outside glistering nicely showing of its nice metallic dark brown hue in Kuwait's hot daylight. I was lost, didnt know what to say and how to thank them for providing me with this terrific service; we then took the car for a drive and wow, the SLK has really gotten more powerful and I can assure you that I can feel the change in performance.

For any of you would like to do upgrades, Kleemann is a great company as they have called me a couple of times during this process directly from Denmark and I appreciate them for checking with their customers. I know its been a long long time since I've created this thread, but the end the wait is worth it as I am really torn up how to start and end this narrative. Its like waiting for your newly ordered SLK to arrive but in a shorter time line.

I am more than thankful for having the opportunity to have a nice car at this life time and I owe it all to hard work and determination in work. I think this might be my last modification as things are getting more expensive to upgrade it to the next level which are cams, supercharger and lsd.

Well, I always go with this saying " Be thankful for what you've got" and I am really blessed and very excited that I didnt get the CHECK ENGINE LIGHT after many attempts of having to be the Stig around the streets next to the dealership and at home.

I hope you've enjoyed my narrative as I've tried my best to write it in a short time because I know you guys are tempted to read it as soon as possible due to the long wait.

For those of you who are going to modify now or in the near future, I'd stick to professionals in the industry like Kleemann,renntech, carlsson, brabus and the other european tuners. What ever that they may be, you will be one satisfied customer at the end of the day.

Well, I've enjoyed keeping you up to date in the last few months and I really have to go to work right now.

The thread for my work, http://www.slkworld.com/amgs/5157-kl...beastly-5.html

Good luck.

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06 Kleemann Designo Mocha Black SLK55 AMG
06 Porsche Cayenne S
07 Jaguar XKR Coupe'

I use the Torque and keep the HP for my Steak Sauce!

arcbmwz3

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Thank you Alroumi for your response and I enjoyed reading your narrative. I have also listened to your video of your exhaust system and it sounded great!

Regarding the work on car...I definately plan on having a professional do it! Some things I can do, but when you are dealing with cars like the SLK, I prefer to leave it to those that know the "ins aout outs".

I certainly noticed the green filters are almost a "required" first upgrade in most applications of the SLK and that will certainly be done regardless of whether I go 350 or 55.

I am familiar with Brabus, but had forgotten about Renntech, thanks for that reminder as now I can also add them and Carlsson to the list to research possible "stage" upgrade options.

alroumi

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No problem, I am here to help glad to help a newbie with the modifications as I know when your into a new forum you get lost with the manditory items and suggestions.

Good luck.

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06 Kleemann Designo Mocha Black SLK55 AMG
06 Porsche Cayenne S
07 Jaguar XKR Coupe'

I use the Torque and keep the HP for my Steak Sauce!

Ynot

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Is the Kleemann SC out yet for the 350? I checked a year ago and Kleemann was still working on it. I asked for pricing and was sticker shock, I can trade my SLK350 for a SLK55 and still have some money left over for mods. It suppose to give you close to 400bhp and will outperform a stock SLK55. I don't think it's worth going that route, just get a SLK55

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06' SLK 350, Iridium/Ash all pkgs. 6-spd, 19" DCR.


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DansSlk

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I will keep it short and sweet.

Get the 55 purely because it has the most stable and mature engine of the series that is understood by tuners, then drop in a Renntech S/C and headers.

The reason i say Renntech for the S/C is because it involves the least amount of butchering to the car during the install and because they recognize and accept that they will have to provide a lower output than say a Merc factory unit because the N/A engine has a much higher compression ratio than its S/C twin, not all tuner's respect this and go for higher output but at the expense of engine reliability and life.

Stay below 500 and the car will be alright, the life of the gearbox will be reduced but that's about all, you will also need a LSD fitted with an S/C to get the power onto the road.

Go above 500 and is gets detrimental to the shell and it will twist and warp until seal's start to fail (trust me i know), if you do plan on going above 500 then you will need some sort of strengthening of the chassis and it comes at the expense of weight.

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arcbmwz3

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Once again, thank you for the replies.

Well, with the early analysis in from the members, it looks like the 55 is the way to go. Kind of what I thought with it's "packaged" built in upgrades already included.

DansSlk, you cut to the heart of the matter. I was afraid that the torque produced by some mods would compromise the chasis. I had overlooked the transmission. Silly me. I definately didn't want to move over 500 bhp, but knew that I wanted more than stock...Also, a LSD is almost required at the hp/torque these cars produce, even with limited mods....especially in a RWD car. (I'm use to AWD). Not to mention, it seems like 500 bhp is the breakpoint on many cars where performance overtakes reliability.

DansSLK, also I'm at a loss, (a newb as Ynot pointed out! ) regarding the NA model vs the Euro model? The Euro model comes with a SC option that the NA market doesn't have for the 55? If so, can you get a Euro car with a European delivery and shipped to the US?

DansSlk

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The SLK55 is only sold with a N/A engine but the engine is the same as the one used in the 55 Kompressor series car's, all AMG do is remove the S/C and make some changes to the compression ratio to tune it for N/A work.

All supercharger's fitted to SLK's are retrofit job's.

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arcbmwz3

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The reason i say Renntech for the S/C is because it involves the least amount of butchering to the car during the install and because they recognize and accept that they will have to provide a lower output than say a Merc factory unit because the N/A engine has a much higher compression ratio than its S/C twin, not all tuner's respect this and go for higher output but at the expense of engine reliability and life.

Thanks again Dan. I have visited the Renntech site. Just a further question, realizing that now I have probably been in the wrong topic all along, what kind of butchering are you refering to? When I destire mods, I tend to not like to hear terms like "fabricate", "machining", soldering", etc. "Enhance" yes, "Re-design" no.

It sounds like Renntech is the path to choose within the USA. Alroumi seems to have found a smoothe natural progression, but I'm not sure how available it is in the US.

DansSlk

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Butchering is drilling holes, welding pieces on, changing part's and so on.

All of the supercharger's require varying degree's of modification to the chassis to support all the ancillary component's they require.

You have to think about intercooler's and so on.

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dltslk

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Dan,

What about the Kleeman SC? I know a couple of people on the site have them and seem to like them.

DansSlk

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Nothing wrong with the Kleemann at all it's a fine unit, perhaps pushing it on the reliability front but i was talking about Renn because of the little thing's that add up.

Like you can continue using your stock airbox with it for example.

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dltslk

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Thanks mate!

SLK 55 Kleemann

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Im happy with my Kleemann 55, I have everything Kleemann offers for the 55, Supercharger, headers, racecams, ECU, LSD, 3" exhaust with racecats, reprogrammed gearbox, +300 rpm.
I had 535 hp/735 Nm before I added the exhaust, so maybe another 10% of power.
I have some problems with the traction, its to powerful from start, but from 50 km/h - 300 km/h

dltslk

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Dan, when you say pushing reliability do you mean the engine or the tranny or drivetrain? I was a bit brain dead from the meeting in my last post.

DansSlk

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Engine and transmission

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arcbmwz3

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I have some problems with the traction, its to powerful from start, but from 50 km/h - 300 km/h


LSD here. Thank you. This is exactly what I am trying to balance for the SLK I wish to build. Wonderful post. HP is great, but you have to get it on the road.