Suggestions For Most Cost-Effective Performance Mods

fastnfurious · 06-21-2007

Looking to shed some weight and increase the performance on my 2007 SLK350. I'll be installing the green filters this weekend. What other cost effective modifications do you all suggest that really make a noticeable difference? Thanks!

Banned · 06-21-2007

Lower your car a little, use small rims and tyres, never open the roof, don´t use the AC, stop eating burgers, don´t fill your trunk, drive with 20l petrol only.

412driver · 06-21-2007

Jack it up and put it on a SLK55 AMG chassis...

Jus bein a smart

, superchargers are about the best power boosters...

**-1-** · 06-21-2007

Wash it and dress the tires. It will look FAST, sitting still. Personally the SLK 350 and SLK 55 both have enough factory performance to satisfy me. I prefer appearance and comfort items over performance. Someone will eventually give you an answer you're looking for.

**Ynot** · 06-21-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by fastnfurious

Looking to shed some weight and increase the performance on my 2007 SLK350. I'll be installing the green filters this weekend. What other cost effective modifications do you all suggest that really make a noticeable difference? Thanks!

There really isn't one, but by shedding some weight of the car, spare, tools, lighter airbox, various plastics in the engine bay (Dan can help with that), lighter wheels, ecu-reflashed is around ~$700 but Dan thinks it's a bad idea, and he's the guru. Headers, new exhaust, will give a little more but nothing to brag about. Supercharger is the way to go for the most gain but isn't cheap. The two available now cost more than a decent new car. Unfortunately the most cost effective way is to trade up for an AMG SLK, which I am not ready for yet.

Addicted2Speed · 06-21-2007

If I were you, I would go with supersprint headers/mufflers + kleemann ecu. Headers along with ecu will probably give the only noticeable performance increase without turning to forced induction. You can always try a conservative shot of nitrous as well... that's going to be extremely noticeable (and cheap)

412driver · 06-21-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by -1-

Wash it and dress the tires. It will look FAST, sitting still. Personally the SLK 350 and SLK both have enough factory performance to satisfy me. I prefer appearance and comfort items over performance. Someone will eventually give you an answer you're looking for.

Yea, but not me, I caint even finish a post, thats 4 flights this day already. Im goin home for sum rest... I agree with Don, the dependability of the car is paramount, and looks far out weigh the speed increases unless you are tracking.

DansSlk · 06-21-2007

With the 350 the best way to gain performance but not extra power is weight reduction as Ynot says.

Remove as much of the fat from the car as you feel comfortable with the liners on the hood and in the trunk are a good place to start, then ditch the spare and the tools that become redundant without the spare but keep the towing eye and the pack of fuses with you in the car.

Then you start to move onto things that cost money but make a more noticeable difference stuff like lighter wheels and CF parts (proper CF not the stuff that looks like it).

For extra power most cost efficient will be insulation on the airbox if used with a lighter box its still a weight reduction that helps lower intake temp also chroming the inside of the intake manifold thats again acts to keep the heat only where you want it, new exhaust and headers and insulate them if possible that causes the temp to rise this promotes scavenging from the cylinders and helps keep carbon away.

Basically getting more and more expensive until your at 55 price ranges and then on up to SC range.

fastnfurious · 06-21-2007

Thanks for the advice guys

! I'll start with the green filters and lighter wheels and go from there. I don't want to overdo it since I'll probably upgrade to a different model in a few years once the warranty expires. Any particular wheels you all recommend?

leelk · 06-21-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by fastnfurious

Thanks for the advice guys

! I'll start with the green filters and lighter wheels and go from there. I don't want to overdo it since I'll probably upgrade to a different model in a few years once the warranty expires. Any particular wheels you all recommend?

I like the slk55 AMG performance package rims that looks like the following. That's my all time favorite~!!

leelk · 06-21-2007

or here is another link to piecha~~

http://www.piecha.com/02b77898be08b6...8c03/index.php

DansSlk · 06-21-2007

The 030 wheels are lovely looking but they are very heavy indeed and unspring weight is killer.

jliu · 06-21-2007

are almost 8 lbs heavier EACH than stock. THEY SUCK.

leelk · 06-21-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by DansSlk

The 030 wheels are lovely looking but they are very heavy indeed and unspring weight is killer.

I thought the 030 rim is 2 pieces which supposed to be lighter isn't it?
Dan, what's ur favorite rims on a 55 ??

DansSlk · 06-21-2007

Ah there you go mate jliu has got the figures posted above.

My fav wheels would probably be either the stock multi-spoke 18s, the multi-spoke Renntech's in 18 or the monoblock S in 19.

For weight savings i would probably be looking at OZ however.

My car currenty has the AMG 5 spokes installed for ease of cleaning.

V8SLK · 06-21-2007

glad to hear Dan praise the OZ wheels... my rears arrived yesterday and the fronts are (hopefully) just another couple of weeks away.

DansSlk · 06-21-2007

Cant beat 'em mate.

They aren't used in just about every form of racing i can think of because the teams like the logo.

N4PWJ · 06-22-2007

I agree with Dan, go with the OZ superleggera split rims... same as V8SLK, probably one of the worlds most gorgeous rims and they are strong and lightweight.
Carlsson make good rims (not that im biased) but they are expensive, strong and light.
Green filters is a must! an exhaust and a manifold (headers) helps free the car up slightly, but gives minimal performance gains.

**-1-** · 06-22-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by DansSlk

The 030 wheels are lovely looking but they are very heavy indeed and unspring weight is killer.

WTF. Performance package with anchor weight wheels? The 030 option is expensive, but includes many nice features. What the hell was MB thinking?

Banned · 06-22-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by N4PWJ

Carlsson make good rims (not that im biased) but they are expensive, strong and light.

Peter, since what date are the Carlsson rims light? Expensive? Yes. But light?

06-21-2007	#1 (permalink)
fastnfurious SLK World Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Washington, D.C. Posts: 47 Country: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Suggestions For Most Cost-Effective Performance Mods Looking to shed some weight and increase the performance on my 2007 SLK350. I'll be installing the green filters this weekend. What other cost effective modifications do you all suggest that really make a noticeable difference? Thanks!

06-21-2007	#4 (permalink)
-1- Don Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Virginia USA Vehicle: SLK 55 ///AMG The MON55TER on the block Posts: 2,227 Country: Thanks: 54 Thanked 57 Times in 41 Posts	Wash it and dress the tires. It will look FAST, sitting still. Personally the SLK 350 and SLK 55 both have enough factory performance to satisfy me. I prefer appearance and comfort items over performance. Someone will eventually give you an answer you're looking for. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. *----------------1-----------------* --------SLK 55 ///AMG--------- THE MON55TER ON THE BLOCK Last edited by -1-; 06-22-2007 at 05:25 AM.

06-21-2007	#8 (permalink)
DansSlk Dude Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Wales Vehicle: 05 B55S (Brabus 6.1 S) Posts: 6,756 Country: Thanks: 96 Thanked 221 Times in 173 Posts	With the 350 the best way to gain performance but not extra power is weight reduction as Ynot says. Remove as much of the fat from the car as you feel comfortable with the liners on the hood and in the trunk are a good place to start, then ditch the spare and the tools that become redundant without the spare but keep the towing eye and the pack of fuses with you in the car. Then you start to move onto things that cost money but make a more noticeable difference stuff like lighter wheels and CF parts (proper CF not the stuff that looks like it). For extra power most cost efficient will be insulation on the airbox if used with a lighter box its still a weight reduction that helps lower intake temp also chroming the inside of the intake manifold thats again acts to keep the heat only where you want it, new exhaust and headers and insulate them if possible that causes the temp to rise this promotes scavenging from the cylinders and helps keep carbon away. Basically getting more and more expensive until your at 55 price ranges and then on up to SC range. __________________ One thing you will learn with German cars - If it's simple it ain't happening.

06-21-2007	#12 (permalink)
DansSlk Dude Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Wales Vehicle: 05 B55S (Brabus 6.1 S) Posts: 6,756 Country: Thanks: 96 Thanked 221 Times in 173 Posts	The 030 wheels are lovely looking but they are very heavy indeed and unspring weight is killer. __________________ One thing you will learn with German cars - If it's simple it ain't happening.

06-21-2007	#13 (permalink)
jliu Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Bay Area, SF Posts: 184 Country: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	030 rims are almost 8 lbs heavier EACH than stock. THEY SUCK.

06-21-2007	#2 (permalink)
Banned Banned Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 1,167 Country: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Lower your car a little, use small rims and tyres, never open the roof, don´t use the AC, stop eating burgers, don´t fill your trunk, drive with 20l petrol only.

06-21-2007	#3 (permalink)
412driver Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Salisbury North Carolina USA Vehicle: 99 SLK230 Other Toys: TOO MANY TOYS Posts: 1,010 Country: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Jack it up and put it on a SLK55 AMG chassis... Jus bein a smart , superchargers are about the best power boosters...

06-21-2007	#6 (permalink)
Addicted2Speed Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 225 Country: Thanks: 0 Thanked 17 Times in 5 Posts	If I were you, I would go with supersprint headers/mufflers + kleemann ecu. Headers along with ecu will probably give the only noticeable performance increase without turning to forced induction. You can always try a conservative shot of nitrous as well... that's going to be extremely noticeable (and cheap)

06-21-2007	#9 (permalink)
fastnfurious SLK World Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Washington, D.C. Posts: 47 Country: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks for the advice guys ! I'll start with the green filters and lighter wheels and go from there. I don't want to overdo it since I'll probably upgrade to a different model in a few years once the warranty expires. Any particular wheels you all recommend?

06-21-2007	#11 (permalink)
leelk Senior SLK World Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: San Ramon, CA Vehicle: 06 SLK55 AMG Posts: 135 Country: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	or here is another link to piecha~~ http://www.piecha.com/02b77898be08b6...8c03/index.php

06-21-2007	#15 (permalink)
DansSlk Dude Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Wales Vehicle: 05 B55S (Brabus 6.1 S) Posts: 6,756 Country: Thanks: 96 Thanked 221 Times in 173 Posts	Ah there you go mate jliu has got the figures posted above. My fav wheels would probably be either the stock multi-spoke 18s, the multi-spoke Renntech's in 18 or the monoblock S in 19. For weight savings i would probably be looking at OZ however. My car currenty has the AMG 5 spokes installed for ease of cleaning. __________________ One thing you will learn with German cars - If it's simple it ain't happening.

06-21-2007	#16 (permalink)
V8SLK Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Home of the brave Vehicle: 05 SLK55 AMG Posts: 1,071 Country: Thanks: 40 Thanked 48 Times in 26 Posts	glad to hear Dan praise the OZ wheels... my rears arrived yesterday and the fronts are (hopefully) just another couple of weeks away.

06-21-2007	#17 (permalink)
DansSlk Dude Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Wales Vehicle: 05 B55S (Brabus 6.1 S) Posts: 6,756 Country: Thanks: 96 Thanked 221 Times in 173 Posts	Cant beat 'em mate. They aren't used in just about every form of racing i can think of because the teams like the logo. __________________ One thing you will learn with German cars - If it's simple it ain't happening.

06-22-2007	#18 (permalink)
N4PWJ Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Belfast,N.Ireland Vehicle: 2006,slk280,carlsson Other Toys: Caterham Posts: 1,417 Country: Thanks: 1 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts	I agree with Dan, go with the OZ superleggera split rims... same as V8SLK, probably one of the worlds most gorgeous rims and they are strong and lightweight. Carlsson make good rims (not that im biased) but they are expensive, strong and light. Green filters is a must! an exhaust and a manifold (headers) helps free the car up slightly, but gives minimal performance gains.