Addicted2Speed

Hi everyone, I am new to this forum and will soon purchase an SLK55 AMG (let me know if you see a good deal!). Previously, I have owned japanese imports, an E36 M3, then an E46 M3, and currently own a 300hp Lotus Elise (which is mainly a track and weekend car). The SLK55 will be my daily driver, it was a hard decision, but I decided to get it over the 08 M3. Like all my cars, it will probably be stock for no more than a week. I have been doing a lot of research into possible upgrades and here is what I came up with. The goal is to reduce as much weight as possible (make it more elise-like ), and increase the power without resorting to forced induction, at least for now. I would appreciate feedback and constructive criticism.

Engine Mods:
1. Kleemann Headers + ECU $5,050 installed
2. Kleemann LSD $2,675 installed
3. Kleeman 200 cell sports cat $400 installed
4. Green filters $200 installed
5. Evosport underdrive pulley $400 installed
6. (Will be released soon) Eisenmann race exhaust ~$2500?

Weight Reduction Mods:
1. Lightweight 18 inch wheels (still undecided, maybe Neez or BBS?) ~$4,500
2. Lightweight evosport rotors $2,000
3. Remove sound deading, spare tire, and replace battery with a lighter unit.
4. (Maybe) C2 Design Carbon Fiber Roof.
5. As far as tires, I will probably go with Toyo Proxes RA1 or Michelin Pilot Cups, 235 in the front and 275 in the back.

alroumi

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I like where you are going and aiming for performance modifications,

Within a year or more I would like to get my hands on
O.Z superlegga wheels 18"

I currently have Greenfilters, And I am going to do an Ecu upgrade within a week or two

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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!

N4PWJ

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sounds perfect... go with bbs LeMans and id get 19" just for that extra style look and wont effect that much performance.

alroumi

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Checkout tire rack they offer the At italia nido in 18x8 Front and 18x8.5 rear
they weight 26 pounds rear
each wheel costs 369 , I am assuming wheels and tires costs $2,200 without shipping

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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!

ivyyoon

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Hello Addicted2SPeed~I'm sort of new here too~so welcome!
Your mod list is impressive! i'm sure with your experience your 55 may possibly be somewhat elise like....Good Luck!!! Cant wait to see the outcome
are you also on elisetalk forum?
my bf also used to have imports, then e46 m3 then now switched to elise. is that a common switch?

DansSlk

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Hiya the list looks good to me i am kinda in the middle of he same sort of process myself the only thing i would steer clear of is the battery the car's very near 50/50 L&R with weight if you change the batt your gonna screw that up.

Anyway good luck with it all man

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Ynot

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Impressive list of mods. As for wheels, Kinessis F110 are only 18lbs each for 19"s, the lightest 19"s I've seen. Good luck with your mods. I'm a previous owner of an e36 M3, that car was fun.

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


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Addicted2Speed

I have contacted Kinessis and they informed me that the F110 is currently only offered for porsche and some bmw applications... which is too bad because I really liked its design and low weight. I guess I will have to look elsewhere...

Ivyyoon, yup I'm also on elisetalk and bought one of the first elises in the US, which was turbocharged the following week. As far as the switch from a bmw m3 to an elise, I would say its not too common considering how different they are. Some people have both and use the elise exclusively as a weekend/track car.

Wallance

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wow... all those mods sounds crazy but they are perfect! it's gonna be one sick SLK55!

alroumi

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Going to do everything you mentioned but without the Headers(too expensive),Pullies(I am afraid the belts will cut) and LSD.

The Kleemann Catalytics arrived and I will pick them up from aramex tommorow and the SuperSprint X pipe arrives within a week or two.

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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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Supersprint makes headers for the SLK350 and price isn't too bad, I don't know if they make one for the SLK55 yet, you might want to wait.

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


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alroumi

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I asked and they are more expensive than the Kleemann, plus they are manifold design.

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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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Interesting, thanks for the info, didn't know that.

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


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alroumi

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So far the Kleemann is the cheapest headers, then comes MKB and Renntech(Most expensive)

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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!

OJC

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the Evosport underdrive pulleys are a very common-mod for n/a mercedes cars... specially non-amg ones, I have them, and I have never had problem with a belts.... actually, I got them when I thaught my OEM belt needed replacing, it was beginning to make a wierd little noise when it was cold and humid in the morning...

I believe the eisenmann & supersprint both have a hard time making more power than the AMG exhaust, you may get a couple extra ponies that wont even get into the double digits, but they are more for sound.

The green filters are a common mod, I have them.. and for the money you can go wrong, the evosport pulleys do add some low-end usable power, I dont know about te 55', but alot of 320 owners, including my self, have bored out the throttle body at one shop in california that does it right (they do it to the limit you wont get any light on the dash board) and we have seen favorable gains in the middle/high end... I would look into camshafts, and with all the power / torque the 55 puts out, you cant go wrong with an LSD.

thing is, once you begin to add all the $$ for N/A mods, the cost of a low-boost supercharger kit (kleeman, renntech..) begins to be more and more attractive, specially for the power you get. Also, you shoudnt be afraid of forced induction in the 55', i believe the superchargers are extremely reliable and very little do you hear people having problems with them, I think "turbos" are less daily-drivable and reliable than superchargers.

Shiny_side_up

I would tend to agree with OJC. By the time you've done enough to be noticable on a N/A engine you could have bought a blower. You'll also end up with a lot more low-end grunt as the MB blowers (kleemann, for example) is a roots-style and produces boost very early in the RPM range.

My plan for my 350 is to go straight to the Kleemann supercharger and leave everything else alone (ok, I'll probably do an LSD, but I meant engine stuff).

There was a time where forced induction concerned me but having put turbos or blowers on my last 4 cars (and dozens for friend's cars) I'm a big fan and know what to do and what not to do.

For those concerned about reliability - I ran 9psi of boost on a 5.0L Ford for well over 100,000 miles with no issues. More impressive was that my T-5 transmission was rated to handle 285ft/lb of torque and survived over 100,000 miles with closer to 550...

Almost forgot to mention - there's a guy out here in Northern California that is running a Stage 7 Kleemann - 590hp if I recall correctly. Last time I talked to him he hadn't had any issues with his car and always seems to have a smile on his face...

alroumi

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OJC, You just made me feel way way better about the Green Filters; I didnt hate them or dontwant to make their reputation down, I was just afraid of the Belts snapping thats what I heard in General from MB owners adding UD pullies on Naturally Aspirated engines, specifically W208 CLK Mercedes-Benz.

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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!

bejak

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How about a couple of carbon fiber racing seat as an addition to the list?
About 60lbs to get rid of there.

Addicted2Speed

Holy thread revival guys! Personally, I don't view the issuea as "NA mods VS Supercharger", but rather as, "NA mods for now, maybe Supercharger later". There is no reason not to do NA mods first, their power will only be augumented with forced induction. If you are doing a supercharger, you should definitely do headers and cats as well because their design is very restrictive and will not allow the supercharger to perform to its maximum capacity. As far as wheels and tires go, this will be a must-have with a supercharger to get the needed traction. Its kinda odd to get just the supercharger and leave everything else stock... or maybe its just me

Banned

Wow, that sounds good.

The good time you are winning in the curves, not on the straights.

A while ago I talked to a Mercedes engineer and I asked for a "Club-Sport" or "McLaren" Light version. No Clima control, lighter gl