Since I'll almost definitely be getting one over the summer sometime, what do you guys think are the top 5 or so upgrades you can do to these cars to get them moving faster and possibly handling better?

Just thinking ahead here.

 

Just click on my signature

Do the engine first, Cooling second - then go from there...

 

Make sure you have good rubber; stock Conti;s kinda suck.
Next mod should be an intake.
From there, just adding a tune will make a huge difference from stock.
Next is probably a pulley (& re-tune).
The NeedsWings intake mani's look pretty good, too.
Make sure to increase cooling as you increase heat.

One simple thing might be to replace the steering stabilizer; they tend to go at about 15K miles.
Fogged headlamps and an easily fixed tans leak are also common.

BTW - I'd either buy in winter when toy cars like these don't move too well, or wait until late summer when the 2010 cars are coming out.

 

Good thing is you'll only need 5 to get into the 11's.
1) Needswings CAI single or dual
2) Needswings mani's
3) Needswings Ypipe
4) InMotion Rob's tune
5) 178mm asp pulley
Need Drag radial/setup to hookup though. No cooling mods yet, but testing this summer.

Ok now everyday practical one's

1) New rear tires because whoever owned it before did burnouts all the time
2) radar detector to avoid those speeding tickets that are inevitable
3) Replace IC pump with Bosch intercooler pump on ebay for $85
4) Needswings CAI just to add more fun to the gas pedal
5) Good insurance for some reason these cars are dent magnets

 

Adding a NeedsWings intake and the ASP 178 pulley set made a huge difference for mine.

 

NEEDSWINGS INTAKE
NEEDSWINGS INTAKE MANIFOLDS
NEEDSWINGS SUPERCOOLER
NEEDSWINGS PORTED Y-PIPE
INMOTION ECU TUNE

 

WOW! - The retail price for that list totals $3,671 - assuming a dual NW intake. And you still don't get a pulley - add a ASP 178mm pulley to the list (six mods) and you total $4,570

Retail price on the SL55, 185mm, iridum plugs, tune and HE totals $2,231

That leaves you with $2,339 in your pocket for the plenium mod, a set of drag radials and rims, the coolant separation mod, some exhaust mods, some gauges & data logging electronics and you'll still have $$ left for a killer sound system or perhaps to have your engine parts chrome plated....

 

Where can I find the SL55 intake?

 

On an SL55!

OK, sorry. I couldn't resist. I don't know where you can buy one other than a Mercedes dealership.

 

$132.00 - Part # 113 090 01 29 - Y-Pipe with hoses
$120.00 - Part # 113 090 06 01 – Right side airbox with filter
$120.00 - Part # 113 090 05 01 – Left side airbox with filter
$12.00 - Part # 113 094 16 82 – Right side intake tube
$12.00 - Part # 113 094 17 82 – Left side intake tube

$396.00 - Call Ria @ OEM Auto Parts - 1-866-262-3800

Or you can post a wanted ad on the MBworld forum. Lots of folks there upgraded their AMG V8's and have near new ones they offer from time to time.....

 

Top 5 SRT-6 Upgrades:

1. Code3 Pulley ($650)
2. NeedsWings Cold Air Intake (get the dual that is soon to come out, the single costs $450)
3. NeedsWings Intake Manifolds w/Y-pipe ($1,750)
4. SprintBooster ($300)
5. Custom ECU Tune ($500 from either LET or InMotion)

Total: $3,650

Next 6 Upgrades:

1. NeedsWings SuperCooler ($450)
2. Code3 Belt Wrap Kit ($200)
3. Code3 6mm Phenolic Spacers ($120)
4. Engine Management/Monitoring Computer (DashDAQ & Zeitronix Wideband AFR, $880)
5. Iridium Plugs (colder) and new wires ($278)
6. New Tires (you'll need them after you play with all your new toys, $???)

Seriously, though, the first five things you should get are a cold air intake, pulley, manifolds, an ECU tune, and a sprint booster. Many will argue which CAI to get, or whose manis to get, or whose tune to get, and if you should even consider a sprintbooster. There's pluses and minuses to all of them. Do some research, check out people's signatures, ask questions, and GO FOR IT!

Also, wait for group buys if you can. You can get SIGNIFICANT discounts, which means more money for more parts! If you have all the cash up front, buy it all at once and ask the vendor for a discount. Most will be happy to make a big sale and accomodate you.

 

Nice post Brian. This ought to be a sticky just for that.

 

I'm not trying to pick a fight, but I am curious. The non-needswings combo may be cheaper, but does it offer the same results?

 

just adding a little something:

my SRT6 is seriously ANNOYING without the sprintbooster!!!!! i would add this mod under the 'maintenance parts list, along with an IC pump!
mashing it to the floor and being able to say "Slow-reaction time" before anything happens is so irritating. i was so happy when i got my sprintbooster replaced after the first one crapped out on me.

 

i'm sure i'll start a RIOT with this one....

i think the SL55 intake doesn't even TOUCH the NW intake for power.

i have now driven with the SL55 intake, the NW single intake, and the Dual intakes.
the SL55 intake may show similar numbers on a dyno, but on the road with cold air ramming straight into the filter, the NW takes the cake.

 

I still remember when members were saying the SRT6 had no use for a dual intake - NW had done all the extensive testing and discovered there were no gains to be had with a dual......

Anyway - a real true event to test our cars would start this Thursday - but there's not enough time (even for me and I've dreaming about it) so perhaps this September you can plan ahead to make it out to Nevada for some open road racing.

The true test of car and driver takes more then 1/4 mile and 12 seconds

How about 90 miles of non stop open racing? The Silver State Classic in Nevada allows you (after your first event) to run wide-a$$ open for 90 miles. Now that, forum members, is a true test of car and driver (and your mods). But you'll need a harness and roll cage (and other safety equipment) after your first event.

For the first time event racers - you're limited to average speed of 110 MPH with a tech speed (meaning peak speed you can go on the course) of a 124MPH. That means if you don't care about placing in your classs, that's the car and driver that maintains the closest average speed of 110MPH, or around 50 minutes of semi-hard driving - you can still kick it up and cruise the entire course at 124MPH without penalty. (but watch out for the technical section - you know - where you have to brake and turn)

Plus has an added bonus they run a High Noon Shoot-Out - a timed standing mile event. Have you taken your SRT6 up to 169+ MPH. It's a gas - did it over 15 times in 2 1/2 days. I'll take that over chasing .09 sec anytime.

Just an added event for a great weekend. See you in September?

 

1. intake
2. pulley
3 tune
4 new manifolds, port
5 nitrous

10 sec car.....

 

After adding the intake manifolds and the tune, I had to take mine off. I absolutely could not control my launch during anything other than a 1% throttle launch. (exaggerated) I'm contemplating selling it.