At this point, I'll settle for my $100 back in my PayPal account.

Even if the headers are built, I will sell my spot off to someone else.

Congrats to Rudy though -- you're a class act and you will excel at whatever you set your mind to.

 

Being Rudy still has confidence in Marcen at SpeedDriven,I'll continue waiting out this header build. Squirrel Crusher

 

This post is from Speedriven yesterday by an employee named Aleks, on the MBWorld forum.

I want to be very clear with the promises and progress of the headers of the 32 and srt6 group buy. ( Which I dont even know why honestly was brought into this thread. A phone call or email, or even a reply in the appropriate section would have sufficed and I would have responded accordingly, now I probably need to create a new thread for the whipple kit.)

The headers were a project that was started by another former employee with the intention of having a well made shorty style header available for the 32 and srt6 crew. He posted to see if people were interested, and they were, so deposits were sent to reserve places. The flanges on both sides of the headers were then sent out to the CNC mill and 10 sets were made. All of the necessary piping was also purchased along with the 3-1 collectors. The cost of just the materials were significantly more than the amount of the deposits, which should show that the project is serious. A jig was built along with a set of development headers, which were supposed to be tested on two cars, both of which backed out, which leaves us without a car for fitment. The development of the headers is still underway, and now dropped on our shoulders as the employee that started them is no longer here.

Please forgive me if any details have been left out as I am simply stating what I know as I came into the shop. The project was started well before I started here and I want to assure people that I am going to handle it accordingly and have the project completed in a timely manner. If anyone has an issue I will do whatever is necessary to correct the situation, including refunding deposits, but we already have a 8 person waiting list that will fill those places.

In regards to the whipple juicy updates coming next week in a new thread

Thanks!!

Aleks

The reason I am responding here and now, is that I contacted Rudy early on, and offered my stock N/A for use for them on this project. I was told that my car was perfect, because it had no mods, and was completely stock. This was back in late October 2011. This took place over the phone with Rudy, and only verbal committments were given me by Rudy at the time. I never spoke with Marcin or anyone else at Speedriven then, or up to now. At the time, I told Rudy that I would be out of town during January and February, and they could have my car as a donor to work on fitment issues, during those 2 months. My cost would only be for the actual header parts, no labor. They were to do a "dyno" before and after, to prove power increases.
They were going to p/u my car when they were ready (which was soon, according to Rudy) from my home, and then return it when done. I called Rudy while I was in Florida, in early January,and he said they were very close, and should be picking up my car soon. That was the last time I have had contact with them. They were to call me with a "heads up" when they were ready ....... So far, nothing.

I feel compelled to react to Aleks' post on MBWorld forum yesteday, because his statement that 2 donor cars "backed out", is not true!!!!! He either has very limited knowledge of what went on with the "build plans", or he's a liar! I'd like to think the former, but who knows. Up until yesterday, when I learned that Rudy was not there anymore, I would have been perfectly willing to let them use my car to this day, but my connection with "them" was only because of Rudy. Now that he is not with them, I owe them nothing .......
I truly wish Rudy the best of luck in his new position, and as far as I'm concerned he still remains the Guru of SRT6's.

 

My cost would only be for the actual header parts, no labor. They were to do a "dyno" before and after, to prove power increases.


I feel compelled to react to Aleks' post on MBWorld forum yesteday, because his statement that 2 donor cars "backed out", is not true!!!!! He either has very limited knowledge of what went on with the "build plans", or he's a liar! I'd like to think the former, but who knows.
[/QUOTE]
interesting that they were willing to sell you the headers for "cost" i say this because that was the same agreement i had when i supplied them with the vrp headers to use as a template. in the beginning i arranged for rudy to get a set of vrp headers from a good friend of mine to use as long as needed in order to build me a set and allow future sales of the headers . my cost nada. when rudy went to speedriven the deal changed to the cost of materials and only 1 set could be done this way so i called my friend to offer them to him because they were his headers after all, i was just a middleman getting a deal. he declined them so i said i would take the cost only deal when they were complete.
obviously theres more going on behind the scenes then they are telling us so ill take my deposit back also and go to a local mercedes benz tech i know who has already built a set of stainless steel headers for the slk32 and have him do it for me.
let me be clear i knew this would be a difficult build. there is a reason nobody makes headers. no room. rudy took on the task because i wanted a set and did what i could to help. before speedriven we were having issues with mandrel bends fitment and so much more. after rudy went to speedriven i was hopeful with the backing of a respected shop and access to equipment he may not have had access to before the headers would be done in short order and even if i dropped 600$ in materials it was a good deal.
i was the one who posted on mbworld and didnt want to start a sh**storm but it is what it is.

 

Now that I've calmed down and some of the shock has worn off I'm willing to give Speedriven a chance to finish the headers. I'm not 100% confident in the finished product but they should be able to make a set as well any other shop. I want to hear what they have to say when they finally post some information.

Les

 

Leave it to Steve to kick up a sh*t storm

Keep us posted on the headers progress. I have a set of VRP headers sitting in the garage as they did not fit. I swore off headers after eating the cost of headers and 2x R&R. I do not think we are going to see more than 5-7 rwhp out of a set of headers. If I am proven wrong I might become very interested.

 

you know me jeremy all the tact of a sledgehammer!! if you can get 7 rwhp out of them then build a 3" exhaust back to a true dual exhaust you could potentially see a total of 20 rwhp which would be great.
i have a guy local to me i think im going to try. tired of waiting for someone to do what they promise.

 

Probably cost you more.. but you should get results a lot faster. Co worker who drag races and plays in the 10 grand motor devision was telling me (after discussing the length of this project without results) there are about 4 local speed shops that could do them in about a week and a half at most and in the 1200 - 1500 price range. He has a custom set on his vet so I think he speaks the truth. But still leaves the question of HP increase. At worst case they would look cool.. LOL.

 

I tend to have the same problem.

I am thinking about meeting with a local guy about a custom exhaust myself. I was thinking that 2.5" - 2.75" would be a better choice for all around use. He also builds headers but the last quote I got (2nd hand) was ~$2k for custom headers - at least for a V8.

 

IIRC the Supersprint exhaust for the SLK350 was in the 70mm range (2.75") for the reasons of back-pressure. There is a fine line where any top-end gains are negated by the bottom-end losses.

**EDIT**

It was 2x60mm

http://www.bestexhaust.com.au/shop/p...roducts_id=973

Also..

http://www.supersprintna.com/projects/mb_slk_350.php

 

Yes, but there is a big difference between NA and FI engines. The SLK350 needs to suck in the air the SRT-6's SC will force the air into the engine. Backpressure is much less of a concern with an FI motor and in the case of a turbo motor the less back pressure the better (the sooner the turbo will spool up).

 

was gonna say the same thing, When correctly done, You can see Huge results on a forced induction engine. You can see first hand on the E55 forum, a member there opened a set of factory manifolds and the internal pipe is like 1.25in! Crazy! So thats one reason headers and a larger diameter mid pipes can yield 50+ HP on those. I bet it would be around the same or just a bit less on a modified 32 or SRT.

 

Due to a horrific illness in the family, i have been forced to relinquish my spot to another member. Forum member "daddy" paid me my deposit and now owns my spot in line. Again, the forum member "daddy" now holds the position once held by forum member "teck-9". Thank you. I will send this to rudy and speedriven in pm form as well.

 

Sorry to hear about the family illness. You can get headers later. Keep the family healthy. Good Luck..Squirrel Crusher

 

Just want to give a quick update here! My name is Aleks and I am here at Speedriven and I will be handling the header project. I sincerely apologize for the lack of updates, but I will be sure to update as much as I can now!

Thank you and if anyone has any questions you may feel free to PM, email me at aleks@speedriven.com, or call our shop at 847-485-8126

Aleks

 

Aleks, thanks for coming over and posting. We want headers that make power. Figure out how to do that and you'll be on speed dial for other services. Once I receive the headers they'll be on the engine and my car on the dyno in the blink of an eye.

Les

 

email sent to alex

 

sent an email to alex and got a reply within minutes. of course the reply was "ill call you wed with the info and how we should proceed" as i expected due to my previous dealings with alex NO CONTACT AT ALL

 

Steve, I have never, ever had a problem with contact with any of my customers. I apologize as I did try to call the number you had listed to me. I am at the shop daily and would be willing to talk with you at any time. 847-485-8126

I don't really know why you have a bad taste in your mouth in regards to dealing with us. We re-flashed your TCU for very cheap and had it back to you the same day. The problem with the shipping can not be blamed upon us. Please check the label on the box and you will see that it was in fact sent out the exact day I told you it was. I can not be held responsible for a shippers error. I hope that you can understand that I have done everything possible and would be more than willing to help in the future as well. I am always in contact with all of my customers and would be more than willing to assist with your problems or issues in the same.

Thank you!
Aleks

 

my cell hasnt changed in over 10 yrs. the # on the email is the same #. now i didnt want to bring the issues i have out in the open but since you did lets clarify. my issue isnt with speedriven but with you. the tcu was at your shop monday am. YOU contacted me tues am and i paid in full and was told it would be shipped out promptly. any carrier 2 day from chicago. on thurs i asked for a tracking # . YOU said you needed marcin to get that and you would email me. never did. friday afternoon i called again and asked for a tracking #. the tracking # shows the tcu was shipped fri morning 3 days after it was paid for. due to the weekend i didnt receive the tcu until wed the next week. so 8 days for a 2 day ship. thats my issue alex. you have my cell as you called me for payment on the tcu. my cell is on the email i sent you. to imply i have an issue with the cost of the tcu flash is incorrect as i never once said anything about the cost. rather i told other members how reasonable the cost was hoping they would send buisness to speedriven if they needed this service.
now you know why i dont have any faith that you will move this forward. your track record with me is far from favorable.