I'm Back!!! - CLS555 Monster Build
 

I just got back home after doing some work out in Maryland on khelawanb's CLS500 turned CLS555. He had a Kleemann on his factory 5.0L and while it gave him a marked improvement in performance over stock, he was looking for more, and more is what he got! His friend and local Mercedes mechanic, Money-One, installed the engine and prepped it for the work I needed to perform on it to get it up and running like a champ. I got in there Wednesday morning and by that evening, we had a pulse. We worked on it the next few days to get everything else fitted and in check and I have to say, his car is very strong. Like any car with this engine, it just pulls. I am really beginning to enjoy seeing peoples faces as they feel the new-found power these engines provide as it's like seeing a kid's eyes light up as they open birthday presents. Very quick and powerful presents. :D Below are a few pictures I've pulled up from his thread on MB World. The thread is located HERE if you'd like to follow it.

Here is the stock 5.0L with Kleemann kit still installed next to the new 55K Kompressor engine
Attachment 45504

Money-One putting on the oil pan and doing the finishing touches before installing it in the car
Attachment 45505

Here's where I come into play doing all the wiring and coding so it will start and play nicely with all the other electronics
Attachment 45506

Still had some wiring left to do for everything to work correctly but it was good to see it run for the first time
Attachment 45507

Here it is all buttoned up and ready for road testing
Attachment 45508

There is still some work needing to be done on the car before it is completely finished but what a great start to an amazing project and I'm sure when it is completed, khelawanb will be ear to ear as I think he already is. If you watch closely, you can see it break loose on the 1-2 shift so this car is going to be a lot of fun so long as you're not the guy behind trying to wrap your head around getting beat by a 4-door!

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3hOcCP3UZo[/media]

Re: I'm Back!!! - CLS555 Monster Build
 

You are one sick puppy!

Too bad I'm soooooo poooooor!

Nice work, dude!

Re: I'm Back!!! - CLS555 Monster Build
 

Congrats, another great job. You are certainly making a name for your self...one beaming, best christmas ever, face at a time. Enjoy your work.

Re: I'm Back!!! - CLS555 Monster Build
 

Very Nice Rudy!!! But I now know you are home...:p

Re: I'm Back!!! - CLS555 Monster Build
 

Rudy,

I remember a while back you mentioned how employers wanted you to have a degree and you sounded frustrated that your knowledge didn't mean enough to them. (A familiar story, heard all too often today).

I see what you have done, you did it: you went out and created your own job!

And THAT, my friends, is the "American Dream". :cool:




LOL!

Re: I'm Back!!! - CLS555 Monster Build
 

Rudy, I am extremely proud of you man and happy that you're getting the notoriety and business that you deserve. It's truly an amazing feat, and to say you're making a name for yourself is an understatement: you're creating a demand for yourself. Now that MB-world is getting a whiff of your talents, I hazard to say that you're going to be a busy busy man. And I couldn't be happier for you.

Keep up the good work!

Re: I'm Back!!! - CLS555 Monster Build
 

Way to go Rudy, great job as usual. Did money-one bring his benz by. That thing is inspirational.


...for anyone else besides Rudy, money-one did an engine swap in his W202 (earlier model C-class) and put in the 55k motor...with a mechanical blowoff/bypass valve...It's really impressive.

Anyways, back on topic. Congrats Rudy on another great success. Keep up the good work.

Re: I'm Back!!! - CLS555 Monster Build
 

Everyone, I truly appreciate all the kind words. It really means a lot to me. I'm hoping that this is just the tip of the iceberg and that we can all stay busy with these projects in the future. Paul (MisterTaz), Rob (NeedsWings), Marcin (Speedriven) and now Jake (Money-One), have all played an integral part and these builds wouldn't be possible if I didn't have such a great company of people to work with.

Re: I'm Back!!! - CLS555 Monster Build
 

Great job Rudy, and what a nice ride. He has a lot of custom one off parts on that bad boy.

Re: I'm Back!!! - CLS555 Monster Build
 

I second that Congrats Rudy

Re: I'm Back!!! - CLS555 Monster Build
 

Rudy,
He's right !!
Only a few months ago I remember you being frustrated with a job you hated and had concerns that you needed to sell your SRT.
Well my friend it seems as though you have turned things around significantly since that day and here's wishing ya the best going forward now.
Couldn't have happened to a more deserving guy.
A guy who will always answer a question and help a guy out when he needs it most.
Keep up the good work and many thanks for all you do here.

Gary

Re: I'm Back!!! - CLS555 Monster Build
 

Thank you Gary.

Re: I'm Back!!! - CLS555 Monster Build
 

Rudy that looks great! Congrats on taking real skills and talents and creating something for yourself. I hope that the MB forums and Crossfires pound your down with engine swaps. Keep up the amazing work and leaving all of us impressed.

Jason

Re: I'm Back!!! - CLS555 Monster Build
 

OMG!! A Mercedes Engine "Specialist" that makes house calls.
Rudy....you're truly "THE MAN".
Congrats!

Re: I'm Back!!! - CLS555 Monster Build
 

I knew you could do it....great job....and there's more work coming....;)

Re: I'm Back!!! - CLS555 Monster Build
 

One of these days, I'm going to have to snap up one of the '32 kompressor motors that gets tossed aside... as discussed. :cool:

Re: I'm Back!!! - CLS555 Monster Build
 

paging dr. rudy.... paging dr. rudy!! i need one of those special tunes!!
jihn ill sell you my 32 engine when i upgrade to the 5.5

Re: I'm Back!!! - CLS555 Monster Build
 

Rudy, Rudy, Rudy.
What can I say?
From stickers to engine swaps in such a short time.

YOU DA MAN! :p

I "had" money set aside for a swap but the wifey is taking it (and more) to open a restaurant. I sure hope it works and I get my engine swap monry back!

Re: I'm Back!!! - CLS555 Monster Build
 

Thank you. I only made one post on MB world and received a 1 week vacation courtesy of not being a paid sponsor. Until I'm doing a few of these every month, I can't afford to pay them a couple hundred a month just to talk about what I'm doing with these swaps. Hoping it gets to that point though.


Thanks Mike, I'd rather not do house calls but it worked out well as he had a Mercedes tech that knew what needed to be done and the CLS had the AMG 55K motor as an option so it was considerably easier than doing this on the Crossfire. There was a decent amount of wiring though as it was missing quite a few things that the addition of a supercharger requires.


Thanks Doc. BTW, what's up with your avatar? You get a third one in SSB that you're only dropping hints of having? Paul said it would be just wrong if you had three of them and not one had a V8 under the hood. LOL


You let me know when you're ready to do it up and we'll make it happen. We have another person looking to do the same with theirs and keep the manual. Should be a lot of fun when done to have all that power just a gate away from the perfect gear!


Special tunes? ;) What are you talking about... You need a V8 before you can get one! LOL


If she makes great food and charges a fair price, you'll both be fine. What kind of restaurant did she open? Like everyone has wished us with our new venture, I wish you and your wife the best of luck.

Phew, all done. Everyone take care and have a safe and enjoyable Halloween/Reformation weekend.

Re: I'm Back!!! - CLS555 Monster Build