hello...
i just read that the new M3 is 340 HP.
any advice on what i can do for my '95 C36?

thanks all...

Hm....get a C55 maybe?? :-)

Well, M3 is still un-decided yet, so, save us couple years to save some money...

Andy Kuo

Do any of the tuners have anything to offer you other than a turbo/supercharger? Nitrous Oxide Injection? As the old saying goes, Nothing Beats Cubic Inches, so I'm wondering if you can somehow shove more cubic inches under your hood.

I think that no matter how you slice it, it's gonna cost you considerable $$$ to improve on a car that's already tuned to the nth degree, as an AMG car is. Your motor's pretty much maxed out...I can't imagine that anything short of increasing displacement (if it can even be done)or force-feeding the induction somehow will get you much improvement. But I'm interested (as always) in anyone else's thoughts on this.

The quick, modern Mercedes cars (IMO 2.3-16, Evo II, C36, C43, E55, 500E)are all maximized for their classes, and given the considerations of durability vs. power they've done well to get the most out of them, leaving little for the tuners to do other than major surgery. My point is, if you want to go any faster you need to either spend a whole bunch of money on yours, or buy a faster car. However, based on the numbers it looks like you'll need a CLK55 to run with the M3...I fear that I might even be looking at M3 taillights in my 500. Lee; if you're reading this, did you price out an NOx kit for the M119 yet???

Don't sweat it, amigo; enjoy your already fabulous car...and let the bimwads worry about premature engine rebuilds.

------------------
Best regards, Michael
'92 500E
'88 300TE

Get a supercharger. Otherwise you will need a motor from Brabus etc.
While AMG cars are heavily modified most of the tuners do have additional modifications that can get a lot more HP out of the car.
Brabus is coming out with a 5.7liter Supercharged motor with over 500 HP/LBs.

Good luck.

I've read of the impending 340HP I6 E46 M3. It does sound like one mean little SOB. If it even comes close to speculations it should be a formidable machine.

Without getting into too much E46 M3 vs xxx, the 500E shouldn't have anything to worry about at highway speeds and above, especially if its cold outside. Off the line may be a different story, no matter the weather. For those of us who have C36/43's...time to call a tuner for at least one of the big 4. (turbocharger, supercharger, displacement bump, or NOS)

The C36 has already been taken to the extreme displacement possible. In addition to valvetrain, intake, exhaust, etc breathing mods as well. To get gonzo more power you will need to go forced induction or bottle feed it. I don't know of any specialized C36 forced induction kits offhand, but much underhood architecture is shared with the C280. You could probably take a M104 C280 kit and get away with only minimal re-engineering.

IF, I were to take a 95 C36 and go balls out the plan would go something like this: find a C280 Eaton type supercharger kit (lots of right now torque, less heat issues to worry about, etc) and see if you can get them to substitute the blower from the E320 motor instead of the C280 version (if different) The injectors and perhaps fuel pump might have to be upsized if not included in the kit. Then you would need a good tech to reprogram the computer to keep it from going ape**** when it saw that much mass of air coming in. (or perhaps replace the MAF sensor and parts of the brainbox altogether). Assuming this didn't fry the AMG massaged transmission you should be okay once you get traction. If we are talking a 95 C36 then the upgrade to the 97's 722.6 electronic 5-speed woudln't hurt. (nor would a tuner 6-speed F1 style box either but...)

In any case you are spending serious cash. You could probably run a 75-100HP NOS kit for about $750-$1000 and be done with it. The supercharger kit should be good for a conservative 350HP/375 lb-ft on a C36. You wouldn't be able to run that much boost with the C36's 10.5:1 compression ratio. All Michael would have to do is put on 245/45/17's, strap on the NOS bottle, and let the world wonder... It would be the depleteable boost isse, but after all, how often does a 500E need help humbling the rest of the world? j/k

Can't wait to see the Brabus motor. It would seem the twin-plug/3-valve motors really take well to forced induction. (SLR, various rumored AMG projects, now Brabus, etc) The whole MB vs M-crowd continues to be one of class and what appeals to individuals. Those who value MB traits will buy MB's performance variant, and vice versa.

Hope this helps...Lee

PS Should someone find a GOOD source for MB supercharges...please, let us all know.

hi guys...thanks for the all the info so far...
i am torn, one part of me wants to keep the car as stock as possible since it is probably right now at its best "gas mileage to performance ratio"
then, the other part of me is thinking that this new BMW is going to be out and smokin' me off the road. right now, toe to toe against an automatic M3, NO PROBLEM...

i was even toying with the idea of one day changing the entire engine to a V8...

how can i get a hold of a C55 by the way? what are the stats for that car? i dont think anything can touch the C55!!

thanks again guys!!!
also, akry, i was looking for you on ICQ..didnt find you..wanted to ask about some MB stuff...

lee..what can i say? great detailed info again...

whan

Think of this...I drove by an M3 today in my 500E and wasn't worried about how fast it could go, mostly because it was being lifted on to a tow truck at the time. That car looked like hell too, with all its paint molting like a sick duck. I wonder if it was even 5 years old???

I have never heard of a C55. Are you talking about the CLK55 or the CL55? Or is AMG gonna make a c-class version with the 5.5 liter V8?

Mentioning the C55, I have seen a picture of a C55. Does anyone have any info on that beast??

C55 has been out for quit a while now. AMG debuted C55 couple month after the debut of C43. However, there isn't any C55 been sold here OFFICIALLY. But I am sure it can be brought in.

C55 basically is the same as C43, but 5.5L V8 is put in the car. Yes, it's the same engine as E55 AMG. Think about this, a C-Class with 5.5L AMG V8....hm, CLK55 is no match for it either...

Whan,

My ICQ#26950002, or search for "Venom Viper" as Username....

I have a link, but it's in Japanese...

AMG Japan
http://www.amg.co.jp

Maybe take a look, the menu is in English, but all others are in Japanese...

I will try to translate it, and put up info for C55.

Happy Motoring...
Andy Kuo


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• 1992 Mercedes-Benz 400SE
  
• Moonstone Grey/Black Leather
  
• Blue/Red Headlights
  
• Xenon-Look Foglights
  

ICQ#26950002

C55 = AMG version of the C class with the E55's V8. Of course, AMG can do that to most any C43 with work on the existing engine. Brabus is working on a 5.7-5.8 liter supercharged variant. Renntech has a 6.0 naturally aspirated V8 engine conversion.

The C55 exists present day overseas. When it comes to the states probably depends on how/if MB wants to answer BMW's upcoming M3. If buying a factory car I might lean toward the CLK55 just for the more personal coupe styling/nature...then supercharge it. j/k

whan,
if you change anything on your C36 just make sure it can be reversed for sale time. Until then you can do whatever your taste and budget will allow. I've driven a 95 C36 and you are right, automatic M3's are a joke in comparison. Got some G-tech runs on said C36 with 0-60 in the 5.5-5.8 range in 30-50 degree F conditions. 1/4 mile runs were from 14.3@101.5 mph to 14.0@104.1 MPH. Oddly enough, even when the 0-60 times were different the 1/4 times stayed about the same. Manual M3s can be a good run...if PERFECTLY driven they might be tied or a tick ahead by 60mph, but you are equal or (usually) ahead by the 1/4. If the temp is cool and the BMW has anything but a perfect run the AMG has it. BTW, nix the idea of losing that sweet AMG I6 for a V8. Go forced induction first. Or trade for a C43 (to modify as well?) That AMG tuned 6 has a VERY sweet sound IMO. Though quite different from the V8's, it is still every bit as appealing (to me at least) in its own right.

Eric, as I've said before. Let's run the magazine's favorite comparo tests on the MB/BMW cars after 100K daily-driver miles. (provided the engine, clutch, tranny, etc of the BMW are still in functional condition) Given identical/realistic care let's set them both out in the sunshine and look at the interior/exterior cosmetic condition. A 125K+ mile 500E can rip up most new "performance" cars at its age. Most of the BMW's I've seen that are even close to that old can be euphemistically called "tired". Not to be to inflamitory but anyone remember the ill fated 4.0 V8 from the 94-95 540/740/840? BMW's seem like great cars to lease or buy/own through the warranty period but not as great beyond that. Just as in friends/significant others, cars that wow on the test drive (first date!?) isn't always what you want to have forever.

Always good talking...Lee

ICQ #56802240 (new)

If Mercedes brings the C55 to north america, they should offer a manual as standard. Offer a automatic as a no cost option. All the other performance sport sedans offer manauls such as the S4 and M3. It would make it a more interesting match to see a E46 M3 manual vs. C55 manual. From what I have heard,the M3 is faster than the current M5. I wouldn't doubt it because the E46 M3 has a 100 hp advantage over the E36, with onlya slight increase in weight.

Ok, here's some basic info I can dig from the net about C55

5,438 cc V8, SOHC 3-valve per cylinder with twin spark plugs per cylinder.

347hp@5,700rpm
52.0kgm@3,000~4,300rpm

Car weights - 1,540kg
Turn Radius - 4.9m
Gas mileage - 6.8L/100KM

Wheels
Front - 225/45ZR 17
Rear - 245/40ZR 17

Other exterior dimesion is the same as C43. Interior also doesn't have major difference.

Brakes are from E55. White-Face guages(ala SLK)with 300km/h speedometer.

All the E55 goodies are also standard on C55(ESP, ASR, Rain Sensor...etc).

Happy Motoring..
Andy Kuo


------------------

• 1992 Mercedes-Benz 400SE
  
• Moonstone Grey/Black Leather
  
• Blue/Red Headlights
  
• Xenon-Look Foglights
  

ICQ#26950002
http://drive.to/akry

the C55 would be the ideal beast to have. nothing could touch that car for years and years to come. however at the moment i have my 95 C36. perhaps improving the front end breathing would be a good alternative then one day maybe upgrading to a C43. we'll see...

i guess for now, if anyone wants a C55, it'll have to be grey market all the way...

i would imagine maintenance on a C55 in USA would be killer since i dont think anyone would know how to really service this car...

whan

an E46 M3 would touch a C55 and possibly even beat it! BMW M makes a more performance oriented car than AMG does. Mercedes are built more for luxury and BMW's are designed more towards performance. I havent seen or heard of any test numbers as of now, so my opinion will be that the E46 M3 will run with any car mercedes has to offer, except the limited production SLR.