Any simple Horsepower upgrades... - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

#1 09-25-2002, 06:08 AM

All the performance upgrades, I've seen on the internet are all high end upgrades, by Barbus or Kleemann.... are there any less expensive upgrades like replacing the thermostat to a lower temperature thermostat to trick the computer into thinking its running cooler, like what we could do on our old muscle cars....

Gilly · #2 09-25-2002, 06:51 AM

This is probably a better question at the "hot rod" forum of MercedesShop.
What you were trying to do on your old cars was wrong. A colder air charge yes, but not a colder engine. This wears out the engine faster and produces LESS power, not more. A hotter engine turns more easily and aids in vaporizing the fuel faster.
Of course you want an efficient cooloing system, you don't want the coolant to boil, but a lower temp thermostat (or NO thermostat) is not a good thing to do normally. For racing engines, you want the engine to be as hot as possible without overheating. If the engine detonates at too low of a temperature, there is a problem.
In general I advise leaving things alone, that's just "me" though.
If you want a faster ML buy a 500, or ML55.

Gilly

#3 09-26-2002, 05:56 AM

Gill....I guess by the sounds of it, your not a big fan of tinkering....how about a under-drive pulley.... or a performance exhaust... hey what about a chip....are those things so bad...come on Gill let your hair down......its a Mercedes, we all want them to go fast...don't we.....

Kuan · #4 09-26-2002, 07:40 AM

How fast do you want it to go? The ML320 isn't a high performance vehicle. The 98's and 99's go 0-60 in a hair under 9 seconds. The later models do it in about 10. The first problem in making more horsepower is $$$. At $150/hp it can set you back quite a bit if you want any kind of tangible increase which translates to better accelaration on the road. For a few dollars more you can get an ML430. Second problem is the drivetrain. The ML320's transmission cannot take more torque. The M112 engine puts out 233lb/ft of torque. The transmission maximum torque input is only 231lb/ft! The engine's max torque already exceeds the max torque input of the W 5A 300 transmission. Any more and you will find yourself in a big $$$$$$$ hole!

You want speed, get together 6k and buy yourself a Porsche 944

Kuan

Gilly · #5 09-26-2002, 09:44 AM

Kuan:
I think if you were to check you'd find that the "smaller" 722.6 transmission is the W5A330, not 300, and it's rated at 330nm max torque input.

Carlos: Sorry pal, I gotta be me, found that out a long time ago.
Abrasive, conservative (mechanically), I like things the Mercedes way, following the company line, that's me. Last of the "Company men". Sure I like fast cars. When Mercedes and AMG builds them.
And they are left stock. I HATE tuner cars, with the exception of solo AMG efforts. If MB never "bought in" to AMG, ya know what? I'd probably hate those too.

"And that's the way it is"

Walter Kron, er, Gilly

G-Man · #6 10-03-2002, 09:39 AM

Did you realize that your 430 is already a hot rod from the factory? I think you have a 262 cu in engine pumping out 275hp, that is better than 1hp per cu in. There is not a muscle car out there that ever came close to that. Remember you can not use the old inflated gross hp numbers either.

MB, and German manufacturers in general, is very good at wringing every availible pony out of a powerplant, reliably and efficiently. The best advice was Gillys, buy the power you want up front.

I do like the mechanical work that Renntech and Brabus do. They are pricey but do good work IMO. You will notice that they do not use any simple tricks, they almost always increase displacement to get more power, another testament to MBs thorough development prior to putting cars on the market.

#7 10-04-2002, 01:07 AM

Thanks G-man for the info.....l guess sometimes l forget what kind of vehicle l'm driving...l always have a burning desire for more speed...and l love cars...l guess that's why l work at Toyota in Canada, manufacturing the Corolla, and soon the all new RX 330...(re-placing the RX 300)...when your around all those engineer's tweaking and talking horsepower...sometimes you look at your vehicle and see if you can juice a little more out...here's to more H.P....

need2speed · #8 10-06-2002, 11:37 PM

Carlos...give your head a shake! They almost got you convinced but NEVER, NEVER give up your need to speed

#9 10-22-2002, 05:38 AM

Thanks big fella......l like to listen to everyone's advice on vehicles, especially Mercedes...my fav...as for more speed, that will be coming in the form of a under-drive pulley from Evo-sport..12 to 13 extra H.P( dyno-tested )....l can handle that....

aklim · #10 12-01-2002, 12:17 AM

If you feel the need for speed:

http://www.lingenfelter.com/pac725ttls1y.asp

If you want to go Benz:

http://www.renntechmercedes.com/splash/cars/mclass/ml320.html

need2speed · #11 12-01-2002, 12:43 AM

Carlos...I'd be careful about an underdrive pulley unless you plan on spending alot of time at high revs!!

Your alternator needs a certain amount of spinning to charge the battery and keep your ICE shakin...not to mention the heated seats and window defrosters during the winter.

Heck, the early M119 motor was factory retrofitted with a smaller pulley to increase revs when they found the alternator wasn't proving enough charge.

This time I'd encourage you to seek the advice of others who have installed underdrive pulleys AND lived with them for awhile.