QUAIFE LSD for SL55
Discussion
Hi, thanks for the reply. Where did you get it installed? I see that Birds supply but not sure who can fit
Does it add a lot more weight or is this negligible? Also, can it be turned off if needed or is it permanently active?
I like the fact that it works with the Merc ABC & ESP systems
With the upgrades I've done, it's just so much power at the back and I'm not even going for it, YET!
Cheers,
T
Does it add a lot more weight or is this negligible? Also, can it be turned off if needed or is it permanently active?
I like the fact that it works with the Merc ABC & ESP systems
With the upgrades I've done, it's just so much power at the back and I'm not even going for it, YET!
Cheers,
T
I used Eurocharged Watford but they are no longer around . Contact MSL performance or Birds for supply & fitting . There is really no downsides to having a Qualif diff fitted , it a win win situation . Your AMG will drive so much better . Also I went up a tyre size to 245 F & 265 R , some use 275's on the rears , again this is mod well worth doing . I used Vredestein Wintrac Extreme S tyres in the colder months , along with the Qualif diff the grip was immense , car felt so planted and controllable . Also for added Zing I had her remapped and dynoed , 453 bhp become 521 bhp ! The Performance and sound was immense ! Enjoy every mile 
Edited by Captain Smerc on Friday 26th January 23:02
Edited by Captain Smerc on Friday 26th January 23:02
That's great!! Thanks for the info and advice
I think this is a definite must as I feel I can't seem to use a lot of the power and with the amount of torque I have. I spoke with MSL before the new year re some other upgrades and they were really helpful. I will use them because they have an RR there too so I wouldn't mind getting another test done
WOW, you managed to get 68 ponies from just a re-map?! I had to get a lot done plus expense to get to just under 570 bhp and torque up to just under 800. But pre-upgrades, I wasn't getting anywhere near the stated figures, probably due to age I suppose [2006]
Will let you know how I get on once fitted
Cheers,
T
I think this is a definite must as I feel I can't seem to use a lot of the power and with the amount of torque I have. I spoke with MSL before the new year re some other upgrades and they were really helpful. I will use them because they have an RR there too so I wouldn't mind getting another test done
WOW, you managed to get 68 ponies from just a re-map?! I had to get a lot done plus expense to get to just under 570 bhp and torque up to just under 800. But pre-upgrades, I wasn't getting anywhere near the stated figures, probably due to age I suppose [2006]
Will let you know how I get on once fitted
Cheers,
T
Captain Smerc said:
I used Eurocharged Watford but they are no longer around . Contact MSL performance or Birds for supply & fitting . There is really no downsides to having a Qualif diff fitted , it a win win situation . Your AMG will drive so much better . Also I went up a tyre size to 245 F & 265 R , some use 275's on the rears , again this is mod well worth doing . I used Vredestein Wintrac Extreme S tyres in the colder months , along with the Qualif diff the grip was immense , car felt so planted and controllable . Also for added Zing I had her remapped and dynoed , 453 bhp become 521 bhp ! The Performance and sound was immense ! Enjoy every mile
I have a question if I may - was the 453 to 521 on a standard motor - no pulleys or other gubbins altered? Edited by Captain Smerc on Friday 26th January 23:02
Edited by Captain Smerc on Friday 26th January 23:02
The C63 is naturally aspirated so no pulleys , just 6208 cc's of V8 goodness . They are restricted as standard to approx 450bhp , once the correct map is applied by knowledgeable people then 510bhp + is easily attainable . An amazing transformation indeed ! My car was on about 12 k when the map was done and still under full Merc warranty , no worries . A Quaife diff , map & larger tyres really improve the cars . Check out the this forum - http://forums.mbclub.co.uk/forums/amg-lounge.66/
To get my gain I installed Eurocharged headers, custom made exhaust [de-cat], Wiestech pulleys, uprated air cooler pump, K+N filters and ECU remapping with the delimiter option
I thought I would get more but TBH it started way below stated figures and it would be unnecessary to get more out of it, even MSL recommended not to change anything else. Just a shame these cars are so heavy but I like the look of the R230 in AMG form. I've kept mine stock outside with the turbine wheels. Just a few aesthetic items like a lip spoiler, red calipers and red painted air filters covers. The car is bonkers and sounds like thunder, growls exactly like a tiger at low revs and then sets off alarms when pushing. Got a great video of it on an RR after the work was done, with flames firing out the back!! Neighbours are not pleased when starting it, one neighbour said it shakes their front room on fire up and they live a few doors down from me, ooops
Just need the diff to make it easy for traction. Squeaky bum time in the wet or a damp road!
I thought I would get more but TBH it started way below stated figures and it would be unnecessary to get more out of it, even MSL recommended not to change anything else. Just a shame these cars are so heavy but I like the look of the R230 in AMG form. I've kept mine stock outside with the turbine wheels. Just a few aesthetic items like a lip spoiler, red calipers and red painted air filters covers. The car is bonkers and sounds like thunder, growls exactly like a tiger at low revs and then sets off alarms when pushing. Got a great video of it on an RR after the work was done, with flames firing out the back!! Neighbours are not pleased when starting it, one neighbour said it shakes their front room on fire up and they live a few doors down from me, ooops
Just need the diff to make it easy for traction. Squeaky bum time in the wet or a damp road!
Captain Smerc said:
The C63 is naturally aspirated so no pulleys , just 6208 cc's of V8 goodness . They are restricted as standard to approx 450bhp , once the correct map is applied by knowledgeable people then 510bhp + is easily attainable . An amazing transformation indeed ! My car was on about 12 k when the map was done and still under full Merc warranty , no worries . A Quaife diff , map & larger tyres really improve the cars . Check out the this forum - http://forums.mbclub.co.uk/forums/amg-lounge.66/
Ah! I thought it was a '55 - I should read properly! Cheers Presumably you are thinking of the Quaife ATB. I have no experience of the SL55 but do have experience of the ATB in a reasonably light reasonably powerful rwd car.
I replaced a fairly loose plate type lsd with an ATB and for road use I didn't really notice any difference, on the track however it was well worth the cost and all the spannering. Off the start line was massively improved and it is possible in most situations to get on the power earlier than before. However, the car does become more difficult to drive. Whereas previously if you got on the power too early in a corner the unloaded wheel spun innocently until it found some grip again, with the ATB the car became lot more prone to power oversteer, which is OK once you are used to it, not everyone however enjoys a car which is prone to swapping ends. The other thing with the ATB is if one wheel has no grip at all it sends all the power to that wheel so if you bounce over a curb or drop one wheel in some mud it stops working.
I replaced a fairly loose plate type lsd with an ATB and for road use I didn't really notice any difference, on the track however it was well worth the cost and all the spannering. Off the start line was massively improved and it is possible in most situations to get on the power earlier than before. However, the car does become more difficult to drive. Whereas previously if you got on the power too early in a corner the unloaded wheel spun innocently until it found some grip again, with the ATB the car became lot more prone to power oversteer, which is OK once you are used to it, not everyone however enjoys a car which is prone to swapping ends. The other thing with the ATB is if one wheel has no grip at all it sends all the power to that wheel so if you bounce over a curb or drop one wheel in some mud it stops working.
Thanks for the advice Steve, yes the ATB
I will probably only do a handful of track days with this car, I still have a Radical on my wishlist for that, a hobby that I have always wanted to do for many years now. Just need the space and a bit more time
I just would like more traction for the roads so it can drive better and minimise the lighting up of the rears! Also wanted to know if it was worth spending the money or not
I will speak with MSL in the week and see what the costs, pro's and con's are for ones they have fitted
Cheers,
T
I will probably only do a handful of track days with this car, I still have a Radical on my wishlist for that, a hobby that I have always wanted to do for many years now. Just need the space and a bit more time
I just would like more traction for the roads so it can drive better and minimise the lighting up of the rears! Also wanted to know if it was worth spending the money or not
I will speak with MSL in the week and see what the costs, pro's and con's are for ones they have fitted
Cheers,
T
Cheers Steve, I have tried the two types of tyres recommended for this car, Pirelli P-Zero's and Michelin Pilot Sports. I found the Pilot's were too soft and wearing quickly. The P-Zero's seem to be doing OK albeit they are one grade down from the Michelin's for Wet Grip
I haven't driven it much in the wet or hard driving in the wet. On dry roads, it just spins those rears, even at very low speeds, like pulling away, mainly in second [C/Mode on] and especially when driving hard round bends or giving it a good kick down, the ESP is always flashing away! In [S/Mode], so pulling away in first, it doesn't want to break traction so much, it's when or if I can, give it some welly, it will just eat that rubber away. Think I've managed to get it to spin in third too
When I went to Germany, cough cough, I couldn't believe how much grunt this thing had getting to 100 and so quickly, then cruising at 120 with just over 3k on the dial. Effortless to say the least
I just want to find the right setup for the car so I can drive it normally at average speeds then when I want to give it some, I know I won't end up a tree. Also from start, I want the car to move, not just sit there in a cloud of smoke going nowhere
Tony
I haven't driven it much in the wet or hard driving in the wet. On dry roads, it just spins those rears, even at very low speeds, like pulling away, mainly in second [C/Mode on] and especially when driving hard round bends or giving it a good kick down, the ESP is always flashing away! In [S/Mode], so pulling away in first, it doesn't want to break traction so much, it's when or if I can, give it some welly, it will just eat that rubber away. Think I've managed to get it to spin in third too
When I went to Germany, cough cough, I couldn't believe how much grunt this thing had getting to 100 and so quickly, then cruising at 120 with just over 3k on the dial. Effortless to say the least
I just want to find the right setup for the car so I can drive it normally at average speeds then when I want to give it some, I know I won't end up a tree. Also from start, I want the car to move, not just sit there in a cloud of smoke going nowhere
Tony
An LSD will help off the line but really all it does is allow you to spin two wheels rather than one and on road tyres that isn’t going to make a lot of difference to progress.
If you really struggle to get away promptly on the road I would still suggest looking at the dampers, rear alignment and bushes. For the dampers to keep the wheels on the ground they need to be working at their best and ideally set a bit softer than would otherwise be ideal. If there is any movement in the rear suspension bushes the alignment will change as you load it which can break traction.
The point I was making before is that with an LSD you are potentially more likely to end up in a tree as you will find the back end preferring to be in front when driving enthusiastically.
If you really struggle to get away promptly on the road I would still suggest looking at the dampers, rear alignment and bushes. For the dampers to keep the wheels on the ground they need to be working at their best and ideally set a bit softer than would otherwise be ideal. If there is any movement in the rear suspension bushes the alignment will change as you load it which can break traction.
The point I was making before is that with an LSD you are potentially more likely to end up in a tree as you will find the back end preferring to be in front when driving enthusiastically.
Got the Quaife on my modded SL55 and it does make a difference, but as above it's not a magic wand. TBH I think I would have been better spending the money on sticky tyres and once the Vredesteins wear out that's what I'll be doing. It's a worthwhile upgrade, but I would do tyres first next time. So up to you, but don't expect a night and day difference.... any car trying to plant that much power through the rear wheels is going to have its moments!
That's great chaps. Thanks a lot for the advice
Steve, can you recommend someone who could do the setup for the dampers, alignment and bushes?
cb1965, re sticky tyres, is there a preference for the SL55? On another note, have you had any issues with the torque converter due to the power at the back?
Cheers,
T
Steve, can you recommend someone who could do the setup for the dampers, alignment and bushes?
cb1965, re sticky tyres, is there a preference for the SL55? On another note, have you had any issues with the torque converter due to the power at the back?
Cheers,
T
Big T said:
That's great chaps. Thanks a lot for the advice
Steve, can you recommend someone who could do the setup for the dampers, alignment and bushes?
cb1965, re sticky tyres, is there a preference for the SL55? On another note, have you had any issues with the torque converter due to the power at the back?
Cheers,
T
No the torque converter/transmission seems more than able to handle the power and I'm running somewhere around 600bhp. I am thinking of going back to the Continental brand for tyres (this is what SL55s were supplied with) or Michelins - get something a bit softer. I chose the Vreds as a good compromise between wear and grip, but think I should go for all out grip in future.Steve, can you recommend someone who could do the setup for the dampers, alignment and bushes?
cb1965, re sticky tyres, is there a preference for the SL55? On another note, have you had any issues with the torque converter due to the power at the back?
Cheers,
T
cb1965 said:
No the torque converter/transmission seems more than able to handle the power and I'm running somewhere around 600bhp. I am thinking of going back to the Continental brand for tyres (this is what SL55s were supplied with) or Michelins - get something a bit softer. I chose the Vreds as a good compromise between wear and grip, but think I should go for all out grip in future.
Thanks for that. How did you get it to 600 horses?I've just got the car out from my specialist and they suggest I get the mapping looked at, it's not smooth down in the lower revs and I think the gearbox gets confused on what gear to choose. Did you have that problem?
I had the Michelin's on before, I might go back to them next time when I need a set. I was surprised at the deal Kwik Fit did on both types I've used and mobile fitting too. very reasonable
T
Sorry can't suggest anyone to set up your car, I tend to do the spannering myself, prefer that bit to the actual driving to be honest.
Ended up with adjustable after market dampers and super flex bushes all round in a quest to get it working but it is not an SL55 so will be different. For road rubber on a rwd car like that I tend to go for something like the R888R but use slicks on the track.
Ended up with adjustable after market dampers and super flex bushes all round in a quest to get it working but it is not an SL55 so will be different. For road rubber on a rwd car like that I tend to go for something like the R888R but use slicks on the track.
Big T said:
Thanks for that. How did you get it to 600 horses?
I've just got the car out from my specialist and they suggest I get the mapping looked at, it's not smooth down in the lower revs and I think the gearbox gets confused on what gear to choose. Did you have that problem?
I had the Michelin's on before, I might go back to them next time when I need a set. I was surprised at the deal Kwik Fit did on both types I've used and mobile fitting too. very reasonable
T
Hi, Mine has a smaller charger pulley, 82mm throttle body, Fabtech induction system, performance manifolds with sports cats, X pipe resonator delete, custom exhaust by Eldin at EMP St. Albans, Secondary charger cooler, Johnson IC pump, remap by DMS. Also had the transmission management remapped by Eurocharged to improve shifts and changeover points so you may well benefit from this, it can be done by MSL in Birmingham. The reason I went DMS on the mapping was the Eurocharged maps seemed to not be very smooth low down whereas the DMS has a little bit less peak power but is a much smoother delivery. They spent a day with the car and road testing it with me to get it to where I wanted it. Very impressed by their service and can be redone free of charge at any time so if the map gets wiped I'm safe. Not cheap though, but it is a lifetime map if you see what I mean.I've just got the car out from my specialist and they suggest I get the mapping looked at, it's not smooth down in the lower revs and I think the gearbox gets confused on what gear to choose. Did you have that problem?
I had the Michelin's on before, I might go back to them next time when I need a set. I was surprised at the deal Kwik Fit did on both types I've used and mobile fitting too. very reasonable
T
Edited by anonymous-user on Wednesday 31st January 11:46
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