Performance Modifications for SL600

[mahunt]

I think the M3 driver doesn't know how to drive (launch) his car. It takes a little more than just putting the tranny in first and stomping on the gas pedal. The SL600 (with it's great weight and electronics) would get decent traction, but 4400 lbs is a bit porky.

I don't think there's anything wrong with my car, it runs just fine. It's just that sub-5 sec 0-60 times are a little hard to come by. Lots of stuff has to happen like mucho traction and horsepower.

Tomorrow is Test & Tune at Sunshine Speedway in Clearwater, FL. I'll go over after work and see what this thing does in the 1/8 mile. I'm guessing (I hope) a 3 sec 60 foot time and it's got to be in the low 8s high 7s in the 1/8th at about 75MPH.

Who knows, maybe this thing flies. I'll remove the hard top and save 66lbs. Too bad I just filled the washer jug and gas tank. Oh well. Better remove my golf clubs too.

[o_Anapodos...]

I believe too, from my experience, that is faster than 6 sec'' (or the other cars that they say that they are faster are not... (porsches,M3s etc)
I don't want to be misunderstood... i don't have any problem with porsches or M3's... in fact i like them a lot.(at least the porsches' ) The M3 is a very good car but for being mine) They are just a point of comparison!

[theintelligent1]

Originally Posted by mahunt

Tomorrow is Test & Tune at Sunshine Speedway in Clearwater, FL. I'll go over after work and see what this thing does in the 1/8 mile. I'm guessing (I hope) a 3 sec 60 foot time and it's got to be in the low 8s high 7s in the 1/8th at about 75MPH.

Who knows, maybe this thing flies. I'll remove the hard top and save 66lbs. Too bad I just filled the washer jug and gas tank. Oh well. Better remove my golf clubs too.

on a serious note your 60' should be a lot quicker than 3 secs........

[D!CK's V12]

I have ran many cars with sub 5 sec 0-60's. I think it is a flat 5.0. It is from a roll more like a 4.6-7. my .02

[chriswufgator]

Originally Posted by mahunt

I think the M3 driver doesn't know how to drive (launch) his car. It takes a little more than just putting the tranny in first and stomping on the gas pedal. The SL600 (with it's great weight and electronics) would get decent traction, but 4400 lbs is a bit porky.

I don't think there's anything wrong with my car, it runs just fine. It's just that sub-5 sec 0-60 times are a little hard to come by. Lots of stuff has to happen like mucho traction and horsepower.

Tomorrow is Test & Tune at Sunshine Speedway in Clearwater, FL. I'll go over after work and see what this thing does in the 1/8 mile. I'm guessing (I hope) a 3 sec 60 foot time and it's got to be in the low 8s high 7s in the 1/8th at about 75MPH.

Who knows, maybe this thing flies. I'll remove the hard top and save 66lbs. Too bad I just filled the washer jug and gas tank. Oh well. Better remove my golf clubs too.

I'm guessing you've never driven an E46 SMG M3.

It's funny you mentioned how there's more to it than just mashing the gas, because in an SMG car that really is the case, you don't have to do a thing except hit the gas and go. SMG holds/releases the brakes, controls the revs, and drops the clutch for you at the appropriate RPM. There is no way to screw it up whatsoever, it's literally idiot-proof.

It's a neat system. Mercedes has recently copied the design, and their version of it is supposed to be available beginning with the 2011 SL63. But the point is, your statements about the M3 driver screwing it up just don't hold any water.

And there are lots of cars floating around with 5 second 0-60 times that don't have 500hp. You don't need anywhere near that kind of horsepower to get a 5 second 0-60 run. Most <5 second cars (M3's, Porsches, Ferraris, WRX's, STi's, etc., etc.) don't have anywhere near 500 horsepower.

I'm telling you, there's no way a properly running SL600 is a 6 second car. Low 5's on its worst day.

[D!CK's V12]

Originally Posted by roncallo

You might want to consider a 722.6 5 speed transmission with a PCS stand alone controller. 5 speeds is really nice. Also it sounds like your engine may be having some wiring problems like cams not moving etc.

Your talking about him right? "sounds like" from what he is telling you? Or from sound on my vid?

[pirate_duckie]

Looks like we need a more scientific way to determine 0-62mph (0-100km/h) time for the 600SL.

It looks like flat 6 in these videos:

You Tube

You Tube

[chriswufgator]

Originally Posted by pirate_duckie

Looks like we need a more scientific way to determine 0-62mph (0-100km/h) time for the 600SL.

It looks like flat 6 in these videos:

YouTube - SL 600 V12 vollgas

Your second video contradicts you, that's clearly a 5 second run.

He gives it the gas at 17 seconds and hits 100kph by 21 seconds. 100kph is 62.3mph, so that's clearly a 5 second run or better.

And as to your first video:

Originally Posted by pirate_duckie

YouTube - mercedes r129 sl600 v12 394hp 0-200km/h Acceleration

Come on man, the guy is obviously having speedo/wheel speed sensor issues. The guy isn't power braking, but somehow the RPM guage hits almost 4,000 RPM's before the speedo moves off "0". Clearly something wrong with the speedometer guage. Listen to the sound and watch the tach, that's easily a 5 second run also.

[mahunt]

I'm guessing you've never driven an E46 SMG M3.

Just a 2002 M3, 2007 M5, 2007 Z06, various early '70s Z28s, my current 1967 Camaro conv SS/RS 396 and my kid's 1967 Camaro SS/RS 350 (all the Camaros are/were Muncie 4 speeds w/Hurst shifters). I suppose my 2 Eldorado ETCs don't count (FWD) as does the SL600 because they were automatics.

Too bad the E46 is programmed, kind of takes the fun out of learning how to drive. Like riding a sit down jet ski instead of a standup. Any fool can go fast sitting down, it takes a little skill to go fast on a standup.

Hope the weather holds today. Can't wait to baseline the SL600. I got a car buddy from work going with me (2008 Vette) who hasn't been to the track in a few years.

I figure the 60 foot time will be between 2.0 and 3.0 sec, the SL no doubt has traction, but getting 4400lbs moving with me (195lbs for 2 1/4+ tons) in the car seems a little tough. I've seen what it takes for a sub 2.0 sec 60 foot and the SL doesn't have it. Still, as we all know, once it gets rolling, the ole' kampfwagen comes into it's own. I predict high trap speeds, but average 60 foot times.

Like I said fast, not quick.

Certainly no sub-5 sec 0-60 times.

We'll see.

[chriswufgator]

Originally Posted by mahunt

I'm guessing you've never driven an E46 SMG M3.

Just a 2002 M3, 2007 M5, 2007 Z06, various early '70s Z28s, my current 1967 Camaro conv SS/RS 396 and my kid's 1967 Camaro SS/RS 350 (all the Camaros are/were Muncie 4 speeds w/Hurst shifters). I suppose my 2 Eldorado ETCs don't count (FWD) as does the SL600 because they were automatics.

Too bad the E46 is programmed, kind of takes the fun out of learning how to drive. Like riding a sit down jet ski instead of a standup. Any fool can go fast sitting down, it takes a little skill to go fast on a standup.

Hope the weather holds today. Can't wait to baseline the SL600. I got a car buddy from work going with me (2008 Vette) who hasn't been to the track in a few years.

I figure the 60 foot time will be between 2.0 and 3.0 sec, the SL no doubt has traction, but getting 4400lbs moving with me (195lbs for 2 1/4+ tons) in the car seems a little tough. I've seen what it takes for a sub 2.0 sec 60 foot and the SL doesn't have it. Still, as we all know, once it gets rolling, the ole' kampfwagen comes into it's own. I predict high trap speeds, but average 60 foot times.

Like I said fast, not quick.

Certainly no sub-5 sec 0-60 times.

We'll see.

With the current hot weather we're having, I predict you'll turn in a 14.-something.

Trap speed is anyone's guess, that will depend a lot on your 60'. And not to keep beating a dead horse, but I'm not saying it's a 4.0000000001 second 0-60 car, I'm saying it's probably around 5 flat or low/mid 5's depending on conditions. My whole point is there is a big difference between the real world and the published number of 6 seconds.

Z06 is a nice car by the way, love those. That and the CTS-V are the only american cars I'd drive.