Nice pics. Looks great.

 

doesn't make any sense showing it because its all stock...just shiny

 

Seal Beach, we're practically neighbors.

The other poster is correct, there's no cheap and by cheap I mean less than $4,000 or so to get more performance out of a 430. It's pretty highly engineered already. There's several long threads here talking about ECU tunes, air filters, exhaust and it all amounts to squat. ECU reprogramming sounds great in theory but all it does is remove the top speed governor and maybe increase the mileage a percent or two all for $5-700. I think one guy swears he got maybe 5 HP but everybody else said not even that. You can spend a grand or so on mods that feel good like faster shifting or faster throttle response but while those may make the car feel quicker, and it might be more fun to drive, there's no actual speed or HP gains or if there is it's very minimal.

Bob

 

I gotta say it. I don't really care what Internet dribble guys will post after this. I know this works and it's real. So here goes.

Yes there is an inexpensive way to get out of the car what it's not being allowed to give you. 430's (and 320's to a lessor degree) have a choke point. It also diagnosed as "throttle lag". We all know that it's a giant buzz kill when it comes to acceleration. It's the DBW electronic throttle control.

430's can run a hell of a lot faster. Use a Sprintbooster. It'll even feel better with other related mods. They run round $300 and yes; they will make your car feel like you gave it a shot of nitrous. I've run a Sprintbooster in our 430 for 3yrs. and I'd rather sell the car the drive without it. Also No one has posted here saying an ECU reset or an aftermarket tune can do the same thing . Only a Sprintbooster will speed up the signal and, other mods are also enhanced by the Sprintbooster.
I'm not sellin' or associated to them. I've tried doing infinite resets. It's BS. Resets do nothing compared to a Sprintbooster.
A Sprintbooster works. For those who are skeptical, I understand. But for those who truly want a car that runs faster, get one.

 

But for those who truly want a car that runs faster, get one.

I Just have to say it will not make your car faster. this is from their site.

Faster Throttle Response
Sprint Booster makes your car's throttle respond faster to your foot. As a result, your gas pedal actually achieves a full throttle response 25% sooner than the stock configuration. Even if you have a 'sport' button, Sprint Booster will quicken the throttle response time. By making the throttle respond faster to your input, you will feel as though your car has more muscle than it really does!


• Sprint Booster does not increase Horsepower.

• Sprint Booster does not reduce your 0-60mph times.

• Sprint Booster DOES make your car 'FEEL' faster.

• Sprint Booster is not for everyone.


I hate to be one of those

Internet dribble guys

but facts are facts

 

insame1 is correct, SprintBooster will not make your Mercedes run faster.

While I cannot speak to its ability to add some excitement to a 320 (I have a 430), I wholeheartedly agree with Hary Gahtoe - it is a must upgrade. I was curious what all the fuss/debate was about with these things and found a cheap used one on ebay (about $150). My two take aways are 1) in hindsight, I would have payed full price knowing how it makes the car feel/drive; and 2) SprintBooster apparently has offerings which fit a variety of cars out there - I will never own another car, MB or otherwise, without one of these plugged in.

And yes, I do get how these work - I'm an electrical engineer and understand it quite well, actually. It's certainly is not adding or unveiling any previously unavailable performance, or any garbage like that (if you're looking for that or claiming that in your argument, look elsewhere). As the product states, it centers around increasing your car's throttle response - and the way it does this is fairly straightforward, from an EE's perspective that is. I thought it would be nominal or some junk you see on TV like any number of 'fuel saver' mechanisms, hence I opted to buy a used one knowing it wouldn't be a huge loss if my suspicions proved true.

Search through the boards for the 'internet dribble': You'll find one guy out of 20 that says he/she didn't like it/did noting for them, another 20 saying they were nay-sayers until they actually tried it, and a handful quoting the site who have never bothered to try it out.

If you want your car to feel like it has some more pep off the line and while driving, try this out. I didn't buy into the hype originally, but believe it is a great product and feel it is largely underrated (so long as nobody is arguing that it will increase horsepower, reshape the dyno, etc). Throttle response has a lot to do with how a car feels when driving. Beef that up with an above capable engine of an MB, and this thing is worth its weight in adding some fun to your ride.

 

Can you do this without a Sprintbooster ?
I couldn't. It does make my car faster than without it. NO Question

 

This was what I was referring to earlier when I said some mods could be fun even if there's no actual hp gains.

The interesting thing for me living in LA and driving in traffic 90% of the time is I finally gave up and keep the switch in Winter mode because Sport is just too touchy in heavy traffic. As much as Sprintbooster sounds like fun, in my day to day driving I need less response not more but I still have the best of both worlds because the Tiptronic will override it. If I want to downshift to first and punch it I can even in Winter mode.

Bob

 

Hary, you posted that chart the same time I did my last post.

Sorry buddy but NO...BLOODY...WAY will a stock CLK 430 turn a 12.6 @ 113mph in the quarter. That easily takes over 400hp and racing tires. I'm a former drag racer in a previous life and I'm tellin ya, it ain't happenin. You trying to tell us a Sprintbooster is giving you over 125hp??

Check this link, Edmonds test of a 2012 Mustang GT:

2012 Ford Mustang GT Premium Road Test Specs

410HP, huge tires, scroll down and see the performance - 1/4 mile 13 @110.

Get real, Hary.

Bob

 

Quadriplegic Swimmer reply

Hary, you posted that chart the same time I did my
Get real, Hary.

Oh I am Bob. I agree, no way a stock 430 will do that
It's so not "stock" Bob. It's been in pieces more times than I care to relate.
Traction control, proper gearing and TQ are wonderful friends. Just so happens a car with Alot more HP can be killed by any car with more TQ and traction. I had a 6spd C5 with work and the 430 beat it. High speed roll ons over 85, the C5 had the lead. It's TQ that moves the metal, not posting big Anal, "from the crank" horsepower #'s. Horsepower will light the tires but torque get the tree
"Bob"

 

HaryOG Tomodachi

I'm a little confused or something is misleading.

Are you saying that the performance stats from your DynoLicious run came from just the Sprintbooster mod?

If so then on the 0-60 thread with the same DynoLicious stats you posted, it seemed that you said you did other tuning to your car but never got into specifics of what you did. Was waiting for you to share the details of the basic principles.

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w208-clk-class/1610875-0-60-times.html

4.8s 0-60 and 12.7 quarter! What?! Thats fast for a convertible 430. Whats done to it?

Its capable of better!!!! My check engine light is on and it bogs. In proper shape it comes out of the hole much faster.

I have alot of ol' school' tech that only shines what is hidden in the basic car.
Just simple basic principles. I don't have time to explain all now but its all about refining intake, exhaust and ECU. Hours of tedious work

My winter project is now buying a OBD reader an correcting whats screwing up. Along with some skunkworks projects.

 

HaryOG Tomodachi

I'm a little confused or something is misleading.

Are you saying that the performance stats from your DynoLicious run came from just the Sprintbooster mod?

If so then on the 0-60 thread with the same DynoLicious stats you posted, it seemed that you said you did other tuning to your car but never got into specifics of what you did. Was waiting for you to share the details of the basic principles.

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w208-clk-class/1610875-0-60-times.html

He'll no! Quite the opposite. I spent many, many nights and weekends working on the entire package

 

I definitely agree with Bob/jazzmammal. Only recently did I make a job change which removed me from Chicago's bumper to bumper traffic - which means when I do drive, it's for leisure/fun. If I were still doing that commute, or one which sounds similar (or worse as I've spent plenty of time in LA), SprintBooster would be more of a nuisance/PITA than what it's worth.

 

Can you do this without a Sprintbooster ?

Originally Posted by Hary Gahtoe
Quote:
Originally Posted by Silv430ClkR
4.8s 0-60 and 12.7 quarter! What?! Thats fast for a convertible 430. Whats done to it?

Its capable of better!!!! My check engine light is on and it bogs. In proper shape it comes out of the hole much faster.

I have alot of ol' school' tech that only shines what is hidden in the basic car.
Just simple basic principles. I don't have time to explain all now but its all about refining intake, exhaust and ECU. Hours of tedious work

My winter project is now buying a OBD reader an correcting whats screwing up. Along with some skunkworks projects.

yes..... if I did everythinge else you have done.

 

Truth Or Dare



Here we go again.
False. Caveat is I have no idea about it's effect on a "stock" car. All I can tell you guys is it(Sprintbooster) improved my 0-60 and the shifts came up faster and harder.

Williams; here's a tip I will let go. Insulate the the intake with the thinnest, highest R value you can get. Reduce Intake temp, adds density. I also ditched the oem injectors for 'somethin' else. Just a slice of the pie it all has to work in synch. I also gave you a hint about timing earlier.

 

Here we go again.
False. Caveat is I have no idea about it's effect on a "stock" car. All I can tell you guys is it(Sprintbooster) improved my 0-60 and the shifts came up faster and harder.

So then are you going to contact Sprintboster and tell them that you are the first person to have a fater 0-60 using ther product. their own site says it wont do that. someone here is mistaken.

 

Do you use a electronic signal amplifier? If not shut up. You have no idea what it does.

 

Thankfully I never worry about what others think. What your talking about is legal gargon. Tuners drive fast cars. Lawyers drive turds. I don't hang with lawyers.
If you want a slow car drive it just like you bought it. Your choice.
I like fast.

 

One things for sure is that a sprintbooster is a brilliant device and I wouldn't be without one, I was a sceptic but decided the only way was to try one.
Here's a thought......If you drive a manual car and you change gear quicker you accelerate faster, so a SB removes delay and causes quicker shifts.
Think about it.

 

One things for sure is that a sprintbooster is a brilliant device and I wouldn't be without one, I was a sceptic but decided the only way was to try one.

Here's a thought......If you drive a manual car and you change gear quicker you accelerate faster, so a SB removes delay and causes quicker shifts.
Think about it.

Awesome MT analogy!!! That makes perfect sense :bowdown:

So with quicker shifts you can get better 0-60 times without increasing HP. But to what degree on an AT with Sprint Booster? Would probably need someone who's only mod is the Sprint Booster to do a 0-60 test run.

Even for the 320 the Sprint Booster was a great choice. I'd recommend it to anyone for any car.

HaryG

A few who seen my pipes told me to Rap it Up and one other person advised me to go with injectors, cams, and/or bore, polish. I might do a 3.8l like Brabus.

 

Do you use a electronic signal amplifier? If not shut up. You have no idea what it does.

WOW
Up until now I thought you were a smart respectable wealth of knowledge. I see that I must have been mistake. No, I do not use one in my car but I am very familiar with the concept. I don’t dispute the facts that the company make about them either. I do however dispute your clams.

I will take some time and investigate how this works in its intertie before I just tell you that you are wrong but I am quite certain you are. There is just no way that this is possible. I work with electrical engineers everyday and have talked with them about this and they agree with me. BUT Like I said I will present you with the undeniable proof before I make any statements of FACT.

Maybe you should consider the same before possibly giving other members incorrect information.

Until then I hope you have a great weekend.

 

Hary, please. You're not just using the Sprintbooster alone to crank out 400HP right? That's all some of us are saying. This thread is about simple inexpensive mods not building twin turbo monsters or doing a Hemi engine swap. In your other posts you talk about thousands and thousands of dollars worth of mods. Just clarify what you're saying here.

Bob

 

I did everything but the machining work myself. I'm also very ol' school and think its crass to print $$$ figures. Sorry.

NO DAMN WAY in hell an ESA would give you big increases. But I'd like to see a factory original/near oem 430 with and without. I'd honestly bet on an increase. If a 430 is in good tune the extra tq and quicker harder shifts would still add a small gain. And by add I mean restore what the motor has already,
just not able to put out to the wheels. And the shifts add to the quickness that even the highest level of output can't match for acceleration.

 

OK I apologize only for being rude. The part you don't get is I set my car up with a lot of background and research. The ESA DOES GIVE YOU MORE power(than you are presently able to access without an ESA)

This is part I dislike. This is where the A.D.D. Half glass empty crowd goes AWOL; the ESA doesn't add power to motor BUT it does allow the motor to use the Tq and hp it loses by the factory DBW throttle signal. AND harder, faster shifts.

You're not familiar with an ESA by reading only, and using is not the same.
Just because you read something doesn't mean you can understand WHAT it does in real life and not just in principles.

Consider that your not seeing the total picture before posting incomplete info and merely regurgitated off the internet what is written.
I live it. I use it. I don't care what others think, but care about only posting snip its and partial truths that amount to lies. What you posted is a lie in my

eyes because it's not the whole truth.


An ESA probably won't make your car faster, but my car is.

P.S. Sprintbooster isn't the only company making an ESA.

 

Will; you have a unique distinction of being in the home of tuning heaven.
Problem being Mercedes discourages independent tuners and parts Co's that transform a good car into a great car so readily done by many there.
Find a good machinist. CAD work preferred.
The next level upscale would be to valve timing, Also think adjustable.
Porting, only to remove obstructions and smooth flow; don't polish though it worsens speed.
Temp. Hugely important to extracting the most; only when going deep.
Then I hate to say this but a complete ECU redo to accommodate changes to support and make use of the upgrades. Changing injectors to high pressure new style and increase the fuel pressure and going back to the ECU to re adjust again would be an option.

 

Will; you have a unique distinction of being in the home of tuning heaven.
Problem being Mercedes discourages independent tuners and parts Co's that transform a good car into a great car so readily done by many there.
The next level upscale would be to valve timing, Also think adjustable. Porting, don't polish though it worsens speed. Temp. Hugely important. Then I hate to say this but a complete ECU redo to accommodate changes to support and make use of the upgrades. Changing injectors to high pressure new style and increase the fuel pressure and going back to the ECU to re adjust again would be an option.

Problem is, no one wants to touch a MB. Looking for a shop to tune a MB is like trying to find American Rice here in Japan...lol

 

Guys all this stuff is great, interesting reading but it's not what this thread is about. Look at the title "99 CLK 430 simple mods". The OP must have bailed out a week ago thinking we're a bunch of idiots. This guy is looking for something fairly cheap that would give him better performance.

This has wandered way off topic.

Bob

 

I- iiiiimm a wanderer....



Change your plugs, oil, filter; check tire pressure. So, how simple and cheap are you (talking)?


Nothing that will 'make an ol' dog hunt' in this case is going to be "cheap;cheap" or "easy"

 

WOW! that got crazy quick! haha I have really looked since then and everybody is right...Mercedes seriously doesn't offer a lot to upgrade and everything it does is expensive as crap! Then again I am happy with the car stock (that means I have no extra money haha) Thanks anyways! :thumbsup: oh oh and I'm going to fix the bumper myself because it doesn't seem to hard.

 

oh oh and I'm going to fix the bumper myself because it doesn't seem to hard.

You or the bumper?

 

:bowdown:

 

i also have a 1999 430 and im looking for the same thing as you. I was looking and I saw that you can put the clk 55 airbox right onto the clk 430 and while it doesn't give it a whopping kick of steroids it filtrates air better and I heard it can go up to 20hp (id say 10 just to be safe). youd have to get a clk 55 airbox and i found one in $200 so its not something you can get from one day to the other but nothing with these cars are cheap. I wouldn't look so much into computer mods cuz they seem better but don't really deliver for whats its worth.

for the most part i feel like the airbox would be the way to go while i see if theres cheap mods for it as well and ive always wanted to know how it is that you can make the car dual exhaust cuz that hook seems to be a huge issue and ive heard that some people had to remove the battery and place it in the center, i haven't heard much about it cuz i know these really aren't such "hot" cars anymore (i still love them) but i wish i had a better explanation/picture to understand how i can make it work