Performance Modifications

[Chappy]

I'm planning on adding some light performance mods soon on my W208/55, but found like to get some pro/con feedback relating to the various add-ons. If you have any experience with the following, plese chime in with your two cents. :)

- Stainless Steel brake lines

- Polyurethane main bushing for the lower control arm

- Frozen OE rotors

- Quaife LSD (perhaps later this year or next)

[JimVillers]

Chappy ..... I installed SS brake lines years ago and am very satisfied with them.

I am not familiar with "OE rotors". If you are talking about a cryogenic treatment of your brake rotors, I highly recommend that.

You didn't mentioned brake pads, purchase the expensive carbon-Kevlar pads; you will be amazed at the difference.

I can't help with the brushings or differential.

[Chappy]

I am not familiar with "OE rotors". If you are talking about a cryogenic treatment of your brake rotors, I highly recommend that.


Yes, cryo-treated stock rotors. What brand of pads do you use? Are they also suitable for street or do you change them out prior to a track day?

Thanks for the excellent feedback. :)

Forgot to mention....adding Ate Super Blue fluid

[JimVillers]

Chappy ... I use Carbotech (http://www.ctbrakes.com/) pads on my 230SL and Porsche (not a very useful web site). Give them a call and talk to them about the type of driving and what you want in a pad. They have several compounds that are good on the street and for track days. They actually had pads for my 230SL in stock.

I have used Porterfield R-4S on my 16-valve until I upgraded to E430 brakes. The I liked the Porterfield R-4S very much but am currently running MetalMasters to see how the new brakes work (fantastic). My next 16-valve pads will be carbon-Kevlar.

The coefficient of friction of normal pads is about 0.34; carbon-Kevlar is about 0.44 .... BIG difference. Less brake dust is another plus but the cost is about double the cost of a normal pad.

[Chappy]

Great info, Jim!

As to those pads, will they wear out rotors more quickly?

[JimVillers]

Chappy .... My experience shows that carbon-Kevlar is more rotor friendly that stock or metal pads.

[Chappy]

Chappy .... My experience shows that carbon-Kevlar is more rotor friendly that stock or metal pads.

Excellent news! Thanks again Jim for sharing your experience. :)

I hope to have some pictures posted soon of some hot laps at the track.

[rwmastel]

Jim,

It's been a year, has your opinion of the brake pads remained intact? I figure after tires, brake pads would be my next important change. Oh, and I need to learn how to adjust my own camber settings (probably more for auto-X than track, no?).

[KarenCaren]

Jim is right. carbon-Kevlar is cool. I been using it for about a year and it felt great. you should try that chappy.:)
___________________________
If you want to know about Mercendez Benz. Check out my Mercedez Blog (http://mercedespartsblog.mbpartswarehouse.com/).

[JimVillers]

Rodd ..... Carbon-Kevlar is a definite upgrade to your brakes; more important than tires. There are several suppliers, I have used both CarboTech (http://www.ctbrakes.com/) and Porterfield (http://www.porterfield-brakes.com/) pads but there are other good suppliers. It is also important is to upgrade to racing brake fluid with a high boiling point. I use ATE "Blue" but there are several other good race fluids.

Remember that braking is VERY important. Loose power, nothing bad happens; loose brakes and everything bad happens.

[Chappy]

Jim is right. carbon-Kevlar is cool. I been using it for about a year and it felt great. you should try that chappy.:)
___________________________
If you want to know about Mercendez Benz. Check out my Mercedez Blog (http://mercedespartsblog.mbpartswarehouse.com/).

Hey thanks....

Since my last post (March 2007), I've done three more track days in my CLK55. Guess what? After nearly 6 years and 39K miles, I still have the original brake pads and original rotors....can't believe they've lasted this long. :)

I put the SS lines on, but they were made well and ended up leaking, so I had new factory brake lines fitted. That, with Ate Super Blue fluid - works great. There's only one downside to all this fun....tires get worn very quickly. :D

I'm still convinced that a Quaife ATB is a practical mod, along with a KW variant 2 suspension, now offered for the W208s!

[zacknolden]

I also like this. The SS braiding not only protects the "rubber" beneath from outside physical damage but also act as a girdle that lessens brake line flex (swelling).
_____________________________________________
One For The Road (http://drivemecrazy.blogr.com), One For Autopartswarehouse (http://www.dscoupons.com/stores~sid~918~AutoPartsWarehouse.htm)