i got a complete stock 01 CLS with 55k miles on. i'm thinking to put some mods on it within $1500. anyone has any suggestion which i should start first i would really appreciate it. i prefer HP than appearance.
thanks.

 

You can do A LOT with $1500. My recommendation would be:

Cold Air Intake (Your choice, they all work the same) - $150 - $25 install (if you can't do it yourself)
XS Power Headers - $140 + $200 labor
Comptech Exhaust - $850 + $25 labor

That equals $1,290.
Do whatever you want with the extra $210

 

i would go with a nice set of suspension. i have a set of TEIN SS-P with the EDFC and they're fabalous. balance out the power and handling.

 

Go with:
=KSport full coilovers $600ish
=XS Powah headers $150ish
=Comptech IceBox intake $240ish
=JL 12w3v2+JL250/1amp $500ish.
$600+$150+$240+$500=$1490. That leaves $10 for gas.

That way you have the best of power, handling, and thump.

 

Go with:
=KSport full coilovers $600ish
=XS Powah headers $150ish
=Comptech IceBox intake $240ish
=JL 12w3v2+JL250/1amp $500ish.
$600ish+$150ish+$240ish+$500ish=$1490ish. That leaves $10ish for gas.

That way you have the best of power, handling, and thump.

 

$1500 would be a good start.

I would pretty much do what All Mine recommended. The only think I would do differently would be leave out the thump and go with some Rotora Slotted rotors since your stock ones will warp. And get some better brake pads.

If you have anything left over get some Thermoblok Spacers.

 

#1=Comptech Sways, Rear only $115
#2=HR sport springs & Tokico Illumina shocks $550 plus possible $100 for chamber kit
#3=Comptech IceBox $250
#4=UR Crank Pulley $175
#5=Rotora Slotted Rotors $195
#6=Alignment $60
#7=Nice Ceramic Brakepads $55

There you have it, save your money on the headers till later. Try to find a set of used Comptech headers and toss them on. You really don't notice much of a difference with headers unless you really get on your car. You will actually appreciate the suspension mods more than headers, its like night and day.

Good luck

 

what is the best site to get XS headers for the best price?? thats next on my list

 

ebay for the xs headers would you guys recommend the coilovers over the comptech exhaust if you had to choose?

 

Definitely. Ditch the 4x4 look first.

From what I've read, exhaust mods have minimal gains if any, aside from appearance. Which would u rather have: A) a 4x4 with some sweet pipes sticking out of back, or B) a slammed CL ?



In the future, avoid the

 

if all your really interested now is HP....other than just saving your money and getting a S/C....get a intake (icebox or aem...which is louder), headers....comptechs are reliable but very expenisve $1000+, and some UR Pulleys....like everyone said exhaust really doesnt make a difference other then looks and sound....your stock exahust are just fine.... but with those parts i suggested you should get a good 50 hp gain...correct me if im wrong guys...

 

50 HP is a little optomistic just for crank pulley, headers and icebox. But all in all, its a great start with those 3 little mods.
Reason I say 50 is optomistic, each of those mods hits the HP numbers in a different way.

UR Pulley- Low end hp, up to a possible 5-10 hp gain
Intake-Low end hp, up to a possible 5-10 hp gain
Headers-High end hp after 4K rpms, up to a possible 25-30hp gain.

 

yea...i knew i was reaching...but calculating what pits200 said your at about 35-45 hp gain...which is still significant...

 

you guys are awesome professors here, i'm on my way.........

 

and where would you buy these parts? on ebay? or local shops?

 

1.) Blackmarket from reputable seller a used product
2.) Used from Ebay
3.) New from any site.

 

Umm, flame if you like but the CT exhaust is a complete waste of $800+. Waste, waste, waste.

springs/struts
CAI
headers
pulley

and tint.

 

agreed, tints are a must...nice 35% on the windshield as well =

 

i read some post saying pulley is not that useful for auto transmission 01CLS

 

Really, after I put the pulley on, I noticed more of a low end hp increase with this mod more than I did after the CAI.

 

The biggest gains I've seen are

Crank pulley
Headers
Cold air intake
UniChip if you can find one used
RT high flow cat

 

Who are you talking to...everybody I've talked to on here that has bought one loves the extra gain.

 

with the CT exhaust.

for tint!

10% sides, 5% rear

 

I have about 7 people who have had a before pulley and after pulley ride in my car that would say otherwise. Two of which didn't know about it being installed.

Pulley, Icebox,Headers, and tint FTW

 

Damn, 10% in front... My ass would be pulled over in about 5 minutes with 10% tint on my front windows, the cops around me are like that.

Only time I needed it that dark was when I was in hs driving around with my girlfriend at the time....

 

psssst.... what was your girl doing in the car that you needed 10% tint????









































hahahah. jk... no need to answer!

 

i feel ya

 

Haha. Shiiiet. I Got Limo(5%) All The Way Around My Car. Cops Are More Leanient Down Here In Florida. People Dont See Anything In My Car..lol
Anyways,i Am In The Same Boat. I Am Gonna Do Suspension 1st, Then High Flow Cat And Remove The Resonator. Then, An Intake And Maybe Some Lighter Wheels/tires. I'll Hopefully Be Where I Want To Be At After That...gl Brotha

 

 

Oh it's fun having 10% on...I can park my car with my girl in the.....................

It's reflective 10% tint though. It's a light green so it matches the color of my car. The rear is non-metallic 5%.

I don't like people looking in my car whatever time of the day it is.

 

where is this post?

 

I've had lots of cars in the past, including a Mercedes C240, where exhausts START at $800 and go upto $2,000 and still doesn't sound great. So to me, $800 for an exhaust that sounds AWESOME is completely worth it. Screw the HP gains, you won't feel them no matter what car you get an exhaust for. At most a car will see 5-8hp from an exhaust, woopdy doo. It's all about sound for that. Anyway, my suggestion was simply to go with the basic bolt-ons as a first-time modder should do first.

 

TRUUUUE

 

A full exhaust setup will deal out more than 5-8hp...from engine to tail pipe. With 800 dollars I can definately find more things to do to the engine...Like a decent nitrous setup...

Besides, I spent less than 800 dollars on my full exhaust set up. hehee

 

Well of course it can be done for cheaper, as I'm doing it too. I'll be getting the XS Power headers and I'm swapping my stock exhaust for a guy's Neuspeed so I'll be spending installed about $400 for everything.

Anyway, I was speaking about the cat-back exhaust alone. 5-8hp is standard on every car at best. I simply love the way the Comptech sounds and for me that sound is worth it. Ever hear a '03 Mercedes C240 w/ a Brabus exhaust?

$1,100 for an exhaust that sounds like a Civic and produces minimal, if any gains. I'd spend that $800 on the Comptechs solely for sound any day. That's just my opinion though.

 

i think a stock exhaust on an 05 c230 kompressor sounds awful.

EDIT: Not trying to get off the subject, but 800 bones is still a lot of coin for the name.

 

Thats what I was going to say. The Mercedes stock exhaust on the 200 is very very weak, it isnt meant to have any grunt. On the other hand, the CL-S has a high flow exhaust which has a nice sound already.

Therefore, the $800 might be more reasonable to spend on the mercedes exhaust than it is on the CL.

 

i'm the same way, i have 15% all around and 35% on my windshield....i dont like people lookin in either, but the cop that pulled me over last night didnt like the fact that he couldn't see me when he looked in!! 100 dollar ticket, ill pay it and give him a little

 

So what's the deal with Neuspeed exhaust? Do they not make them anymore for our CL's? I love Neuspeed products so if I did ever consider an exhaust I'd love to get one, but is it a matter of finding a used one?

 

Unfortunately they discontinued the Neuspeed exhausts for our cars, I don't know why but it does suck. I happen to be lucky I checked the forums when I did because there's a member who wants to swap the stock for his Neuspeed and he only lives 10 minutes away. I'm just waiting on him to come back on the forums to meet up.

I'll post a sound clip and some pics once I get it installed