Are there any simple easy ways to add horsepower to my `99 SL600 Sport? I was told they are detuned/governed for the U.S. market, and that they will run up to 200mph but are governed to only go 150ish. I don't necessarlly care about top speed since we don't have an Autobahn, but it being a 6.0L V12 and only having 390HP I would think a guy could get 400-425HP maybe 450 out of it. Are there HP chips available? I was also told I may be able to get a European chip for it, is that true? I have talked with my local Sports Car shop, they said Benz's aren't sports cars and Benz owners don't want that stuff. They suggested if I wanted high performance to buy a real sports car like a BMW or Porsche. Any suggestions?????????????? Other than staying away from my local Sports Car shop...........Thanks in advance. GAV

 

What is the name of 'your local sports car shop'???
And please don't start the bull**** with Porsche and BMW ,it is not worth the stretch!
Oooo and will you tell the diff 390 -400,425 HP?
Nice try if you ask me

 

I'm not following you? Did I say someting wrong? I'm not starting any BS about other cars I was just sharing what I was told, and Yes you can feel the difference in HP maybe not 390 to 400 but to 425 or 450 you bet.

 

you already got 300KW at 5200 rpm. if you are a sporty driver, you can easily squeeze 400 HP from it since the compression ratio is 10.0

chiptuning can be done but you have to sacrifice fuel consumption, comfort and durability.

just have the dealer disable the speed limiter if you want to go beyond 180m/h.

 

SLs are not outright sports cars - you'd be better looking at suspension mods and lighter wheels if you want better handling - a few bhp won't do much. Chip tuning will give you a bit more torque and bhp - typically 5 - 10% on NA engines - they can also improve fuel economy though you'd have to use high octane fuel - your stuff in the US is pretty poor!

 

I replaced the chip set in both control modules to change the power curve dramatically and remove the limiter, but they are an expensive modification. It only took about 30 minutes to change both, although I thought I had made an error a month later when the car had some starting problems after a tuneup oilchange at the dealership. I feared they had reset the chip programming, and got a replacement set of chips, which it turned out was not neccesary, they had just left a sensor wire plug off, and it performed well after that. I also changed to AMG wider wheels and Michlein top of the line tires, so it tracks like it's on rails. also have the sport package.