HID Fogs - looking for a decent setup...

Since I have my 6K LED running lights they match my HID low-beams nicely - and I'm looking to upgrade my fog lights to match - right now the fogs look really dim/yellow in comparison to the low beams and running lights.

I found this kit which looks to be decent for < $40 shipped on Amazon - hoping they'll be 'flicker-free' and run well.

I've never been a fan of yellow, or non-white fogs, and I realize these are not 'premium' HIDs bt they're a slim-ballast kit that should look good. (see below)

Thoughts?

Mercedes AMG Books - know of any good ones?

Searching the interwebs, looking for some good books about Mercedes-AMG History - know any good ones?  Did you know AMG stands for Aufrecht, Melcher, and Großaspach ?

Found this one so far...

Following on from the merger between AMG and Daimler Chrysler in 1999, things really began to happen for AMG Mercedes-Benz enthusiasts.  The special touch of the AMG engineers was being seen on every model in the entire vast Mercedes-Banz model range, from the prosaic C-Class through to the S-Class and the SLK sports cars, as well as the ML and G-Class off-roader wagons. Not to be left out was the exotic Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren with its supercharged 5.5 litre quad-cam V8 engine that was fettled by the AMG people. Included are road and comparison tests, model releases, technical and performance data, plus advice on buying a Mercedes-Benz AMG. Models covered include the C30, 32 & 55, CLK430, 55, TDM & GTR, CL55 & 65, CLS55, E55, G55, ML55, S55 & 65, SL55 & 65, SLK32 & 55 Plus SLR McLaren.

Post some links to good ones you know!

Mercedes E55 AMG Zoomin...

not much explanation needed for this... :o)

and here's an oil filter for the E55 - good deal! :)

Shop Amazon - New Year, New You Event

Data logging - man, this is fun!

With all the fun mods, and my I/C pump failing last month - I figured it's a good time to start logging ECU/Sensor data on my car.  I've always wanted to check this stuff out - but just never had the motivation and/or patience to set it all up.  I found that it's really easy now...

First and foremost you need to get an OBD-II connection that will pull the data from your vehicle.  I did lots of research and wanted to find the best 'bang for the buck' setup.  There are fantastic options like the DashDaq but they cost $550 and I'd rather put that into other stuff - so I found the Kiwi WiFi adapter for $60 on Craligslist - pretty awesome considering they cost $149 new!

This is a really simple setup, you plug one end into the vehicle's OBD-II port and there's a 6' cable that you can mount anywhere in the vehicle.  There is a little on-off switch and the wireless component lights up when it's turned on.   Basically it sets up an Ad-Hoc Wireless connection to any device with Wireless access.  In this case I'm using my iPhone4.

Obviously - the iPhone needs an app to read the data - so I went with one that is actively monitored/developed called Dash Command for $49.99 on the app store.

It's a pretty cool application and monitors your car in real time!  Check out the screen shot below!

There are 5 different tabs (along the bottom) but this screen gives me a good look at timing and the intake temps!  This screen shot was taken on 105*F day outside, so my I/C pump is working hard to keep the intake temps to ~10-12*F within ambient temps!  Much better than last month when my IATs were in the 170-180*F range!  

Lots to learn from this setup as there is SO much data now, so I'll need some time to figure out all this info to make more sense of it all - but the instant data is excellent and I can't complain to have a setup for ~ $110 in comparison to the $550 models out there!

Dyno and a disappointment!

Well, a few weeks back we had a group Dyno day - never did that before, so I figured why not check it out!?  My brother and I drove a few hours to San Francisco and the guys at Dito's Motors were great!  Two days of dyno tuning for our group - probably 15 guys with their AMG power.

Jerry came in from Texas ( http://www.eurocharged.com/) to do the dyno tuning - and MANY guys had a blast and some big power was put down.  It was a usual Bay Area day - about 58 degrees outside, of course my brother and I forgot that it was colder there so it was quite chilly in our shorts and T-shirts (LOL).

I had my first run around 11:15am - got on the dyno and did a baseline...  

A whole whopping 400HP at the wheels... which isn't all that bad, but in perspective to other cars but we knew something was up...  my secondary water pump was failing so it couldn't cool the intake charge, my IATs were 170-180F so the computer was dumping all the fuel possible into the cylinders which pretty much made my AFR's dive into the low 10's (most likely into the 9s and even 8s)...  so we had to pack up and get a new pump installed...  The guys were great at the shop, a few guys even offered to replace the pump that day and get things dialed back in- but I let it up to the warranty to fix things (hey, that's why you buy one!) :-)

Oh well, next time I run into a Dyno - things should be much better!  I got a new toy to start logging my ECU to make sure stuff like this doesn't happen in the future... next blog!

Got some new stuff installed!

FINALLY got the S/C pulley installed, and re-tuned from Eurocharged - wahoo!  Also, during the downtime had the plugs installed (NGK LFR7AIX) and the brake fluid flushed.

  

I'll have a dyno tune done later this month to see what power gains are to be had with this lightweight pulley but the torque curve is MUCH broader than before - almost feels like an even BIGGER V8 or maybe a V12 :-)

 Next on the list is a new Gates K080505HD V-Belt, this will help keep this pulley from slipping as the stock belt is a little long at 51", the new belt is 49.6" and should keep things snug and spinning!

So far so good, the new Heat Exchanger from Fabtech-Performance has kept the 100+ degree days at bay and kept the S/C from overheating.  Next is to start logging data, really curious what the IATs are now with the new pulley and blistering CA heat!

Finally got the new intercooler installed

It took a while, but I wanted to be sure to time this correctly - I had to have one of my headlights replaced under warranty so the front bumper needed to be pulled anyways - so I saved some labor costs :)  The guys at Von Housen were fantastic!

Unboxed the new heat exchanger - looks great!

and here it is installed... (subtle - yet effective!)

now it's time to add one of these guys...