I sort of bought a car that sort of runs. A 1998 SLK230 looks like a good deal at night.

trigger it with the kickdown switch on the gas pedal (or similar). 

Robbie said:

trigger it with the kickdown switch on the gas pedal (or similar). 

Exactly.

Here is where the mechanical accelerator linkage connects to the throttle sensor. The TB is drive by wire.

It's almost like MB wants me to do this...

Soooo, I investigated the air bypass valve, and it's wiring and signal.

It is commanded by the ECU with a PWM signal.

The mechanical position control feedback is in the valve body, so there are just 3 wires.

12+

GND

signal

Signal is 12v and probably about 50hz.

This scan is taken at idel, and is consistant with a 50Hz 10% duty cycle which is correct for fully opened.

A few throttle blips confirmed that as duty cycle went up, the valve closed.

Unfortunately you cant fool it to fully close with a constant 12v. I am sure it is likely fully closed at 99 to 90 % duty cycle.

Ordered one of these... because I think this is still worth doing. Or not.

Need a team name. Maybe RGR? (Rube Goldberg Racing)

In other news, this got done:

This is the power resistor that makes the ECU happy in place of the electromagnetic coil for the old supercharger clutch.

Just figured Out I have Driven the SLO 2K 6,256 Miles in 10 Months.

Not bad for a Gastropod?

Almost DD level...

We'll see how slow it is tomorrow, for sure!

I have a feeling these wheels will never be this clean again.

good luck!

In reply to sleepyhead the buffalo :

Thanks!

Go get 'em! And eat tacos!

Already in 1st place!

In reply to a_florida_man :

Good luck! I've really enjoyed seeing how resourceful and methodical you've been with repairing this thing. Even have one of those oscilloscopes in my amazon cart as we speak 

Stickers off...

...what does someone do with a '98 SL0 2K?

Thinking about a M113 5.4 V8.

In reply to a_florida_man :

It was great meeting you at the Challenge.  IdI really like to see this get V8 power!

Indy-Guy said:

In reply to a_florida_man :

It was great meeting you at the Challenge.  IdI really like to see this get V8 power!

Likewise, and Likewise.

haha

Yeah a top 10 car that hits all Gastropod Rules including tires (but not recoup, unless that is changed for 2020), would be a hoot.

Especially if it is a NA Mercedes V8.

Do you think this qualifies for Radwood? 1998 and all.....

The potential donor parts car is a 2000 CLK55 AMG. heh heh... 362hp / 376 ft/lb 10.5:1 comp.

wheeeeeeeee

In reply to a_florida_man :

If it’s pimped-our in a period-correct style I’d say it’s total Radwood material. 

Pete Gossett said:

In reply to a_florida_man :

If it’s pimped-our in a period-correct style I’d say it’s total Radwood material. 

Hmmm, not sure what that means... going to google the term "Radwood".

That should go well right?

How did it run at the challenge?

In reply to jfryjfry :

I can tell you that the supercharger whine drowned out any engine noise, and watching from the sidelines it sounded like a dystopian sci-fi electric car of the future. 

Pete Gossett said:

In reply to jfryjfry :

I can tell you that the supercharger whine drowned out any engine noise, and watching from the sidelines it sounded like a dystopian sci-fi electric car of the future. 

Yeah.... that sucked.

Literally.

The air intake hose collapsed shut. I'm not sure how it continued to run till I fould that, AFTER the pro runs... :(

Shoulda Woulda Coulda....

In reply to a_florida_man :

Wow! 

So the 2000 CLK55 AMG turned out to be a 2002 CLK430.

Still interesting, but the seller ghosted me today... guess I'm moving on...

BTW did you guys know you can use free online lookups for License Plate to VIN number lookup?

That's how I i'd this car.

Ran tag, got VIN, ran VIN on the Mercedes Data plate DB.

Came back as a 2002 CLK430 with a factory AMG appearance package.

Didn't know MB faked their own cars... lol.

In reply to a_florida_man :

Where did you run the plate number to get the VIN?

JTNWEvo said:

In reply to a_florida_man :

Where did you run the plate number to get the VIN?

I used:

https://vincheck.info/free-license-plate-lookup/

I'm sure it's not the only one.

You may have noticed, some auto parts store's websites use this same type of db to let you look your parts up by your tag.

For the MB vin, I then used one like this:

https://www.mbdecoder.com/

Also VERY common, at least for MB's

Note: some folks have fully public records exempted License Plate Data.

 IE: LEO, retired LEO, State's Attorney's, State Agents, Investigators, etc...

I vote V8, yeah.