Fit and Finish:
The first thing you should notice is the OEM look of the kit. The supercharger looks as if it belongs there. Absolutely no hood clearance issues or parts forced where they shouldn't be or relocated awkwardly to make this all work. Even the plastic engine cover fits. The only permanent modification is trimming a piece of the top portion of the cover. As written in Part I, if one desires to return the car to stock this piece can be replaced for $60.
What should also strike you is just how clean the wiring is. One would be hard pressed to notice anything out of place. They use the factory location for everything wherever possible. Clean, simple, and OEM like. Also notice the little details such as the Weistec logo on the reservoir cover.
Startup Impressions:
The car started up with no issues. No CEL's, no problems, no idle search, no drama. The only light on the dash was the tire pressure monitor which I have as well, no big deal and nothing related to the supercharger.
Driving Impressoins:
Ok, here is the good stuff. Steve took me on a fairly extended test drive. My impressions are from the passenger seat, I did not drive nor would I have wanted to due to the liability concerns. So how does it drive? At low speeds, you can't even really tell it's there. Just drives like the car should drive.
When the accelerator is depressed though, all hell breaks loose. The car pulls HARD. A very nice combination of low end torque and top end. It pushes you into your seat from beginning to end but also seems to get stronger as it approaches redline. My comparisons are pretty much going to be to a supercharged E92 M3 since that is my experience but there is no waiting. Power is there right when you want it.
Throttle response seems instant to me but Steve told me he feels it is slightly sharper than stock. All I know is when he hit the gas, he didn't need to tell me. The car simply feels great and it feels strong. Is it faster than a Stage I M3? I definitely think so. Stage II? Close, but the way the power comes on feels better. Hard not to love the power delivery on this car.
What about traction? Too much power for the street?
Ah yes, the eternal problem with high power RWD cars. To be honest, this level of power didn't feel like it was too much for the street or too much to control. Yes, you have to be more aware and yes if you apply the throttle in a turn the tail will step out as Steve slightly did on one occasion during the drive. It is not anything that one can not manage and I felt no problem with that level of power for daily driving. Frankly, I would want it. Maybe with Stage 3 traction down low will be a problem but I see this as totally usable and totally fun to use.
The tires will spin from a stop (they did, wasn't even that bad) but you just need to modulate the throttle. Not really all that different from what you do with the car when stock. It will overpower the traction control system so just be aware of if you have it on or not.
What about heat soak?
What heat soak? The car was driven on a hot California Summer day. We got stuck in traffic on the 405 and I had my eyes glued intently on the dash. No lights, no temp issues, car was perfectly fine. A couple more full throttle blasts were done and no loss of power was detected by the butt dyno.
I do not even have anything to nitpick. I want to be critical but they took all that way from me by providing me with what amounted to a flawless and eye opening experience. Car ran as Black Series owners would expect their cars to run. Just like OEM but with far more power everywhere in the rev range. I really want one, badly. If you have a 63 AMG with an M156 and are on the fence but not sure if you want to justify the expense then I strongly suggest you never go for a ride in one. If you do, put the money aside beforehand as you will be handing it over with a huge grin the moment you step out. It's that good.
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