Driving a CLK63 Black Series MANUAL — The Carmudgeon Show w Jason Cammisa & Derek Tam-Scott — Ep 185
About this episode
Jason Cammisa and Derek Tam-Scott dive into the thrilling experience of driving a manual-swapped Mercedes CLK63 AMG Black Series. They discuss the intricacies of the manual swap, comparing it to the original automatic setup, and share their thoughts on the car's performance, handling, and overall driving experience. The episode features engaging debates on the merits of manual versus automatic transmissions, along with personal anecdotes and insights from their time on the dyno. The conversation also touches on the rarity and desirability of the Black Series, making for a captivating listen.
dynamometer
"...insights from a day spent on the dynamometer. Junimuminer? Well, his cars were on the dynamometer."
A dynamometer is a machine that measures how much power a car's engine produces. It's used to see how well a car performs.
A dynamometer is a device used to measure force, torque, or power output of an engine or vehicle. It allows for precise testing of a vehicle's performance metrics under controlled conditions.
horsepower
"...How many horsepower at the wheels did you make? I was only there to strap down more powerful vehicles."
Horsepower is a way to measure how powerful a car's engine is. The more horsepower, the faster and stronger the car can be.
Horsepower is a unit of measurement for power, commonly used to quantify the power output of engines. It indicates how much work an engine can perform over time.
Mercedes-Benz CLK 63 AMG Black Series
"You, because you're a rat bastard, showed up in a six-speed manual Mercedes CLK 63 AMG Black Series, one of the most amazing drivers cars of the last 25 years."
The CLK 63 AMG Black Series is a special version of a Mercedes-Benz car that is designed for performance. It has a strong engine and is fun to drive, making it popular among car lovers.
The Mercedes-Benz CLK 63 AMG Black Series is a high-performance variant of the CLK-Class, known for its powerful engine and sporty handling. It's celebrated among enthusiasts for its driving dynamics and exclusivity.
Quick Classics
"the car got a manual transmission swap by quick classics."
Quick Classics is a company that helps change and improve cars, like swapping out automatic gears for manual ones. They focus on making cars better for driving.
Quick Classics is a company that specializes in automotive modifications, including transmission swaps. They are known for their expertise in enhancing the performance and driving experience of classic and performance cars.
BMW 8 Series
"...isn't this exact rationale that you would use to argue against the purchase of an eight series, which you have purchased?"
The BMW 8 Series is a fancy car that is designed for long drives in comfort and style. It's powerful and has a lot of features that make it enjoyable to drive.
The BMW 8 Series is a luxury grand tourer that combines performance with high-end features. It is known for its powerful engines and comfortable ride, making it a popular choice among enthusiasts.
Porsche 986
"...my nine eight six was black. My nine six. My Miata. Like all of my..."
The Porsche 986 is a model of the Boxster sports car made by Porsche. It's popular for its great handling and fun driving experience.
The Porsche 986 refers to the first generation of the Porsche Boxster, which was produced from 1996 to 2004. It's known for its mid-engine layout and sporty handling.
Mazda Miata
"...My Miata. Like all of my and the Lotus, all of my like sports cars have been black."
The Mazda Miata is a small sports car that's known for being fun to drive. It's light and has a convertible top, making it popular among car enthusiasts.
The Mazda MX-5 Miata is a lightweight two-seater sports car known for its agile handling and fun driving experience. It's one of the best-selling sports cars in history.
clutch
"The clutch is proprietary. He found some supplier who would make something that fits the needs of this car."
The clutch is a part of the car that helps you change gears. A proprietary clutch is one that is specially made for a specific car model.
The clutch is a mechanical component that engages and disengages the engine from the transmission, allowing the driver to change gears. A proprietary clutch means it is specially made for a specific vehicle's needs.
Mercedes-Benz
"It feels like a car that left a Mercedes Benz factory. Yeah. I agree with that."
Mercedes-Benz is a famous car brand from Germany that makes high-quality luxury cars. They are known for their advanced technology and comfort.
Mercedes-Benz is a German automotive brand known for luxury vehicles, buses, and trucks. It is a division of Daimler AG and is recognized for its engineering excellence and innovative technology.
ESP
"Yes, ESP not available. Yes. That's true."
ESP is a safety feature in cars that helps keep them stable and prevent skidding. It works by automatically adjusting the brakes and engine power when it detects that the car is losing control.
ESP stands for Electronic Stability Program, a technology designed to improve a vehicle's stability by detecting and reducing loss of traction. It helps prevent skidding and loss of control during slippery conditions or abrupt maneuvers.
ABS
"...if I had floored it while the message was coming up or you know, tried to get into ABS because it said ABS in traction control or ESP not available. But the clutch throttle everything feels perfect."
ABS helps your car stop without skidding. It makes sure the wheels keep turning while you brake, so you can still steer safely.
ABS stands for Anti-lock Braking System, which prevents the wheels from locking up during braking, allowing for better control of the vehicle. It's especially useful in slippery conditions to maintain steering control.
Pagani
"...And you have throttle mapping. Pagani."
Pagani makes very expensive and fast sports cars. They're known for their cool designs and high performance, often seen as works of art on wheels.
Pagani is an Italian manufacturer of high-performance sports cars known for their unique design and engineering. Models like the Zonda and Huayra are celebrated for their performance and exclusivity.
Pagani Zonda
"...Pagani manual swapped the V12 for the Zonda. And it feels it because the throttle calibration is very much what you get on a Mercedes automatic."
The Pagani Zonda is a supercar made by the Italian company Pagani. It's famous for its incredible speed and unique looks, often featuring a powerful V12 engine.
The Pagani Zonda is a high-performance sports car known for its unique design and powerful engine options, including a V12. It represents the pinnacle of automotive engineering and luxury.
AMG engine
"Well, I think it helps that this engine is an AMG engine. And so the calibration on the throttle was done in a more sports car away because it was designed by AMG."
AMG is a special part of Mercedes-Benz that makes their cars faster and sportier. An AMG engine is one that has been specially designed to give better performance.
AMG is Mercedes-Benz's performance division, known for creating high-performance engines and tuning vehicles. The AMG engine refers to engines specifically designed and calibrated by this division for enhanced performance.
M156
"This is, once again, the only AMG engine clean sheet design ever made. The M156."
The M156 is a type of V8 engine made by AMG that is known for being powerful and making a unique sound. It's used in some of the sportier Mercedes-Benz cars.
The M156 is a naturally aspirated V8 engine developed by AMG, known for its performance and distinctive sound. It has been used in various high-performance Mercedes-Benz models.
kick down
"It does still have, I don't know if you noticed this, kick down. There's a little kick down button at the end of the trip, the travel."
Kick down is a function in automatic cars that helps you speed up quickly. When you press the gas pedal all the way down, it shifts to a lower gear to give you more power.
Kick down refers to a feature in automatic transmissions that allows the driver to quickly downshift to a lower gear for increased acceleration. This is typically activated by pressing the accelerator pedal further down, providing more power when needed.
Mercedes-Benz M156
"We never have gotten to interact with this M156. As a manual. Mercedes never once made this M156 available with a manual."
The M156 is a powerful V8 engine from Mercedes-Benz, used in their performance AMG cars. It's known for being strong and making a great noise when you drive it.
The Mercedes-Benz M156 is a 6.2-liter V8 engine known for its high performance and use in various AMG models. It is notable for its power output and distinctive sound, making it a favorite among enthusiasts.
Audi R8
"In the best example there, Audi R8."
The Audi R8 is a luxury sports car that is fast and has a unique look. It's known for its powerful engines and great handling.
The Audi R8 is a high-performance sports car known for its striking design and powerful engine options, including V8 and V10 variants.
R-tronic
"You get the R-tronic or S-tronic on the V8..."
R-tronic is a type of transmission in some Audi cars that lets you change gears without using a clutch pedal, making it easier to drive fast.
R-tronic is Audi's automated manual transmission system that allows for clutchless shifting, providing a sportier driving experience.
S-tronic
"You get the R-tronic or S-tronic on the V8..."
S-tronic is another type of transmission in Audi cars that helps change gears quickly and smoothly, making the car feel faster.
S-tronic is Audi's dual-clutch transmission system that provides faster gear changes and improved performance compared to traditional automatic transmissions.
Audi RS4
"... the V8 and the R8 and that V8 when it was in the RS4. Because in the RS4 it was sort of slow to rev an..."
The Audi RS4 is a fast and fancy version of the regular Audi A4. It has a strong engine and is designed to be fun to drive while still being comfortable inside.
The Audi RS4 is a high-performance version of the Audi A4, featuring a powerful V8 engine and all-wheel drive. It is known for its balance of luxury and sportiness, making it a popular choice among car enthusiasts.
flywheel
"In the R8, they got rid of the flywheel..."
A flywheel is a part of the car that helps keep the engine running smoothly by storing energy and making it easier to change speeds.
The flywheel is a mechanical device that stores rotational energy and helps smooth out the power delivery from the engine to the transmission.
rev hang
"...but it doesn't result in uncomfortable rev hang in normal use. Yeah, I mean, if you put the clutch in and blip it, it's very, very..."
Rev hang is when the engine keeps running at a high speed for a moment after you take your foot off the gas pedal. It can make shifting gears feel a bit strange.
Rev hang refers to the phenomenon where the engine RPMs take longer to drop after the throttle is released, often causing a delay in engine response. This can be noticeable during gear shifts and can affect driving smoothness.
OEM
"This feels like in terms of engagement, very OEM. It perfectly OEM."
OEM means parts that are made by the same company that built the car. These parts are usually the same as what was originally in the car when it was new.
OEM stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer, referring to parts made by the vehicle's original manufacturer. OEM parts are typically designed to fit and function exactly like the original components.
transmission
"I don't know if I'm allowed to even ask where that transmission and linkage comes from."
A transmission helps your car move by sending power from the engine to the wheels. It can be either manual, where you change gears yourself, or automatic, which does it for you.
A transmission is a system that transmits power from the engine to the wheels, allowing the vehicle to move. It can be manual or automatic, affecting how the driver interacts with the vehicle.
Chrysler Crossfire
"...oing to find to despise about it. It's not from a crossfire. So Jason has now driven the car for a grand tota..."
The Chrysler Crossfire is a sporty car that looks different from most others. It was made in the early 2000s and has some parts from a Mercedes, but people have different opinions about how well it drives.
The Chrysler Crossfire is a sports coupe that was produced in the early 2000s, known for its unique styling and performance. It shares some components with the Mercedes-Benz SLK, but has received mixed reviews regarding its overall driving experience.
Porsche 911
"It's cable. It feels like halfway between like a GTI and a 9-11 in that there's a really big build-up in effort as you're moving through into a gate."
Volkswagen Golf GTI
"It feels like halfway between like a GTI and a 9-11 in that there's a really big build-up in effort as you're moving through into a gate."
The Porsche 911 is a famous sports car that is known for being fast and fun to drive. It's a favorite among car lovers for its unique shape and powerful engine.
The Porsche 911 is a legendary sports car known for its distinctive design, rear-engine layout, and exceptional performance. It has been a staple in the automotive world since its introduction in the 1960s.
BMW E39
"...tter. I think this is better than an E46 M3 or an E39 M5. The engine certainly responds better, quicker..."
The BMW 5 Series is a fancy car that’s comfortable and fun to drive. It's been around for a long time and is known for being a good choice if you want a mix of luxury and sportiness.
The BMW 5 Series is a mid-size luxury sedan known for its blend of performance, comfort, and advanced technology. It has been a significant model in BMW's lineup since its introduction in 1972, often praised for its driving dynamics and high-quality interior.
black-series
"And the other thing about it, and I think there's a black-series thing..."
The Black Series is a special version of some Mercedes cars that are made for high performance. They have more power and better handling for driving fast.
The Black Series is a high-performance variant of certain Mercedes-Benz models, featuring enhanced power, handling, and track-focused upgrades. It represents the pinnacle of performance for those models.
diff cooler
"It has a diff cooler."
A diff cooler is a part that keeps the car's differential from getting too hot. This is important for keeping the car running well, especially when driving fast.
A diff cooler is a component that helps regulate the temperature of the differential, which is crucial for maintaining performance and preventing overheating during aggressive driving.
BMW E63
"... that have the M156, and it's going to be like an E63 or whatever that has... Or a C63, and it just has..."
The BMW 6 Series is a stylish and comfortable two-door car that looks great and drives well. It's meant for people who want a mix of luxury and sportiness.
The BMW 6 Series is a luxury coupe and convertible that emphasizes style and performance, offering a range of powerful engines and advanced technology. It has been a symbol of elegance and sportiness in BMW's lineup since its introduction.
V8 engine
"And so it's like a rear-wheel drive V8 Porsche GT approach to things."
A V8 engine has eight cylinders that help the car go fast and provide a lot of power. It's often used in sports cars and big vehicles.
A V8 engine is an eight-cylinder engine arranged in a 'V' configuration, known for delivering high power and torque, commonly found in performance and luxury vehicles.
suspension setup
"What I want to know is, what was the suspension setup and alignment setup that Mercedes used for the press cars back in the day?"
Suspension setup is how a car's parts that help it ride smoothly and handle turns are arranged and adjusted. It can make a big difference in how the car feels when driving.
Suspension setup refers to the configuration and tuning of a vehicle's suspension system, which affects handling, ride comfort, and overall performance. It includes components like springs, shock absorbers, and alignment settings.
Aston Martin V12 Vantage
"...r V8 Vantage, Aston, no contest this one. This or V12 Vantage, which is a lot more money, I think. It's literal..."
The Aston Martin V12 Vantage is a really fast and beautiful sports car with a big engine. It's made for people who love luxury and want an exciting driving experience.
The Aston Martin V12 Vantage is a high-performance version of the Vantage sports car, featuring a powerful V12 engine and a lightweight body. It is known for its stunning design and thrilling driving experience, appealing to luxury sports car enthusiasts.
Lexus Lfas
"And they're not worth very much because of the transmission, I would argue. Incidentally, they made exactly 500 Lexus LFA's and that's a car that's also let down by its two pedal transmission. No one's ever swapped one of them to manual that we know."
The Lexus LFA is a rare and powerful sports car made by Lexus, known for its unique engine sound and speed. However, some people don't like its special type of transmission, which can make it less appealing to buyers.
The Lexus LFA is a limited-production supercar that was produced from 2010 to 2012, featuring a high-revving V10 engine and advanced technology. Despite its impressive performance and exclusivity, it faced criticism for its automated manual transmission, which affected its desirability in the used car market.
BMW M4
"...ppen. Listen, this happened to us with the BMW M3 M4. We had Randy Popes in a coupe that was a..."
The BMW M4 is a sporty two-door car that’s really fast and fun to drive. It’s designed for people who love performance but still want a nice, comfortable interior.
The BMW M4 is a high-performance coupe that offers a thrilling driving experience, combining luxury with powerful engine options. It is part of BMW's M series, which is known for its sporty enhancements and track-ready capabilities.
Ferrari 599
"...just get a baseline on my car. Um, and my car has Ferrari 599 mufflers. So I did a custom X pipe and then 599 m..."
The Ferrari 599 GTO is a super-fast and fancy car that’s very rare. It has a strong engine and is designed for people who want the best in performance and style.
The Ferrari 599 GTO is a limited-edition supercar that combines extreme performance with luxury, featuring a powerful V12 engine and advanced aerodynamics. It is highly regarded for its driving dynamics and exclusivity, making it a coveted model among collectors.
Ferrari F355
"So I think it's a lot of car for the money given what other things cost. If you could have, you know, an F-355 or that. I mean, for the same money, right?"
The Ferrari F355 is a beautiful and fast sports car from the 90s. It's loved by many for how it looks and drives, making it a sought-after classic.
The Ferrari F355 is a classic sports car produced in the 1990s, known for its stunning design and exhilarating performance. It is often regarded as one of the best Ferraris of its era, offering a thrilling driving experience.
Porsche 911 GT3
"Okay. You know, Porsche 997 GT3. Hmm."
The Porsche 911 GT3 is a super sporty version of the regular Porsche 911. It's built for speed and handling, making it great for racing but still can be driven on the road.
The Porsche 911 GT3 is a high-performance variant of the iconic 911 sports car, designed for track use while still being street-legal. It is celebrated for its precise handling, powerful engine, and lightweight construction, making it a favorite among driving enthusiasts.
Nissan Frontier
"...s, including the wagons, like, you know, the next frontier, of course, would be the SLS."
The Nissan Frontier is a tough pickup truck that can handle rough roads and carry heavy loads. It's a good option if you need a vehicle for work or outdoor adventures.
The Nissan Frontier is a mid-size pickup truck known for its ruggedness and off-road capabilities. It has been a reliable choice for those needing a versatile vehicle for both work and leisure.
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