headers

[Ron Biggs]

I am more confused than ever. I want to put headers on my 05 C55 but do not want to break the bank. Also my car still has warranty on it so I need to consider that. I was thinking Kleeman but get confused reading all the different comments.

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[c32AMG-DTM]

Originally Posted by Ron Biggs

I am more confused than ever.
I want to put headers on my 05 C55 but do not want to break the bank.
Also my car still has warranty on it so I need to consider that.
I was thinking Kleeman but get confused reading all the different comments.

Kleemann M113 headers and cat-delete downpipes are a very nice upgrade from the stock manifolds, IMHO... and a relative bargain at just under $1,500 for full 304 SS in a MB/AMG aftermarket part, from a tuner who's been in this game forever and is routinely considered amongst the very best of Mercedes tuning. Plus the peace of mind of a 1 year, unlimited mileage warranty on their stuff doesn't hurt.

One caveat, you'd probably want to get the matched tune Kleemann offers for their headers, which will run you an extra $8-900 I think (unless they're offering a special - sometimes they'll throw in the tuning for free, or at a greatly reduced price, when coupled with hardware).

Another member just had this done - RLx02. Maybe he can chime in on his experience and observations.

[kindafast]

I am pretty sure headers will void your warranty, a tune will for sure.
If there are any Kleeman dealers near you I'd get the tune from them and on a dyno for optimal results.

[thegreatfnr]

Originally Posted by Ron Biggs

I am more confused than ever.
I want to put headers on my 05 C55 but do not want to break the bank.
Also my car still has warranty on it so I need to consider that.
I was thinking Kleeman but get confused reading all the different comments.

If you dont want to break the bank, jump on this guys setup --> http://www.mbworld.org/forums/c32-am...-ex-haust.html

[wawy]

If you are worried about your warranty you might want to consider going with a strictly bolt on brand like AMS, Evosport or Renntech. The Kleemann ones require some cutting and welding which your dealership service folks would probably not be too fond of. Of course, this will depend on your relationship with them. I believe there is a Renntech dealership in Calgary you could check out. The Renntech ones will be big $$$ though..

[RLx02]

The kleemann headers/straight pipe, coupled with their tune completely changes the behavior of your c55. It goes from a powerful sedan to a 4 door sports car. However, you will need to do cutting of your OEM exhaust as it replaces your primary cats with either a straight pipe or sport cats. You also will need to get a ECU tune to get rid of the CEL because it deletes the secondary o2 sensors as well.

From what I've seen and from my personal experiences:

Short tubes: 100% bolt on, "least" amount of hp gain and cheapest price.

Tri-Y headers (Kleemann): needs cutting/modding, medium hp gain, medium price.

Custom long tubes: needs cutting/modding, most hp gain, most expensive.

[AMS Performance]

Keep in mind, To make it a fair comparison: short tubes + high flow 2nd cats compared to long tubes in order to make it a truly fair comparison. When you look at it from that perspective the gains are all pretty close to one another. At that point it just becomes an issue of convenience & ability to easily return to stock setup (which can be done with shorties, can't with long tubes).

[RLx02]

Originally Posted by AMS Performance

Keep in mind, To make it a fair comparison: short tubes + high flow 2nd cats compared to long tubes in order to make it a truly fair comparison. When you look at it from that perspective the gains are all pretty close to one another. At that point it just becomes an issue of convenience & ability to easily return to stock setup (which can be done with shorties, can't with long tubes).

Very true, which is why I said "least" in quotation marks. I would definitely like to see someone get a pair of shorties and put on a straight pipe w/a ecu tune.

I'll have a dyno reading tomorrow for my kleemanns/ecu to compare.

[Ron Biggs]

I guess a call to my dealer to ask about the warranty is in order.
Need some more pop to smoke all the BMW 335 owners that live around me.

[MBH motorsports]

Headers wont void your whole warranty. Mercedes dealers will make you responsible for your headers and thats it. if your pulley craps out, MBZ wont void your warranty because you have some headers on your car.

If your cars motor mounts go bad, your warranty will cover it, However MBZ might charge you a fee to R&R your headers to fix the problem. All you are doing is taking responsibility for your headers.

My car is just about to the max.. I still go in for warranty work, like... Power steering, alternator, tilt steering motor, motor mounts. Its all covered.

As for a tune, It would be very hard for anyone to know you had one on a C55. They cant read out your file via OBDII and know exactly whats on there. I simply would not worry about it.

If your are worried about a tune and warranty work. Just get a RENNtech R.A.T. It allows you to flash your car back to stock in about 30 seconds. Then before you leave the dealer you can flash your performance tune back to your car. No one will ever know.

[msheredy]

Originally Posted by MBH motorsports

Headers wont void your whole warranty. Mercedes dealers will make you responsible for your headers and thats it.

Correct! An example of that would be if you had headers installed and they were touching a hose or some electrical lines which cause other parts to fail then you would be 100% liable.

[AMS Performance]

The warranty issue is a variable one that depends almost completely on your relationship with your service rep / dealership. If they value you as a customer then they will totally overlook mods. Get a loyal close service rep and it won't ever be an issue. And if that doesn't work... usually a $20 per visit tip will

[RLx02]

Originally Posted by Ron Biggs

I guess a call to my dealer to ask about the warranty is in order.
Need some more pop to smoke all the BMW 335 owners that live around me.

word of caution though: with a 300 dollar tune a 335i can be putting down 340hp at the wheels or so and with a couple more grand for better piping and exhaust they can be running low 12's.

The cost factor is higher for us n/a v8's

[Ron Biggs]

I know the mods on the 335's are much cheaper which sucks a bit but there is one C55 driving around and 100 335's.
Also nothing beats the sound of a V8.

[wawy]

Originally Posted by Ron Biggs

I know the mods on the 335's are much cheaper which sucks a bit but there is one C55 driving around and 100 335's.
Also nothing beats the sound of a V8.

Very true!

[whatthecrunchyo]

I recently deleted my secondary cats and resonator with 3" straight pipe. If I got the shorty headers, would it still utilize my factory cats? Also, would it be imperative I get a tune or could I just bolt them on and go?

[wawy]

Originally Posted by whatthecrunchyo

I recently deleted my secondary cats and resonator with 3" straight pipe. If I got the shorty headers, would it still utilize my factory cats? Also, would it be imperative I get a tune or could I just bolt them on and go?

If you went with the shortys that AMS, Evosport, and Renntech sell then you would still have your factory primary cats. I believe the ECU will adapt to all this, however, a tune would probably optimize it a bit more...

[michael kuzni]

Originally Posted by Ron Biggs

I guess a call to my dealer to ask about the warranty is in order.
Need some more pop to smoke all the BMW 335 owners that live around me.

did you lose to them? i smoked a 335 and an e46 m3 on a backroad drag. my tires definately did magic though.

[C55 4 life]

Really? M3s are just as fast as C55s in straights and far more agile on turns and 335i's can get a lot of power. Idk how u beat both i have lost to both many times.

[TemjinX2]

a c55 should be able to beat a e46 m3 in a straight and yes a modded 335i should be able to beat both unless the c55 is sc'ed or the m3 is turboed. I dunno how you lost to a e46 m3 in a straight. From a dig you should be able to destroy one and from a roll you should be able to pull after 80mph.

[C55 4 life]

335s can get a lot of power for a low price a friend if mine has one with around 500hp and the m3 had headers, and it also had launch control