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CLK 500 Muffler?

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Old 07-22-2013, 12:09 AM
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CLK 500 Muffler?

Hey everyone,
I was looking to get some more sound out of my CLK500 (deeper bass, and a little louder growl). I was looking into the Flowmaster Pro series muffler, if that is any good for this car (any recommendations? My highest I'll go is $200). I only want to change the muffler, nothing else. I would also like to know if I would lose any torque/power if I change the muffler because I have seen on other forums that people have noticed a little less torque. Thanks for all the help!
Old 07-23-2013, 12:43 AM
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CLK 500
just delete the muffler to start ....it weighs like 100lbs and its a big bulky box lol....just get rid of it and straight pipe it ...it sounds amazing:-) no drone ....but at wot its sounds like a beast....I heard a c63 (xtypers) and he almost gave this old man a heart attack .....it won't be that loud but you can wake up a lot of people in the tunnels.....lol :-)
Old 07-23-2013, 02:56 AM
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2008 clk550 - Navigator - Frontier
I've been around the horn several times with my exhaust. I noticed a big difference in low end and mid range torque; but my exhaust was completely diferent from stock at the time. I had kleeman primary cats, magnaflow X pipe and OEM secondary cats running to a Mag Y pipe to a 3" mid pipe into a 3" core mag muffler. Torque was greatly diminished..

3" anywhere in the exhaust is too much IMO. The OEM mid pipe is 2.75" OD but only 2.55"-2.6" ID. Since you are looking to only change the muffler, I would say go with a 2.5" core muffler.

The OEM muffler is rather large in height and replacing it leaves a rather large cavern above the aftermarket muffler. IMO, the magnaflow (and perhaps others) vibrate at an audible frequency which is amplified by the "cavern". "Boom Mat" insulation / heat shield used to cover the "cavern", helps a lot. I used "Boom Mat" spray on (rubber in a can) after my final exhaust setup.

I think you can go for the sound you like best in a muffler since you will only be changing it; there is enough other "restrictions" in the system to keep any torque change unnoticeable.

My exhaust is ideal for me now (mag 200 cell cats -> vibrant resonators ->mag X pipe ->mag 14" 2x2 muff -> 2.5" dual pipes -> tips. Still less low end torque than original but the doors to heaven start to open at about 2000 rpm........
Old 07-23-2013, 03:48 PM
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Originally Posted by Fatz
I've been around the horn several times with my exhaust. I noticed a big difference in low end and mid range torque; but my exhaust was completely diferent from stock at the time. I had kleeman primary cats, magnaflow X pipe and OEM secondary cats running to a Mag Y pipe to a 3" mid pipe into a 3" core mag muffler. Torque was greatly diminished..

3" anywhere in the exhaust is too much IMO. The OEM mid pipe is 2.75" OD but only 2.55"-2.6" ID. Since you are looking to only change the muffler, I would say go with a 2.5" core muffler.

The OEM muffler is rather large in height and replacing it leaves a rather large cavern above the aftermarket muffler. IMO, the magnaflow (and perhaps others) vibrate at an audible frequency which is amplified by the "cavern". "Boom Mat" insulation / heat shield used to cover the "cavern", helps a lot. I used "Boom Mat" spray on (rubber in a can) after my final exhaust setup.

I think you can go for the sound you like best in a muffler since you will only be changing it; there is enough other "restrictions" in the system to keep any torque change unnoticeable.

My exhaust is ideal for me now (mag 200 cell cats -> vibrant resonators ->mag X pipe ->mag 14" 2x2 muff -> 2.5" dual pipes -> tips. Still less low end torque than original but the doors to heaven start to open at about 2000 rpm........
Thanks for all the info, appreciate it. So if I get a 2.5" muffler, which brand do you think would give me the best bass and VERY LITTLE growl? I'm looking at a Borla XR-1, so far. My friend says that since the muffler is so big (the oem one) any muffler would hang from the bottom and not fit in it. Is that true? Thanks BTW
Old 07-23-2013, 06:54 PM
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CLK 500
lol.....just go down to your nearest muffler shop with $20.00 and 18 pack of coors light and hhave them chop off the muffler and fill in that missing piece with whatever size pipes you have .... you will enjoy it trust me. ....if I could do sound for you I would .but just start with that ..lmao its freakin' fun...QUOTE=kb24forlife24;5723355]Thanks for all the info, appreciate it. So if I get a 2.5" muffler, which brand do you think would give me the best bass and VERY LITTLE growl? I'm looking at a Borla XR-1, so far. My friend says that since the muffler is so big (the oem one) any muffler would hang from the bottom and not fit in it. Is that true? Thanks BTW[/QUOTE]
Old 07-25-2013, 12:33 AM
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im thinking of deleting the mufflers with just tips any one have vids?
Old 07-25-2013, 01:32 AM
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2008 clk550 - Navigator - Frontier
I think most of the aftermarket mufflers will have about tme dimensions as the OEM's length and width. The space should accommodate an 18" muffler. I believe the area housing the muffler is the same as that on the 550. It is the height of the OEM muffler that is so exaggerated. (OEM = 18x9x9 magnaflow 18x8x5)

As far as a particular muffler sound preference, I would suggest listening to sound clips of different mufflers (from cars similiar to yours) and go with what sounds good to you.
Old 07-28-2013, 12:32 PM
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it sounds beastly from the sounds clips I saw on youtube of the muffler delete, that is what I will do eventually
Old 07-28-2013, 06:01 PM
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I just did the muffler delete , I love it except the drone is killing me at about 2k rpm
Old 08-02-2013, 11:44 PM
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I've now decided that I might want to do a full cat-back exhaust system. Which is the best exhaust that has deep bass tone with very little growl? Which brands should I consider?
Old 08-03-2013, 02:09 AM
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I say chop of mufflers if you dont like it weld it back on !!
Old 08-03-2013, 02:40 AM
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Originally Posted by Inspiredbenz
I say chop of mufflers if you dont like it weld it back on !!
Since you did a muffler delete can you post a video so I can get a taste of what it sounds like. And how is the drone killing you? I read everywhere that the drone shouldn't be bad on just a muffler delete. Thanks !
Old 08-03-2013, 04:09 AM
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ya I will tomorrow , drone was a lil bad around 2k rpm but im used to it now !! and one thing that I noticed is that car picks up !!
Old 08-03-2013, 11:00 AM
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Originally Posted by kb24forlife24
I've now decided that I might want to do a full cat-back exhaust system. Which is the best exhaust that has deep bass tone with very little growl? Which brands should I consider?
problem is that nobody really makes a true bargain priced cat-back like Mustangs or Hondas, a few companies make exhaust systems but they are very high dollar (1500+) for marginal gains and just a "race" muffler, no mid piping or anything, which is why you see most people on the board fabricate their own systems.
Old 08-04-2013, 05:34 PM
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Originally Posted by Inspiredbenz
ya I will tomorrow , drone was a lil bad around 2k rpm but im used to it now !! and one thing that I noticed is that car picks up !!
do you have a link for the exhaust video? Thanks.
Old 08-21-2013, 12:07 AM
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I've just deleted the muffler and MY GOSH! IT SOUNDS AMAZING! Installed dual tips instead of just a big single tip. It's very nice!
Old 08-21-2013, 01:00 AM
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Hows the drone?
Old 08-21-2013, 01:09 AM
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Originally Posted by Inspiredbenz
Hows the drone?
There's barely any at 1200-1600 RPM( which I actually like lol). Other than that its amazing! Didn't expect it to be this good...how's yours?
Old 08-21-2013, 01:47 AM
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Originally Posted by kb24forlife24
I've just deleted the muffler and MY GOSH! IT SOUNDS AMAZING! Installed dual tips instead of just a big single tip. It's very nice!
Just uploaded a set of exhaust clips. Wife got a GoPro for me after watching me trying to tape my sony to the car......

Take a look and let me know what you think...


Old 08-21-2013, 12:05 PM
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Mines is a lil rough around 2k rpm but its barable for me idk when my dad drives it he complaints lol
Old 08-21-2013, 08:22 PM
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Originally Posted by Inspiredbenz
Mines is a lil rough around 2k rpm but its barable for me idk when my dad drives it he complaints lol
Haha my dad loves the noise lol. Here is a clip of my car with the muffler delete:
Old 04-15-2014, 07:37 PM
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Hey kb24forlife24, how do you like the muffler delete so far? I'm in the exact sitaution you were in, contemplating on either doing a muffler delete or changing out the muffler (magnaflow vs flowmaster). I want to get some sound out of the car, but don't want it to be outrageously loud - would you still recommend a delete?

Also where did you get the dual tips? They look great, got the size/dimensions?

Edit:: haha I realize you have a quad set up now. Well, any input would be appreciated!

Last edited by Eojj; 04-15-2014 at 07:44 PM.
Old 04-15-2014, 07:53 PM
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The muffler delete was really nice! I have quads now with an X-pipe in place of the resonator but the muffler delete was nice and throaty until about 2800 RPM. I definitely recommend it. I got the dual tip from my muffler shop it was a generic tip. I'd like to see your setup as well!

Last edited by kb24forlife24; 11-26-2014 at 08:07 PM.
Old 04-15-2014, 08:38 PM
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Originally Posted by kb24forlife24
The muffler delete was really nice! I am quad bow with x pipe in place of the resonator but the muffler delete was nice and throaty until about 2800 RPM. I definitely recommend it. I got the dual tip from my muffler shop it was a generic tip. I'd like to see your setup as well!
Haha, man I just saw your vids of your quad set up in the other thread... Sounds amaziiing, super jealous. I think for now, I'm just going to go with a muffler delete, as that seems to be most cost effective. I'd rather save some $$ for maintenance since I just got the car and don't know what to expect lol
Old 04-15-2014, 09:24 PM
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That's what I did first, really good bang for your buck! Post some vids!


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