Mercus

Yes, I searched. Here's my question:

Is there an exhaust set-up which will improve performance without making the car exceedingly loud? I've heard the Kleeman (too loud); what choices do I have?

sirenebekim

you could put an electronic exhaust gate and have one pipe straight through, and one pipe like OEM, so you could at least control the noise.

Mercus

A straight pipe a la old school muscle car? No, I'm looking for a mild exhaust with a throatier sound...no rice burner mufflers....

drexappeal

There hasn't been one single exhaust manufaturer that has shown proven gains on an exhaust swap. The only companies I know that offer a full cat-back system are Supersprint, Brabus, and Eisenmann (although, I haven't seen the full replacement piping on this).

Companies that offer mufflers REMUS, KLEEMANN, Carlsson, Weltmeister.

This is all off the top of my head, so I may be missing a few.

The most "subtle" out of the mufflers has to be between the Remus and Brabus muffler. Since you don't want to have it be too "loud", you're definitely not gonna want a full cat-back system. Sounds like you're just looking to replace the muffler (which in my book, doesn't necessarily count as an exhaust replacement). If that's the case, best bang for the buck seems to be Remus vs. the more expensive Brabus.

OR

The cheapest route, to get a throatier/deeper tone, would be to remove the resonator. Many people have done that on here.

yeuchau

99% of the exhaust won't give u much performance, maybe like couple hp, but that's nothing to me.
Exhaust is mainly for sound as well as intake

drexappeal

I could only see a cat-back system giving power because if the piping changes to bigger diameter, it has more air flow. Problem is, too much air flow, could also cause a loss of power. Just depends on the car and how it responds.

For this car, I haven't seen one person have any gains from an exhaust (whether custom cat-back or just muffler).

RES

No extra HP! Thats the word I got from Kleeman when i called. One other option that I was considering is go with the AMG. I have heard it is a little throatier sound and I'm trying to find out if you just order the c32 muffler, if it will just bolt or weld onto our system at the rear axle area??? Anyone have an idea on that?

rlee02135

C32 tips are not big enough

drexappeal

Yup. No hp increason the Kleemann Muffler because it's just a muffler (so just for sound and looks). It would probably be safe to say the same for any other muffler available, including the C32. As for whether it is bolt on or weld, I'm not sure.

advans

MOST aftermarket exhaust enhances the sound more than the performance part. if your a quiet guy, stick with the stock.

splinter

The C32 muffler is welded to the intermediate pipe.
In addition, please be aware that the size of the tubing leading into (the muffler has the female junction) it has an OD of ~2.75"/70mm.

benzboi3

hi all! ive just traded in my modded audi TT for an 07 c230 ss that i will be taking delivery on thursday for. im was so glad to find a forum for the new benz after using audiworld as a great resource for so many years. i was wondering where i could buy an eisenmann race exhaust. evosport doesnt have them listed on their site. is it also correct in saying that it will fit all w203's except AMG's? thanks for the help guys. also any other tips and advice on mods and things of that nature are more than welcome!!

Mercus

Wow. First time that I've heard that an exhaust system won't give extra HP.....says much for MB's stock system....

jderianSF

Didn't Kleeman just come out with headers for the v6 w203s?

That should gain some hp! Of course they're much more $$ than just a muffler!

drexappeal

Yes, headers are a completely different story because you are increasing the air flow from the engine block down through the exhaust piping. So in essence, you're replacing the initial portion of the exhaust.

That being said, if you just replace a muffler on the car, that's why I never consider that getting and "exhaust". Changing your "exhaust" to me, would comprise of custom piping or replacement of the exhaust piping from the cat-back (bare minimum).

drexappeal

When it comes to the MB's and people on here talking about getting a new "exhaust," a lot of times users are referring to changing their muffler only. I know a handful of people who have done a custom exhaust setup (including piping) from the cat back. At that point, there may be gains (in the 1-5hp range, depending on what type of car). But, nobody has really taken the time to prove that.

In my experience with JDM's, the OEM exhaust piping was so small (e.g. 1.75-2 inches) and restrictive that almost every car I knew of gained power from changing to a cat-back exhaust. The EVO has big exhaust piping for a stock car, but the EVO owners that upgrade to 3 inch piping have shown gains (especially on a turbo/forced induction car).

The stock piping for the Sport Sedans and AMG's in the w203 chassis is actually pretty big already. I think the models that would benefit from exhaust upgrades the most (i.e. cat-back system) would be the 240/320 luxury sedans.

Mercus

^Good input, explains much. Fortunately, Quebec has no smog laws (green guys please note how cleans the 2.5L V6 is, so no hate) and, as such, I can remove all cats and as soon as someone makes headers for the car, I am going to put them on with straight pipes to the exhaust. Hence the reason for my question. Not too big because reducing back-flow can reduce power (or giving me HP at the expense of torque).

johnand

Yes, the 2.5L V6 is a very clean engine, but removing your cats is just plain irresponsible. Do some research, and you will find there will be VERY little to NO increase in power from removing the cats. In fact, there have been quite a few cars I have seen that have LOST power due to removing the cats. MB exhaust systems are some of the best, if not the best, engineered systems. That is why , as others have stated, that the gains from changing the exhaust are almost none. Sorry for the rant, call me a treehugger if you like, but this subject of removing the cats is one of my pet peeves. And the information I stated above is from direct experience of working at a performance exhaust shop with a dyno!

If you want a throatier sound but not overly loud, I would recommend either removing the resonator, or replacing it with a shorter one. Generally replacing the muffler with a "performance" muffler will increase exhaust noise significantly.

anthuny85

kleemann already made headers for the m272 (2.5 v6)..pricey, but claim up to 25-30hp gain...

yeuchau

yah, headers will give quite a bit hp gain, but it's also kinda expensive right??

WaveyKat

mannn i slaped on the C32 AMG Exhaust and delete my resonator and i gain atleast 50HP am running as fast as C32











nah kidding!!

Mercus

As long as you have someone able to handle the codes that cat removal will generate and be able to take advantage of the free air flow, there will be a power increase. As for responsability, I would be much more concerned with the US' choice to not join the Kyoto Accords......my pollution input is insignificant....

Mercus

$3000 for headers? Is Kleeman nuts? Geez, I could have custom ones created and coated for HALF that!!!!

rlee02135

Eisenhaus.com

RES

I should say that with what I have, header and larger cat, there isn't much gain in going with any exhaust sysem that is cat back. That was what i was told. And thats backed by a whole lot of dyno tests from what I was told. Mostly the rest is for sound. And yes I like pretty much being sneaky!