M271 HEADERS Alternatives/User Opinions
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Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 135
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2005 C230 Kompressor SS
M271 HEADERS Alternatives/User Opinions
Ive searched the forum and understand the impressive gains from headers amongst the big names such as Kleeman, Carslab or even MGheaders who's showed substantial gains..very impressive that this was accomplished without the backup R&D/Laboratories/Engineers from the bigger corporations developing the same product.
My question is, Im hoping to find an exhaust shop and have them custom make me a set of headers and maybe weld on some race cats. Would the gains from the custom headers be anywhere close to the gains acquired from Kleeman, Carslab, MGheaders? Would it damage my car in any way? (this is just for the headers and cat only). How much do you figure a custom header manufacture at a private exhaust shop would cost me? Would the gains at least be better than STOCK?
(PS: I hear the stock headers in the M271 were poorly designed)
I just want a bit more power in the lower RPMs of my M271 without spending alot of money.
For not spending alot of $, Im hoping to get custom headers, race cats then get my car tuned by SI.
Any suggestions/criticism/options/advice would be MUCH appreciated. Thank you!
I personally received an email from Brad at Evosport basically telling me pulleys wouldn't have much of an affect on the M271 engine.
My question is, Im hoping to find an exhaust shop and have them custom make me a set of headers and maybe weld on some race cats. Would the gains from the custom headers be anywhere close to the gains acquired from Kleeman, Carslab, MGheaders? Would it damage my car in any way? (this is just for the headers and cat only). How much do you figure a custom header manufacture at a private exhaust shop would cost me? Would the gains at least be better than STOCK?
(PS: I hear the stock headers in the M271 were poorly designed)
I just want a bit more power in the lower RPMs of my M271 without spending alot of money.
For not spending alot of $, Im hoping to get custom headers, race cats then get my car tuned by SI.
Any suggestions/criticism/options/advice would be MUCH appreciated. Thank you!
I personally received an email from Brad at Evosport basically telling me pulleys wouldn't have much of an affect on the M271 engine.
Last edited by Wing689; Jun 24, 2008 at 05:26 AM.
Super Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 573
Likes: 1
W203
Any gains on the M271 will be modest at high RPM, yet there's lots of room for improvement at low RPM.
Would you buy a kit that offered +20 hp/tq at 3K rpm, yet only +5 hp/tq at 5K rpms? Probably not, yet that's the reality of the ECU that limits the M271.
What Brad@Evosport is telling you is that he could not justify producing performance mods for the M271 cause the high end HP/TQ is limited by the ECU, and they were unable to crack the ECU.
Kleemann solved that, kinda, with the K-Box to fool the ECU. JP/Drex have solved that, kinda, with larger injectors and a new fuel map. Both solutions have yet to unlock the true potential of this engine cause you can only fool the ECU so much.
Personally I don't drive at 5K rpms, more HP/TQ at 2-4K is best. Yet if you're doing it to impress your friends with high-HP dynos, don't bother.
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As for making your own header, please don't. There was a member who had a custom made header. The construction caused it to hot-spot and burn through the welds and cat, ultimately sucking crap back into the engine and damaging a piston. The potential repair bill is not worth the savings over buying the Kleemann header that has been proven.
Would you buy a kit that offered +20 hp/tq at 3K rpm, yet only +5 hp/tq at 5K rpms? Probably not, yet that's the reality of the ECU that limits the M271.
What Brad@Evosport is telling you is that he could not justify producing performance mods for the M271 cause the high end HP/TQ is limited by the ECU, and they were unable to crack the ECU.
Kleemann solved that, kinda, with the K-Box to fool the ECU. JP/Drex have solved that, kinda, with larger injectors and a new fuel map. Both solutions have yet to unlock the true potential of this engine cause you can only fool the ECU so much.
Personally I don't drive at 5K rpms, more HP/TQ at 2-4K is best. Yet if you're doing it to impress your friends with high-HP dynos, don't bother.
---
As for making your own header, please don't. There was a member who had a custom made header. The construction caused it to hot-spot and burn through the welds and cat, ultimately sucking crap back into the engine and damaging a piston. The potential repair bill is not worth the savings over buying the Kleemann header that has been proven.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,305
Likes: 37
From: Las Vegas, Nevada
2013 C350 Coupe, 2005 C230K Kleemann Sedan, 2013 GLK350 4matic
I have had issues with the Kleemann header throwing P0420 codes and I have tried everything to fix it (O2 sensors, checked bolts and nut for tightness, checked for leaks)..I would stay away from Kleemann if I had to do it all over again, but that is my opinion.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 292
Likes: 2
From: Plymouth, Devon, England
Mercedes Benz C200K Sport Edition and 04 C55 AMG
I have the Kleemann header and cat (removed centre OEM cat) linked upto 3" stainless steel dual exhaust system with quad pipes never had any problems.
