Application Specific X-Pipe
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Application Specific X-Pipe
I am working with mandrelbendingsolutions to make a more user friendly x-pipe for our cars.
Thanks to member yxc145 for finding this shop and showing his "universal" pipe they make. https://mbworld.org/forums/showpost....0&postcount=14
I took measurements to pass on to mandrel bending so we have a more direct swap and utilize the front flare joints(clamps shown in image) instead of cutting and welding both ends.
With the final product the back OEM weld joints after the resonator will be cut only and the x-pipe will go in it's place with just the back joints being re-welded.
I'll keep this thread updated for people interested. I'll post a price once I hear back as well.
Thanks to member yxc145 for finding this shop and showing his "universal" pipe they make. https://mbworld.org/forums/showpost....0&postcount=14
I took measurements to pass on to mandrel bending so we have a more direct swap and utilize the front flare joints(clamps shown in image) instead of cutting and welding both ends.
With the final product the back OEM weld joints after the resonator will be cut only and the x-pipe will go in it's place with just the back joints being re-welded.
I'll keep this thread updated for people interested. I'll post a price once I hear back as well.
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2004 E320, 2006 Audi A6, 2008 C350 W204, 2010 BMW F10, 2012 Porsche Carrera S 991, 2014 E350 W212
hey Racetested! thank you for the credit. I am glad i could help. Wish I thought of this 1st so I didn't have to cut and weld the front of the x pipe.. oh well, i doubt I will ever put the resonator back on again.
I am happy with the result. Let me know how your car feels once you install it.
I am happy with the result. Let me know how your car feels once you install it.
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Someone has to be a guinea pig for new projects and this time you got to carry the torch.
The quote back to me from mandrel bending is $160 for the custom x-pipe. I'm ordering the pipe today and we'll see how it goes.
The quote back to me from mandrel bending is $160 for the custom x-pipe. I'm ordering the pipe today and we'll see how it goes.
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http://www.youtube.com/results?searc...rch_type=&aq=f
Last edited by racetested; Aug 19, 2008 at 10:19 AM.
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Good Job Racetested. But a custom one cost 3x as the universal one!!
I can see that they charge you that much for the 1st one. but how come they are still asking for that much for any future orders?
You do know they only made to order, right? So I don't see it being much different from making the universal one except the open flairing in one end.... i don't know. I think you should try to bargain with them.
I can see that they charge you that much for the 1st one. but how come they are still asking for that much for any future orders?
You do know they only made to order, right? So I don't see it being much different from making the universal one except the open flairing in one end.... i don't know. I think you should try to bargain with them.
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Good Job Racetested. But a custom one cost 3x as the universal one!!
I can see that they charge you that much for the 1st one. but how come they are still asking for that much for any future orders?
You do know they only made to order, right? So I don't see it being much different from making the universal one except the open flairing in one end.... i don't know. I think you should try to bargain with them.
I can see that they charge you that much for the 1st one. but how come they are still asking for that much for any future orders?
You do know they only made to order, right? So I don't see it being much different from making the universal one except the open flairing in one end.... i don't know. I think you should try to bargain with them.
Set-up time is where the money adds up. I'm sure for their universal pipes listed they have jigs designed and set-up is quick now.
As far as quantity cost discounts no business can count on "maybe's". All they know for now is I want a pipe and this is how much it costs for a custom order. If people want to do a group buy later on and contact mandrel bending that is fine. I've done all I can up to this point and am moving on to my next project.
Thanks to nbturbos and FrankW also for being the pioneers of doing the swap and posting sound clips. I do enough custom projects to appreciate some knowledge going in and not always being blind.
Last edited by racetested; Aug 19, 2008 at 01:30 PM.
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Update on finally getting my x-pipe installed.
First I am pretty disappointed in the loose weight numbers given on both parts by forum members. Most of my reasoning for doing the swap was based off the "so called" heavy weight of the stock resonator by hearing numbers near 30lbs by some people. I figured this was a nice chunk of my goal to drop 100-150 lbs from this car without affecting the integrity of the car.
Anyways the facts of the actual weights of the parts.
Stock resonator = 11.6lbs (removed at stock front flanges and cut at rear welds).
X-pipe = 4.5lbs (as shown above for direct swap out)
For the most part the x-pipe I drew up worked out. The only modification needed was the bottom tube of the front needed to be expanded internally. The top flange connection is a direct fit but for whatever reason Mercedes made an extension sleeve on the bottom pipe of the tubing that also makes a slip fit connection as well as flange connection. Any reputable exhaust shop with an expander can do this mod.
First I am pretty disappointed in the loose weight numbers given on both parts by forum members. Most of my reasoning for doing the swap was based off the "so called" heavy weight of the stock resonator by hearing numbers near 30lbs by some people. I figured this was a nice chunk of my goal to drop 100-150 lbs from this car without affecting the integrity of the car.
Anyways the facts of the actual weights of the parts.
Stock resonator = 11.6lbs (removed at stock front flanges and cut at rear welds).
X-pipe = 4.5lbs (as shown above for direct swap out)
For the most part the x-pipe I drew up worked out. The only modification needed was the bottom tube of the front needed to be expanded internally. The top flange connection is a direct fit but for whatever reason Mercedes made an extension sleeve on the bottom pipe of the tubing that also makes a slip fit connection as well as flange connection. Any reputable exhaust shop with an expander can do this mod.
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Update on finally getting my x-pipe installed.
First I am pretty disappointed in the loose weight numbers given on both parts by forum members. Most of my reasoning for doing the swap was based off the "so called" heavy weight of the stock resonator by hearing numbers near 30lbs by some people. I figured this was a nice chunk of my goal to drop 100-150 lbs from this car without affecting the integrity of the car.
Anyways the facts of the actual weights of the parts.
Stock resonator = 11.6lbs (removed at stock front flanges and cut at rear welds).
X-pipe = 4.5lbs (as shown above for direct swap out)
For the most part the x-pipe I drew up worked out. The only modification needed was the bottom tube of the front needed to be expanded internally. The top flange connection is a direct fit but for whatever reason Mercedes made an extension sleeve on the bottom pipe of the tubing that also makes a slip fit connection as well as flange connection. Any reputable exhaust shop with an expander can do this mod.
First I am pretty disappointed in the loose weight numbers given on both parts by forum members. Most of my reasoning for doing the swap was based off the "so called" heavy weight of the stock resonator by hearing numbers near 30lbs by some people. I figured this was a nice chunk of my goal to drop 100-150 lbs from this car without affecting the integrity of the car.
Anyways the facts of the actual weights of the parts.
Stock resonator = 11.6lbs (removed at stock front flanges and cut at rear welds).
X-pipe = 4.5lbs (as shown above for direct swap out)
For the most part the x-pipe I drew up worked out. The only modification needed was the bottom tube of the front needed to be expanded internally. The top flange connection is a direct fit but for whatever reason Mercedes made an extension sleeve on the bottom pipe of the tubing that also makes a slip fit connection as well as flange connection. Any reputable exhaust shop with an expander can do this mod.
how does your car sound and feel now?
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When I got my x-pipe made a few months ago it was flanged up front, not welded 
. Didn't take the exhaustdepot guy long to do either, looked pretty simple to me. And I agree, my stock resonator sure felt a lot heavier, but I never put mine on a scale.
. Didn't take the exhaustdepot guy long to do either, looked pretty simple to me. And I agree, my stock resonator sure felt a lot heavier, but I never put mine on a scale.
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Racetested.. are you sure you didn't have the scale on KG instead of LBS?
11.5 kg= 25 lbs
4.5kg= 10 lbs
I am gonna weigh my resonator today to find out for sure.
11.5 kg= 25 lbs
4.5kg= 10 lbs
I am gonna weigh my resonator today to find out for sure.
Last edited by yxc145; Sep 2, 2008 at 10:13 AM.
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Trust me I have two different scales with the same result and both are very accurate. I used my packaging scale and my 6000g scale and both were set to LBS.
IMO I can't say I would waste the time and money if I had to do it over again. The sound was not of concern to me unless it was considerably louder which I didn't want. I was more about the weight loss and 7lbs isn't anywhere near the 20-25lbs I was hoping for.
As far as sound this is what I noticed so far:
Start-Up: louder grumble until the idle levels off and then near stock.
Idle: Near stock according to my ears.
Highway cruising: Near stock according to my ears.
Light Acceleration : Near stock according to my ears except at certain rpms then a little louder.
Heavy Throttle: Can be heard in the videos on youtube.
In summary even the slightest road noise or radio noise will be much louder than the x-pipe when cruising so don't worry about any drone or excessive noise like some mufflers can give.
As far as your guys "perception" over "reality" on the weight. This is why I invested and continue to invest in a lot of tools and equipment because perception is not very accurate. Maybe this is a perfect reinforcement for the "butt" dynos on power increases and how inaccurate they are.
IMO I can't say I would waste the time and money if I had to do it over again. The sound was not of concern to me unless it was considerably louder which I didn't want. I was more about the weight loss and 7lbs isn't anywhere near the 20-25lbs I was hoping for.
As far as sound this is what I noticed so far:
Start-Up: louder grumble until the idle levels off and then near stock.
Idle: Near stock according to my ears.
Highway cruising: Near stock according to my ears.
Light Acceleration : Near stock according to my ears except at certain rpms then a little louder.
Heavy Throttle: Can be heard in the videos on youtube.
In summary even the slightest road noise or radio noise will be much louder than the x-pipe when cruising so don't worry about any drone or excessive noise like some mufflers can give.
As far as your guys "perception" over "reality" on the weight. This is why I invested and continue to invest in a lot of tools and equipment because perception is not very accurate. Maybe this is a perfect reinforcement for the "butt" dynos on power increases and how inaccurate they are.
Last edited by racetested; Sep 2, 2008 at 11:53 AM.
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I'm not sure of your set-up but the few I have seen have universal pipes cut and welded in front and back. I didn't want the multiple spliced and welded connections.
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racetested.. sorry about the wrong/misleading number on the weight.
but I do feel a bit difference in the throttle response... maybe it's something you plan on finding out is true or not?
but I do feel a bit difference in the throttle response... maybe it's something you plan on finding out is true or not?
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No way for me to tell accurate power gains as I have no baselines to go by for this mod. It's not a mod I expected any power gains from and if there are any it has too be too minimal for me to say unequivocally YES. I doubt anyone will spend the time and money to test acceleration and/or power gains on such a minimal mod.
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Merc C300 sport, arctic white, P1, MM/Navi, iPod kit, 20% Tint, C63 Grill, X-Pipe, HID DDM Kit
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i just ordered this kit from summitracing.com. ill weight it as soon as i get it, but what ive been told is that this X-pipe is the best. it has the fewest welds, which means better exhaust flow. its the 2.25 Dia and has flanged ends for mounting.
here is the item description from summit racing:
X-pipes equal X-tra power.
X-type dual exhausts help engines make more power by reducing exhaust reversion and scavenging cylinders better, to counter the uneven exhaust pulses of a V8's firing order. With Summit's universal X-pipe kits, you can fabricate a custom "X" system for just about any performance vehicle. Kits are available in several large tubing diameters and include all the essential pieces. That means four 40-degree mandrel-bent sections of aluminized steel tubing (which you trim to size), the prefabricated X-section that is the heart of the system, and the heavy-duty clamps to hold it all together. They're made for off-road use only.
here is the item description from summit racing:
X-pipes equal X-tra power.
X-type dual exhausts help engines make more power by reducing exhaust reversion and scavenging cylinders better, to counter the uneven exhaust pulses of a V8's firing order. With Summit's universal X-pipe kits, you can fabricate a custom "X" system for just about any performance vehicle. Kits are available in several large tubing diameters and include all the essential pieces. That means four 40-degree mandrel-bent sections of aluminized steel tubing (which you trim to size), the prefabricated X-section that is the heart of the system, and the heavy-duty clamps to hold it all together. They're made for off-road use only.
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I don't see how that x-pipe is good for our cars. Have you looked at the pictures already shown and the dimensions I have shown in the illustration above? The universal pipe you bought is flaring out to the sides and trying to bring it back straight with the bent pipes is not going to be near the narrow measurements from what I can see.
The universal kit may be fine for wide gap dual exhaust but ours runs side by side.
As far as being better with less welds. Can you explain further as that makes no sense? The internal walls should be pretty smooth if done right.
The universal kit may be fine for wide gap dual exhaust but ours runs side by side.
As far as being better with less welds. Can you explain further as that makes no sense? The internal walls should be pretty smooth if done right.
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if done right......thats the trick four welds Vs. two. you be the judge. i sure hope that the inside is smooth......
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plus, the 4 pipes were cut with smooth edges, lined up, and welded on the outside. I doubt very little weld goes into the pipes.
for the kit, you have so many sections.. there is gotta be some gaps between the pipes, that's definitely not smooth. but like i said, probably won't make a difference...
they both are ok. and probably both won't make any power increase.
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Just like yours, that's what I said. My x-pipe is flanged up front and welded in the back. looks like the second version posted here.
Last edited by nbturbos; Sep 2, 2008 at 04:07 PM.
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Mandrel solutions did a great cutting and welding job and the corners are all nice and smooth internally.
Last edited by racetested; Sep 3, 2008 at 07:55 AM.
