fscarce1

Can anyone tell me how long it takes to install shorty headers on 2006 CLS 55?

I was wondering if I should even attempt. I do access to a nice lift.

UDWANIT2

just headers about 3 hrs......u could DIY..

fscarce1

Well after starting this project I'd say it's more like 5-6 hours for an average guy.

The shops around here all say about 4 hours for them. Was moving fast until I got to the last nut on the bottom on drivers side. You can access the nut easily and put a socket on it, but the damn stock manifold is in the way and creates an angle when you trie to put a ratchet or anything else on. Gave up after an hour. I'll start back in the a.m., and I'll post some pics.

M3nv

Why did you go with shorty headers over long tube headers? Just curious what the difference is btw the two.

Thanks,

fscarce1

Shorty's are cheaper, easier to install, and produce good horsepower.

Longtubes produce a bit more, but I don't think there are any that will connect to stock exhaust.

My goal was more power, but wanted the car to sound and look fairly stock. The shortys will produce a bit more growl, but not really much louder when connected to stock exhaust.

Kleeman makes nice shorty's too, but they eliminate the primary cats and I want my car to remain emmisions compliant.

If horespower is the main goal and money is no object, long tubes may be the way to go. You will spend thousands changing the rest of the exhaust though, and the car will not look or sound stock. The SuperSprint long tubes are around 10,000 for the whole system I believe.

BlackCard

So, what did you get? I would like shorties as well. (and where you got them would be cool too)

fscarce1

I got the PLM's off Ebay.

KLR CLS

PLM's should take about 4-5 hours for the average guy with the right tools. I would suggest all new studs and copper crush nuts for the install.

fscarce1

Don't know about 4-5 hours for an average guy. I must be below average. Lol.

My local performance shop quoted 5 hours to do it.

I had a helper, a good lift, and good tools. Took me more like 7-8. Now that I did one I could probably shave an hour or two off though.

fscarce1

New studs and nuts is a good idea. I reused mine with no problems, but it added another 30minutes to get the nuts off the studs. I'm not cheap I just didn't feel like driving to the Mercedes dealer here thats an hour each way. Lol.

Also I think you were exactly correct on your description of the sound. Throatier and meaner sounding for sure. Not really louder at idle, but a bit more decibels at cruise or wide open. All in all very satisfied with the PLM headers.

I had only one small fitment problem. You have to remove the Primary cat section on passenger side to get headers on. There is not enough clearance to go through the top. when I fastened the header to the stock downpipe it was fine. However when I went to attach the clamped flange further down closer to the resonator, it was 1/8th of an inch or so short of coming together tight. It's a flared type fitting. I tightened the clamp and it does not seem to be leaking though. Was a bit worried it would. You can move the pipes up or down a bit but you can't move them closer to rear of car once the header is attached to the primary cat.

fscarce1

My car is at a shop in Tampa right now getting the PLM heat exchanger/Johnson pump, and Jerry's at Eurocharged pulley and tune. Can't wait to see the dyno numbers later this afternoon! Was hoping for close to 500 HP at the wheels.

emoving

I have Kleemann shortys and I did not have to get rid of my cats.

fscarce1

The ones I was looking at had a downpipe section and eliminated primary cats. Wasn't aware they made ones that didn't.

fscarce1

Got the car to the dyno today finally. Will try to post graph later.

470 HP amd 490 torque at rear wheels. Paek HP around 5200 I believe. Ran it in 3rd gear. About 70 degrees out.

I did the Eurocharged 172 MM pulley and cooling package, as well as the PLM shorty's (rest of exhaust is stock). Also have K+N filters. Maybe I'll do airbox and tubes later.

The car seems so quiet, but when you get up in the rpm's and are standing right behind it, holy crap did it scream. Sounded great. Had to turn my head it was so loud.