I already did a quick overview video before but here is my 2006 CLS55 AMG with several mods which I tried to briefly mention in this video.
At this moment HRE 943R 20" 3-piece wheels are removed from the car and stored. I need to send them to HRE later to fix several issues.
My future upgrades are mentioned below:
I'm waiting for oCarbon to finish working on my 6 piece interior trim. They should do front 4 trim pieces in Carbon Fiber and paint rear ones in Black. Also I'm waiting for stock exhaust which I purchased from a member here on Marketplace. I want to install stock exhaust and modify it by adding cutouts with electronically operated valves. And the last but not least is the head unit. I'm still unsure which route to go - update my NTG1 to NTG2.5, gamble with Chinese head units, buy one of the name brand head units or wait for CES21 to check if they (name brands) update their existing top of the line models.
Here is my CLS55 video which I did yesterday. Please let me know if you like this car!
Currently I have Meisterschaft exhaust and I really like its exhaust tips which are similar to W221 2009-2013 S65/CL65:
My car:
As you can see that on Meisterscharft exhaust holes are slightly different - it's more oval compared to S-Class above.
I'd like to find such tips and build by new customs exhaust using such tips.
I received my stock exhaust today and made a quick video. I purchased it from a member here on this forum.
This exhaust needs a little cosmetic work. I need to clean exhaust tips from black paint. Not sure if it's a paint but it looks like someone spray painted it. Fellas, do you have an idea how to safely remove that paint from chrome tips without damaging the chrome? Thanks!
Also I need to buy some hardware like gaskets, clamp, rubber stuff, bolts and nuts. After that I'll take it to a muffler shop to swap instead Meisterschaft one and we'll proceed with customizing the stock one.
The goal is to add cutouts and electronically operated valves.
rubber hangar pieces usually stay on the car when you remove exhaust. Does your car not have them on holding the existing exhaust?
Yup. Idk its condition though. I barely saw rubber hangers when it was on a lift. I decided to order everything - 4 hangers, 2 gaskets, new clamp (the nut looks rusted on the old clamp) and some bolts and nuts. I should be able to pickup it from Mercedes next Tuesday-Wednesday.
Still can't get a quick quote from my local muffler shops regarding swapping exhausts. One shop told me "we need to see the car" even when I told it's simple wrenching job and no welding required.
Made a video about CLS55 AMG Meisterschaft GT Exhaust drone noise. I hope to install my stock exhaust within a week or so and then proceed with adding cutout:
Today I cleaned exhaust tips from black paint. It took me about 4 hours because that paint didn't want to go from the scratched area and the edges were PITA. Now I need to receive some hardware (bushings, clamp, two gaskets, bolts and nuts) and find a place to install it or install it with some friends.
Compare before and after - it's like night and day!
Made a video about CLS55 AMG Meisterschaft GT Exhaust drone noise. I hope to install my stock exhaust within a week or so and then proceed with adding cutout: https://youtu.be/dE1FYIJ_U6Q
Maybe you should try just keeping your new mufflers and delete the resonator. Add a Xpipe on there instead of the resonator.
Maybe you should try just keeping your new mufflers and delete the resonator. Add a Xpipe on there instead of the resonator.
Tjank you for this advice. My goal is to replace my currently installed Meisterschaft GT exhaust with the stock exhaust to make it more quiet. I think if I delete resonator it will be more loud, right?
If your looking for more power now or in the future I'd leave the resonators in place and add an x pipe where the secondary cats are depending on emissions laws in your country. This may be slightly louder than stock under throttle but it will not drone and it will be quiet under low throttle and idle. That aftermarket muffler you have seems very loud under idle/low throttle compared to my headers with no cats, an x pipe with stock resonator and muffler.
If your looking for more power now or in the future I'd leave the resonators in place and add an x pipe where the secondary cats are depending on emissions laws in your country. This may be slightly louder than stock under throttle but it will not drone and it will be quiet under low throttle and idle. That aftermarket muffler you have seems very loud under idle/low throttle compared to my headers with no cats, an x pipe with stock resonator and muffler.
I think only resonator and mufflers mostly affect the sound while other components are not made to muffle the noise. Headers and cats theyt just pass through the air. Actually the current power is more than enough for me. Also I don't want to gamble with emission test here, so I'll keep cats. I got RENNtech headers.
PS: Mercedes just confirmed my hardware order is ready for pickup. Unfortunately the exhaust clamp (which tightens left part of the catback exhaust to the right one) is still on the way to me. I hope to receive it tomorrow. Once I do I'll start calling shops.
stock catback no cats.. I can assure you catalytic converters muffle sound. The noise must pass through honeycomb in each one reducing flow and noise. Mufflers are definitely the most deadening though as you said. Resonator I don't think makes as much difference but I'm sure it helps!
I think you should do the install yourself. It will take you less time than installing yourself and you'll be best to get used to doing the work yourself to maintain these aging amgs...Unless your cash bags Mcgee that is...xD
stock catback no cats.. I can assure you catalytic converters muffle sound. The noise must pass through honeycomb in each one reducing flow and noise. Mufflers are definitely the most deadening though as you said. Resonator I don't think makes as much difference but I'm sure it helps!
I think you should do the install yourself. It will take you less time than installing yourself and you'll be best to get used to doing the work yourself to maintain these aging amgs...Unless your cash bags Mcgee that is...xD
That car sounds great!!
I have some experience in exhaust installation/removal but I know it's 10 times easier to do it when car is on the lift. I installed a catback exhaust on my 140 S600 and it was a royal PITA because I have had to push heavy exhaust while laying under the car and my arms were extended which greatly increased the force needed to lift exhaust. I thought I'd die under the car. This CLS55 exhaust seems to be better designed compared to W140 one. I know I'll need 1 or 2 extra jascks to lift exhaust while bolting it to the cats. We'll see.
Again, my goal is to replace current exhaust with stock one and then try to add cutouts to the stock one to make it sound badass on demand while being quiet when cruising.
I started replacing my Meisterschaft exhaust. I already removed it but I think I should have paid for replacement instead of spending so much time on this task...
Installed stock exhaust! I RECOMMEND you to get a helping hand when working on exhaust. Don't do it alone. It's 100 time better to have a friend helping you on this job!
Today I did a test drive with my recently installed stock exhaust and I'll keep it. It doesn't give me any drone noise!
What's next for my CLS55:
- Swap the interior trim (still waiting for oCarbon to finish their job).
- Install LED tail lights from newer W219 CLS. I need to figure out how to perform this process.
- Update head unit with a new one, probably Android head unit.
What extra harnesses did you need to order for the radio? Do you have a plan on how to deal with the MOST system? Your post is timely as I've been considering upgrading the head unit in my car as well but don't want to cut up the wires so I can return it to factory.
What extra harnesses did you need to order for the radio? Do you have a plan on how to deal with the MOST system? Your post is timely as I've been considering upgrading the head unit in my car as well but don't want to cut up the wires so I can return it to factory.
Please give me few days. I'll do more detailed video of package contents. I'm still trying to figure out what I received...
Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.
We'll see soon!
