Ken311

After reading just about every thread on this forum regarding the resonator delete and the secondary cat delete for the C32, I decided to cut off my secondary cats on my car while leaving the resonator in place.

One user had said that this was the method to achieve the best sound using the factory exhaust system. After cutting them off and driving around I am extremely happy with the result. Unlike the videos I have seen/heard of the resonator delete, removing just the secondary cats has not added any raspiness or change in tone and instead made the volume of the exhaust better. There is a deep sound at idle and driving around town but an aggressive throaty growl when really getting on it. In some RPM ranges it almost sounds similar to stock but it definitely sounds better on the outside.

In one sentence, this modification to the exhaust has made the car sound like it should have from the factory but still like a Mercedes Benz AMG and not a boy-racer. I am enjoying a new found love for my car.

Best,
Ken

testknight

I've thought a bout that a while myself. Any chance for some sounds clips?

saer1one

I wont believe it until I hear it.. Sound clip please..

Ken311

i'll try to get a clip tomorrow, hopefully my camera will do the sound justice.

Ken311

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2d2NCRiB6o8

I'll try to get a drive-by up in a few days.

Ken311

Update: decided to go for it and take off the resonator as well. Not happy with it at all. The car is much too loud and sounds like a mustang with a flow master.

In addition there is a significant change in tone below 3500 rpm with some rapiness around 2500-3000 rpm. It also has produced a significant drone in that same rpm range while on the freeway that is present even on flat roads with cruise control. The high rpm growl that starts at 4000+ sounds exactly the same in tone, just louder. Low end torque also feels like it has taken a hit but the top end feels the same.

I can now recommend with 100% certainty that the resonator should be kept when modifying the factory exhaust system if not only for sound, but for performance as well. (my car is stock) The secondary cat delete is a good option for more sound and if that is not enough it is best to start looking at new mufflers.

-Ken

PS: I will get a video of the sound change before I have the resonator put back on.

AMG3.2

I guess to each is own. I love love love my exhaust. It is loud but it sounds so good IMO of course.

Here is a sound clip for you to be the judge. This was done that day I got it and only at like half throttle around 3k RPM.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cgEnq7jHUM

pointman

Man, I want to do this.

AMG3.2

Which one? Resonator and Secondary delete, or just secondary?

pointman

Resonator and Secondary. I've been too chicken to do it since I can't find someone trustworthy to do it.

AMG3.2

Any muffler shop should be able to do it easily!

Ken311

That's what my car now sounds like, a little too 'muscle car' for me but as you said...to each his own. Compared to stock it sounds a lot better, don't get me wrong. But I believe I am one of the first few to have taken off the secondaries only, and those who haven't heard it don't know what they're missing.

To anyone looking to do this, I would recommend cutting the secondaries first then driving around for a few days before deciding to go ahead with the resonator as well. It won't cost you any extra other than another trip to the muffler shop.

Ken311

no reason to be worried. the shop is the only party involved that can get in trouble for this.

go in and ask the muffler techs that you want to have the two 'bottle resonators' removed. when they lift the car they'll see they are actually cats and not resonators. in case they tell you they aren't resonators, tell them you want them removed at the advice of a friend with the same car (or similar story). if the techs are cool they usually will take them off if you pay cash.

removing the real resonator is legal and anyone will do it.

good luck,
Ken

pbSalvadorl

I've thought a bout that a while myself.

JUAN CASAUS

Do any of you have a tune done to your car? I have only deleted my resonator but after my jerry tune my car is really throaty and I was thinking about deleting my secondaries because my intake is so high flowing but I dont want to lose any low end power. Can anyone with the secondaries removed and a free flowing intake chime in here please. Also if you don't currently have a jerry tune I would recommend getting it before hacking off any more exhaust as I said for some reason it makes it sound more aggressive and throaty anyway.

Lenin

With the secondary cat but without the resonator I ran 12.5 sec. 1/4 mile. With both removed I ran the same 1/4 mile in 12.4. Conclusion: removing secondary cats has very little impact on performance. Both runs were done with the SL55 intake.

JUAN CASAUS

Ok thanks lenin. Did you feel any difference in power at all? How about the difference in tone?

Lenin

Tone - yes, power - no.

Ken311

There are a ton of vids on Youtube for everyone to get an idea of what the Resonator + Sec Cat Delete sounds like at full throttle and at idle.

Here is what the setup sounds like in normal driving. The sound is not something that fits the character of the car in my opinion. My camera has HQ audio recording so this is a very accurate representation of the sound.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SxreEiuP33U

Once I put the resonator back on I will get more vids of the secondary cat delete by itself.

Cheers,
Ken

Ken311

By the way, I just noticed that the car in the video has a quad exhaust. That's not really a fair comparison as I was looking to guide those who are still using the stock AMG exhaust less the resonator and/or secondaries.

AMG3.2

oh my bad...

pointman

Thats what I thought... no such luck. Found one place, but he said no stainless piping. And then proceeded to LOL at me for even mentioning it.

I am not worried about getting in trouble. I am worried about someone messing up and not using stainless piping. Good info though. Will keep it in mind if I ever find a shop.

Ken311

My apologies I misunderstood.

Funny you mention the stainless piping...the shop I ended up going with wanted to use aluminized steel and i fought them back and forth on it. In the end I told them if they would not use stainless I would go somewhere else and it was at that point the manager came out carrying some stainless pipes from the back.

I'm not sure why they are hesitant but most shops should have stainless.

Good luck,
Ken

Ken311

Update:

Before I go ahead and put the stock resonator back in, I have decided to try a magnaflow glass pack in lieu of the resonator to see if that adds any volume while hopefully killing some of the raspiness and drone.

I should be able to get this done tomorrow as the part just arrived at my house this afternoon. Keep an eye out for yet another sound clip and review.

-Ken

AMG3.2

Wait a second, did you just run straight pipes all the way back from the cats? If so, this is not what I did. I still have an X pipe muffler in the middle of the car. (Resonated X Pipe)

Also, I don't have any rasp throughout my RPM range at all.