Remove secondary cats question about sound
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 392
Likes: 9
From: Australia
W202 C43 1999
Remove secondary cats question about sound
Hi all,
I am contemplating removing the secondary cats on my C43 ( 5.4ltr ) , but not the centre muffler.
I dont mind if the car gets a bit louder, but dont want it to change tone too much, i still want it to sound like an AMG.
Seems most are removing both, i cant find much info on removing just the cats.
I would imagine the cats wont have as much impact on the actual tone of the exhaust compared to the centre muffler.
I also dont want to lose power, more power up a bit in the higher RPM would be good though. The 5.4ltr does seem to be holding back a bit above 5,000rpm where the 4.3ltr didnt.
Please dont suggest i remove the stock secondaries and put in aftermarket cats, because im not going to do that.
Cheers all
I am contemplating removing the secondary cats on my C43 ( 5.4ltr ) , but not the centre muffler.
I dont mind if the car gets a bit louder, but dont want it to change tone too much, i still want it to sound like an AMG.
Seems most are removing both, i cant find much info on removing just the cats.
I would imagine the cats wont have as much impact on the actual tone of the exhaust compared to the centre muffler.
I also dont want to lose power, more power up a bit in the higher RPM would be good though. The 5.4ltr does seem to be holding back a bit above 5,000rpm where the 4.3ltr didnt.
Please dont suggest i remove the stock secondaries and put in aftermarket cats, because im not going to do that.
Cheers all
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,506
Likes: 130
From: Bolingbrook Illinois
1999 C43 Amg
Hi all,
I am contemplating removing the secondary cats on my C43 ( 5.4ltr ) , but not the centre muffler.
I dont mind if the car gets a bit louder, but dont want it to change tone too much, i still want it to sound like an AMG.
Seems most are removing both, i cant find much info on removing just the cats.
I would imagine the cats wont have as much impact on the actual tone of the exhaust compared to the centre muffler.
I also dont want to lose power, more power up a bit in the higher RPM would be good though. The 5.4ltr does seem to be holding back a bit above 5,000rpm where the 4.3ltr didnt.
Please dont suggest i remove the stock secondaries and put in aftermarket cats, because im not going to do that.
Cheers all
I am contemplating removing the secondary cats on my C43 ( 5.4ltr ) , but not the centre muffler.
I dont mind if the car gets a bit louder, but dont want it to change tone too much, i still want it to sound like an AMG.
Seems most are removing both, i cant find much info on removing just the cats.
I would imagine the cats wont have as much impact on the actual tone of the exhaust compared to the centre muffler.
I also dont want to lose power, more power up a bit in the higher RPM would be good though. The 5.4ltr does seem to be holding back a bit above 5,000rpm where the 4.3ltr didnt.
Please dont suggest i remove the stock secondaries and put in aftermarket cats, because im not going to do that.
Cheers all
Interesting that your engine holds back after 5k rpm. If you're willing to try out my air box and elbow to see if that fixes the issue let me know.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 392
Likes: 9
From: Australia
W202 C43 1999
Ive modded my elbow as per the way you do yours, which did make a very small difference.
I also removed the mesh from the MAF, hard to say if that did much, i put it back in, then took it out again, very hard to say if its better, but its certainly wasnt worse.
The plastic MAF screen is still in there and im not taking that out, it serves a purpose.
I have not removed the mesh from the air box or cut any ribs out.
Changing to the 5.4ltr engine with nothing else changed did make the exhaust louder than the 4.3ltr. My 99 E55 was far quieter than even the stock 99 C43.
I also removed the mesh from the MAF, hard to say if that did much, i put it back in, then took it out again, very hard to say if its better, but its certainly wasnt worse.
The plastic MAF screen is still in there and im not taking that out, it serves a purpose.
I have not removed the mesh from the air box or cut any ribs out.
Changing to the 5.4ltr engine with nothing else changed did make the exhaust louder than the 4.3ltr. My 99 E55 was far quieter than even the stock 99 C43.
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Joined: Sep 2007
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05 c55 silver, 98 Imperial Red C43
I dont think thats gonna make it louder.
The resognator is basically a silencer.
I have no tesognator on mine and its louder than stock but it seems a bit quieter than the 4.3
The resognator is basically a silencer.
I have no tesognator on mine and its louder than stock but it seems a bit quieter than the 4.3
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,418
Likes: 194
From: America
1999 C43 AMG, 2005 E55 Wagon
I spent a long time debating on the secondary cat and resonator delete, because I wanted a bit more aggression but I DO NOT want a loud and stupid car. At the end of the day it's a Mercedes Benz and I commute great distances in it. I don't want to call to much attention to myself or have insufferable drone on the highway.
It's really not bad at all. It definitely made it sound more aggressive but no drone and it doesn't attract enough attention that people turn to see what the sound is.
My car seemed louder when i did the engine swap, too. I still had stock exhaust at that point. But I honestly don't think it was louder, just the tone of the exhaust got much deeper so it reverberates through solid material much easier than the higher tone of the 4.3. I could "feel" the exhaust better but it was still a pretty quiet car.
It's really not bad at all. It definitely made it sound more aggressive but no drone and it doesn't attract enough attention that people turn to see what the sound is.
My car seemed louder when i did the engine swap, too. I still had stock exhaust at that point. But I honestly don't think it was louder, just the tone of the exhaust got much deeper so it reverberates through solid material much easier than the higher tone of the 4.3. I could "feel" the exhaust better but it was still a pretty quiet car.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,506
Likes: 130
From: Bolingbrook Illinois
1999 C43 Amg
Ive modded my elbow as per the way you do yours, which did make a very small difference.
I also removed the mesh from the MAF, hard to say if that did much, i put it back in, then took it out again, very hard to say if its better, but its certainly wasnt worse.
The plastic MAF screen is still in there and im not taking that out, it serves a purpose.
I have not removed the mesh from the air box or cut any ribs out.
Changing to the 5.4ltr engine with nothing else changed did make the exhaust louder than the 4.3ltr. My 99 E55 was far quieter than even the stock 99 C43.
I also removed the mesh from the MAF, hard to say if that did much, i put it back in, then took it out again, very hard to say if its better, but its certainly wasnt worse.
The plastic MAF screen is still in there and im not taking that out, it serves a purpose.
I have not removed the mesh from the air box or cut any ribs out.
Changing to the 5.4ltr engine with nothing else changed did make the exhaust louder than the 4.3ltr. My 99 E55 was far quieter than even the stock 99 C43.
Did you reset ECU or ran the car a few days? Did you raise your stock air box? People just don't get how restrictive the stock air box is. Mod the box like I do and come back, you will notice the difference big time.
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Thread Starter
Senior Member
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From: Australia
W202 C43 1999
I had the battery disconnected for over 24hrs when i replaced the O2s last week, and went on a 1,400klm round trip in the past 5 days. The car runs smooth, just seems to taper off slightly in the high RPM.
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Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 392
Likes: 9
From: Australia
W202 C43 1999
I spent a long time debating on the secondary cat and resonator delete, because I wanted a bit more aggression but I DO NOT want a loud and stupid car. At the end of the day it's a Mercedes Benz and I commute great distances in it. I don't want to call to much attention to myself or have insufferable drone on the highway.
It's really not bad at all. It definitely made it sound more aggressive but no drone and it doesn't attract enough attention that people turn to see what the sound is.
My car seemed louder when i did the engine swap, too. I still had stock exhaust at that point. But I honestly don't think it was louder, just the tone of the exhaust got much deeper so it reverberates through solid material much easier than the higher tone of the 4.3. I could "feel" the exhaust better but it was still a pretty quiet car.
It's really not bad at all. It definitely made it sound more aggressive but no drone and it doesn't attract enough attention that people turn to see what the sound is.
My car seemed louder when i did the engine swap, too. I still had stock exhaust at that point. But I honestly don't think it was louder, just the tone of the exhaust got much deeper so it reverberates through solid material much easier than the higher tone of the 4.3. I could "feel" the exhaust better but it was still a pretty quiet car.
Have a look in my profile, im not too concerned about attracting attention, just dont want it loud! Had all that with my Corvettes!
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 392
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From: Australia
W202 C43 1999
Im in the middle of giving it a full Liqui-moly treatment at the moment, did the intake, which didnt yield much smoke so it cant have been too bad, just got the oil detox in now.
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From: Land of mountains, cheese, chocolate and watches
12' W204 C63 AMG coupe "T-Rex", 12' W451 Smart Fortwo Pulse (99' W202 C43 AMG + Ultima Can-Am sold)
My c43 has the secondary cats and central resonator deleted and replaced with a Y pipe. This is the usual exhaust mod that most owners go for. IMO it's perfect just for cruising around with a nice purr and loud roar (but not too much) with WOT.
Some videos I made before and after
Some videos I made before and after
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 392
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From: Australia
W202 C43 1999
Yeah seen those ones mate, its probably a shade too raspy for me these days!
On my 1994 Corvette i had tri-Y long tubes into 3" pipe, X-pipe into 3" stainless cats, and then 3" pipes straight to the rear tips. No mufflers at all. It was extremely deep in tone, and did sound perfect for that car. It was quiet for regular driving, silent at 110kph, and roared like a monster at WOT.
Got a video of it here from before the mufflers were removed, but its done many years ago with a digital still cam and the sound is terrible.
On my 1994 Corvette i had tri-Y long tubes into 3" pipe, X-pipe into 3" stainless cats, and then 3" pipes straight to the rear tips. No mufflers at all. It was extremely deep in tone, and did sound perfect for that car. It was quiet for regular driving, silent at 110kph, and roared like a monster at WOT.
Got a video of it here from before the mufflers were removed, but its done many years ago with a digital still cam and the sound is terrible.
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From: Land of mountains, cheese, chocolate and watches
12' W204 C63 AMG coupe "T-Rex", 12' W451 Smart Fortwo Pulse (99' W202 C43 AMG + Ultima Can-Am sold)
You can envisage just doing the resonator delete and keep the secondary cats. The secondary cats will kill some of the excess noise. I think Kowalski has this type of setup with a beautiful OE type Y pipe with standard gaskets, clamps, etc..
Last edited by DRBC43AMG; Feb 13, 2017 at 08:38 AM. Reason: Added photo
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Joined: Mar 2005
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From: America
1999 C43 AMG, 2005 E55 Wagon
My fears were unfounded. It doesn't sound anywhere near as raspy in real life. Brand new Mustang GT is louder than my car still. If you're familiar with them, after the mod my car is about as loud as an earlier 4.6 Mustang GT, like a 2000-2004 era Mustang GT. They weren't loud as far as muscle cars go, but you could definitely tell them apart from regular cars in traffic.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2017
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From: Australia
W202 C43 1999
We have Rustangs here yeah, but theyre almost like Corvettes, very few people actually drive one daily.
I wouldnt buy a big piece of tube from overseas though, not when it can be done here for half the price!
Im not removing the resonator, its not going to be a restriction in the exhaust like the cats could be. Your car in the videos is too loud for my liking.
I wouldnt buy a big piece of tube from overseas though, not when it can be done here for half the price!
Im not removing the resonator, its not going to be a restriction in the exhaust like the cats could be. Your car in the videos is too loud for my liking.
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From: Bolingbrook Illinois
1999 C43 Amg
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 5,889
Likes: 323
From: Land of mountains, cheese, chocolate and watches
12' W204 C63 AMG coupe "T-Rex", 12' W451 Smart Fortwo Pulse (99' W202 C43 AMG + Ultima Can-Am sold)
Hi all,
I am contemplating removing the secondary cats on my C43 ( 5.4ltr ) , but not the centre muffler.
I dont mind if the car gets a bit louder, but dont want it to change tone too much, i still want it to sound like an AMG.
Seems most are removing both, i cant find much info on removing just the cats.
I would imagine the cats wont have as much impact on the actual tone of the exhaust compared to the centre muffler.
I also dont want to lose power, more power up a bit in the higher RPM would be good though. The 5.4ltr does seem to be holding back a bit above 5,000rpm where the 4.3ltr didnt.
Please dont suggest i remove the stock secondaries and put in aftermarket cats, because im not going to do that.
Cheers all
I am contemplating removing the secondary cats on my C43 ( 5.4ltr ) , but not the centre muffler.
I dont mind if the car gets a bit louder, but dont want it to change tone too much, i still want it to sound like an AMG.
Seems most are removing both, i cant find much info on removing just the cats.
I would imagine the cats wont have as much impact on the actual tone of the exhaust compared to the centre muffler.
I also dont want to lose power, more power up a bit in the higher RPM would be good though. The 5.4ltr does seem to be holding back a bit above 5,000rpm where the 4.3ltr didnt.
Please dont suggest i remove the stock secondaries and put in aftermarket cats, because im not going to do that.
Cheers all
Regarding the "holding back" as you say above 5'000rpm with the 5.4 M113, I guess that's normal. Don't forget the 4,3 M113 has special AMG cams which you can definitely feel when the engine comes "on-cam" at 4'000rpm and above. The 5.4 has standard cams...
Last edited by DRBC43AMG; Jan 28, 2019 at 12:33 PM.
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Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 41
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From: Germany
W202 C55 AMG, W202 230K T-Modell, Corvette Stingray C3,
Hi,
Regards
Jens
If you are interested, you can read my post, because I am also on this Topic.
https://mbworld.org/forums/c36-amg-c...3-bj-99-a.htmlRegards
Jens
