jellis102.com

I know that I'm new here and to the MB brand but, I'm not new to fast modded cars, I've owned my share of "American Muscle" over the past 5 years.

I've built 6 cars, some with minimal mods and one with all the goodies you can put on and in.

The main reason I made the MB purchase was b/c of the ridiculously outrageous high cost of mods. It's just sickening to see the prices on the same mods I've done over and over for half the cost, I thought the "Vette tax" was high!!

Anyway, I don't like the prices of most of the header/exhaust systems advertised here so I went with my traditional American Racing Headers and catted mid pipe.

I went through the shop that has helped me build all of my cars, not only great guys but great personal friends outside of the car/business world, they are dealers for ARH and was able to get me a fairly decent deal, free shipping, a small discount as this would be my 7th set of headers for my 7th car build.

I have researched here for the ARH brand on the MB cars but have found nothing at best, at least no one has bought and installed a set that I have found (but, the search function here kinda blows) to date, until now.

We placed the order two weeks ago tomorrow, the ARH co. is in the midst of a facility change so my headers are taking a bit longer than the anticipated 2 week turn around time, no big deal.

I have added a few aesthetic goodies, and have made my first visit to Eurocharged for my "ECU" tune (why they do it this way is beyond me).

A tune in my book is, put the car on the dyno, and start tuning, not hooking it up to a programmer and sending the info. This issue I will attempt to sort out with EC, Jake and I have communicated through PM's and the local shop guys here seem to be very nice guys too, I just want my own tune, not the same tune that every other C63 is running.

Anyway, back to topic.

As my headers arrive, we'll document "some" of the build, my shop (Powerfab Automotive) is going to contract the header installation to one of our close friends at IDB racing (yep, you guessed it In Da Bu**) racing..

He is very familiar with the car as he only works on Euro's, he has all of the necessary tools to get the job done, as well as lowering the car with H&R's for me, and mounting up my new TSW Interlagos.

I'll have some pre and post vids of not only the sound changes but also the dyno runs, while we can't do the tuning b/c of the lack of software, we will pay another visit to EC for the updated tune for the headers and the AFE's that I've installed (my row's should arrive this week).

Some of you may be skeptical based on ARH's "lack of" history in partnering with MB but, I doubt that they will disappoint. I may not pull 20-30 hp/tq but, I'm not necessarily looking for that from this mod, sure I want the improved numbers but moreso, I want the sound.

I'll continue to update this thread as the progress is made.

NCBob

I've had a couple beers so I'll need to reread this in the morning. Right now I'm having a little difficulty understanding the content.

rags260z

I'm with ya jellis102. I have gone so far as to ask HPTuners and EFILive if they would consider coding software for the Bosch ECU. So far no luck. We'll need many more requests to be sent to them before either will consider it.

As for ARH, I've used them for long tubes on a Magnuson charged LS2 240Z and they came out great. I spoke to Anthony Marianelli from ARH to maybe do something with the C63 but it never materialized. Once they finish the move I'm going to head over there to talk to them in person.

I'm really interested in how your headers come out. From past experience with ARH I'm sure they will look and perform great.

Joe

Merc63

Sure a custom tune is great, but not everyone is local to the handful of shops that can tune the me9.7.

I don't see the need for a custom tune, unless you are going after every last drop. The base maps are very very close.

So you are custom Fabing these headers, using your friends shop? A one off piece is going to cost less?

loshea

Talking about lost in translation.. I had difficulties comprehending the overall post. So you purchased the Mercedes because you didn't like the tax that's added into the cost of performance parts?

NCBob

That's what I'm trying to figure out. Couple years ago I bought a set of long tube headers from LG Motorsports for my C-7 Corvette. Paid $1,600. Try duplicating that for a C-63.
I did find on eBay a stainless C-63 cat-back system for $899.

Sorry for the hijack

rags260z

Boy you guys are tough! I just took that one sentence as a typo. The rest of the post is informative.

AHR is not just the op's friends shop. They are a very well established header shop and do sell headers for some AMG cars, notably the 03-06 E55 and the 07-09 E63. http://americanracingheaders.com

As for using your own software to tune yourself or the need for a custom tune, I want to be able to see exactly what changes to the tune each of the tuners is doing. I realize this is not for everyone but I like to understand how the changes to the tune effect the way the motor responds. Although I have tuning software for other cars and can tune myself, I do go to the experts sometimes as they are dyno tuning everyday and obviously can find more areas to modify for performance than I am able too.

IMO, relying on a handful of tuners to supply canned tunes is akin to what was happening in the 90's with American hotrodders who had to depend on companies like Hyperchip to supply upgraded tunes. Technology has come a long way since then. I'm waiting for MB and BMW enthusiasts to code something like HPTuners or EFILive so we can catch up to what is going on over at the GM, Dodge and Ford communities.

Enough of the rant and sorry for the hijack.

Joe

jellis102.com

Rags, ARH has confirmed that they can and do make the headers and mids for the C63, they are making mine now.

Merc, over the past 5 years, all of my cars/tunes have been custom tuned to each car, customized around the mods of that particular car. No two tunes have been alike, we can line up two identical Z06's with identical mods and the tunes will be different from each other, every car has it's own personality.

I don't like the idea of a "canned tune".

Loshea, I have sunk thousands of dollars (as many others have as well) into my cars, I'm just personally tired of doing it that way, I want just a few mods that make a good difference in performance and I'll be done. If I need more, nitrous is the cheapest horse power made. No more blowers or cams for me, while I have and love them both, and love the sound of each, I just can't justify the cost, yes, this is why I went to MB, my GTO cost me less than 10K for a full custom build to install a Magnason 2.9 blower, a W/T blower is how much?? Dbl that cost? No thanks, I'd rather save the money for my racing habits

NC, I never expected to find headers for less than 2k, I'm just under 3K for the ARH headers but what I really don't like the idea of is anywhere from $3400-$4500 or whatever the price range is.

skaarlaj

At the end of the day, they're just tubes that merge together. A 500 hp C63 header kit will cost 3k+, while the same materials with the same amount of tubes on a stang with up to 1000 hp can be had for under 1K? I don't get it either. I will have ARH on my C63, unless I get a smoking deal on a second hand header for significantly less than 3, and at that price, it won't be any time real soon.

skaarlaj

And let's not even mention a 60K+ car with 400+ hp that can be had WITHOUT lsd?????????????? Are you friggin kidding me!!!!!!

Sincity

Good to know that ARH is making C63 headers. Can they be had with primary cats?Someone told me they supply headers for EC's CLKBS kit. Please post pics when you get them.

jellis102.com

Sin, the cats will be in the mid pipes as usual.

skaarlaj

They emailed me and said they're in the works of making them.

ShaneN.

You mean c6?

ShaneN.

Anyways, I read that he was on the fence of buying mercedes because of how expensive modding is but ended up with one. And now he wants to do headers and has convinced ARH to make him a set without the added mercedes tax on the typcial headers that are offered around here. Was that right?

I don't think anyone will have anything negative to say about that. Pretty sure we all know the basics of what headers are, which isn't much. If you can get them to make a set for your car or they do make a set I see no reason why they won't perform any differently than any other set. They are a good/well known company anyways.

MACHC5

Nick & Anthony at ARH are great people.

They built the headers for my CLK63BS last winter.
To read about it look for Long Tube Headers in the CLK63BS section.

MachC5

Matt47FL

Do you have any pictures of the headers they are making? If you dont mind me asking, what is the price?

jellis102.com

After an extended wait time due to ARH moving shops, the headers arrived 2 weeks ago, we are just now getting around to doing the install.
ARH long tube headers with catted mid pipes



I dropped off the car Wednesday and the guys started working on the suspension first
Final product, with H&R springs


The front is a little high but it should come down once it settles




The EC tune yielded a solid 66 RWHP and 34 RWTQ, I'm hoping to get a minimum of 30 more WHP from the ARH but mostly, I'm looking for the added noise


While it's on the lift, the guys are removing the TCU and we'll have it flashed and then re-tune after the headers are all finished up.

Merc63

Who's tuning the tcu?

jellis102.com

Eurocharged in Houston!

mr747

Do u have some closer pics of the headers??.

Can u pm me on the cost please

jellis102.com

I don't have any other pics of the headers, that's the pic that the shop guy took and sent to me. They aren't coated, I never get my headers coated, ARH has always built a great quality header and have never had any issues with them.

mr747

Can twain to hear these headers and see the dyno sheet

Make sure u get before and after sound clips

jellis102.com

Sorry but I won't have a before clip, it sounds just like any other stock exhaust system.

mr747

I know what u mean