Mort

Thanks. The install is a character building experience for sure. This is my third go at it. Twice on and once off....lol

I didn't use any sealant on the joints. Got the pipes seated as far as possible, lined them up as good as I could and tightened down the clamps. So far it has been fine. Fingers crossed...lol

You can use some of that orange silicone the exhaust shops use to seal if you have to.

Mort

The small pipes coming off the cats are for rear O2 sensors. I got extensions for my O2 sensors on EBAY and installed them. My tune has the sensors 'on' so we will see how it goes. The first install I put the rear O2 sensors in bungs beside the front O2 sensors and had the code turned off in the tune. This time I wanted to try to keep everything reporting as intended. No OBDII testing here but I wanted to keep it all reporting properly anyway.

Mort

This goes out to Kriston for making sure I could not 'not install' the long tube headers. Thanks Kriston...

I took my car out for a little test drive, first of the season.

The car was a lot quieter than my 2010 and I thought why would a 2012 be quieter? When I got back I realized that over the winter I put the rear seat backs up. What a difference. I never drive with my seat backs up and that is why...lol

INS1GNIA

Haha, it is crazy how much a difference it really does make. Great progress on the mods and props for installing all yourself, I'm sure it sounds amazing!

abcut973

Sweet Mort!

ZephyrAMG

Excellent work! Looks like you have enough shop abilities to do these things on your own time at your own place. The pics are fantastic to follow your work and progression...Very nice!

AMG3.2

Good stuff! Between exhaust note and HMS fenders, your car is going to be about as good as it gets.

Mort

Thanks INSIGNIA, the car with headers does sound amazing even with high flow cats and stock catback. You would not believe the WOT shift at redline with this combination in S mode...

Thanks Anthony.

Thanks Zeph. I don't think I would do any of this if I could not do it mostly myself. It has been a great hobby that has provided me with lots of accomplishment and satisfaction over the years.

Thanks AMG3.2. The car is going under the knife on Wednesday and I am really excited but a little anxious as well. I am sure it will be fine and I have confidence in my body shop. HMS Soon! Thanks for leading the way.

Kriston

Jim I was wondering when you were going to install the headers. The cars coming along nicely. Awesome
To see you tackled the install on the new beast.

PS: word on the street is that Kris is working on a new exhaust setup. I will be selling my Eisenmann Race Setup over the next few weeks. *cough, cough*

Mort

Thanks Kris, I remember a post from a while ago about some exhaust work. I will keep an eye out for it. I am kind of extended right now but if the Eisenmann is priced tight enough..lol

AMG3.2

You got it! Did they mention timeline for this? My shop took 4 weeks...

Mort

No time line has been discussed and I am hoping for less. Fingers crossed...lol

Mort

I had my body shop paint my calipers red when they were installing my HMS flares. I figured it would be a nice addition to the flares and new wheels. They turned out great and I am very happy with the results. They are a nice detail which will add to the performance enhanced look of the car.

abcut973

Nice butt Mort!!!
Not sure if it is the lighting but it seems you have mismatched paint on the arches?

ZephyrAMG

Can't believe I missed this! Looks phenomenal Mort!!!
Wow, went through the thread and major kudos to an epic transformation!

BLKROKT

Mort, when did you get carbon fiber rims?

Kriston

Jim it looks wonderful! The red Calipers are an awesome touch. Man the back end of the car looks so nice with the wide flares.

Kriston

He had these since his last C63.

abcut973

I just realized your shop used old AMG decals for the calipers. Did you request that specifically?

Mort

Thanks abcut973......Lol

The match does look a little off from some angles but looks very good in person. Depends on the light and reflective angle and the camera picks it up better than my eye at least. Most of the time it looks perfect to me.


I had those rims on my 2010 and kept them for this car. I have had them for 4 years. New rims on the way.

Hi Zeph and thanks for the Kudos.

Posted picks of the flares in the HMS thread but will post them here too in the next while.

Thanks Kriston.

The wide rear does look good on these cars as you know being a forerunner. The Dragon and you leading the way. I am loving the flares.

The red calipers seemed a natural touch.

Mort

The body shop had the decals cut locally. I am not sure how they got changed. Maybe the shop got a pattern online or something. Not a big deal to me. I started with AMG and the original logo so I may as well stick with it...LOL

Mort

I changed up the black front splitter on my car for a CF Splitter. This is an Ebay part I got from AMPROS Ltd. The quality and fitment are fine but I had to drill the holes in the mounting tabs and that was a bit of trial and error process with a rasp. I had a local shop wrap it in clear protective film because the black piece I removed had a lot of small pits and looked quite worn for its age and mileage.

Mort

I replaced the OEM Diffuser with a CF Big Fin Diffuser from Matt at RW Carbon. I had my body shop install it with the rear bumper removed and they did a great job and saved me from considerable frustration I think. Matt is a great guy to deal with. The wrap is not perfect but the price was good. I think it looks good and goes well with my other exterior mods.

ZephyrAMG

Very nice addition and it looks like a well made piece. The clear cover was worth it IMO....the front of cars get pretty beat up and your car looks really new and clean...maybe just a few small bugs.

Mort

I posted this in the ** HMS TUNING WIDE FENDER KIT GROUP BUY ** so I am just going to copy it here. Lazy me...LOL

These pictures give a feeling of how much this mod increases width over the stock rear fenders.

30 Days on the Road DING DING DING....DONE!!!!!!!

30 days on the road and I got the car home last night.

Sweet music indeed.

Calipers painted red and CF big fin diffuser installed as well.

Surface mounted not molded on.

It was indeed a long 30 days. Took the car in April 13th got it back Friday May 13th.

Happy Me!