Ok, so I wanted a little more muscle out of my CL65... In prior cars it was easy to replace the exhaust or make it louder, (m3, 760li, z06 -a few of them, ctsv, 69 camaro) but I really like the way the stock 65 exhaust looks. I also did not want spend a lot of money for an aftermarket exhaust that I can not even hear or see first... these cars are rare enough for me to have to drive pretty far to find someone that modded the exhaust (remeber I live in new England) So who in their right mind would plasma cut a cl65 exhaust to make it louder... I would... but I first purchased a cl65 exahust (used and removed) in case i really messed up.

I tried researching the flow of turbo cars and spent a few hours at my local custom exhaust shop (www.jimscustomexhaust.com) Jim the owner and friend for 20 years, said to me "why dont you just cut off the whole thing, most of the guys around here that have turbos dont really run exhausts... That got me thinking, what if its too loud, what if it sounds like my Saleen or my Z06? Would that be a bad move?

Jim and I decided that I should cut out a 2.5" hole before the mufflers after the diff and weld in 3" stainless pipe angled downward. I trusted his knowledge and I went back to my garage to start plasma cutting and welding (oh yeah its only $5 for 1foot of stainless 3" pipe)

before I welded the 3" on I decided to start it up to hear the difference... result=OMG... its awesome... and it looks bone stock (because it really is (except for the holes...) Now comes my second phase. I was thinking about installing electronic exhaust cutouts... have you seen these? they are awesome...just google them...

Anyway I dont think I would ever close the cutouts, so I did not buy them yet... I love the new sound... cost = 5$... amazing...

Here is a video.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aU1do2fLj6s the sound quality is not that great (GF's android phone) I will get a better clip...

I will grab some pics in the morning if anyone wants them... Also if there are any 65 owners around that want this done or have questions just ask...

 

More input for ya....

https://mbworld.org/forums/m275-v12-...ification.html


Want the most power follow JayCL600 lead....

https://mbworld.org/forums/cl-class-...er-delete.html

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Thanks for the update. Great pics and vids. I like the way mine looks stock as I already have the 4 tips on my 65 and can easily go back to stock if needed by adding a section of pipe (but I am sure the others can as well)

I liked my setup because I can easily cap off the cutout manually, or add the electronic cutouts, or go back to stock in 10min...

After driving it around for 2 days, I like it just the way it is... I cant tell if its any faster (these cars are quick) but it is louder when you want it loud... Such a nice sound....

Here is a pic of my handywork... $5 and 1 hour of my time...

 

Sounds Awesome!

I'm considering of doing it but fear the "drone".. some people say there is no drone, some say there is..

Wouldn't you want to remove the mufflers and have it straight piped? Some weight savings I hear.

Was that that video with just the hole or with the 3inch downward pipe welded on?

Does it drone when you drive it on the highway?

Like to hear the sound of it driving off too..

 

NRL, No drone, sounds perfect, I do think that since it is not a straight pipe that some muffling will occur, but I am not an expert. Exhaust still exits the rear as you can see, but you still get all the noise. For me it was what I wanted, musclecar sound yet if you put the windows up I can take conference calls.

I also did not want to take away from what the car is, meaning wrecking or severely modding the exhaust.

I like the factory exhaust looks always have, as for weight, the car is a beast.. I actually think it needs more weight with the wheelspin this car has...

I will try and get a video of the car driving past the camera...

 

Sounds good.
Sounds like a different method done compared to the usual muffler delete/straight pipe method.

Can you take a pic of where you cut the hole? So you didn't weld, to add the down angled 3" pipe yet?

 

Sounds brutal!!
I don't think I've ever heard a CL65 that sounds this beastly.

 

it is different, it sounds like a crazy v12 turbo... instead of a 4cyl normally aspirated car. Ok so it sounded ok before but not like this...

If you stare at the rear exhaust i cut a 2.5" circle (by cut I mean plasma cut) at the center of the bend in between the diff and the muffler. It pretty obvious if you look under your car.

I cut the circles slightly downward so I could easily weld the 3" cutouts all the way around.

I made these cutouts by plasma cutting semi circles out of each side to it shared the exhaust pipe contour. Using wood to trace is easier than freehand plasma cutting.

You do not need to add the cutouts it sounds the same as the cutouts are very short. I just wanted to direct the exhaust gas and be able to close it with a cap or add the electronic cutouts easily.

To reverse this mod you only have to cut out a 4" piece of exhaust and slide a new piece in place. I bought a used 06 cl65 factory exhaust to use if needed but as long as I drive this car the cutout will flow... so nice...

 

Can you take a closeup Pic of the hole cut area?
I wanna show my muffler tech.
Thanks

 

that 65 sounds like it means business!!! it will also backup that sound by blowin most cars doors off
i contemplated that sound on my 65 but went the stealth route(it roars a little wide open)

 

Yah, I hear you on the stealth factor. Would be neat if you could mainly be in stealth and open it up when you want it with a flick of a switch..

 

NRL,

Under your car you can see the bends that curve out towards the tires after diff. I choose the middle of the bend and went slightly lower than horizontal that way when welding the turn downs they clear the spare tire location.

Note: I am not an excellent free-hand plasma cutter. in order to do a good job, I cut out a 2" wooden disc and drilled a pilot hole in the center of the disc and in the center of the exhaust. then I attached the disc with a self tapping screw. After that the plasma cut was easy...You can also use the wooden disc to help cut out the turn downs edges

I was thinking of making a kit for people to purchase, but with so little of these cars it would not make sense... just stop by my house and i will do it for you for free.

 

Sounds great! We've gotta hear that moving!!

 

sounds awesome. so, there is no issue with hot exhaust gas exiting underneath the car?

 

Would like to hear this answer and see a personal pic as well of it.
The sounds is completely amazing!
Just worried about smelling the gas fumes since I never have the windows up around here

 

wow!!!!
had to laugh at the narrator though.....LOL

 

Sorry for the delay, been traveling for work....

Exhaust Fumes: non existent. I drive with the windows down a lot as well. Its cold nowhere and in the morning when you start up the car you can see the exhaust come out the new pipes and hit the ground and bounce out the back. i got lucky for sure as i did not design for this.

Narrator: What can I say, my girlfriend likes to help. She also likes to drive my H1 off road, as if having these vehicles isnt lucky enough.

Video while driving: I will try and get this today for you all. It sounds even better though.

Here are a few more pics. I did finally get the newer CL65 wheels on it. I got them from Ernies in FL. I know some people have mixed reviews on them, but I can tell you that they came through for me. They sent the wrong wheels at first and then the wrong offset, but in the end I got what I originally requested for the price agreed upon. Time to refinish the original ones this winter.

 

Looking good. Thanks for the update!