CLK Resonator delete question...
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Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Cali
2000 CLK 320
CLK Resonator delete question...
is this the resonator of the clk? i didnt take this pic, found it in an old thread from king320, but it looks just like my 320. that thing is huge, please let me know. thanx
Thread Starter
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Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Cali
2000 CLK 320
thanks guys! well the independent muffler shop that i was going to go to was closed today (sat.). so i went to midas instead. guy there said he cant take it off due it being against the law and advised me NOT to do so. he said it will definately not pass a smog check. and here in california, i gota get it smogged every other year. he also said it would sound Horrible,lol. i was so confident about my decision to have it taken out, but now im not so sure
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From: Normal, IL
02 E55; 99 CLK430 (Sold)
I don't believe that for a second. Ok, first, we don't get emissions checks where I live but seriously. It's just a resonator!! It has nothing to do with the cats or anything. Mess with those and you'll probably fail. As far as sound, it really didn't make much of a difference on my 430. Take it to an independent place and remember that guys who work at Midas aren't exactly the best people in the biz. They're the type of people that if you try and get your brakes done will tell you have have to do every little single thing or they won't touch them.
Thread Starter
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From: Cali
2000 CLK 320
ya, he said it wouldnt pass the VISUAL inspection because exhaust has been tampered with. he recommended to if i wanted perf. and sound, to replace the entire exhaust-muffler and cats.
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Hey, not sure about the 320 an 430 but i have a clk500 and had the resonator removed it sounds a tad more agressive but not that much and no difference in power. If you want a total different sound this will not do it for you however if you want jus a little louder/agressive tone i would recommend it. The sound doesnt change much on crusing just on full throttle do i notice a difference and thats if im listening for it. Oh the resonator has nothing to do with smog or emissions test. Not sure about visual inspection laws but alot of guys have done this. You should search on the w209 forum.
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From: SCV SoCal
2002 CLK430
The Midas guy is mistaken. In the state of California, the purpose of the visual inspection is to check for missing, disconnected, or visibly damaged emissions-system components. A resonator is a noise suppression device, not an emission component. If he doesn't know the difference, you're better off not having him work on your car. A smog check is made up of (1) the visual inspection, (2) functional inspection, and (3) the emissions test. None of those tests involve your resonator.
Sections 27200 and 27150 of the California Vehicle Code cover loud exhausts.
Sections 27200 and 27150 of the California Vehicle Code cover loud exhausts.
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From: Nor Cal
Piece of SH*T
I just got my exhaust system done on friday (haven't had a chance to post pics or reviews due to Military drills this weekend) but removing the resonator makes a little difference in noise but in power gains, rarely if not probably nothing. It does save some weight though but if you remove your exhaust for an aftermarket one that would also reduce some weight. As for the midas guy, he sucks..go to another muffler shop they will remove it with no hesitation. I'm actually going back to remove my 2 cats underneath just because it's not aggressive enough for me and my muffler guy doesn't have a problem at all about removing it, it just cost a little more and that should definetly have some performance gains on that.
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From: Bay Area, CA
01' CLK55
on my CLK55, I removed the 2 rear cats, PLUS the foot-and-a-half long resonator. Damn, the car sounds means now!!!!
I had to pay the extra labor for the guy to manufacture a y-pipe into a straight 3.5" pipe, but it definitely was worth it =)
I had to pay the extra labor for the guy to manufacture a y-pipe into a straight 3.5" pipe, but it definitely was worth it =)
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From: OC, CA
1999 CLK430 (sold) 03 CL55
Wow everyone is worried about emissions really bad...and alot of people just said removing the dummy cats will NOT do anything to emissions, it's the catalyc converter that will cause emissions, you remove that THEN your dealing with trouble, anything else restricting the car's air flow is bad, if they say those resonators don't do anything then they don't do anything.
It's basic science really, all the Resonator does is reduce noise, nothing else, here is what "Resonator" means and this came right off of Wikipedia, lol.
A resonator is one part in exhaust systems that works with the muffler to reduce noise, by making sound waves "cancel each other out."
The "exhaust note" is an important feature for many vehicle owners, so both the original manufacturers and the after-market suppliers use the resonator to enhance the sound in some way - in particular so-called "ricers" (North American youths driving generally small Pacific rim cars) use resonators on their 4-cylinder engines to give a distinctive exhaust note thats usually tinny yet wobbly sounding, current popular culture is starting to abandon these in favor of normal mufflers with extra large exhaust tips.
Tip - If your going to remove the Resonator might as well get yourself an exhaust system, it's pointless to get it removed and not have a exhaust system installed.
It's basic science really, all the Resonator does is reduce noise, nothing else, here is what "Resonator" means and this came right off of Wikipedia, lol.
A resonator is one part in exhaust systems that works with the muffler to reduce noise, by making sound waves "cancel each other out."
The "exhaust note" is an important feature for many vehicle owners, so both the original manufacturers and the after-market suppliers use the resonator to enhance the sound in some way - in particular so-called "ricers" (North American youths driving generally small Pacific rim cars) use resonators on their 4-cylinder engines to give a distinctive exhaust note thats usually tinny yet wobbly sounding, current popular culture is starting to abandon these in favor of normal mufflers with extra large exhaust tips.
Tip - If your going to remove the Resonator might as well get yourself an exhaust system, it's pointless to get it removed and not have a exhaust system installed.
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From: Los Angeles
CLK W208
thanks guys! well the independent muffler shop that i was going to go to was closed today (sat.). so i went to midas instead. guy there said he cant take it off due it being against the law and advised me NOT to do so. he said it will definately not pass a smog check. and here in california, i gota get it smogged every other year. he also said it would sound Horrible,lol. i was so confident about my decision to have it taken out, but now im not so sure
Thread Starter
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From: Cali
2000 CLK 320
^^ you are so right.i found an independent muffler shop to take it off. and i noticed NO difference at all in sound. my **** sounds the same. so basically i threw away 45 buks
NO difference at all in sound. my **** sounds the same. so basically i threw away 45 buks
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haters crazy
Deleting the resonator does make a slight difference in sound. I think its amplified even more when you have an aftermarket exhaust. If you really want hp for cheap, slap some stickers on that bad boy (good for 5-20hp/sticker depending on what sticker you put on) 
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From: KCMO, but Houston is my home.
01 CLK 430
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From: Cali
2000 CLK 320
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From: Nova / Rockville
Custom CLK / 05 E500 4matic / 04 Acura TL <<Daily
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From: City of Angels
02 CLK 430 Cab
thanks guys! well the independent muffler shop that i was going to go to was closed today (sat.). so i went to midas instead. guy there said he cant take it off due it being against the law and advised me NOT to do so. he said it will definately not pass a smog check. and here in california, i gota get it smogged every other year. he also said it would sound Horrible,lol. i was so confident about my decision to have it taken out, but now im not so sure
Last edited by DropTop208; Mar 14, 2007 at 11:31 AM.
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From: Bay Area, CA
01' CLK55
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From: NJ
w208
i know im bringin back an old thread...but does anyone else wanna chime in..im considerin deletin my resonator..i have an eisenmann race exhaust n lookin for a lil extra sound....is it worth doin it?
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From: FL 33325
2002 CLK 430
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I have my resonator removed... dident noticed much but i had it done for free
Im curious about removing the secondary catts (the rusty dual ones in the pic above)... will i get a CEL?(check engine light) or any other problems other then wack emissions?
Anyone who has done this have any sound clips or more info , that would be awesome...
thanks!
Im curious about removing the secondary catts (the rusty dual ones in the pic above)... will i get a CEL?(check engine light) or any other problems other then wack emissions?
Anyone who has done this have any sound clips or more info , that would be awesome...
thanks!
