CLK 500 200-Cell Secondary Cats Upgrade
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 194
Likes: 2
From: Redondo Beach, CA
2006 SLK 55 amg, 2002 CLK 430 Cab (hers), 1989 944 Turbo (sold), CLK 500 (sold), 125cc shifter kart
CLK 500 200-Cell Secondary Cats Upgrade
I changed the secondary cats on my SLK55 and it made a pretty big improvement. Over the weekend, I did the same job on my CLK500.
I have had the stock ceramic secondary cats fail on me (honeycomb broke inside) twice after only 25k miles. I used 200-cell metallic spun cats from ECT. Picked up about 10 hp on the SLK, but I didn't dyno the CLK due to cost/time constraints. I purchased the cats from Ebay for $200 plus shipping. The install, which included new 2.5 inch (stock is 2.25 inch) mandrel bent stainless steel piping from the primary cats to the resonator, cost about $400. Sound increased only slightly (I also have the Remus muffler). I kept the resonator in place because this is my "suit and tie" car; I need her fairly quite...
The pics show a much improved piping than from stock. The first two pics are of the stock units.
I have had the stock ceramic secondary cats fail on me (honeycomb broke inside) twice after only 25k miles. I used 200-cell metallic spun cats from ECT. Picked up about 10 hp on the SLK, but I didn't dyno the CLK due to cost/time constraints. I purchased the cats from Ebay for $200 plus shipping. The install, which included new 2.5 inch (stock is 2.25 inch) mandrel bent stainless steel piping from the primary cats to the resonator, cost about $400. Sound increased only slightly (I also have the Remus muffler). I kept the resonator in place because this is my "suit and tie" car; I need her fairly quite...
The pics show a much improved piping than from stock. The first two pics are of the stock units.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 194
Likes: 2
From: Redondo Beach, CA
2006 SLK 55 amg, 2002 CLK 430 Cab (hers), 1989 944 Turbo (sold), CLK 500 (sold), 125cc shifter kart
AAA Performance Exhaust did an outstanding job installing the cats. The tech used the same factory hangers and supports. After the job was done, the car was started and put back on the hoist to check for any leaks which was done by the tech wetting his hand and running it over the welds to feel for any windage. Then he took metal polish and polished up the piping. They are a bit more expensive than other shops in the area, but worth every penny. Ask for Pepe.
AAA Performance Exhaust
West Los Angeles
2600 S. La Cienega Blvd (La Cienega and the 10 freeway)
Los Angeles, CA 90034
Ph: 310-839-2443
Fax: 310-839-1720
AAA Performance Exhaust
West Los Angeles
2600 S. La Cienega Blvd (La Cienega and the 10 freeway)
Los Angeles, CA 90034
Ph: 310-839-2443
Fax: 310-839-1720
Last edited by A' La F1; Jun 10, 2009 at 02:48 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,323
Likes: 0
From: Dallas, TX
2012 CLS63
AAA Performance Exhaust did an outstanding job installing the cats. The tech used the same factory hangers and supports. After the job was done, the car was started and put back on the hoist to check for any leaks which was done by the tech wetting his hand and running it over the welds to feel for any windage. Then he took metal polish and polished up the piping. They are a bit more expensive than other shops in the area, but worth every penny. Ask for Pepe.
AAA Performance Exhaust
West Los Angeles
2600 S. La Cienega Blvd (La Cienega and the 10 freeway)
Los Angeles, CA 90034
Ph: 310-839-2443
Fax: 310-839-1720
AAA Performance Exhaust
West Los Angeles
2600 S. La Cienega Blvd (La Cienega and the 10 freeway)
Los Angeles, CA 90034
Ph: 310-839-2443
Fax: 310-839-1720
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 194
Likes: 2
From: Redondo Beach, CA
2006 SLK 55 amg, 2002 CLK 430 Cab (hers), 1989 944 Turbo (sold), CLK 500 (sold), 125cc shifter kart
I am running a single Remus can out the back. Quads look great and have much better flow, but I didn't want to incure the cost of relocating/removing the spare tire bin or cutting the stock bumper cap. I am leaving some HP on the table, but that's ok - this is my commuter.
