nahugry

With help from some members here, I've decided to remove the secondary cats and resonator.
Took about an hour for the shop and everything looks nice and clean.
Driving home from the shop, no malfunction lights, nothing out of ordinary.
The sound isn't what I was expecting; it seems more streamlined than before(smooth).
I do hear bit of a deeper sound coming from the back on lower rpm but overall, it's fairly quiet and very smooth. I guess I was wrong to expect some type of grumbling sound.
The car for some reason, does feel much lighter though. Don't know how that comes about but it definitely feels lighter.
Anyway, I'm happy I've gotten rid of the horrible rattling noise from the broken secondary cats but slightly, ever so slightly dissapointed in the sound output.
Thanks to all who've given great advice!

Kevwood

I've said it before and I'll say it again - the OEM muffler is the most restrictive piece of the system, you will never get a truly great tone nor high flow rates through a chambered muffler. However, I am happy to hear that you picked up a bit of feel and sound. Replace the OEM muffler next, you'll be amazed at the difference.

togaclk55

When are you gonna post up some exhaust clips!

kbahl21

kev i think the primaries are more restrictive

Kevwood

When I get my car back, if ever! I'm going into the shop on Saturday to see the progress. The paint, body and cosmetics are all moving ahead very well but the audio guy is dragging his *** so slowly that prett soon he's going to be going backwards...

You could be right, I never think of them because everyone for the most part leaves them in place, if so, the OEM muffler is the biggest flow blocker.

elijah

Yup. The muffler is what you want to get rid of. Then you will truly appreciate your V8

nahugry

Guess I know my muffler is really good at what it's supposed to do. Muffle sound :p
Again, thanks everyone for great advice

Fatz

Got my resonator replaved with magnaflow X and Y pipe last friday. The implementation turn out different than I had planned. Regarding the sound; it is very near what i want. I have kleeman headers and downpipe with MB high flow cats. It sounded different than stock already. Now it sounds more like the V8 that it is.

Details: Had planned with another tech to simply cut the pipes just after the cats as they entered the Y to a 2.5" pipe and the resonator. Another tech (more experienced) did the work. What he did was; (1) removed the cats from ends of the downpipes (2) bent (mandrel) and connected 2.5" pipes from downpipes to cats (3) conected x and y to cats (4) connected Y to orig 2.7" pipe going to muffler with a flange.

I was in a hurry to get the car and get home before a line of severe storms hit (with hail), so I did not look at the work till back at home. From what I can see of the workmanship, laying on my back and peering under my lowered car, he did a great job. I'll have to swing by the shop and give the tech the rest of the tip (left half when i picked up the car).

Drove about 50 miles yesterday. I like the slightly higher volume and there is more "burble" when downshifting. I like it......

BTW I looked at the resonator removed. It is essentially (visually) a 2.5" pipe through a can with the can welded to the pipe. The pipe has a couple holes in it within the can. From what I can recall and apply of my audio classes, those holes are like tuning ports of high end speakers of the 70's and 80's. There couldn't have been much restriction due to resonator. I would guess that the holes in the pipe are cut to cause re resonate frequency to cancel certain exhaust frequencies from the engine. This pipe in a can is much heavier than the pipes (x, y, and connecting) I had installed.

Rudeney

Yep, it would look something like this and would not create hardly any back pressure. Removing it won't gain anything other than sound effects.

M-bENZ

Not sure if you like my sounds but i have a straight pipe all the way from the primaries to the tips. Oh wait with two glasspacks in the middle and thats it. I still love the sounds just like the day 1. If you want to hear search for my thread "Brandnew pipes" .

Kevwood

If you and I were lined up at a red light and you started reving, I'd tuck my tail between my legs and go home... Your car sounds like a f'in animal!

M-bENZ

hahaahh not sure if that a good comments or not but thanks anyways . I know its not for everyone but i do like it man. I think im going to record some passing by/highway sounds and let my friend record it from the outside...just never heard it from out the outside.

Fatz

Yeah, I've heard the unleashed hounds of hell....... Your note would have me scared to accelerate faster than 0-60 in 10 seconds....... Will try to record mine as it is now. I'll be saving my lunch money to probably go with the magnaflow 1/2 to a twin dual set of pipes. Probably like Kevwood's but without the center muffler.

Kevwood

It's a good comment

If I didn't have headers I'd only have the rear muffler too, it just produced so much damn drone that I had to change it up. Sounds incredible now with all the Kleemann stuff, I will (yes, I promise) to get a sound clip up one day.

Fatz

OK - I think this link is only good for an hour...... A couple of sound clips - cold start and then after a 20 mile run.

http://www.supershare.net/video/413958-11283442d8.html


http://www.supershare.net/video/413962-6026004377.html

M-bENZ

Fatz,

Did you have the long tube headers or the short one ? The primaries cats still in place ?

Fatz

M-bENZ,
I have the short tube headers from kleeman. There is only one set of cats, and they are "hi flow". They were located just after the downpipe; they are now located about 2 feet from the down pipe. I think this is commonly referred to as primaries. Sorry for maybe sounding "****", but i'm just trying to be clear on what I have.

M-bENZ

hmm oh wow may be the CLK550 only have one cats ...there is no secondary like we have on CLK500. Does that throw any code after installed those headers ? or were they (Kleeman) reset it for you ? and already did the ECU Tune too ?

togaclk55

Sounds good Fatz

Fatz

OK,,, I'm getting really educated here. Your reply tone drove me to look much closer... on my back with my hand following the pipe upward.... Your tone is right.... There is a set of cats on the downward pipe (small ones). Would these be the "primaries" or "secondaries".

The ECU was tuned at the same time of the header and cat install. Sorry for the misinfo and thanks.

Pufftrees

Removed by resonator and 2nd cats today, Performance Muffler of Phoenix took care of me. Quick and easy job for them and I enjoy the new exhaust tone. Recommended for those who want a little louder OEM style sound for 100 bucks or so.

Kevin9664

Hey guys, Don't know much about exhausts but I'm looking to replace my OEM muffler to get something a little more deeper but nothing crazy loud. Can anyone recommend one with a part number that will fit my '06 CLK500 that I can order? Thanks.

kameno

For a straight up replacement I went with the magnaflow 11249. It was a tad long and required a little squeezing to get it to fit, so if I were to do it again I'd go with a 11219 or 14319. That or I'd save up and go quads.

http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o...2-17123644.jpg
http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o...2-17110453.jpg

robusa

hi kevwood,
on a 5 spd CLK500, with just an ECU tune, what exhaust mod would you recommend for both performance and killer V8 sound?

thanks!

kameno

get a magnaflow of sorts and cut your cats/resonator