CLK 500 Muffler?
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CLK 500 Muffler?
Hey everyone,
I was looking to get some more sound out of my CLK500 (deeper bass, and a little louder growl). I was looking into the Flowmaster Pro series muffler, if that is any good for this car (any recommendations? My highest I'll go is $200). I only want to change the muffler, nothing else. I would also like to know if I would lose any torque/power if I change the muffler because I have seen on other forums that people have noticed a little less torque. Thanks for all the help!
I was looking to get some more sound out of my CLK500 (deeper bass, and a little louder growl). I was looking into the Flowmaster Pro series muffler, if that is any good for this car (any recommendations? My highest I'll go is $200). I only want to change the muffler, nothing else. I would also like to know if I would lose any torque/power if I change the muffler because I have seen on other forums that people have noticed a little less torque. Thanks for all the help!
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 41
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From: SOUTHERN CALI. LUV
CLK 500
just delete the muffler to start ....it weighs like 100lbs and its a big bulky box lol....just get rid of it and straight pipe it ...it sounds amazing:-) no drone ....but at wot its sounds like a beast....I heard a c63 (xtypers) and he almost gave this old man a heart attack .....it won't be that loud but you can wake up a lot of people in the tunnels.....lol :-)
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Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Atlanta Metro
2008 clk550 - Navigator - Frontier
I've been around the horn several times with my exhaust. 
I noticed a big difference in low end and mid range torque; but my exhaust was completely diferent from stock at the time. I had kleeman primary cats, magnaflow X pipe and OEM secondary cats running to a Mag Y pipe to a 3" mid pipe into a 3" core mag muffler. Torque was greatly diminished..
3" anywhere in the exhaust is too much IMO. The OEM mid pipe is 2.75" OD but only 2.55"-2.6" ID. Since you are looking to only change the muffler, I would say go with a 2.5" core muffler.
The OEM muffler is rather large in height and replacing it leaves a rather large cavern above the aftermarket muffler. IMO, the magnaflow (and perhaps others) vibrate at an audible frequency which is amplified by the "cavern". "Boom Mat" insulation / heat shield used to cover the "cavern", helps a lot. I used "Boom Mat" spray on (rubber in a can) after my final exhaust setup.
I think you can go for the sound you like best in a muffler since you will only be changing it; there is enough other "restrictions" in the system to keep any torque change unnoticeable.
My exhaust is ideal for me now (mag 200 cell cats -> vibrant resonators ->mag X pipe ->mag 14" 2x2 muff -> 2.5" dual pipes -> tips. Still less low end torque than original but the doors to heaven start to open at about 2000 rpm........
I noticed a big difference in low end and mid range torque; but my exhaust was completely diferent from stock at the time. I had kleeman primary cats, magnaflow X pipe and OEM secondary cats running to a Mag Y pipe to a 3" mid pipe into a 3" core mag muffler. Torque was greatly diminished..3" anywhere in the exhaust is too much IMO. The OEM mid pipe is 2.75" OD but only 2.55"-2.6" ID. Since you are looking to only change the muffler, I would say go with a 2.5" core muffler.
The OEM muffler is rather large in height and replacing it leaves a rather large cavern above the aftermarket muffler. IMO, the magnaflow (and perhaps others) vibrate at an audible frequency which is amplified by the "cavern". "Boom Mat" insulation / heat shield used to cover the "cavern", helps a lot. I used "Boom Mat" spray on (rubber in a can) after my final exhaust setup.
I think you can go for the sound you like best in a muffler since you will only be changing it; there is enough other "restrictions" in the system to keep any torque change unnoticeable.
My exhaust is ideal for me now (mag 200 cell cats -> vibrant resonators ->mag X pipe ->mag 14" 2x2 muff -> 2.5" dual pipes -> tips. Still less low end torque than original but the doors to heaven start to open at about 2000 rpm........
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2012
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From: SoCal
None for now
I've been around the horn several times with my exhaust. I noticed a big difference in low end and mid range torque; but my exhaust was completely diferent from stock at the time. I had kleeman primary cats, magnaflow X pipe and OEM secondary cats running to a Mag Y pipe to a 3" mid pipe into a 3" core mag muffler. Torque was greatly diminished..
3" anywhere in the exhaust is too much IMO. The OEM mid pipe is 2.75" OD but only 2.55"-2.6" ID. Since you are looking to only change the muffler, I would say go with a 2.5" core muffler.
The OEM muffler is rather large in height and replacing it leaves a rather large cavern above the aftermarket muffler. IMO, the magnaflow (and perhaps others) vibrate at an audible frequency which is amplified by the "cavern". "Boom Mat" insulation / heat shield used to cover the "cavern", helps a lot. I used "Boom Mat" spray on (rubber in a can) after my final exhaust setup.
I think you can go for the sound you like best in a muffler since you will only be changing it; there is enough other "restrictions" in the system to keep any torque change unnoticeable.
My exhaust is ideal for me now (mag 200 cell cats -> vibrant resonators ->mag X pipe ->mag 14" 2x2 muff -> 2.5" dual pipes -> tips. Still less low end torque than original but the doors to heaven start to open at about 2000 rpm........
I noticed a big difference in low end and mid range torque; but my exhaust was completely diferent from stock at the time. I had kleeman primary cats, magnaflow X pipe and OEM secondary cats running to a Mag Y pipe to a 3" mid pipe into a 3" core mag muffler. Torque was greatly diminished..3" anywhere in the exhaust is too much IMO. The OEM mid pipe is 2.75" OD but only 2.55"-2.6" ID. Since you are looking to only change the muffler, I would say go with a 2.5" core muffler.
The OEM muffler is rather large in height and replacing it leaves a rather large cavern above the aftermarket muffler. IMO, the magnaflow (and perhaps others) vibrate at an audible frequency which is amplified by the "cavern". "Boom Mat" insulation / heat shield used to cover the "cavern", helps a lot. I used "Boom Mat" spray on (rubber in a can) after my final exhaust setup.
I think you can go for the sound you like best in a muffler since you will only be changing it; there is enough other "restrictions" in the system to keep any torque change unnoticeable.
My exhaust is ideal for me now (mag 200 cell cats -> vibrant resonators ->mag X pipe ->mag 14" 2x2 muff -> 2.5" dual pipes -> tips. Still less low end torque than original but the doors to heaven start to open at about 2000 rpm........
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2012
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From: SOUTHERN CALI. LUV
CLK 500
lol.....just go down to your nearest muffler shop with $20.00 and 18 pack of coors light and hhave them chop off the muffler and fill in that missing piece with whatever size pipes you have .... you will enjoy it trust me. ....if I could do sound for you I would .but just start with that ..lmao its freakin' fun...QUOTE=kb24forlife24;5723355]Thanks for all the info, appreciate it. So if I get a 2.5" muffler, which brand do you think would give me the best bass and VERY LITTLE growl? I'm looking at a Borla XR-1, so far. My friend says that since the muffler is so big (the oem one) any muffler would hang from the bottom and not fit in it. Is that true? Thanks BTW[/QUOTE]
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,227
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From: Atlanta Metro
2008 clk550 - Navigator - Frontier
I think most of the aftermarket mufflers will have about tme dimensions as the OEM's length and width. The space should accommodate an 18" muffler. I believe the area housing the muffler is the same as that on the 550. It is the height of the OEM muffler that is so exaggerated. (OEM = 18x9x9 magnaflow 18x8x5)
As far as a particular muffler sound preference, I would suggest listening to sound clips of different mufflers (from cars similiar to yours) and go with what sounds good to you.
As far as a particular muffler sound preference, I would suggest listening to sound clips of different mufflers (from cars similiar to yours) and go with what sounds good to you.
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Thread Starter
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From: SoCal
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I've now decided that I might want to do a full cat-back exhaust system. Which is the best exhaust that has deep bass tone with very little growl? Which brands should I consider?
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From: SoCal
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Since you did a muffler delete can you post a video so I can get a taste of what it sounds like. And how is the drone killing you? I read everywhere that the drone shouldn't be bad on just a muffler delete. Thanks !
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2012
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From: Olympia, Wa
2004 CLK500
problem is that nobody really makes a true bargain priced cat-back like Mustangs or Hondas, a few companies make exhaust systems but they are very high dollar (1500+) for marginal gains and just a "race" muffler, no mid piping or anything, which is why you see most people on the board fabricate their own systems.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2012
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From: SoCal
None for now
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 1,319
Likes: 14
From: SoCal
None for now
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,227
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From: Atlanta Metro
2008 clk550 - Navigator - Frontier
Take a look and let me know what you think...
Thread Starter
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Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 120
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From: PA
W209(sold), W212, X204
Hey kb24forlife24, how do you like the muffler delete so far? I'm in the exact sitaution you were in, contemplating on either doing a muffler delete or changing out the muffler (magnaflow vs flowmaster). I want to get some sound out of the car, but don't want it to be outrageously loud - would you still recommend a delete?
Also where did you get the dual tips? They look great, got the size/dimensions?
Edit:: haha I realize you have a quad set up now. Well, any input would be appreciated!
Also where did you get the dual tips? They look great, got the size/dimensions?
Edit:: haha I realize you have a quad set up now. Well, any input would be appreciated!
Last edited by Eojj; Apr 15, 2014 at 07:44 PM.
Thread Starter
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From: SoCal
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The muffler delete was really nice! I have quads now with an X-pipe in place of the resonator but the muffler delete was nice and throaty until about 2800 RPM. I definitely recommend it. I got the dual tip from my muffler shop it was a generic tip. I'd like to see your setup as well!
Last edited by kb24forlife24; Nov 26, 2014 at 08:07 PM.
Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 120
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From: PA
W209(sold), W212, X204
The muffler delete was really nice! I am quad bow with x pipe in place of the resonator but the muffler delete was nice and throaty until about 2800 RPM. I definitely recommend it. I got the dual tip from my muffler shop it was a generic tip. I'd like to see your setup as well!
, super jealous. I think for now, I'm just going to go with a muffler delete, as that seems to be most cost effective. I'd rather save some $$ for maintenance since I just got the car and don't know what to expect lol
