Resonator Delete on W209
Super Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 659
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From: Miami, FL
E55 AMG + Mustang GT
We have secondary cats on the W209, which is what some people reffer to as resonators. Most people remove these secondary cats. It will give you some top end power. Regarding the loss of torque, theoretically you would loose some low end torque if you went with straight pipes that are much bigger in diameter than the OEM secondary cats. However, I doubt you would loose much if any low end torque. Even if you do loose some, I don't think it will be noticeable, as this car has plenty of low end torque. I will be doing this very soon, and will let you know of the results.
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 453
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From: Las Vegas
2005 SL600 by SPEEDRIVEN
clkal,
What do you notice for power from revomal of your pair of secondary cats along with the 2 foot long resonator? What did you replace it with? Does this affect your emissions testing?
What do you notice for power from revomal of your pair of secondary cats along with the 2 foot long resonator? What did you replace it with? Does this affect your emissions testing?
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,894
Likes: 8
From: Connecticut
2003 CLK55
We have secondary cats on the W209, which is what some people reffer to as resonators. Most people remove these secondary cats. It will give you some top end power. Regarding the loss of torque, theoretically you would loose some low end torque if you went with straight pipes that are much bigger in diameter than the OEM secondary cats. However, I doubt you would loose much if any low end torque. Even if you do loose some, I don't think it will be noticeable, as this car has plenty of low end torque. I will be doing this very soon, and will let you know of the results.
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Super Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 659
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From: Miami, FL
E55 AMG + Mustang GT
Yes. It will make the car louder and give you some more top end power. If you want the car to be really loud, then just get a straight pipe. If you want the car to be a little louder, then get a straight pipe with a small resonator.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,894
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From: Connecticut
2003 CLK55
Did you tell them it was a resonator or secondary cat?
Did you keep the cat after they removed it?
Did they just put a straight pipe in there?
Do you have a sound file of the exhaust note now?
How would you compare the new sound to the old?
Thanks
Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 85
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10 ML450h; 10 C63
Did you go to a muffler shop?
Did you tell them it was a resonator or secondary cat?
Did you keep the cat after they removed it?
Did they just put a straight pipe in there?
Do you have a sound file of the exhaust note now?
How would you compare the new sound to the old?
Thanks
Did you tell them it was a resonator or secondary cat?
Did you keep the cat after they removed it?
Did they just put a straight pipe in there?
Do you have a sound file of the exhaust note now?
How would you compare the new sound to the old?
Thanks
-I told them to remove the resonator (and not the cat)
-They put a stainless steel straight pipe
-Will post the sound clip soon
-The new sound is much more bubbly and LOUD (hard to describe ... it is like a machine gun kinda sound) at WOT. Just let me tell you, I have stopped listening to the radio ever since this mod was done.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,894
Likes: 8
From: Connecticut
2003 CLK55
-It was done at a reputable muffler shop
-I told them to remove the resonator (and not the cat)
-They put a stainless steel straight pipe
-Will post the sound clip soon
-The new sound is much more bubbly and LOUD (hard to describe ... it is like a machine gun kinda sound) at WOT. Just let me tell you, I have stopped listening to the radio ever since this mod was done.
-I told them to remove the resonator (and not the cat)
-They put a stainless steel straight pipe
-Will post the sound clip soon
-The new sound is much more bubbly and LOUD (hard to describe ... it is like a machine gun kinda sound) at WOT. Just let me tell you, I have stopped listening to the radio ever since this mod was done.
I'm strongly considering doing this mod. Did you notice any low end power losses?
Newbie
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Miami
2003 CLK 55
-It was done at a reputable muffler shop
-I told them to remove the resonator (and not the cat)
-They put a stainless steel straight pipe
-Will post the sound clip soon
-The new sound is much more bubbly and LOUD (hard to describe ... it is like a machine gun kinda sound) at WOT. Just let me tell you, I have stopped listening to the radio ever since this mod was done.
-I told them to remove the resonator (and not the cat)
-They put a stainless steel straight pipe
-Will post the sound clip soon
-The new sound is much more bubbly and LOUD (hard to describe ... it is like a machine gun kinda sound) at WOT. Just let me tell you, I have stopped listening to the radio ever since this mod was done.
and forgive my noob status...but what does "WOT" stand for?
Super Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 659
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From: Miami, FL
E55 AMG + Mustang GT
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 212
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From: Winchester, MA
2005 CLK55
I am looking to do the same, if anyone knows a reputable place who has already done this before around CT ,MA ,NH ,RI area please let me know.
I already like the exhaust tone but it could be just a tad more louder.
I already like the exhaust tone but it could be just a tad more louder.
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 737
Likes: 38
From: Fort Worth, TX
2019 CLS450/ 2002 CLK55
Just had my resonator removed today on my '01 CLK55. $100. Replaced with straight pipe. Still have the cats and muffler. Car sounds just a little bit louder at idle. Not even close to obnoxious. You can hear it, however, at wot. Sounds really good. Anyone who can cut and weld can do it.
I am curious as to what everyone keeps referring to as 'secondary cats'? This makes no sense to me. I have 2 cats, 1 resonator (removed now), and 1 muffler. W208 model. Someone let me know what they are talking about with these 'secondary cat'. I dont believe that they exist. I am thinking that people are thinking that the resonator is the secondary cat.
-John
I am curious as to what everyone keeps referring to as 'secondary cats'?
This makes no sense to me. I have 2 cats, 1 resonator (removed now), and 1 muffler. W208 model. Someone let me know what they are talking about with these 'secondary cat'. I dont believe that they exist. I am thinking that people are thinking that the resonator is the secondary cat.-John
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,894
Likes: 8
From: Connecticut
2003 CLK55
Just had my resonator removed today on my '01 CLK55. $100. Replaced with straight pipe. Still have the cats and muffler. Car sounds just a little bit louder at idle. Not even close to obnoxious. You can hear it, however, at wot. Sounds really good. Anyone who can cut and weld can do it.
I am curious as to what everyone keeps referring to as 'secondary cats'? This makes no sense to me. I have 2 cats, 1 resonator (removed now), and 1 muffler. W208 model. Someone let me know what they are talking about with these 'secondary cat'. I dont believe that they exist. I am thinking that people are thinking that the resonator is the secondary cat.
-John
I am curious as to what everyone keeps referring to as 'secondary cats'?
This makes no sense to me. I have 2 cats, 1 resonator (removed now), and 1 muffler. W208 model. Someone let me know what they are talking about with these 'secondary cat'. I dont believe that they exist. I am thinking that people are thinking that the resonator is the secondary cat.-John
Do you have to remove the muffler? What if you leave the muffler and just remove the resonator?
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 737
Likes: 38
From: Fort Worth, TX
2019 CLS450/ 2002 CLK55
-John
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,170
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From: Bay Area, CA
03 CLK500, 04 X3, No 07 GT3RS :(
My muffler guy charged me $20 to cut out my resonator and was a 15 min job with probably <$5 in materials for the replacement pipe - it sounds like some of you guys are being charged a bit of a premium.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,894
Likes: 8
From: Connecticut
2003 CLK55
OK
I have a problem!
I went to the local muffler place and asked the guy if he uses Stainless Steel. He said he uses Aluminized pipes. I wondered if it mattered. His direct quote was "all pipes rust". I just figures Stainless Steel would rust less. He said it didn't matter. I didn't trust him so I did not get it done.
Also when I asked him how much he said it would probably be an hour's worth of work at $80/hour. He had no clue.
Help!
Do I really need Stainless Steel or is Aluminized pipe OK?
I have a problem!
I went to the local muffler place and asked the guy if he uses Stainless Steel. He said he uses Aluminized pipes. I wondered if it mattered. His direct quote was "all pipes rust". I just figures Stainless Steel would rust less. He said it didn't matter. I didn't trust him so I did not get it done.
Also when I asked him how much he said it would probably be an hour's worth of work at $80/hour. He had no clue.
Help!
Do I really need Stainless Steel or is Aluminized pipe OK?
