Has anyone done this?

CLK55 = no resonator

Really?! Then why is everyone talking about those! So funny... I was looking for a shop to get those out today. lol

must be different for the W208 55's, cuz I just recently removed my pair of secondary cats along with the 2 foot long resonator.

Bump -

Is it true we don't have resonators? I was debating getting mine removed. Also is it true you lose some torque after removal?

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.

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?

So removing these secondary cats will improve the exhaust note?

I just had my resonator removed. It is prolly the best 70 bucks I have ever spent.

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.

Hey man where do you live?

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

-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.

Oh snap. Thanks. I can't wait for the sound clip.
I'm strongly considering doing this mod. Did you notice any low end power losses?

Hey...i'm interested in getting this done as well! Was it a very expensive mod?

and forgive my noob status...but what does "WOT" stand for?

I believe he mentioned $70 in a previous post. WOT stands for "Wide Open Throttle."

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.

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 guess on the W209 the secondary cat is the resonator??

Do you have to remove the muffler? What if you leave the muffler and just remove the resonator?

I think that that is what people are saying too. The "secondary cat" IS the resonator. You can't miss it its about 2 feet long and yes it can be removed soley. Just cut out and replace with straight pipe. I love it. Even with the stock exhaust it gave me just enough to remind me I'm driving a V8.
-John

Anyone have sound clips of a W209 before and after the resonator delete?

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.

Did you use a stainless pipe to replace it though?

Obviously this would void the warranty but I wonder if only voids it on the exhaust system or can they claim this f'ed up the engine if something goes wrong.

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?