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1. The "h-pipe" closest to the muffler is NOT actually an h-pipe. It looks exactly like one, but there is no hole in the exhaust pipe walls! It's just a brace, apparently.
2. The "x-pipe" in the middle is NOT actually an x-pipe. It looks exactly like one until you look right down the middle and see a small gap. What the heck is it then? Why run the pipes close to each other like that and shape them "boxy" for six inches or so? There is no clearance issue in that section. At first I thought they must contain inline resonators but then I ran an inspection camera down the removed section of pipes and nothing is there! Again, WTF Mercedes?
3. Muffler Express in Redwood City is a great exhaust shop for quick, quality work. I can swap my old pipes back in for only $200, so this was essentially risk-free.
Conclusion:
Volume with flaps open under heavy acceleration is up maybe 25% or so, not what I hoped but better than you'd expect given that the crossovers I thought I was removing weren't actually crossovers... The snaps&pops are maybe 50-100% more pronounced in Sport+, though. Even though I thought I'd forced the valved H-pipe closed in my previous tests, apparently I didn't, since its complete absence now is really the only meaningful change that's been made, aside from simply straightening the flow of the pipes, Still hoping Eurocharged can program my tune to snap&pop in Sport as well, I haven't heard back from them yet. (I also feel as if the car is faster accelerating from low speeds, although it's probably my imagination; it certainly didn't lose any power.)
What next:
There is zero chance I'm cutting up or swapping out the downpipes (a "clean" swap requires a trans drop) in this car. So my only other avenue for improvement would be a muffler swap; I'd want a pair with working valves, so a custom setup would be expensive and complex. The only premade valved setup for the GLC63 currently is the $5800 one from Capristo. Ehh -- the video of the Capristo exhaust doesn't sound all that much louder than where I'm at now, anyways. I think I'm fine at the moment, especially if I can get that tune modified.
Last edited by Stereolab42; 06-06-2019 at 08:52 PM.
1. The "h-pipe" closest to the muffler is NOT actually an h-pipe. It looks exactly like one, but there is no hole in the exhaust pipe walls! It's just a brace, apparently.
2. The "x-pipe" in the middle is NOT actually an x-pipe. It looks exactly like one until you look right down the middle and see a small gap. What the heck is it then? Why run the pipes close to each other like that and shape them "boxy" for six inches or so? There is no clearance issue in that section. At first I thought they must contain inline resonators but then I ran an inspection camera down the removed section of pipes and nothing is there! Again, WTF Mercedes?
3. Muffler Express in Redwood City is a great exhaust shop for quick, quality work. I can swap my old pipes back in for only $200, so this was essentially risk-free.
Conclusion:
Volume with flaps open under heavy acceleration is up maybe 25% or so, not what I hoped but better than you'd expect given that the crossovers I thought I was removing weren't actually crossovers... The snaps&pops are maybe 50-100% more pronounced in Sport+, though. Even though I thought I'd forced the valved H-pipe closed in my previous tests, apparently I didn't, since its complete absence now is really the only meaningful change that's been made, aside from simply straightening the flow of the pipes, Still hoping Eurocharged can program my tune to snap&pop in Sport as well, I haven't heard back from them yet. (I also feel as if the car is faster accelerating from low speeds, although it's probably my imagination; it certainly didn't lose any power.)
What next:
There is zero chance I'm cutting up or swapping out the downpipes (a "clean" swap requires a trans drop) in this car. So my only other avenue for improvement would be a muffler swap; I'd want a pair with working valves, so a custom setup would be expensive and complex. The only premade valved setup for the GLC63 currently is the $5800 one from Capristo. Ehh -- the video of the Capristo exhaust doesn't sound all that much louder than where I'm at now, anyways. I think I'm fine at the moment, especially if I can get that tune modified.
That was quick !
How long did it take to do that ?
Any drone ? especially in 9 gear driving at 70 ?
Thanks
That was quick !
How long did it take to do that ?
Any drone ? especially in 9 gear driving at 70 ?
Thanks
Took only a few hours, those guys at Muffler Express work quickly. Haven't gone fast yet since I had to crawl home in rush-hour traffic, but no hint of drone yet. (I actually like a bit of drone, I have Flowmasters on my muscle cars lol. But I'd cut my own throat before I put Flowmasters on an AMG... guy's gotta have standards.)
congratulations. beautiful ride. If i could afford a W213 E63 wagon, it would basically be a forever car for me. I cant afford one, so GLC63 is definitely the next best thing.
I am also partial to blue so I ordered mine in June, took delivery in december. Hit 10k miles last weekend.
I use an Escort Max 360 but it is not hardwired yet. I do need to do that. what kit did you use for the hardwire?
congratulations. beautiful ride. If i could afford a W213 E63 wagon, it would basically be a forever car for me. I cant afford one, so GLC63 is definitely the next best thing.
I am also partial to blue so I ordered mine in June, took delivery in december. Hit 10k miles last weekend.
I use an Escort Max 360 but it is not hardwired yet. I do need to do that. what kit did you use for the hardwire?
Just the standard kit that Escort sells. I just tucked the wire behind the headliner and A-pillar to the driver's side fuse box. I removed the shroud from the blade and just stuck it in the one slot I found that was switched (could not use a fuse piggyback since that slot was just singular, it was not a fuse slot per se). Thoroughly ghetto but it's zip-tied... actually I just ordered a better fuse piggback kit with more sizes, when I get it I'm going to hunt around for better spot.
Last edited by Stereolab42; 06-07-2019 at 02:27 PM.
Eurocharged tells me they can't currently program the tune so Sport mode can crackle&pop like Sport+. Oh well.
Despite the price I took a hard look at the Capristo exhaust today. Figure I could maybe justify it if I carried it over into my next leased GLC63, so for 6 years. Anyways after looking more closely at the (sadly generic) installation instructions it looks far more complex than I'm comfortable with... for example, you need to route a vacuum source from the engine. What would likely happen is that I wouldn't be able to figure something out, or something would need to be modified, then I'd be paying a grand on top for a shop to do it anyways. Meh.
Instead I'm taking the GLC63 to a local speed shop for their opinion on a fully custom exhaust. This shop did custom exhausts with electric cutouts on some other cars of mine over the years and only does top-notch work at reasonable prices. However because of the unusual layout of the stock exhaust I'm skeptical if a standard two-muffler custom setup (such as with Varex valved mufflers) could be shoehorned in there. They'd have to sit laterally so the routing would involve two curves. We'll see.
Well I took the plunge. Got tired of my 2016 E63 a lot faster than I thought I would. First, I bought a black car against my better judgment and it turns out that color just makes me depressed. Second, I've come to prefer more ground clearance for mountain road fun and to combat the proliferation of dips and speed bumps and the increasingly horrific Bay Area roads. Third, I realize I like the option to have a new car on a semi-regular basis and the E63 is too high a price point for me to do that given AMG depreciation. At $40k less, a new 2019 GLC63 SUV looked to be a perfect fit. Brilliant Blue and Cardinal Red were my colors... I slightly preferred the blue but they are much rarer.
(Side note: What is up with Pacific MB dealers and leasing? Dealers I spoke with fell into two categories -- one set of dealers would give me quotes in a very fair range given the limitations of MB's base money factor, but the other set would consistently quote $300 a month higher. Some of them claimed "their bank" had different criteria, but I thought all MB leases went through MBFS. If not then those dealers are basically just doubling the money factor for their own profit, and I'm shocked that anyone with two brain cells is falling for their bull****.)
Eventually settled on a red GLC63 from M-B of Bakersfield, and decided to make a road trip to pick it up. Props to Surinder Mangat, Internet sales manager there... extremely fair and responsive. If you're in Cali drop him a line.
Car performed flawlessly on the drive home, most of the time in the pouring rain. (Another side note: The Natural Ash trim looks and feels like cheap plastic... on the first day we honestly thought that was what it was, and couldn't imagine why MB would put those odd random-looking textures on it. Would have much preferred glossy wood or carbon fiber.)
After tint/detail:
Since this is a lease I'm going very light on the mods. Nothing that can't be easily undone. Mods of note:
Eurocharged tune (link): They sell an ODBII handheld for this now, with which you can switch back and forth between tunes -- no more mailing in your ECU. Their handheld arrive in a few days, and after emailing the OEM file Jerry sent me the tuned version within a day. It's spectacular! They claim 476/517 to 570/605, and it's worth noting all GLC63 flavors tune to the same maximums, S and non-S -- one of several good reasons not to waste money on the S Coupe. Car is just stupid fast in Sport/Sport+. Sport+ is too jumpy for me in regular driving, so I tend to stick to Sport.
CETE exhaust flap controller (link): For 400-odd Euros, this little device will keep the flaps on your AMG performance exhaust open 100% of the time when the button is illuminated. You can still creep along quietly if need be by turning off the button. Wasn't too hard to install; I enlarged the center grommet in the trunk floor to run the wires to the two muffler valves, and then tapped two wires into two wires of the same color for the CAN-BUS connection. It does not INCREASE maximum exhaust volume, but the amount of time you HEAR maximum volume is greatly increased. Even just jumping along at low RPMs in traffic can be deliciously noisy. One caveat: You still mostly only get the downshift crackles/pops in Sport+ mode, and I think this is because there is a separate valved H-pipe that is only open in Sport+. This module does not control the H-pipe valve, only the two valves in the muffler. Likely at some point I'll investigate a way to force that valve to be always open.
Hardwired Escort 360c (link): I was always a Valentine ONE guy until now. Honestly V1 has fallen way behind the times. This isn't really the place for a radar detector comparison but do not doubt that the 360c is worth the very hefty price. I hardwired to an empty socket in the driver-side fuse box.
CravenSpeed The Platypus License Plate Mount (link): Installs into the tow hook (see above car pictures). Very high-quality.
WizGear CD changer cell phone mount (link): A CD-mount is pretty much the only option for a cell phone mount anywhere on the dash.
Conclusion: This car is an absolute blast to drive. I'm still in my break-in period so 0-60 is out of the question but with the tune it should be in the low 3s, which is within shouting distance of my E63 -- heck, they both weigh the same! My E63 had bells and whistles this doesn't have, such as massage seats and active bolsters, but for $40k less MB can keep them. I like the GLC63 so much it's likely I'll go way over my 12k miles per year just on random road trips. Thank god the awful cold and rainy California spring weather is over. Memorial day weekend was a depressing casualty but it's ON starting Saturday!
I have purchased the Wizgear cell mount and almost every time I accelerate hard the phone slides off.
The magnetic plates don't seem to be strong enough to hold the phone in place.
I have purchased the Wizgear cell mount and almost every time I accelerate hard the phone slides off.
The magnetic plates don't seem to be strong enough to hold the phone in place.
Never had an issue with that, I use exclusively Wizgear across several phones, cars, and mounts. YMMV I guess.
Originally Posted by Stereolab42
Eurocharged tells me they can't currently program the tune so Sport mode can crackle&pop like Sport+. Oh well.
Despite the price I took a hard look at the Capristo exhaust today. Figure I could maybe justify it if I carried it over into my next leased GLC63, so for 6 years. Anyways after looking more closely at the (sadly generic) installation instructions it looks far more complex than I'm comfortable with... for example, you need to route a vacuum source from the engine. What would likely happen is that I wouldn't be able to figure something out, or something would need to be modified, then I'd be paying a grand on top for a shop to do it anyways. Meh.
Instead I'm taking the GLC63 to a local speed shop for their opinion on a fully custom exhaust. This shop did custom exhausts with electric cutouts on some other cars of mine over the years and only does top-notch work at reasonable prices. However because of the unusual layout of the stock exhaust I'm skeptical if a standard two-muffler custom setup (such as with Varex valved mufflers) could be shoehorned in there. They'd have to sit laterally so the routing would involve two curves. We'll see.
After sleeping on it I decided to go with the Capristo, and will just DIY the install. This is not a Ferrari where you have to disassemble half the car to get at anything... everything is super-accessible under the car and there is lots of room inside and out. Another benefit of an SUV. (I will also say that the list price of the exhaust is NOT what you necessarily have to pay. Ask!)
Last edited by Stereolab42; 06-11-2019 at 02:08 PM.
Oh snap, hide yo children, hide yo wife! Capristo exhaust is arriving tomorrow direct from ze Fatherland! Going to take a crack at installing it over the next few evenings. Assuming everything they told me is true... bolt-on with no welding, but a bunch of wiring and hoses need to be run. Easily within my ability assuming that is the case.
Oh snap, hide yo children, hide yo wife! Capristo exhaust is arriving tomorrow direct from ze Fatherland! Going to take a crack at installing it over the next few evenings. Assuming everything they told me is true... bolt-on with no welding, but a bunch of wiring and hoses need to be run. Easily within my ability assuming that is the case.
So... umm... yeah. Decided to install the Capristo hardware alone without the electronics, and see what it sounded like with the valves open 100%, since without vacuum connected they are always open. Build quality and looks are fantastic, and as predicted installation was a breeze because there is plenty of room down there. However. It's not any #*()#$% # louder than my AMG perf exhaust was with the flaps forced open (CETE controller) and the center section straight-piped! I basically spent $5k just to have a slightly cooler looking exhaust. I verified with a boroscope and other methods that the flaps indeed are open all the time with no vacuum, and with them open, probably 80% of the exhaust gases are bypassing the muffler and are effectively straight-piped. Honestly I just don't think it's possible for this car to get super loud. I will just have to live with it sounding slightly rowdy with near-instant and infinite power at tap.
After some driving I realize I was unfair to the Capristo in my first review. It is noticeably louder than the stock AMG PE with flaps open and center straight-piped. Cold start is awesome, and overall the quality of the sounds are great. It still doesn't get super-loud like I hoped; since it is a valved exhaust I would have liked the option to be super-loud when I want. As it is, it's just loud enough I can get away with not installing the electronics and just keeping the valves open always. Again it appears that to get louder you need to get downpipes or experiment with going fully straight (maybe with cutouts). I'm fine for now. Saves me having to run a *#@$*(#-load of hoses and wires to run the Capristo valves anyways.
You should of just done downpipes and cut and cut them out for around $1800 lol. No
one cares about cutting downpipes out. Any welder that went to school (or experienced) can weld them back in no problem.
You should of just done downpipes and cut and cut them out for around $1800 lol. No
one cares about cutting downpipes out. Any welder that went to school (or experienced) can weld them back in no problem.
Do u happen to know if you can get to the secondary cats without removing the downpipes or dropping anything like the tranny? I wanna remove just the secondaries for now but not sure if that is doable easily
Do u happen to know if you can get to the secondary cats without removing the downpipes or dropping anything like the tranny? I wanna remove just the secondaries for now but not sure if that is doable easily
You may be able to but spending the money on custom fabricating that section you are better off buying some downpipes and tossing them in
Hey! I will get my GLC63 Coupe this week, and I've been thinking of getting the CETE exhaust flap controller that you mentioned. How does it sound on your car? if you don't mind can you post a video of it? Is it a big difference if you already had an AMG performance exhaust? Worth it?
Hey! I will get my GLC63 Coupe this week, and I've been thinking of getting the CETE exhaust flap controller that you mentioned. How does it sound on your car? if you don't mind can you post a video of it? Is it a big difference if you already had an AMG performance exhaust? Worth it?
-andhsu15
It makes a difference but not a huge one. Biggest change is with cold starts. It only works with the AMG Performance Exhaust because that's the only OEM exhaust that has flaps. The unfortunate truth is that there's really no way to make this car loud without downpipes or I imagine simple straight piping.
So I finally got around to seeing what the car sounds like truly straight-piped. Since the Capristo mufflers is clamped only about a foot backward, it was easy to remove the whole thing and drive around. Volume gained another 30% or so and you can definitely FEEL the rumble a lot more, without undue drone. However you're not going to get Hellcat volume or even the volume I had with my (almost straight-piped) E63. I think it's a combination of the smaller displacement engine along with the turbos and cats. Nevertheless I dig the improvement so I'm going to have my exhaust guy make straight pipe sections that just clamp onto where Capristo muffler was.
If you like loud, I can wholeheartedly endorse saving thousands on the cost of a custom exhaust and just replacing the OEM muffler with straights. (Per above, there is no OEM crossover or resonator section at all before the muffler, so it will be completely straight back to the cats.)
06-06-2019, 08:49 PM
