Performance Mods
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Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 157
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From: Atlanta, GA
2008 C63, 2008 ML550, 2014 KTM 500 XC W, John Deere 990
Performance Mods
Hey, any of you folks with ML550s do any performance upgrades: chip tune, headers, intake, blower, etc. My 2008 needs some added life.
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2015
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ML550 2008
Thinking of doing a ML63 catback exhaust and an aftermarket intake. Looking to try and get close to 400 horses.
Chip probably wouldn't do much since it's a N/A engine. Wonder if the headers from the ML63 would work?
Chip probably wouldn't do much since it's a N/A engine. Wonder if the headers from the ML63 would work?
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Joined: Jul 2005
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From: New York City
C55 ///AMG, 535xi
eurocharged tune, true dual exhaust with highflow cats. I did that to my c55 and picked up quite a lot of power
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ML550 2008
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Infiniti g37xs
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Joined: Jun 2015
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Infiniti g37xs
Also, how long did it take you to do?
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 347
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From: Brooklin, Ontario
JGC SRT, ML 550, GLB 250
OK here is how I see it. If you want a subtle change this is the mod you want to do. If you want a drastic change the OEM cans/mufflers have to go and replaced with straight through cans.
At start up the tone is definitely deeper. But just when it starts up. Once at idle it sounds as it did before.
From a stop with 25%-50% on the gas pedal that's where you hear the most improvement in sound. Its a deep grunt & rumble. You will love it. I would say 20% increase in sound.
At WOT again it's louder. Not a deep grunt like described from a stop at partial throttle. It's a pitch louder. A GOOD louder. 10% Increase in sound.
At cruising speed on the highway or on any local road. Once the gas pedal is steady it's like you never removed the resonators. You would never know. It sounds just like it did before. Absolutely no cabin noise or droning.
I paid to much IMHO. But time and location was an issue for me. I paid $150. Just to much for 2 x 1.5ft of pipe and an 1.5hrs of work.
But oh well. I'm enjoying it.
At start up the tone is definitely deeper. But just when it starts up. Once at idle it sounds as it did before.
From a stop with 25%-50% on the gas pedal that's where you hear the most improvement in sound. Its a deep grunt & rumble. You will love it. I would say 20% increase in sound.
At WOT again it's louder. Not a deep grunt like described from a stop at partial throttle. It's a pitch louder. A GOOD louder. 10% Increase in sound.
At cruising speed on the highway or on any local road. Once the gas pedal is steady it's like you never removed the resonators. You would never know. It sounds just like it did before. Absolutely no cabin noise or droning.
I paid to much IMHO. But time and location was an issue for me. I paid $150. Just to much for 2 x 1.5ft of pipe and an 1.5hrs of work.
But oh well. I'm enjoying it.
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 64
Likes: 3
ML550 2008
Material for pipe
Did you have them replace the resonator with an aluminum or steel pipe and did it require any Mandrel bending?
OK here is how I see it. If you want a subtle change this is the mod you want to do. If you want a drastic change the OEM cans/mufflers have to go and replaced with straight through cans.
At start up the tone is definitely deeper. But just when it starts up. Once at idle it sounds as it did before.
From a stop with 25%-50% on the gas pedal that's where you hear the most improvement in sound. Its a deep grunt & rumble. You will love it. I would say 20% increase in sound.
At WOT again it's louder. Not a deep grunt like described from a stop at partial throttle. It's a pitch louder. A GOOD louder. 10% Increase in sound.
At cruising speed on the highway or on any local road. Once the gas pedal is steady it's like you never removed the resonators. You would never know. It sounds just like it did before. Absolutely no cabin noise or droning.
I paid to much IMHO. But time and location was an issue for me. I paid $150. Just to much for 2 x 1.5ft of pipe and an 1.5hrs of work.
But oh well. I'm enjoying it.
At start up the tone is definitely deeper. But just when it starts up. Once at idle it sounds as it did before.
From a stop with 25%-50% on the gas pedal that's where you hear the most improvement in sound. Its a deep grunt & rumble. You will love it. I would say 20% increase in sound.
At WOT again it's louder. Not a deep grunt like described from a stop at partial throttle. It's a pitch louder. A GOOD louder. 10% Increase in sound.
At cruising speed on the highway or on any local road. Once the gas pedal is steady it's like you never removed the resonators. You would never know. It sounds just like it did before. Absolutely no cabin noise or droning.
I paid to much IMHO. But time and location was an issue for me. I paid $150. Just to much for 2 x 1.5ft of pipe and an 1.5hrs of work.
But oh well. I'm enjoying it.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 347
Likes: 47
From: Brooklin, Ontario
JGC SRT, ML 550, GLB 250
Stainless steel. Just cut out the resonator and popped in two 1.5ft pipes. The ends of those pipes where expanded to slip over the stock pipes and then welded around the joints.
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 64
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ML550 2008
Thanks
Thanks for the update, have a local shop that will probably do it for cheap. Will stop by and see if they will use stainless steel or aluminum. The last time I had them do this for me on another car it was a 3.5" x 2' cutout and they only charged me $50 but that was many years ago and they used aluminum.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 347
Likes: 47
From: Brooklin, Ontario
JGC SRT, ML 550, GLB 250
Weld the oxygen sensor or the pipes? I welded the pipes on. That's a fitment pic. Welded on the pipes and new hangers.
There is no Oxygen sensor going to the resonator.
There is no Oxygen sensor going to the resonator.
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Joined: Jan 2007
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From: PNW Wa State
R230, C5 Corvette Convertible, Audi Allroad, Lexus RX350, AE86 Hachi Roku
Kudos. Sounds more serious. Owner enhancements is what makes a car more personal and fun to drive.
I have an observation that might help, albeit slight but the exhaust pipes forward of the cut outs have a section where the pipes come closer together. Replacing that as well with an X pipe or a true cross over could add some extra power and can quell popping sounds on decal as well as +mpg.
http://www.autoanything.com/exhausts...pipe-vs-h-pipe
I have an observation that might help, albeit slight but the exhaust pipes forward of the cut outs have a section where the pipes come closer together. Replacing that as well with an X pipe or a true cross over could add some extra power and can quell popping sounds on decal as well as +mpg.
http://www.autoanything.com/exhausts...pipe-vs-h-pipe
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 347
Likes: 47
From: Brooklin, Ontario
JGC SRT, ML 550, GLB 250
I 100% agree. We brought it up. But I had No. 2 of 4 of my little men with me and we were both playing hooky and time would blow our cover.
But this is on the to do list.
But this is on the to do list.
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Joined: Nov 2015
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ML550 2008
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 62
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From: St. Louis
ML350 Blutec
Im not looking for vastly improved mileage, better proformance without trashing the motor. Dont trash diesels, tuned right and they're sleepers with great mileage. Would like to get a better growel out of the exhaust also.
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From: New York City
C55 ///AMG, 535xi
