WilyB

I went the classic route: resonator delete and a Camaro exhaust to which the original AMG tips were welded back on. I thought that would nicely complement my first mod: a K&N filter!

It is very quiet at idle, just a tad of a low frequency rumble, but at WOT, the exhaust screams like a race car: music to the ears!

The sound is very pleasant too when I lift off the gas. Last but not least, the new system weighs significantly less.

I said ghetto because the total cost is well under any aftermarket exhaust, but actually the work has been performed by competent pros.

I will try to take pictures and a video this week-end when my son is back from college.

I am surprised that not many people post about ML55s. It is a great truck. We never had any problems with it in 6+ years and 49K miles. We went through 2 sets of front rotors and one set of rear ones and the 2nd set of Dunlops are nearing the end of their useful life, all of which is normal given the weight and the power.

The Designo’s interior is absolutely stunning, with a fit and finish way above the normal MLs.

The negatives are the lack of climate control (fixed in 2002) and the slow CD based Navigation.

///AMG55

Good for you, Sounds cool! What did the exhaust job cost?

WilyB

Under $600. I wonder if a Magnaflow would have sounded even better?

Riffyb

You gotta show me which muffler. Ive been looking around for one for a while. I did my Res delete, but I want it to be louder especially when im on it WOT

WilyB

Riffyb: It is a Flowmaster 42583 for Camaro/Firebird. I will take pics in a couple of days as well as vids. 3" intake, two 2.5" out.



My wife loves the new ML55's "bad boy" sound.

RAFFIE55

Do you think that would be the same on a 1999 ML430. Is it Dual in and single out.

StealthAuto

Sounds very interesting. I'm sure on an SUV it sounds really good.. I can't wait to see a vid.

WilyB

I removed the humongous factory resonator. Exhaust sound was sweet, particularly at higher rpm where it howled like a racing engine! However, there was an annoying resonance at typical highway speed (60/70 mph) and an apparent loss of low end torque.

So I installed a Flowmaster “Universal in line” resonator (Model 15110, $75.86) and that solved the resonance and low end torque problems, while still maintaining that sweet exhaust growl.

I have a video, but I have first to locate where I store the camera and then to understand how to load it on the ‘net!

Speakerdude

I am going to try the ghetto exhaust. I just found both the Flowmaster pieces on-line for $184 w/ shipping. There is a really good independent muffler shop by me that did my 944 w/ MSDS headers and a fabricated exhaust, it works great. I will post a couple pictures if it works on the ML. I also want a bit more noise, I can't help it.

I have also started looking into vented rotors and dropping it down an inch. I know the rears will take springs but how drastic will the difference between front and back be w/ loosening the torsion bars to drop it the same inch? Do I need to go w/ heavier duty shocks in the front than in the back?


Steve

Speakerdude

I got the exhaust on today and it sounds fantastic. It is not extremely loud, just a very low rumble and great @ WOT. I have posted a couple pics.I will post the final ones when I am doing the suspension. I ordered Eibach rear springs and a set of 4 Bilsteins w/ extra heavy duty fronts to compensate for the relaxed torsion bars when lowering. I have already gotten an alignment shop on-board to do a 4 corner balance and alignment when it's completed. The only thing even remotely difficult was cutting the old stainless exhaust and making the Y-pipe for the resonator. It had to reduce the weight 30-40 lbs and fits right in.

Steve

MJ50

did u also use flowmaster 42583?
was the install straightforward?

Speakerdude

I did use the flowmaster Camaro muffler anlong w/ the universal resonator. I had to make a Y pipe in front of the resonator, cut the stock exhaust (6 saw-zall blades to get through the stainless), use a few adaptors, and weld it all together. A friend of mine owns a muffler shop and although I can play with it I prefer to use somebody good. It takes the better part of a day up in the air but it's well worth it. It sounds just like a stock LS1 Vette, very low rumble, not obnoxious at all but it gets the job done really well.

Steve

MJ50

sounds like the labor will end up costing more than the muffler...

Speakerdude

It's worth it! One of the young engineers that works for me told me today I have "the most radical mini-van around".

Steve

MBML63

Curious if you looked at an Edelbrock exhaust??

WilyB

Glad you liked it!

WilyB

No, I did not. Do you have a part number? After some extensive search, I did not find any reasonnable priced ML55 exhaust available on the US market.

The Flowmaster is a very nice and inexpensive setup.

MBML63

No I do not have a part number. I was just curious if you had looked into their products as well as Flowmaster.

WilyB

Good point. thanks for bringing it to our attention. I just looked and I believe that the Edelbrock's #55763 muffler will fit nicely.



It is available on-line for under $100.

Remember you will want to replace the stock resonator, which is very heavy, with a smaller one. Also, I switched to a K&N filter.

Speakerdude

I wish I could just leave a car alone. My 944 cost me $6K when I bought it and I have dumped 15-20K into it. NOT SMART but a lot of fun. I do really like the ML a lot, I just want to do a couple things and the exhaut really sounds good and who knows, maybe it adds HP, I really don't care. My wife took it today and drove a 150 mile round trip out to put flowers on her mom's grave and she came back raving about it, and she is 51 years old. She picked up her dad (87 years old) and he thinks it's a "fine machine". You can't beat these things on the used market. I never buy new, I can't afford it, and I have had a lot of cars.

Steve

MJ50

i'm almost ready to buy the flowmaster...
can anyone post the actual sound clip?
i'd like to hear it 1st b4 buying it...

55fanatic

I have posted pics of my magnaflow before... if you want I can pull them up again

MJ50

pls...
and if u have sound clips, that'd be perfect!

55fanatic

http://media.putfile.com/ml3

is what it sounds like, Im not sure where the pics of it are... it looks like stock though

StealthAuto

Sounds VERY goood!

-AS