SL/R230 Exhaust Resonators/Needed?

Feb 25, 2011 | 10:16 AM

edbates2004

Thread Starter

Newbie

Joined: Oct 2010

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SL500

Exhaust Resonators/Needed?

Here is my deal. I took my 03 SL500 for a drive the other day. There a rather loud noise coming from under the car. I took it to my local mechanic and they said it was coming from one of the pre-cats/resonators?

Anyway he said he could straight pipe them and the car would sound better or I could pay $500 for the part. I went with the staightpipe.

The car does sound more mean, or whatever you want to call it, but it doesn't seem as punchy when you step on the gas. It seems to accel smoother and easier, but I am not sure if it is as fast as it use to be??

I guess my question is can I loose horse power or torque by removing these? I have seen a lot of people do it, but don't complain about any loss in power?

Any input would be great,

thanks!

Feb 25, 2011 | 07:49 PM

gearshifter

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Joined: Aug 2009

Posts: 133

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SL500

if anything, straight piping would have you GAIN HP

Feb 25, 2011 | 07:49 PM

gearshifter

Member

Joined: Aug 2009

Posts: 133

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SL500

ps: do you have a video of how your car sounds now?

Feb 26, 2011 | 03:46 AM

PavementPounder

Junior Member

Joined: Jun 2007

Posts: 52

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From: Michigan

2004 SL600, 2006 Range Rover SC

IIRC, I believe people have previously posted that the car will adapt to the modification with continued driving.

Feb 26, 2011 | 06:25 AM

Late

Senior Member

Joined: Oct 2009

Posts: 269

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From: New York

03 SL500(Sold), 09 C300, 11 E550

There wasn't any noticeable difference when I got my cats removed and straight piped. Very little low end torque might be lost with this mod but it is well worth the sound that you get. Try doing the tranny reset and driving it hard for a few miles.

https://mbworld.org/forums/sl-class-...nsmission.html