SL-Class (R230) 2003 -- 2012: Discussion on the SL500, SL550, SL600

SL/R230: Exhaust Question

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Old Mar 9, 2019 | 02:51 PM
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2006 SL600 RENNtech
Exhaust Question

I will be modifying my exhaust this spring and I am looking for feedback if I should look for a cat back system or just axle back? I am not really concerned about any performance gains , mostly just an improvement from the stock sound of my exhaust. I have a 2006 SL600 w a Renntech tune FYI.

Thanks
Mark
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Old Mar 9, 2019 | 03:04 PM
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Go for turbo down pipes, 300 cell metal cats, remove resonators and mufflers. Will sound insane.
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Old Mar 9, 2019 | 06:28 PM
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2005 R 230 SL350 (M112 3.7). Sold the 1966 W113 230SL recently
Of all the achievements of Merc’s engineers, when they developed and built the R230, the sensation of reassuring and quiet travel is best. Sshh...
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Old Mar 16, 2019 | 07:33 AM
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I agree with Frederick regarding the quiet travel of the SL; it is probably one of the greatest features for most SL-owners.

But with that said, I would personally really like for my 2011 SL550 to sound louder/deeper than it does. I did the resonator delete this past fall, and I thought that helped quite a bit, but honestly still not enough. To me it sounds better inside the car than it does outside. For an engine pushing 400 hp it should sound more like a sports car in my ears.

Any recommendations? (And without ruining the emission standards, Sweden is quite fussy regarding that..)
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Old Mar 16, 2019 | 12:37 PM
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I've heard people say leaving the resonator in place but removing the mufflers does a good job. Or, you could install electrically operated muffler bypass valves. That way, you could have quiet when needed, and V8 oad when you want it.
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Old Mar 17, 2019 | 10:34 AM
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I agree , I appreciate the quiet , but would like a bit more aggressive tone especially with the V-12 in mine.
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Old Mar 17, 2019 | 11:21 AM
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Source...

Originally Posted by Rudeney
I've heard people say leaving the resonator in place but removing the mufflers does a good job. Or, you could install electrically operated muffler bypass valves. That way, you could have quiet when needed, and V8 oad when you want it.
Rodney, You know of a source for the electrically operated bypass valves? I'm working on an SL65 and I think the owner may want this.

Thx
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Old Mar 17, 2019 | 01:01 PM
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I've never bought them, but I have heard of some guys who have. I seem to recall a guy, maybe on the W209 forums, that used on that had a remote signal that could be programmed into the Homelink buttons. All you need is to get a set that is the right size for your exhaust pipes.
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Old Mar 17, 2019 | 02:02 PM
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Just remove the rear mufflers. Will do wonders for the sound.
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Old Mar 18, 2019 | 01:23 PM
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Originally Posted by Rudeney
I've heard people say leaving the resonator in place but removing the mufflers does a good job. Or, you could install electrically operated muffler bypass valves. That way, you could have quiet when needed, and V8 oad when you want it.
Originally Posted by BlownV8
Just remove the rear mufflers. Will do wonders for the sound.
Well, crap. I was so excited this past fall after reading about this "resonator delete" and seeing before&after YouTube clips, I went ahead and did that. And now you're telling me I should have removed the mufflers instead?!

What if I now remove the mufflers, that would be considered 'straight pipes', right? I saw a S550 on YouTube which seemed to sound great with straight pipes, but a lot of the comments was from people comparing it to doing rice rocket mods... heh
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Old Mar 18, 2019 | 03:35 PM
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Technically, straight pipes delete the catalytic converter, too. That would be very loud, although with the SL's X-pipe, not horrible.
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Old Mar 18, 2019 | 06:45 PM
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I installed two of these on my 73 Dodge truck. Main reasons were a 5 year guarantee and momentary activation switch. The latter saves the motors due to the fact that tithe valves open and close with out having to hod the switch.

https://www.jegs.com/i/Granatelli/46...MaAja7EALw_wcB
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Old Mar 19, 2019 | 06:16 PM
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I agree with going with exhaust cut outs as this is the way I wont to go. This way you get nice and quite on a long run and when the mood takes you, you can open up the sound with a press of a button !. Fortunately for me I have a really good exhaust guy that modifies the train exhausts that I engineer and has offered to fit the by-pass pass valves for me along with some nice quad tips ! I will post pics when I get it done.
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