SL/R231: Performance Enhancements
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 16
Likes: 1
From: Northern California
2013 SL550 and 1973 Pantera L
Performance Enhancements
This is my experience... yours may certainly vary. But you may find this interesting.
I have a 2013 SL550, with about 8000 miles on it now. The only option I did not get was the ABC at the time of purchase.
In the past month I've installed the Meisterschaft cat back exhaust system. I did the stainless instead of their titanium version. It is a beautifully made 3" exhaust system that does not include the OEM resonators. This system also replaces the OEM mufflers, has a "H" pipe, and uses the OEM exhaust tips.
It took my local shop just over an hour to remove the OEM system, and install the new Meisterschaft system. The muffler shop people were very impressed with the quality of the new system. The system is not a "mandrel bend" system, instead all the curves are cut and pieced together. The TIG welding is a work of art.
The other improvement was to have OE Tuning of Huntington Beack, CA, update my ECU to their performance tune. This took me 3 days to accomplish, most of which was the overnight shipping each way. The actual software update took about 3 hours. The OE Tuning staff called me when my ECU arrived, and then called me again when they delivered it to their local UPS office.
The results of these two "improvements" have been incredible fun. That's all I can call them, "fun". I love the sound of the Meisterschaft pipes, and the added performance of the OE Tune is amazing. In fact I now drive with the transmission in "manual" just so I can hear the pipes. It's such an improvement over the OEM sound. Now it sounds like it looks!
As for the ECU update, the car drives the same. No difference... until you decide you want to accelerate. Then you can really feel the difference, and it's amazing.
So if you have an extra $5K, or so, and love your 550, I can fully recommend the Meisterschaft exhaust system, and the OE Tune. If you only want the sound, then that's fully worth the money. Worth every cent (and if you do the "tune", you might want to think about the Mid City Engineering-Escort 9500 CANbus integration system, it's an invisible radar-laser detection sytem that works with the car's radar system).
Chris
I have a 2013 SL550, with about 8000 miles on it now. The only option I did not get was the ABC at the time of purchase.
In the past month I've installed the Meisterschaft cat back exhaust system. I did the stainless instead of their titanium version. It is a beautifully made 3" exhaust system that does not include the OEM resonators. This system also replaces the OEM mufflers, has a "H" pipe, and uses the OEM exhaust tips.
It took my local shop just over an hour to remove the OEM system, and install the new Meisterschaft system. The muffler shop people were very impressed with the quality of the new system. The system is not a "mandrel bend" system, instead all the curves are cut and pieced together. The TIG welding is a work of art.
The other improvement was to have OE Tuning of Huntington Beack, CA, update my ECU to their performance tune. This took me 3 days to accomplish, most of which was the overnight shipping each way. The actual software update took about 3 hours. The OE Tuning staff called me when my ECU arrived, and then called me again when they delivered it to their local UPS office.
The results of these two "improvements" have been incredible fun. That's all I can call them, "fun". I love the sound of the Meisterschaft pipes, and the added performance of the OE Tune is amazing. In fact I now drive with the transmission in "manual" just so I can hear the pipes. It's such an improvement over the OEM sound. Now it sounds like it looks!
As for the ECU update, the car drives the same. No difference... until you decide you want to accelerate. Then you can really feel the difference, and it's amazing.
So if you have an extra $5K, or so, and love your 550, I can fully recommend the Meisterschaft exhaust system, and the OE Tune. If you only want the sound, then that's fully worth the money. Worth every cent (and if you do the "tune", you might want to think about the Mid City Engineering-Escort 9500 CANbus integration system, it's an invisible radar-laser detection sytem that works with the car's radar system).
Chris
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
From: UT
2013 SL550
Thanks for the great review. Now, you really want me to get the exhaust.
How does it sound? I hope it sounds closely to SL63 AMG.
Could you explain more details of exhaust system? Also, which products did you
go for, GT or GT2?
I'm also thinking about ECU tuning. Stock power of SL is just great. I feel like it
pulls harder than my previous car (C63 w/o p31) but I want more power
How does it sound? I hope it sounds closely to SL63 AMG.
Could you explain more details of exhaust system? Also, which products did you
go for, GT or GT2?
I'm also thinking about ECU tuning. Stock power of SL is just great. I feel like it
pulls harder than my previous car (C63 w/o p31) but I want more power
SPONSOR
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 5,746
Likes: 134
From: Santa Ana, CA
OE Tuning C63 AMG
This is my experience... yours may certainly vary. But you may find this interesting.
I have a 2013 SL550, with about 8000 miles on it now. The only option I did not get was the ABC at the time of purchase.
In the past month I've installed the Meisterschaft cat back exhaust system. I did the stainless instead of their titanium version. It is a beautifully made 3" exhaust system that does not include the OEM resonators. This system also replaces the OEM mufflers, has a "H" pipe, and uses the OEM exhaust tips.
It took my local shop just over an hour to remove the OEM system, and install the new Meisterschaft system. The muffler shop people were very impressed with the quality of the new system. The system is not a "mandrel bend" system, instead all the curves are cut and pieced together. The TIG welding is a work of art.
The other improvement was to have OE Tuning of Huntington Beack, CA, update my ECU to their performance tune. This took me 3 days to accomplish, most of which was the overnight shipping each way. The actual software update took about 3 hours. The OE Tuning staff called me when my ECU arrived, and then called me again when they delivered it to their local UPS office.
The results of these two "improvements" have been incredible fun. That's all I can call them, "fun". I love the sound of the Meisterschaft pipes, and the added performance of the OE Tune is amazing. In fact I now drive with the transmission in "manual" just so I can hear the pipes. It's such an improvement over the OEM sound. Now it sounds like it looks!
As for the ECU update, the car drives the same. No difference... until you decide you want to accelerate. Then you can really feel the difference, and it's amazing.
So if you have an extra $5K, or so, and love your 550, I can fully recommend the Meisterschaft exhaust system, and the OE Tune. If you only want the sound, then that's fully worth the money. Worth every cent (and if you do the "tune", you might want to think about the Mid City Engineering-Escort 9500 CANbus integration system, it's an invisible radar-laser detection sytem that works with the car's radar system).
Chris
I have a 2013 SL550, with about 8000 miles on it now. The only option I did not get was the ABC at the time of purchase.
In the past month I've installed the Meisterschaft cat back exhaust system. I did the stainless instead of their titanium version. It is a beautifully made 3" exhaust system that does not include the OEM resonators. This system also replaces the OEM mufflers, has a "H" pipe, and uses the OEM exhaust tips.
It took my local shop just over an hour to remove the OEM system, and install the new Meisterschaft system. The muffler shop people were very impressed with the quality of the new system. The system is not a "mandrel bend" system, instead all the curves are cut and pieced together. The TIG welding is a work of art.
The other improvement was to have OE Tuning of Huntington Beack, CA, update my ECU to their performance tune. This took me 3 days to accomplish, most of which was the overnight shipping each way. The actual software update took about 3 hours. The OE Tuning staff called me when my ECU arrived, and then called me again when they delivered it to their local UPS office.
The results of these two "improvements" have been incredible fun. That's all I can call them, "fun". I love the sound of the Meisterschaft pipes, and the added performance of the OE Tune is amazing. In fact I now drive with the transmission in "manual" just so I can hear the pipes. It's such an improvement over the OEM sound. Now it sounds like it looks!
As for the ECU update, the car drives the same. No difference... until you decide you want to accelerate. Then you can really feel the difference, and it's amazing.
So if you have an extra $5K, or so, and love your 550, I can fully recommend the Meisterschaft exhaust system, and the OE Tune. If you only want the sound, then that's fully worth the money. Worth every cent (and if you do the "tune", you might want to think about the Mid City Engineering-Escort 9500 CANbus integration system, it's an invisible radar-laser detection sytem that works with the car's radar system).
Chris
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 16
Likes: 1
From: Northern California
2013 SL550 and 1973 Pantera L
Meisterschaft Exhaust System Addendum
Tiger, since I've got a 2013 SL550, the only choices I had, as far as exhaust system type, was in the materials; stainless steel, or titanium. While the titanium is lighter in weight, I didn't feel that was of enough benefit to me, to justify the added expense.
I do believe that whichever exhaust system that you purchase, as long as it's from Meisterschaft, the quality will be outstanding.
As for the sound; since the Meisterschaft system does not have the OEM resonators, you get a much more "throaty" sound. When I'm in 7th, and cruising on the freeway, at 75 or so, when I pass someone my exhaust has a very low rumble to it. It's the most fun you can have in the 550, and stay legal.
Having said that, it's definitely louder. My idle is 71 db, and that measurement is taken 36 inches away from the exhaust tip, at the same height as the exhaust tip, and directly behind it. I didn't measure the OEM idle sound level, but it's definitely louder... also lower in pitch.
Hope that helps,
Chris
I do believe that whichever exhaust system that you purchase, as long as it's from Meisterschaft, the quality will be outstanding.
As for the sound; since the Meisterschaft system does not have the OEM resonators, you get a much more "throaty" sound. When I'm in 7th, and cruising on the freeway, at 75 or so, when I pass someone my exhaust has a very low rumble to it. It's the most fun you can have in the 550, and stay legal.
Having said that, it's definitely louder. My idle is 71 db, and that measurement is taken 36 inches away from the exhaust tip, at the same height as the exhaust tip, and directly behind it. I didn't measure the OEM idle sound level, but it's definitely louder... also lower in pitch.
Hope that helps,
Chris
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
From: UT
2013 SL550
Tiger, since I've got a 2013 SL550, the only choices I had, as far as exhaust system type, was in the materials; stainless steel, or titanium. While the titanium is lighter in weight, I didn't feel that was of enough benefit to me, to justify the added expense.
I do believe that whichever exhaust system that you purchase, as long as it's from Meisterschaft, the quality will be outstanding.
As for the sound; since the Meisterschaft system does not have the OEM resonators, you get a much more "throaty" sound. When I'm in 7th, and cruising on the freeway, at 75 or so, when I pass someone my exhaust has a very low rumble to it. It's the most fun you can have in the 550, and stay legal.
Having said that, it's definitely louder. My idle is 71 db, and that measurement is taken 36 inches away from the exhaust tip, at the same height as the exhaust tip, and directly behind it. I didn't measure the OEM idle sound level, but it's definitely louder... also lower in pitch.
Hope that helps,
Chris
I do believe that whichever exhaust system that you purchase, as long as it's from Meisterschaft, the quality will be outstanding.
As for the sound; since the Meisterschaft system does not have the OEM resonators, you get a much more "throaty" sound. When I'm in 7th, and cruising on the freeway, at 75 or so, when I pass someone my exhaust has a very low rumble to it. It's the most fun you can have in the 550, and stay legal.
Having said that, it's definitely louder. My idle is 71 db, and that measurement is taken 36 inches away from the exhaust tip, at the same height as the exhaust tip, and directly behind it. I didn't measure the OEM idle sound level, but it's definitely louder... also lower in pitch.
Hope that helps,
Chris
It really seems like a huge improvement over the stock. I'll definitely consider
to buy it. For me, the only con on this car is just way too quiet and plain
when the top down. If I exaggerate, it is almost similar to my ML350 gas version
Well, enjoy your new exhaust & tune
Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 192
Likes: 1
From: Central Texas
2022 AMG SL63
Any concerns about the warranty?
I had a BMW 335i with twin turbos that had quite a bit of fuel pump and turbo problems. BMW would not warrant any of that if you added a tune and/or an exhaust.
Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 98
Likes: 0
From: Orange County
2015 Z06 with Z07 Performance Package
Any idea of the performance increase? How much HP and TQ did you gain? Have you tried the 1/4 mile to see if it is actually quicker? Would love to see a video and hear this beast! Thanks for the write up.
OE Tuning, how many miles should I have on the clock before I consider tuning? How dangerous is this to do, as far as wear and tear???
Greg
OE Tuning, how many miles should I have on the clock before I consider tuning? How dangerous is this to do, as far as wear and tear???
Greg
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Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 16
Likes: 1
From: Northern California
2013 SL550 and 1973 Pantera L
Pipes and Tune
Greg:
As far as I know, you can do the tune anytime. It's not dependant on engine wear of any kind... as long as the engine is "broken in". The OE guys can give you a dyno printout for the M278 engine. According to their information, the tune increases by about 100 HP, and a 100 ft. lbs.. And while I haven't dyno'ed my car yet (next week), I will absolutely say that there is a very noticeable power improvement.
As for the sound, go to YouTube and do a search for 2013 SL550 and Meisterschaft. There's a muffler shop that did the conversion who posted a video of the change in sound. It's what sold me on doing the pipes.
As for danger from the tune, talking with the OE people, they feel that they are still being conservative in terms of fuel, and timing. The tune is designed for standard premium pump gas (91 octane), and the usual street driving conditions. I've had the tune for about a week or so, and the engine is performing perfectly. No overheating, no pinging, no signs of extreme engine stressors of any kind.
And that's been my experience.
Chris
As far as I know, you can do the tune anytime. It's not dependant on engine wear of any kind... as long as the engine is "broken in". The OE guys can give you a dyno printout for the M278 engine. According to their information, the tune increases by about 100 HP, and a 100 ft. lbs.. And while I haven't dyno'ed my car yet (next week), I will absolutely say that there is a very noticeable power improvement.
As for the sound, go to YouTube and do a search for 2013 SL550 and Meisterschaft. There's a muffler shop that did the conversion who posted a video of the change in sound. It's what sold me on doing the pipes.
As for danger from the tune, talking with the OE people, they feel that they are still being conservative in terms of fuel, and timing. The tune is designed for standard premium pump gas (91 octane), and the usual street driving conditions. I've had the tune for about a week or so, and the engine is performing perfectly. No overheating, no pinging, no signs of extreme engine stressors of any kind.
And that's been my experience.
Chris
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Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 98
Likes: 0
From: Orange County
2015 Z06 with Z07 Performance Package
Thanks for the info Chris. OE Tuning emailed me explaining what it is they do. I only have 700 miles on the clock, so I will probably be looking at doing this in a few weeks. That is such a huge gain from a tune, Turbos are awesome 
I wonder what this thing would do in the 1/4 mile with a tune???
Greg
I wonder what this thing would do in the 1/4 mile with a tune???Greg
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Orange County, CA
SL
Am thinking about Brabus lowering springs but being able to raise the suspension would be ideal.
Oh well...that's what I get for not doing my research beforehand. Only 31 more months until my next one
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 16
Likes: 1
From: Northern California
2013 SL550 and 1973 Pantera L
Performance Enhancements and Miles Per Gallon
Guys:
I just had the Meisterschaft exhaust system, and the OE Tuning tweak installed/performed to my '13 SL550.
I was concerned as to what might happen to my gas milage.
I can report with 4500 miles of driving, that milage hasn't suffered.
I recently drove from Sacramento to Seattle and return via I-5, and then Sacramento to Lake Havasu and return, across the Sierras via the Carson Pass, then 395 down the Owens Valley past Death Valley, down almost to the Arizona-California-Mexican border.
I averaged 26 MPG over the entire journey. And that's mostly at speeds of 75 to 85 MPH.
I'm not sure how much the Meisterschaft exhaust improved my milage, or how much the OE Tune did, but the combination made my 550 into a wonderful "cruised".
Chris
I just had the Meisterschaft exhaust system, and the OE Tuning tweak installed/performed to my '13 SL550.
I was concerned as to what might happen to my gas milage.
I can report with 4500 miles of driving, that milage hasn't suffered.
I recently drove from Sacramento to Seattle and return via I-5, and then Sacramento to Lake Havasu and return, across the Sierras via the Carson Pass, then 395 down the Owens Valley past Death Valley, down almost to the Arizona-California-Mexican border.
I averaged 26 MPG over the entire journey. And that's mostly at speeds of 75 to 85 MPH.
I'm not sure how much the Meisterschaft exhaust improved my milage, or how much the OE Tune did, but the combination made my 550 into a wonderful "cruised".
Chris
