472gtg

Hi thinking about getting one of the Capristo valve exhaust, has anyone got one? Does it delete the middle muffler boxes and the resonators or just the mid boxes? Im keen to remove the noise generator for some real noise but want it as close to stock noise when the valve is closed as planning on some long driving holiday across europe so got to be able to live with it on a long drive.
any experience of this or other valve exhaust on an sl500?


https://capristoexhaust.com/product/...m-with-valves/

jmattioni

I installed the Capristo exhaust on my R231 SL65, but the exhaust is different from the SL550. The SL65 doesn't have middle mufflers or resonators. For the SL550, the Capristo does appear to eliminate the middle mufflers. Some SLs also have a second set of Cats that might appear to be resonators but are not and there are sensors after those second Cats.

The Capristo doesn't appear to be a true bolt-on for the SL550. Looks like you have to cut the old parts off at the H pipe, and possibly also the H pipe itself.

The sound with the flaps closed is very much like stock on my SL65, but in your case (with the elimination of middle mufflers) I think it will be louder than stock for the SL550. Try to find some videos of the sound.

Do you plan to install it yourself?

472gtg

Thanks, no ill be looking for someone in the south east of the uk to install it.

did you think the sound was tinny and raspy? Thats my other concern is i want a deep v8 sound not a raspy sound which research seems to suggest might be the outcome.

I think you are right the old system has to be cut off.

im also consider the cheaper valvetronic backbox system which would maintain more of the original system which might be a safer option.

jmattioni

If you want it to sound close to stock with the valves closed, then you shouldn't cut out the middle mufflers (resonators). I think Valvetronic could meet your needs and it's WAY cheaper. I installed the Capristo system myself because it wasn't too difficult (no cutting or welding) and it saved me about $2K compared to the same system installed by a local performance shop. The mufflers were easy. The control unit, wiring and vacuum lines were the hard part. That's where most of the labor cost was for the shop to do it.

If you scroll up on this thread you'll find a video of my SL65 cold start with the Capristo system. The Capristo system is vacuum operated so when the engine first starts cold the muffler valves are open. Within a minute the vacuum builds and the valves close - unless you have it configured to stay open. You get sharper notes with the valves open, but it's not tinny and not a lot louder. But that's on the V12. I don't have a recording of a full throttle pull as of yet. I'm still trying to figure out how to do that.

You should be able to find audio recordings of the SL550 sound with the Valvetronic system.

jmattioni

@Keon it was a great idea to start this thread! I'm wondering if it needs to be broken down by category into separate threads?

Keon

Thank you, I'm glad that it's coming in handy. Frankly, the R231's aftermarket isn't big enough for me to split this up, because those threads likely wouldn't have enough content in them to really get anywhere. I don't find too much issue in that, because it means that creating a thread like this is a lot easier. What I think could work though is if I updated the list with more links to threads regarding each modification.

472gtg

Im going to pull the trigger on a pair of valvetronic universal valved exhaust backboxes (mufflers) for my sl, does anyone know the pipe diameter of facelift sl sl500/550 from the mid boxes to the backbox?

https://valvetronic.com/products/uni...ed-exhaust-kit

ta

toi

2.5 inch if i remember correctly

jmattioni

As I recall, on the SL65 the pipes were an odd size. I think 2 3/4". A muffler shop should be able to deal with a small difference since the pipes are getting welded anyway.

NickGambino

The wheels look great. My SL 550 came with the 5 spoke "mag" style wheel and have been looking for the AMG 14 spoke as a replacement but the wheels on your car to me actually look better. I would appreciate it if you could name the wheel manufacturer/brand. I assume they are all 19" wheels. Thanks Nick