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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?
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
@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?
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.
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?
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?
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?
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.
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
Hey there - i wanted to know if anyone has ever tried replacing the stock SL350 day time running lights with the SL63 ones, is it a simple plug and play deal with these?
Hey there - i wanted to know if anyone has ever tried replacing the stock SL350 day time running lights with the SL63 ones, is it a simple plug and play deal with these?
Welcome,
Unfortunately they are different dimensions, so you would have to replace the whole front end.
Very little on these cars is plug and play 😕
Even converting to EU or DOT lights can require programming depending on the lights.
Anyone have any idea whether there's a market for used AMG OEM wheels? I'm looking at aftermarket wheels.
The existing wheels are curb rashed in various places (thanks to a prior owner) and because of their design no one seems to be able to restore them. I just don't want to end up recycling them or, worse yet, having to store them.
Those wheels can easily be refurbed and are worth quite a bit as they are forged and the new price is $2k a wheel. This is an easy $4k on Ebay non-refurb as they are harder to come by...
Those wheels can easily be refurbed and are worth quite a bit as they are forged and the new price is $2k a wheel. This is an easy $4k on Ebay non-refurb as they are harder to come by...
I've shown them to a couple of local wheel repair shops. Problem is that the rash is deeper than what can be cut down. I'm not getting the impression they'll look original when they're done with them.
The particular wheel you see in the photo is the one in the best shape. As expected, the right front is the worst.
I've shown them to a couple of local wheel repair shops. Problem is that the rash is deeper than what can be cut down. I'm not getting the impression they'll look original when they're done with them.
The particular wheel you see in the photo is the one in the best shape. As expected, the right front is the worst.
Of course hard to tell without pics but one of the wheels shops I know has fixed deeper gouges by adding material before resurfacing.
You can also sell as-is but I wouldn’t price it too low as you can’t buy these new anymore, making them rarer.
Those wheels can easily be refurbed and are worth quite a bit as they are forged and the new price is $2k a wheel. This is an easy $4k on Ebay non-refurb as they are harder to come by...
I found an online seller who's offering the same OEM wheels used, but like-new for $900 each. I'm thinking at best $3K for mine to allow $1K for the refurb. The shops I visited gave me nothing but caveats about the result of the repair. One shop spent the entire time *****ing about Mercedes rims in general. So, no luck for me there.
For about the same money as the used OEMs I can get good set of forged aftermarket wheels, and it gives me the option to go with a wider rear wheel. I'm visiting a local shop next week that will hopefully give me a decent trade in value if I buy wheels from them.
I found an online seller who's offering the same OEM wheels used, but like-new for $900 each. I'm thinking at best $3K for mine to allow $1K for the refurb. The shops I visited gave me nothing but caveats about the result of the repair. One shop spent the entire time *****ing about Mercedes rims in general. So, no luck for me there.
For about the same money as the used OEMs I can get good set of forged aftermarket wheels, and it gives me the option to go with a wider rear wheel. I'm visiting a local shop next week that will hopefully give me a decent trade in value if I buy wheels from them.
Sounds great! Just wanted to make sure that you know the value of these wheels. Good luck!
You forgot the most easy/cheap and HP booster and incomparable cooling kit, the water/meth injection kit, to me the best upgrade overall on a turbo car, I got mine from Weistec (also a No1 tuner) because all has been prepared for your engine type You totally forgot Kleemann to me one of the 3 best tuners
SprintBoost (adjusts throttle response) is JUNK
Eurocharged tunes not really good
OETuning tunes a joke
VividRacing tunes a joke
Racechip a joke
I'm considering tuning my 450
What makes these tuners mentioned a joke compared to the others?
please pm me if above are sponsoring vendors and such talk shouldn't be public.
Last edited by weeblebiker; May 12, 2026 at 07:44 PM.
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.
