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If you've ever wanted a bit, just a bit, more growl to your SL55 I'd highly recommend doing the resonator a.k.a. center mufflers delete (see below). It doesn't add really any sound at idle, or during normal cruising, but when you give it a quick blip of the gas, or step on it, it really sounds great.
See 159
I had the work done by Harri Tervola at Ter-Tech and the work was fantastic. Mandrel bent pipe like it should be (not crush bends like cheap muffler shops will do, hindering performance). If you're in South Florida you can reach him at 561-312-1871, say Shane sent you. While you're there you can check their 1000hp BMW's and other crazy projects.
Center Mufflers cut out
Harri of Ter-Tech fabbing the bends to fit.
All done!
All in all it took about 1hr30min to accomplish and I couldn't be happier. Harri was even able to fix my mufflers slight misalignment on the bumper with this mod - he does great work! When people say this is the way the car should have sounded stock, they're right. If you have any questions, want to hear a sound clip, meet up for a listen, anything - feel free to ask!
I would say to get the pipes yourself, 45deg 3" mandrel bends, and take them to a muffler shop. That way you can guarantee that at least your pipes are bent properly.
I have found many shops especially the large ones have a policy against modifying exhaust systems. It is not like there are emissions issues and the same shop would gladly replace a muffler on some puddle jumper popping on 3 out of 4 cylinders blowing smoke everywhere.
Fxrs, you might not like this option, but I found an old muffler shop the kind you probably would not think to take your car to. They had no problem removing my secondaries, part 158 and weld in a piece of stainless. They did a great job and charged me $75. I brought them the stainless part.
I have found many shops especially the large ones have a policy against modifying exhaust systems. It is not like there are emissions issues and the same shop would gladly replace a muffler on some puddle jumper popping on 3 out of 4 cylinders blowing smoke everywhere.
Fxrs, you might not like this option, but I found an old muffler shop the kind you probably would not think to take your car to. They had no problem removing my secondaries, part 158 and weld in a piece of stainless. They did a great job and charged me $75. I brought them the stainless part.
I could care less what the shop looks like, it's the quality of the work that matters. I own a shop too, just don't do exhaust work. I replaced my alternator yesterday, not the easiest alternator I've ever done.
Is this shop in the DFW area? Thanks
I could care less what the shop looks like, it's the quality of the work that matters. I own a shop too, just don't do exhaust work. I replaced my alternator yesterday, not the easiest alternator I've ever done.
Is this shop in the DFW area? Thanks
The shop was in Indianapolis. What I did was ask around. A guy I knew and trusted suggested a place. He said many of the smaller shops are willing to do weld repairs when the bigger shops will tell the customer the muffler, pipe, what-have-you, must be replaced. In the process of doing these weld repairs jobs, they get damn good at it and can out weld the big shops that will only do the routine stuff.
Deleting the res is a pretty straight forward cutting and welding job.
I eliminated my secondary cats and resonators and it gave my 55 an amazing sound with no drone at all. I just went to a local muffler shop and they cut it all off for me as well.
Hey guys,
If you've ever wanted a bit, just a bit, more growl to your SL55
I'd highly recommend doing the resonator a.k.a. center mufflers
delete. It doesn't add really any sound at idle, or during normal
cruising, but when you give it a quick blip of the gas, or step on it,
it really sounds great..............
How about some sound clips? Any droning on the highway?
I eliminated my secondary cats and resonators and it gave my 55 an amazing sound with no drone at all. I just went to a local muffler shop and they cut it all off for me as well.
There you go. Makes no sense that someone wouldn't want to make money doing the job.
Originally Posted by FreedP
How about some sound clips? Any droning on the highway?
I'll try to get some clips this weekend. You can hear the engine a bit more than stock but its in no way debilitating to my comfort personally. If anything I'd like it even to be a bit louder all around.
There you go. Makes no sense that someone wouldn't want to make money doing the job.
I have found that many of the chain stores in the US refuse to make any modifications to exhaust systems even if it does not violate the emission standards of the state. I went to 3 or 4 chain store shops to ask if they could remove the secondary cats. They all refused. Then a friend told me to take it to a local shop that had been around for years. They, looked at the work and said sure.
I have found that many of the chain stores in the US refuse to make any modifications to exhaust systems even if it does not violate the emission standards of the state. I went to 3 or 4 chain store shops to ask if they could remove the secondary cats. They all refused. Then a friend told me to take it to a local shop that had been around for years. They, looked at the work and said sure.
For cats I can completely understand. But for mufflers/resonators, I dont see the issue.