I may just do the resonator delete, I like the stock deep bass, but just need a tad more.

***********UPADTE********************
I no longer recommend installing Aftermarket air filters and wires. The filters allowed dirt to contaminate the MAF and oil became noticeably dirty. As for magnecor wires they were fine the first 5-6 months then all of a sudden the car started to run like crap and misfire. Installing Bosch wires/Mann filters cured my problems.

I'm glad I could convince another fellow member to do the same!
As for air filters, I saw mixed reviews regarding K&N ( most people had problems with the MAF sensor because of K&N Oil contaminating it )
I went with the AFE dry Pro, I'm really happy .
Here's my review from Summit racing website:
"I bought a pair for a 2002 Mercedes E55 AMG, to replace the factory ones. The fit is a direct drop-in. I noticed improved fuel economy, and gained a few horses ( ESP kicks in more than before ), and the best improvement is SOUND. The V8 sound became more aggressive, with a little increase in exhaust sound. It doesn't require any oiling, and needs to be cleaned with a vacuum or water ( preferably every oil change ). Not to forget that Summit Racing provided amazing customer care."
The increase in sound is not huge, but it's there.
http://www.summitracing.com/int/parts/afe-31-10084/reviews/

Cheers,

Faiz

I'm not sure about newer AMGs.
If I were you, I'd do both. Resonator delete increases loudness, deleting rear kitties unleashes all sorts of sweet noises, also you'll gain a couple of horses

i use K&N filter Two and a half years ago and the owner first used two years ago the number of years almost five years and have not encountered any problems with the K&N filter i draive the car more than 60000km whit it no problems with the MAF sensor

AFE definitely. You don't have messy oil to deal with.

Shorty headers improve the sound the most. In conjunction with high flow secondaries and X-pipe is sounds pretty damn amazing without being too loud or unrefined.

Yeah, after dropping my resonator and rear cats, and doing the x-pipe about a year ago, I now feel like I need a bit more aggressive sound. Just a tad bit quiet for me now. I'm now in the market for shorty headers and a Magnaflow muffler. Any advice on the headers? I know a lot of guys here have done Kleemans, but they're expensive, I think...

I'm looking for shorties right now. Problem is we don't have much choice when it comes to headers RENNtech, Kleemann and AMS are the only source AFAIK.

Faiz

<p>&lt;p&gt; If all you're after is loudness, change the muffler. (Eisenmann sounds sweeeeeet, although it's overpriced IMHO).
Kleemann headers are not short, I think they're mid. Also they require Primary cat removal/relocation.
RENNtech has bolt on shorties but they're priced at $3500. (eBay) is the cheapest at $499 but it may require sanding and some minor adjustments.

Faiz

The Kleemann headers had problems with them. The drivers side downpipe is too low and if you don't adjust it properly, under WOT, it will hit the heatshield. You will have to play with the downpipes to tweak it right. Also, you might have to send in your ECU to Cory for the delete of the check engine light as the primary cats will be deleted. The best and cheapest way to get a nice stainless steel header sound and some gains are to do the shorties. I would suggest getting the flange sand flat and buy the individual gaskets from the dealer. They are pretty cheap and don't use the one piece that comes with the headers. My AMS headers that I bought came with 8 individual gaskets hence they have a better seal.

The ebay style (copied after AMS) are a good budget option, you just have to of the flanges flattened down (professional level sanded), and then get them ceramic coated. The require a bit of work, but fitment wise they should be perfect as far as flanges and etc. Luckily they are really low price

Hi, did you ever consider just deleting one of the mufflers and keep the amg tips? That might be just enough loudness without scaring cats inside houses.

shorties are only going to improve sound. They won't do anything noticeable for power.

With all due respect Schweinhund, I observed a good increase in both hp and torque from just a shorty header install. All other components were stock.
Base dyno run was 300.29 hp and 309.38 ft lbs measured at the rear wheels on a chassis dyno. Car was completely stock.
I purchased the shorty headers from E-Bay and only changed the exhaust manifolds.
Second dyno run was 311.80 hp and 321.41 ft lbs. Pretty good gain for just a bolt on.
The best and most noticeable was the increase in power around 68 MPH. About a 44 hp gain. Good for the entrance ramp to the highway/freeway.

That is impressive and now I recall seeing you post that a while ago.

44hp at mid-rpm is a ton of power.

And that's my problem. It's simply too much for just adding shorties and certainly the debates have raged for decades- literally.

I have seen other dyno comparisons and most don't give anywhere near this kind of increase. I noticed your pulls were a few weeks apart with the same conditions. Was it the same tank of gas?

44hp out of 300 is almost 15%.

Most runs I've seen have been within a day or two and usually on the same tank of gas (some on E55, some on other makes) only give 4 or 5 hp.

Also, there was a 160 RPM gain in your runs at the same roadspeed which shifts the power curves closer to each other. This should not happen as the drive ratios do not change. This could be due to slightly different tires diameters but, at about 5%, it seems a bit high- this simply shouldn't change. Could be their dyno calibration slipped a bit.

Anyway, anyone should be able to really a feel 15% gain across the RPM range. If you do, then you probably got at least 10% or more. (rule of thumb).

No disrespect at all to you or your runs, I am just wary of amazing shorty header improvements after thirty years of modding!

No disrespect taken.
Just trying to add to the knowledge base with my experience.

I do want mine a bit louder, but not just going after loud (if that makes sense...?) I like the tone of what I have now, just want more of it. I'm thinking about going for the Magnaflow muffler...

I appreciate that. That's what make these boards so great.

About to get both done at the end of the week. Can't wait for the results!

I thought about Magnaflow but I didn't like the sound, it's louder but all over the place that's my opinion.

Give us a feedback mate, Good luck.

Faiz

Thanks for your input! W210 has one muffler on one side.
I did think about doing it but cold start-ups and drone will be problematic, sweet noise but ungodly loud IMHO.

Can do!

So I finally got the exhaust done on Wednesday, and I can categorically say its the best $290 I have spent in quite awhile! Bought a 5 foot section of straight pipe and 2 45 degree bends, both in 409 Stainless from Mandrel Bend Solutions. $110 delivered. $30 no name stainless X-pipe from EBay, and $150 for the actually install. I think the exhaust shop was kinda pricy but it came reccomended, and was one of the only ones that were willing to "semi legally" remove the cats. I'm no welder, but it looks pretty good to me, and is warrantied for life. As for the sound I can't get the smile off my face! The car under load is just so fun to listen to, but cruising I notice no difference at all. At WOT the thing sounds 100% different, as many have said like how the car should have sounded from the factory. Anyhow anyone considering this I HIGHLY recommend it. After all what else have you done to your 55 that costs less that $300? Cheers guys.

Also sorry for the crappy pics.

Sweet. Congratulations.