Header and Exhaust install pix
The least expensive way to increase HP in the E55 cars is to change the pulley and ECU and many of us here have done it with roughly 50hp increase, but to get to the next level I have found the cost to play will go up significantly. In reality, the cost for the pulley's and ECU is about 5k and this will get you the first 50hp but the next 50 hp may be $12,000. I know there are some guys waiting for the new Throttle Body stuff to arrive and there was a recent thread on Gruppe M intakes for almost 4k for 15-20hp. Many of us balked at the Gruppe M intake for that price (me included). But for me, this header and exhaust is something I can build on. The TB or the air intake or both may come later, but for me this was the next step.
I decided my next step after the pulleys and ECU was to get a complete header and full exhaust system and I opted to get the best exhaust IMHO right after looking into what was available. If there are any suggestions out there for an extra 50hp (without NOS) please let me know. For now, I would be surprised if anyone can get anywhere near that HP. Now with this header and exhaust I should have the ability to get as much HP as possible from other modifications to follow.
This system may not be for everyone. SS does sell the headers separately or if you want to retain your 400 cell cats, one can also opt for the cat back system. Spending $12,000 may not be for everyone. I did take a little time to research the headers that are available out there and SS made me most comfortable. I believe they were/are the OEM manufacturer for some well-known automakers. At the very least, I knew I was buying an exhaust from a company that knows how to build exhaust systems.
Again, it was not my intention to justify the amount of money I spent or to say this system is better than others. There are headers out there for more and some are for less. If anything, after the pulleys and ECU... GET HEADERS.
https://mbworld.org/forums/clk55-amg-clk63-amg-w208-w209/133638-kleemann-header-review.html
I'm not bashing you ,I just feel that Ssprint is asking alot of bread for that full system.
Again, it was not my intention to justify the amount of money I spent or to say this system is better than others. There are headers out there for more and some are for less. If anything, after the pulleys and ECU... GET HEADERS.
But for someone like me, I didn't want to deal with it. If I wanted to be more hands on with my car, then I may have taken that route. I like to save money like anyone else, but I would leave something like headers and full exhaust to a company that knows their stuff. I would not have the slightest clue about what amount of cell count is best or the best size pipe or placement of the O2 sensors or anything else that has to do with a complete system. It might be more than others have spent on their own pieced put together system, but I bought the name and along with it comes warranty and most importantly to me, peace of mind.
But for someone like me, I didn't want to deal with it. If I wanted to be more hands on with my car, then I may have taken that route. I like to save money like anyone else, but I would leave something like headers and full exhaust to a company that knows their stuff. I would not have the slightest clue about what amount of cell count is best or the best size pipe or placement of the O2 sensors or anything else that has to do with a complete system. It might be more than others have spent on their own pieced put together system, but I bought the name and along with it comes warranty and most importantly to me, peace of mind.
It's water undr the bridge now,but just wanted to inform you of other cheaper and somtimes better options,that's all! Good luck
PS I have a full SS system on my M3 but the only reason I bought it is because the seller was desperate to sell and needed $$. I received the headers,euro midpipe,cat back(all SS) I puchased this whole thing for 1600.00At the time the header alone was 1600.00 so it was a no brainer for me and I have not seen a deal like that one since! I feel I made a reasonable exception there.All supersprint.
Last edited by ProjectC55; Jan 18, 2006 at 07:09 AM.
Thanks for sharing the info about the SS system, now I know how mine will sound like. I too had spent 12k on the whole system, it's expensive, even my tuner said that, but when it comes to quality parts, Supersprint came out on top, which is why Hamann and Ferrari choose Supersprint as their exhaust manufaturer. My wife freaked out when she saw it on my bank statement, but when I told her it's Made In Italy, she was cool with it. LOLZ!!!
http://www.dragtimes.com/Mercedes-Be...slip-9159.html
click on the video link.....
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Thats crazy if u ask me..
..... Ur spending $266 Per HP... Eisenmann Race Exhaust with Kleemann Headers
... and spend half the Price...
Thanks for sharing the info about the SS system, now I know how mine will sound like. I too had spent 12k on the whole system, it's expensive, even my tuner said that, but when it comes to quality parts, Supersprint came out on top, which is why Hamann and Ferrari choose Supersprint as their exhaust manufaturer. My wife freaked out when she saw it on my bank statement, but when I told her it's Made In Italy, she was cool with it. LOLZ!!!
Never knew Ferrari uses SS as their OEM.
Thats crazy if u ask me..
..... Ur spending $266 Per HP... Eisenmann Race Exhaust with Kleemann Headers
... and spend half the Price...I was told by the SS rep that if I experienced the CEL light because of their header and full exhaust system, I could return it for a full refund. Ask Kleemann if they will do that.
"feel better" I know there are a ton of gear-heads on this forum and I have said it before that I have no clue when it comes to modding a car. I will leave the how to's to them and the reputable companies out there. I'm the type of person who will pay to have someone else do it. I don't feel the need or the desire to try and piece things together to attempt to match or surpass what is out there ready buy and install.
FYI (and I know you didn't ask), I am completely satisfied with my SS system. For me, like I stated above, am very happy with the customer service I received. I also like the feeling that if something were to go wrong, SS would rectify the matter to my satisfaction.
FYI (and I know you didn't ask), I am completely satisfied with my SS system. For me, like I stated above, am very happy with the customer service I received. I also like the feeling that if something were to go wrong, SS would rectify the matter to my satisfaction.
, so I thought it's not the end of the world, called up Burns Stainless and got some 2.75" tubing to replace the missing piece. After we took out the stock system and got to the point to open up the hardware/gasket packing bag for some nuts and gaskets, guess what we found, a broken donut gasket for the header merge collector
. Smart Italians must think that their gaskets are unbreakable so they've decided to ship them all in one bag. Here comes the worst, after we've found the replacement donut and about to put on the collector, the merge section is actually hitting the car!!!!
So now we have to take out the collector and try to find a way to move it over half an inch to clear the car and the connectors for the O2s below. This is probably the worst exhaust system I've ever bought, let alone the 12g price tag
, not that 12g is a lot, but I've used Supersprint systems on my previous cars before, and I would have never thought this would come out this way. On a side note, I could have the full exhaust built in titanium for 12g. Next time I'm getting an exhaust for my next ride, I'm going custom.
I did the headers (god they are gorgeous), cats, and xpipe. I didn't do the supersprint mufflers.
Quality is amazing and the sound is just insane.







