slacker55

Hey Guys,

My car's at the shop right now getting some work done. I'm planning on getting rid of the resonator and secondary cats. I've heard how it sounds and it does sound alot more aggressive.

But does anyone know of any better sounding options? I don't like the Eisanmann Race sound. It's just too much IMO. But I haven't heard the Renntech, Kleeman, or other exhausts. Do they all sound the same? Does anyone know how they compare in terms of sound? Thanks.

Chargin55

If you search youtube for exhaust notes you mention you should find them all there. Getting rid of the resonator and secondary cats sounds really tough. A little tooo deep for me. I was actually thinking of keeping the resonator and putting a cross pipe in place of the secondary cats. I would be interested to hear if anyone has done this before that can advise. A bit more growl but I would think a cleaner more tuned kind of sound by keeping resonator.

supre55

Vadim (VRP) removed my resonator and replaced with an x-pipe. He describes the cange best "It changes from an 'american v-8' sound to an 'italian v-8' sound." I would agree.

obsidian05e55

I removed my resonator, and i dont think it was worth the time and effort... does replacing with an X-pipe make it sound different than just straight pipes?

komp55

Not sure why you would want or need two crossovers in your exhaust system. The factory exhaust has a an H-pipe style crossover before the secondary cats. Adding a second X-pipe crossover accomplishes nothing, and if anything, probably screws up the exhaust pulses resulting in decreased performance. The resonator is in the system to manage certain exhaust frequencies (resonances) that occur at specific engine RPMs. The only benefits of resonator removal are a very slight weight reduction and a raspier exhaust note accompanied by droning in the passenger cabin at certain engine speeds.

MB_Forever

Rick's CLS63 had a very good sounding exhaust setup at the tracks. I know he had VRP X-Pipe + RennTech sports mufflers, but not sure what else? Maybe he'll chime in here

His car sounded mean, very aggressive and sporty yet still not too loud to make it annoying

Blacksport350

I have removed the resonator on all my past AMG cars and really liked it, just more of a good thing.

After reading all of the many exhaust posts and remembering back to a BMW where I tried a couple of systems and it never sound right until I put an Eisenman race on, I took the same path with the E55. It sounds great and makes the car much more enjoyable to drive. It is quiet at idle and light throttle but when you open it up, it sounds fantastic (and not in an American V8 way).

It is worth the money if you can swing it but remember that unless you are doing headers and messing with the cats, you are only buying sound.

chiromikey

i would wait for corsa to release their system.

obsidian05e55

Is this legit info? Corsa makes a nice piece!

chiromikey

i know nothing...

Blacksport350

I have had Corsa exhausts in the past and all but showed up and begged to be a test mule and pay for the privilege with the E55. I had one of the "boys" interested but never got a call back form the person that mattered.

If they get this done, it will be awesome and it will sound better than the Eisenmann, there is no question. THe other plus is that it should be a full system and reasonably priced as my CTS-V system was cat back for around $1400!

supre55

I have not noticed any decrease in performance, nor is their any droning in the cabin at driving speeds. There is increased volume when the car winds down from 1500 rpm to idle, like when you are cruising into a parking lot in first gear. I like the way it sounds. Under acceleration, it is more raspy as you described, but with the new air box all I hear now is air rushing in.

mprsev

So is the consensus that x-pipe is better then straight pipe if I am to simply remove my resonator?

obsidian05e55

Ahh, your killing me... I want to do mufflers so bad, but im not shelling out $2800 for Eisenmanns. Plus i think Eisenmann sounds like and american pickup with mufflers..

Blacksport350

Uh, no. I have an American pickup and the E55 sounds nothing like that or any other American V8 with the Eisenmann but it certainly is spirited.

The Corsa system that I had on my wife's CTS-V was great because at full throttle, it sounded like a Jaguar TransAm race car. Sadly, I don't think the E55K will ever sound like that with a Corsa as crank/valve geometry has more to do with the sound of an engine then anything else and our engine couldn't be more different then an LS6.

vegastrashed

Renntech Sport exhaust. http://youtube.com/watch?v=nW6K8f6mtN4

X-pipe is better sounding than straight pipes.

slacker55

That sounds pretty good, but will it sound like that on a 55? I'm still debating if I should get the Renntech or X-pipe...

Anyone think that the Renntech would actually be worth the dough?

Chappy

I like this one best...clip of MKB E55..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWjzX8a8d6Q

obsidian05e55

Ive only heard the Eisenmann on videos, and i really dont think it sounds that great. Maybe its better in person.. guess i gotta find someone local who has it.. In videos it just reminds me of a Dodge pickup with exhaust.

slacker55

I don't like the sound of the eisanmann either. Their sport exhaust might sound better, but I haven't heard it at higher rpms and cant imagine it sounding any different than the race exhaust from further away.

I'm considering the renntech since it sounded pretty balanced on the 63 which has a louder stock exhaust note than the e55.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=nW6K8f6mtN4

But it makes me wonder whether or not it will be too quiet on the 55K...

vegastrashed

Exhausts are never worth the money that is until you go WOT and hear it roar down the road. A friend and I switched E63s for some spirited driving. I absolutely love the sound of the Renntech!

higginsbeach

I love the new tune out of my exhaust. When I get my CAMCORDER, i will film it and get s sound clip on YOU TUBE.

slacker55

Well I decided to go Renntech. They will be installing it next week...perhaps I should record some clips and post them?

vegastrashed

I like where you are headed with your exhaust setup: secondary cats/resonator delete, and Renntech exhaust. I really suggest you put a x-pipe right where the secondary cats use to be. It'll look like this:

slacker55

Thanks! Well I'm not doing anything to the secondary cats or resonator just yet. I'm just going to put on the exhaust for now to see how it sounds.

If I like it, then it's all good in the hood. If not, then I'll consider taking out the resonator and/or secondary cats.

But I'll be a pioneer and have the shop film it and post some clips so you guys hear how it sounds at various RPMS.