PLM Short Tube Headers - Unbiased review
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 108
Likes: 2
C63 AMG, E55 AMG
PLM Short Tube Headers - Unbiased review
With the car in for new motor mounts i took advantage of the situation to also fit some brand new headers that were direct bolt on, no cutting welding etc. PLM short tubes seemed like a good option after reading a lot of threads on here and for the price i thought i couldn't go wrong. upon receiving the headers i noticed that the quality was second to none, welds seemed spot on, flanges lined up perfectly and the design seemed right on par for short tubes with great flow characteristics. With the car being right hand drive i was a little worried there might be some fitment issues, however the headers went in as smooth as butter, no forcing, no squeezing, just a direct bolt in with no issues whatsoever. i had them installed by Brabus who really loved the quality of the headers and even asked me to refer to them exactly where i got them from. the head mechanic took the car for a drive before and after the install and the difference in power was so notable it even shocked him that short tubes could feel so great. in his words the power difference was day and night. the engine seems to be breathing a lot better, rpms climbing quicker, along with the overall massive difference in power. the sound is slightly throatier, nothing compared to long tubes, but for what they are worth price wise, the overall quality, and the way they make the car feel i would recommend these headers to anyone wishing to keep there hard earned cash in their wallets and pick up 30-35whp with a very easy installation. I STRESS THAT YOU ALSO DO ENGINE MOUNTS AT THE SAME TIME TO AVOID ISSUES WITH THE HEADERS POTENTIALLY CRACKING AND BEING TORQUED AROUND. 
i haven't yet had the chance to dyno the car since the install however, this mod truly complements the fixed pulley, with added back pressure being relieved. this would be a great first mod for those wishing to not have to chop up the oem exhaust and relocate the cats or delete them altogether.
PLM claims 40whp gains on these headers and i can truly vouch for that number or very close to it, these headers are making every bit of it, the design is great, the quality is spot on, and until i get the car tuned i won't know for sure but there have been a lot of people on here claiming very high numbers from PLM designed short tubes and i can certainly feel the difference to be somewhat on par with that number. Overall a great product!
i haven't yet had the chance to dyno the car since the install however, this mod truly complements the fixed pulley, with added back pressure being relieved. this would be a great first mod for those wishing to not have to chop up the oem exhaust and relocate the cats or delete them altogether.
PLM claims 40whp gains on these headers and i can truly vouch for that number or very close to it, these headers are making every bit of it, the design is great, the quality is spot on, and until i get the car tuned i won't know for sure but there have been a lot of people on here claiming very high numbers from PLM designed short tubes and i can certainly feel the difference to be somewhat on par with that number. Overall a great product!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,159
Likes: 160
2006 E55
With well designed mid-lengths & long tubes (think Kleemann and MBH), you can expect 30-45rwhp (lower end being mid-lengths vs true longtubes). Not with aftermarket logs that keep the primaries in place like Renntech/PLM etc.
I am sure the difference can be felt, especially up top, but I wouldn't expect 40rwhp difference from logs.
Glad you like the newfound power! Headers are a must on these cars, very restrictive. Come to think of it, AMG cars in general have very restrictive headers, the C63 cars with headers and a tune gain A LOT and they're NA!
I am sure the difference can be felt, especially up top, but I wouldn't expect 40rwhp difference from logs.
Glad you like the newfound power! Headers are a must on these cars, very restrictive. Come to think of it, AMG cars in general have very restrictive headers, the C63 cars with headers and a tune gain A LOT and they're NA!
Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 86
Likes: 0
From: Surrey - England
E55 AMG WAGON 2004
Thanks for posting. I'm thinking of getting these installed on mine as they seem an easy option. I know gains won't be quite on par with Kleemann and long tubes but ease of fitting and being able to retain cats is an advantage. Mine is RHD too as I'm in the UK and Kleemann's aren't a straightforward fit on our cars.
I just had my engine and transmission mounts changed so I'm good to go!
Please get it on the dyno as would be very interested to see gains. Did you have a dyno run before they were fitted to compare?
I just had my engine and transmission mounts changed so I'm good to go!
Please get it on the dyno as would be very interested to see gains. Did you have a dyno run before they were fitted to compare?
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Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 50
Likes: 3
From: Hong Kong
E39 M5,E46 n E92 M3,W211 E55
With the car in for new motor mounts i took advantage of the situation to also fit some brand new headers that were direct bolt on, no cutting welding etc. PLM short tubes seemed like a good option after reading a lot of threads on here and for the price i thought i couldn't go wrong. upon receiving the headers i noticed that the quality was second to none, welds seemed spot on, flanges lined up perfectly and the design seemed right on par for short tubes with great flow characteristics. With the car being right hand drive i was a little worried there might be some fitment issues, however the headers went in as smooth as butter, no forcing, no squeezing, just a direct bolt in with no issues whatsoever. i had them installed by Brabus who really loved the quality of the headers and even asked me to refer to them exactly where i got them from. the head mechanic took the car for a drive before and after the install and the difference in power was so notable it even shocked him that short tubes could feel so great. in his words the power difference was day and night. the engine seems to be breathing a lot better, rpms climbing quicker, along with the overall massive difference in power. the sound is slightly throatier, nothing compared to long tubes, but for what they are worth price wise, the overall quality, and the way they make the car feel i would recommend these headers to anyone wishing to keep there hard earned cash in their wallets and pick up 30-35whp with a very easy installation. I STRESS THAT YOU ALSO DO ENGINE MOUNTS AT THE SAME TIME TO AVOID ISSUES WITH THE HEADERS POTENTIALLY CRACKING AND BEING TORQUED AROUND.
i haven't yet had the chance to dyno the car since the install however, this mod truly complements the fixed pulley, with added back pressure being relieved. this would be a great first mod for those wishing to not have to chop up the oem exhaust and relocate the cats or delete them altogether.
PLM claims 40whp gains on these headers and i can truly vouch for that number or very close to it, these headers are making every bit of it, the design is great, the quality is spot on, and until i get the car tuned i won't know for sure but there have been a lot of people on here claiming very high numbers from PLM designed short tubes and i can certainly feel the difference to be somewhat on par with that number. Overall a great product!
i haven't yet had the chance to dyno the car since the install however, this mod truly complements the fixed pulley, with added back pressure being relieved. this would be a great first mod for those wishing to not have to chop up the oem exhaust and relocate the cats or delete them altogether.
PLM claims 40whp gains on these headers and i can truly vouch for that number or very close to it, these headers are making every bit of it, the design is great, the quality is spot on, and until i get the car tuned i won't know for sure but there have been a lot of people on here claiming very high numbers from PLM designed short tubes and i can certainly feel the difference to be somewhat on par with that number. Overall a great product!
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 435
Likes: 6
ml55, Ml63, Porsche, C63S ED1
With the car in for new motor mounts i took advantage of the situation to also fit some brand new headers that were direct bolt on, no cutting welding etc. PLM short tubes seemed like a good option after reading a lot of threads on here and for the price i thought i couldn't go wrong. upon receiving the headers i noticed that the quality was second to none, welds seemed spot on, flanges lined up perfectly and the design seemed right on par for short tubes with great flow characteristics. With the car being right hand drive i was a little worried there might be some fitment issues, however the headers went in as smooth as butter, no forcing, no squeezing, just a direct bolt in with no issues whatsoever. i had them installed by Brabus who really loved the quality of the headers and even asked me to refer to them exactly where i got them from. the head mechanic took the car for a drive before and after the install and the difference in power was so notable it even shocked him that short tubes could feel so great. in his words the power difference was day and night. the engine seems to be breathing a lot better, rpms climbing quicker, along with the overall massive difference in power. the sound is slightly throatier, nothing compared to long tubes, but for what they are worth price wise, the overall quality, and the way they make the car feel i would recommend these headers to anyone wishing to keep there hard earned cash in their wallets and pick up 30-35whp with a very easy installation. I STRESS THAT YOU ALSO DO ENGINE MOUNTS AT THE SAME TIME TO AVOID ISSUES WITH THE HEADERS POTENTIALLY CRACKING AND BEING TORQUED AROUND.
i haven't yet had the chance to dyno the car since the install however, this mod truly complements the fixed pulley, with added back pressure being relieved. this would be a great first mod for those wishing to not have to chop up the oem exhaust and relocate the cats or delete them altogether.
PLM claims 40whp gains on these headers and i can truly vouch for that number or very close to it, these headers are making every bit of it, the design is great, the quality is spot on, and until i get the car tuned i won't know for sure but there have been a lot of people on here claiming very high numbers from PLM designed short tubes and i can certainly feel the difference to be somewhat on par with that number. Overall a great product!
i haven't yet had the chance to dyno the car since the install however, this mod truly complements the fixed pulley, with added back pressure being relieved. this would be a great first mod for those wishing to not have to chop up the oem exhaust and relocate the cats or delete them altogether.
PLM claims 40whp gains on these headers and i can truly vouch for that number or very close to it, these headers are making every bit of it, the design is great, the quality is spot on, and until i get the car tuned i won't know for sure but there have been a lot of people on here claiming very high numbers from PLM designed short tubes and i can certainly feel the difference to be somewhat on par with that number. Overall a great product!
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
From: Monterey, CA
2005 E55 AMG, 2006 SL65 AMG
Hey all, I just installed some PLM headers and they fit great. I actually bought them because my existing exhaust manifold had a leak and made a loud "sputtering/fart" like sound and so now they are much more quite. They do feel a tad bit faster when i'm "gunning" it. Sorry, don't have any dyno to help out. They also look better too!
Ian
Ian
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,396
Likes: 38
From: Bay Area, CA
2007 SL55 AMG
Hey all, I just installed some PLM headers and they fit great. I actually bought them because my existing exhaust manifold had a leak and made a loud "sputtering/fart" like sound and so now they are much more quite. They do feel a tad bit faster when i'm "gunning" it. Sorry, don't have any dyno to help out. They also look better too!
Ian
Ian
highly recommend retune!
