2003 E55 Headers Question
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Joined: Feb 2016
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From: Paola, KS (near KC)
2003 W211 E55 AMG Kompressor, 2009 GL550 AMG
2003 E55 Headers Question
My 2003 E55 has an exhaust leak. So obviously, this makes for a great time to add headers. 
I've read every thread on headers I can find, most of which seem to be dated and I'm trying to figure out what the current school of thought is for what to go with. The car is not a track car. Mostly the goal is to get some flow improvement over the stock headers since I have to do something for the leak and get some performance gain out of it. Eventually I figure I'll improve the cooling for the intercooler and put smaller supercharger pulley on and an ECU tune. The rest of the exhaust is in fine shape and I don't need to do a full on exhaust, so something that will attach with minimal fuss is preferred. But since I'm pulling it apart, more gain is more better. It seems like these days EuroCharged is the cheapest (around $600), XSP long tube for about $1k, and Kleeman shorty headers also around $1k. Then there are the more expensive options, which I probably am not going to consider because this is really more of a fun change rather than going towards a goal of an all-out racecar.
My thought is either EuroCharged or XSP. All three of them claim bolt-in, and it seems the long tube headers generally gain more although I've read some reports (perhaps on different long tubes?) that you have to hack up the rest of the exhaust if you put them on or there are other issues.
Any recommendations appreciated.
I've read every thread on headers I can find, most of which seem to be dated and I'm trying to figure out what the current school of thought is for what to go with. The car is not a track car. Mostly the goal is to get some flow improvement over the stock headers since I have to do something for the leak and get some performance gain out of it. Eventually I figure I'll improve the cooling for the intercooler and put smaller supercharger pulley on and an ECU tune. The rest of the exhaust is in fine shape and I don't need to do a full on exhaust, so something that will attach with minimal fuss is preferred. But since I'm pulling it apart, more gain is more better. It seems like these days EuroCharged is the cheapest (around $600), XSP long tube for about $1k, and Kleeman shorty headers also around $1k. Then there are the more expensive options, which I probably am not going to consider because this is really more of a fun change rather than going towards a goal of an all-out racecar.
My thought is either EuroCharged or XSP. All three of them claim bolt-in, and it seems the long tube headers generally gain more although I've read some reports (perhaps on different long tubes?) that you have to hack up the rest of the exhaust if you put them on or there are other issues.
Any recommendations appreciated.
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E55 AMG
I have the Eurocharged mids on my car and have no complaints. Fitment was great. It’s not 100% bolt on as you will need to remove the mid pipe and have the primary cats cut out and downpipes welded in place. That should only run you about $100-200 to have done at just about any exhaust shop. So far I’ve only experienced one leak and that was from the collector gaskets. Any 2.75” I.D. 3-Bolt collector gasket will work as a replacement though.
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From: South Florida
2010 E63 AMG, 2003 E500
I recently had the Eurocharged mid-length headers installed on my E500 (same headers fit both your car and mine) and absolutely love them.
One thing that's really surprising is it didn't change the noise level much at all.
The AMG mufflers I put on made more of a sound difference than the headers.
I'll probably do a resonator delete and x-pipe install next to add a little more grunt to the V8 sound.
One thing that's really surprising is it didn't change the noise level much at all.
The AMG mufflers I put on made more of a sound difference than the headers.
I'll probably do a resonator delete and x-pipe install next to add a little more grunt to the V8 sound.
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Joined: Feb 2016
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From: Paola, KS (near KC)
2003 W211 E55 AMG Kompressor, 2009 GL550 AMG
Thanks for the responses. One thing I noted from what I read is that it seemed like everyone was happy regardless of who they went with, so that's a good thing. I was under the impression the Eurocharged ones were bolt-in, but apparently not. So given that, that seems to make their primary advantage the cost?
The sound is another point. My wife is the primary driver of this car, and she wants "more loud." So in that sense, that would make the long tubes a better option in that regard, especially if there's a bit more power gain to be had with them.
Curious if anyone's gone with the XSP long tube headers or Maximizer Long Tubes?
The sound is another point. My wife is the primary driver of this car, and she wants "more loud." So in that sense, that would make the long tubes a better option in that regard, especially if there's a bit more power gain to be had with them.
Curious if anyone's gone with the XSP long tube headers or Maximizer Long Tubes?
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From: Paola, KS (near KC)
2003 W211 E55 AMG Kompressor, 2009 GL550 AMG
I'm definitely not going to pull the stock manifolds to put more stock manifolds on. I'm also not certain the manifolds are what are leaking, I think it's just a gasket.
The point is that if I'm going to remove the exhaust, might as well do an upgrade.
The point is that if I'm going to remove the exhaust, might as well do an upgrade.
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From: Sherwood Park, AB
E55, CTS V
Keep in mind whichever setup you choose you will need a retune.
I have EC mids and yes the fitment was good, had to hack off one small stud for the head shielding as it was rattling on full throttle. If you haven't already whilst doing the headers i would do motor mounts. will be a much easier job when the headers are out and they likely need to be done if they haven't been.
I have EC mids and yes the fitment was good, had to hack off one small stud for the head shielding as it was rattling on full throttle. If you haven't already whilst doing the headers i would do motor mounts. will be a much easier job when the headers are out and they likely need to be done if they haven't been.
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Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2016
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From: Paola, KS (near KC)
2003 W211 E55 AMG Kompressor, 2009 GL550 AMG
Keep in mind whichever setup you choose you will need a retune.
I have EC mids and yes the fitment was good, had to hack off one small stud for the head shielding as it was rattling on full throttle. If you haven't already whilst doing the headers i would do motor mounts. will be a much easier job when the headers are out and they likely need to be done if they haven't been.
I have EC mids and yes the fitment was good, had to hack off one small stud for the head shielding as it was rattling on full throttle. If you haven't already whilst doing the headers i would do motor mounts. will be a much easier job when the headers are out and they likely need to be done if they haven't been.
The plan is to do the motor mounts and transmission mount at the same time. They're all pretty shot and you can notice the drivetrain flopping around.
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E55 AMG
I have been thinking about a retune and what else might be done. I do want to improve the cooling for the intercooler eventually and probably a smaller pulley on the supercharger. Will it need a retune immediately to work right?
The plan is to do the motor mounts and transmission mount at the same time. They're all pretty shot and you can notice the drivetrain flopping around.
The plan is to do the motor mounts and transmission mount at the same time. They're all pretty shot and you can notice the drivetrain flopping around.
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From: Paola, KS (near KC)
2003 W211 E55 AMG Kompressor, 2009 GL550 AMG
Thread Starter
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Joined: Feb 2016
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From: Paola, KS (near KC)
2003 W211 E55 AMG Kompressor, 2009 GL550 AMG
I ended up deciding on a set of Maximizer headers. I found a really good deal on them on eBay, and from what I could tell it seemed like they're one of the most complete kits. It looked as though fitment on them is generally good as well, and my preference was long tube if they weren't going to cost too much more. They should arrive within a week or so.
I'm debating whether to let the shop do it or do it myself. From what I can tell it looks like doing the headers and mounts should be no more than a weekend, potentially one day if I can actually get working on it without interruptions (which is unlikely). The estimate from the shop was fairly high, I think it was a "We don't want to do this job" quote. Have to decide.
I'm debating whether to let the shop do it or do it myself. From what I can tell it looks like doing the headers and mounts should be no more than a weekend, potentially one day if I can actually get working on it without interruptions (which is unlikely). The estimate from the shop was fairly high, I think it was a "We don't want to do this job" quote. Have to decide.
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From: Paola, KS (near KC)
2003 W211 E55 AMG Kompressor, 2009 GL550 AMG
They have another set up for the same price as I paid:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Maximizer-E...MAAOSw3ydV5Nbk
Everyone else was a lot more for these headers.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Maximizer-E...MAAOSw3ydV5Nbk
Everyone else was a lot more for these headers.
Thread Starter
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From: Paola, KS (near KC)
2003 W211 E55 AMG Kompressor, 2009 GL550 AMG
Since I'll be doing the motor/tranny mounts at the same time and those are shot, my guess is there will be a noticeable improvement in the overall driving quality afterwards. Power wise, who knows. The car isn't exactly slow now, but more power is always nice.
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From: Christchurch, New Zealand
CLS55
Cut your secondaries if you feel your midlengths aren't enough. The gains were great for me are you sure your car is okay? Maybe ur secondaries have melted some...You have had it tuned i assume..
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From: United Kingdom
CLK56TT (WIP), S65, RR 5.0 S/C
They have another set up for the same price as I paid:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Maximizer-E...MAAOSw3ydV5Nbk
Everyone else was a lot more for these headers.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Maximizer-E...MAAOSw3ydV5Nbk
Everyone else was a lot more for these headers.
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From: Paola, KS (near KC)
2003 W211 E55 AMG Kompressor, 2009 GL550 AMG
The pictures are too small to see the details but 1) it is a good practice to weld on the inside of the flange and 2) single piece flanges tend to lift due to heat causing leaks - individuals are much better. These headers lack both so I thought I’d mention it for future reference.
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From: SoCal
2024 c300 , 2006 E55, 2005 e320, 2007 gl450, 2025 glc300, 2025 e450
i have both eurocharged and kleeman headers on my e55's and the eurocharged ones are basically the same and a great deal for the price. they greatly will improve the performance of the car but i am not sure it is smart to run them without a tune, maybe others can chime in
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From: Paola, KS (near KC)
2003 W211 E55 AMG Kompressor, 2009 GL550 AMG
We ended up having the shop put on the headers as well as new motor mounts and transmission mounts. I'm very happy with the result and posted a separate thread with my initial impressions:
https://mbworld.org/forums/w211-amg/...ml#post7426171
https://mbworld.org/forums/w211-amg/...ml#post7426171
