i'd like to follow through with all the ideas i've tossed around about producing some aftermarket support for older mercs. so by all means, if you have reqests, suggestions, or you willing to physically bring your car into my shop for R&D (with a damn good discount) then speak up!
i'd like to follow through with all the ideas i've tossed around about producing some aftermarket support for older mercs. so by all means, if you have reqests, suggestions, or you willing to physically bring your car into my shop for R&D (with a damn good discount) then speak up!
I have some ideas:
Re-implement, using modern digital electronics:
- The fuel pump relay
- The idle speed control
- The ignition module
Better yet, combine all three into one digital module that handles all three [well, the ignition module doesn't need to be replaced] and implements COMPUTER-MAPPED TIMING ADVANCE and other niceties!
On the mechanical side, it would be nice if someone could make cross-flow camshafts for the M117 motor.
Tentative proposal for you in AZ.. (Isn't your name Greg?)
As you know, I was one of the people who'd gone for the Remus exhaust group buy set up, and actually put down and paid the money (about $980) for the group buy, which might realistically fall apart because of lack of COMMITTED, paid-in-full buyers, and and worse, a statement from the distributors in NJ that the price might go up after 12/31/07 to $1000 or more. (which has really dismayed and angered many here) Nothing for sure, yet, as of now, but if it does fall apart the money would be refunded to those of us who paid.
That said, if that comes to pass, as I recollect, during the debate about all this, you'd proposed a workable, detailed and fairly complete W126 exhaust set up for quite a lot less money than the Remus, that sounded very very valid and intriguing to me. (I am sure it is buried in the post someplace).
;
I mentioned to you, that I might contemplate a trip to Arizona from Nor Cal to get the car worked over by you. You said that might be a pricey vacation, but then, I told you I was not kidding.
No question that you are the #1 W126 exhaust system specialist there is.
While the idea of a Magnaflow doesn't sit especially well with me, I do NOT have an inflexible mindset about it, and might contemplate an intelligent and well designed exhaust make over for that car as a reason to come to you.
I'd have to check the California Legality of it, or get a "sympathetic" smog inspector since it wouldn't be cat-back, but without a 2:82 rear end put in, (I already had the First Gear start put in five years ago), I think some sort of mandrel bent exhaust fabricated, a better manifold crossover pipe (the worst weak point in the W126) and a good Tri Y set of headers, (or custom built ones), could really do the best to wake up the car more than a little bit.
What do you think?
I'm not proposing the car as a test mule or something, it is a driver for me, and so long as it doesn't drone at 70 mph, and had a decent looking set of stainless tips (those Remus ones looked really good) and the system was a good Stainless steel one (304) that was as nice as an Eisenman, Timevalve or Borla, and near as good as Remus, I'd seriously consider a "car" vacation in perhaps the Spring or Fall this year maybe, when the weather isn't too bad, stay in a hotel you'd recommend, and wait for a few days, or however long it'd take you to get it done, with square MB muffler hangars
and everything.
With all the arguing back last year about the Remus vs Magnaflow and all that, that we did last year, one simple fact remains, and it boils down to this:
You're simply the best there is, with these W126 systems, and I have little doubt in your ability to fabricate a truly terrific set up that could look and sound good, and actually deliver a few more hp over the 238 stock you get, with a US spec W126er, and have built and installed something for me that would last probably forever.
What do you think?
Should the Remus business fall apart, and it might, I would be interested in having a serious conversation with you Greg.
I am as serious as a heart attack about this. Even though the stock exhaust performs well and is not rusted or rotted out and I am not being FORCED to do anything about it.
__________________ "I swear to god, it's like I live in a trailer of common sense, and stare out the window at a tornado of stupidity."
Vehicle: 1985 380SE US Spec | 1983 500SEL EURO Spec | 1998 GMC Sierra 2500 6.5 Turbo Diesel
Location: Central New Jersey
Posts: 1,658
I agree with Cascade, I was the other buyer for the Remus system and it is frustrating to see this deal fall apart after seeing the list of people interested, I will have to talk to the rep again and find out what he is going to do about this group buy, becuase I may be forced into buying a Flowmaster or Magnaflow (not that that's a big problem) becuase my Drivetrain swap is being started this week! And as most of you guys know, driving these cars without and exhaust system is not an option. = ]
__________________ 1985 380SE
Done:
Katmac Euros | Full Pioneer Speaker Upgrade | Alpine Sub/amp | Period correct Early AMG/ATS made 15" Pentas | GEN I AMG Steering Wheel | Full Front End rebuild | Seat repairs | Some New Zebrano Wood|
To Be Done:
Drivetrain Swap From A Gen I 83' 500SEL Euro With 231HP Engine And 2.24 LSD| Get The Rust Out! |This Damn Thing Has Me Broke!|
The following email dated 2 January 2008 was just received from PAYPAL (not the Remus distribuoor):
Remus Exhaust Shop has just issued a full or partial refund of your payment.
Message from seller:
The group buy is cancelled. However we will look into importing the systems by ourselves and set a proper US retain price. You will be updated.
Date payment sent:
Dec. 5, 2007
Amount: $929.00 USD.
*****************************
Back to square one. That was a kind of cowardly way to flush our work down the drain, if you ask me.
They didn't even wait to see if the German pool of 15000 W126 people were interested enough to do 10 orders.
Damn, damn, damn.
~~~Greg, thank you for your help. (Kioiakj2)
~~~Cirrus2, thank you for stepping up to the plate and putting your money where your mouth is. Good luck with your ambitious project.
~~~Greg (NuR-Spec) , Anything you have to say to me will be respectfully considered, now.
well damn.. remus really screwed everyone.. you'd think they'd take the little effort to satisfy enthusiasts with older cars for the sake of thier reputation! unfortunate, but not the end of the world.
so.. let's get the ball rolling, then. i'm going to have a meeting with our fabricator to see how interested he is in doing exhaust manifolds. we all know they will net the biggest gain in power from any bolt-on. the exhuast system is certainly a must. i believe i promised a full system for the same price as a remus box. however, the name 'magnaflow' doesn't sit well with some, so we need to figure out our options here..
cascade, i assure you i will pick up where remus has left off and offer you exactly what your looking for in an exhaust system.
flavio81, what specifically do you dislike about said components? i think the factory units are pretty good quality aside from the occasional broken solder in the ignition module.
To clarify, from the above, it appears that it was NOT Remus (of Austria) that changed things.
It was the American distributor in NJ that did.
It was pointed out by someone that these group buys are in some way a PITA for them to set up (?) I think.
I understand this section and these threads is being watched by Remus Shop and I would welcome any comments they had about this.
But so far as I can see, the group buy is for all intents and purposes dead, as I suspect resistance will stiffen to a $1,000 plus asking price for a Remus W126 muffler, no matter how good it is.
Thank you for your help and input NuRSpec. No question, we do appreciate it.
so.. let's get the ball rolling, then. i'm going to have a meeting with our fabricator to see how interested he is in doing exhaust manifolds. we all know they will net the biggest gain in power from any bolt-on. the exhuast system is certainly a must. i believe i promised a full system for the same price as a remus box. however, the name 'magnaflow' doesn't sit well with some, so we need to figure out our options here..
cascade, i assure you i will pick up where remus has left off and offer you exactly what your looking for in an exhaust system.
Can I refresh your recollection with post #63 below?
This is what you said you'd like to do.
Certtainly an excellent starting point if you ask me.
If I were closer I could give up my 560SEL for a few weeks, but I'm just too far to make it a reasonable proposition. Sorry to hear about the Remus buy everyone, it's a shame that they go for the easy way out rather than work on gaining customers. If I would ever consider an exhaust mod, I will be staying away from Remus!
__________________
00 BMW 750iL
86 560 SEL
66 Jaguar S-type
34 Pierce-Arrow
30 Buick series 60
well, i'll see if i can rework the exhaust to leave a few choices for various mufflers upon request. say.. even... Remus? my main concern with these application specific pieces is the piping diameter. if i make a few phone calls, i'm sure i can get a hold of a part number for a remus product with dual 2.25" inlets. i can offer a basic thick wall mild steel exhaust with a magnaflow for members on a budget and a full polished stainless system with any name brand muffler your heart desires!
Tentative proposal for you in AZ.. (Isn't your name Greg?) 
"I swear to god, it's like I live in a trailer of common sense, and stare out the window at a tornado of stupidity."
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