[cwmoser]

The Exhaust on my 1986 560SL is leaky and I was thinking about taking it to a Muffler Shop
for some work.

Below is an actual photo of my exhaust system. Note that the previous owners had done
some work on it with a new Muffler.

What I am thinking about and requesting some opinions here, is the following:

• delete the Catalytic Converter - in N.C. this car no longer needs an Emission test.
• delete the Resonator and run straight pipes to the Muffler
• have two tail pipes sticking straight out rather than downward
• like to have the Muffler tucked up under the car so it doesn't show (see photo)

Any ideas or comments?
Anyone have an idea what it will sound like?
How important is the Resonator in muffling the sound?
Would a Muffler Shop be able to weld a pipe connection aft of the O2 Sensor?
Any performance issues?

 

[Martin_fromGermany]

Hi Carl, at my 560SL California the thing you named “Resonator” is a catalytic converter as well. Because of two converters in line, the system is very quiet. I’m actually using a muffler with straight pipes inside, no absorptional elements. The sound is perfect – V8 but Gentlemen like!
We are driving Mercedes and not an Amercian muscle car…
I’m preferring the system with catalytic converters because of the awful exhaust smell. Especially if you drive a convertible with open roof, it will help to improve the driving-experience
And the “loss of power” due to the CCs is insignificant, because these engines aren’t powerful anyway…
Martin

 

[jerryomti]

I put new exhaust on, got rid of the cat left o2 sensor of course. It not stainless but alumized coated, resonater and muffler both replaced. I personally would not use a welded system, there are some adjustments that require removing the exhaust to get at them. All the connections use the original parts, not sure what they call them but they have connections with some type of seal, also replaced all the rubber donuts that insulate the exhaust from the car. I don't believe you will like how loud it will be with the resonater off but that is just a personal opinion. The muffler on my 380 does not hang down that low but you could have broken or stretched donuts. Oh ya, all my parts came from walker muffler, they did not stock but make them when they are ordered. Good luck

 

[cwmoser]

uffler on my 380 does not hang down that low but you could have broken or stretched donuts. Oh ya, all my parts came from walker muffler, t

...
We are driving Mercedes and not an Amercian muscle car…
I’m preferring the system with catalytic converters because of the awful exhaust smell. Especially if you drive a convertible with open roof, it will help to improve the driving-experience
And the “loss of power” due to the CCs is insignificant, because these engines aren’t powerful anyway…
Martin

I do notice a noxious smell emitted when my 560SL is idling in Garage even with door open.
Don't notice any smell while driving though.
I suppose this means that my Catalytic Converter is not operating as new.
560SL has 200K miles on her.

 

[dugald]

Years ago I had a local muffler shop construct an exhaust system for my 450SL using parts they had on hand. They deleted the resonator and ran straight pipes to a Chevy S10 muffler with a single tailpipe. It had a nice rumble and I was pleased with the cost.

 

[roncallo]

I have the two cats in series system with the stock MB muffler on my stock 560SL. The system was made by DEC and was about $500 15 years ago. I don't like it compared to the stock Cat/Resonator system which at the time was still available from MB for $4000.00. I still have the original cat/muffler and its been my intention to weld it up and put it back on. So if your intending to discard yours, I will be more than happy to come an pick it up.

I have found that the cats have essentially no contribution to reducing sound. when I first took the engine out of the V12 129 I recorded the sound first stock then with removing the rear muffler then and finally with cats removed and open headers. Cats removed with open headers was the same as cats on. I have since lost those sound clips but they were posted on the 129 forum years ago.

If you are looking for an exhaust with a nice note the system I used on my V12 may be nice. That system is quiet when stopped at a light or cruising down the highway and has a nice sporty drone when you get on it. It may sound different on a V8 if anyone wants to experiment. That system uses a straight through muffler and resonator from Vibrant see the attached photos. Those pictures are of a 3" system but they make smaller sizes.

 

[nobby]

Carl...deleting the CAT and resonator might surprise you.

I went with a Magnaflow muffler (nicely tucked) and then played with 3 different resonators until the "sound" I wanted was achieved. I can't imagine NO resonator.

Shaun88 did the reverse....he deleted the muffler and only used a resonator...but it suited his 500SLC...The Bruiser.

 

[rowdie]

If the exhaust is a rotten egg/Sulfur smell it is probably a bad converter.

 

[cwmoser]

If the exhaust is a rotten egg/Sulfur smell it is probably a bad converter.

It more of a noxious fumes smell.
When @roncallo was over and the car was idling he asked me to turn off the engine because of the smell.
John, what did you think when you was over?

 

[roncallo]

It more of a noxious fumes smell.
When @roncallo was over and the car was idling he asked me to turn off the engine because of the smell.
John, what did you think when you was over?

Sorry Carl, Old age is taking its toll, I don't remember a smell

 

[roncallo]

Check this thread post #50 for open cats vs what I have now.

Delete resonator vs delete muffler question

Hi raynald, The system was done by Fremuff in San Juan, M.M.; Yes you're correct, it was a Hyundai Genesis, no plates yet and in yellow color. The driver was in his mid-30's or early 40's. :D I also can't wait for that extension to be finished, maybe we can do an early morning Sunday drive...

www.benzworld.org

 

[CousinMB]

It more of a noxious fumes smell.
When @roncallo was over and the car was idling he asked me to turn off the engine because of the smell.
John, what did you think when you was over?

What's the oil consumption like, Carl?
Same problem with my 300, and it was steadily going through more oil
It's in getting a head rebuild atm, leaking valve stem seals bought that on
Synthetic oil was bloody smelly, mineral oil less so but still a bit embarrassing when stopped at the lights

 

[cwmoser]

I don't put many miles on my 560SL.
Oil change is a little over a year and 600 miles.
Oil looks like new, I do get a small oil puddle after every drive that I wipe up.
Level looks about 1/2 quart low.
Don't see any smoke out the tail pipes.

 

[CousinMB]

Don't see any smoke out the tail pipes.

The catalytic converter(s) will keep that under control, to a point

 

[Chicky]

Hello cwmoser,

May I share my "2 cents worth" regarding the exhaust system of your 560SL:
a. If it were me, I would purchase 2 stainless steel metal spun 200 cell count catalytic converters from Vibrant, 2.25
inch "in and out". However, it would be best to buy direct from the company, as against buying from amazon (they
are not authorized distributors/resellers of the product, I had a bad experience with amazon on another issue
regarding vibrant products). IMHO, you should still fit cat-cons and install the O2 sensor, so that it can still send
"signals" to the ECU with regards to fuel requirements of the engine.
b. As for the muffler and resonator, on a another sub-forum here on BW.org (W126), a forum member "KRH"
recommended buying from Magnaflow #14378 and #14386. Please note that these are in stainless steel, if you
dont want to use these, you can research which is the equivalent in steel only. The Magnaflows are in 2.25 inch
diameter in/out. Also, may I suggest that you purchase also from Magnaflow, their y-pipe and x-pipe with the 2.25
inch in/out.
c. Have your muffler shop use 2.25 inch pipes for the system, and still original MB muffler hangers and system
fittings.

I have attached some pictures and write-ups, hopefully this will help you out.

Regards,

 

[roncallo]

Hello cwmoser,

May I share my "2 cents worth" regarding the exhaust system of your 560SL:
a. If it were me, I would purchase 2 stainless steel metal spun 200 cell count catalytic converters from Vibrant, 2.25
inch "in and out". However, it would be best to buy direct from the company, as against buying from amazon (they
are not authorized distributors/resellers of the product, I had a bad experience with amazon on another issue
regarding vibrant products). IMHO, you should still fit cat-cons and install the O2 sensor, so that it can still send
"signals" to the ECU with regards to fuel requirements of the engine.
b. As for the muffler and resonator, on a another sub-forum here on BW.org (W126), a forum member "KRH"
recommended buying from Magnaflow #14378 and #14386. Please note that these are in stainless steel, if you
dont want to use these, you can research which is the equivalent in steel only. The Magnaflows are in 2.25 inch
diameter in/out. Also, may I suggest that you purchase also from Magnaflow, their y-pipe and x-pipe with the 2.25
inch in/out.
c. Have your muffler shop use 2.25 inch pipes for the system, and still original MB muffler hangers and system
fittings.

I have attached some pictures and write-ups, hopefully this will help you out.

Regards,

Hello Chicky

Picture 1 and 2 do not look like the Vibrant ones you describe as pictured here: https://www.verociousmotorsports.co...talytic-Converters-Round-High-Flow-Metal-Core

They look really nice, really thin and really long which I will need if I ever need to replace my 129 cats. It says EFS Yokahama. Are they available in the states. Is there an English web sight available. I couldn't find one.

 

[Chicky]

Hello Chicky

Picture 1 and 2 do not look like the Vibrant ones you describe as pictured here: Vibrant Universal Catalytic Converters, Round - High Flow, Metal Core

They look really nice, really thin and really long which I will need if I ever need to replace my 129 cats. It says EFS Yokahama. Are they available in the states. Is there an English web sight available. I couldn't find one.

Hi John

How are you? I hope all is well with you and family Before replying to your post, again I would like to thank you for the 15 hole magwheel you gave me

I stand corrected, you are correct in that the pictures 1 & 2 are not those of the Vibrant stainless steel metal spun 200 cell count cat-cons. My intention in posting those pictures, were to show possible mounting location for the Vibrants, similar to those in the pictures. I am sorry if in doing so, caused any inconvenience to our fellow sub-forum members

John, I'm sorry, but I just "saved" the pictures of the "EFS Yokohama" from an internet search a long time ago...and at the moment, I'm experiencing "senior moments" as from which site

Best regards

 

[Chicky]

Hello Chicky

Picture 1 and 2 do not look like the Vibrant ones you describe as pictured here: Vibrant Universal Catalytic Converters, Round - High Flow, Metal Core

They look really nice, really thin and really long which I will need if I ever need to replace my 129 cats. It says EFS Yokahama. Are they available in the states. Is there an English web sight available. I couldn't find one.

Oops, I forgot to mention to you, the V12 engined R129's had a pipe diameter of roughly 2 3/8 compared to the V8 engined R129's, which had 2.25inches pipe system...for your guidance in looking for metal spun cat-cons

May I ask, what type of gasoline you use for "Samson"? The reason I ask, is that the longevity of the metal cores might be affected by use of ethanol mixed gasoline. Over here in Manila, I use 97+ RON gasoline that has no ethanol mixed into it.

Best regards

 

[roncallo]

Oops, I forgot to mention to you, the V12 engined R129's had a pipe diameter of roughly 2 3/8 compared to the V8 engined R129's, which had 2.25inches pipe system...for your guidance in looking for metal spun cat-cons

May I ask, what type of gasoline you use for "Samson"? The reason I ask, is that the longevity of the metal cores might be affected by use of ethanol mixed gasoline. Over here in Manila, I use 97+ RON gasoline that has no ethanol mixed into it.

Best regards

Glade you liked the 15 hole wheel. It did come out really nice.

I typically use US spec 92 or 93 octave with up to 10% ethanol. Cant find anything over 87 non ethanol here. I can find the EFS Yokahoma sight but it in Japanese. I guess I will need to put it through the google translator. Thanks.

 

[304065]

I put an ANSA muffler on my 450SL, it was half the price of the Eberspacher. If I had to do it again I would go with the Eberspacher, or a complete system from Timevalve. It’s incongruous to have a loud exhaust on a 107, people will think something is wrong with the car.