Couple of thoughts for you....




Hello there:

I've not done an X pipe but I did delete both rear Cats, and my resonator.

Ours is a wagon (is yours sedan or wagon ?) and it had a resonator behind the rear Cats, but ahead of the muffler and at this resonator, it was a 2 IN, 1 OUT.

So, I deleted the resonator & put a Y in it's place.

Take a look at your e320 and see how it's routed exhaust wise.

My point is, I'm not sure how necessary an X pipe is if both engine bank's exhaust pipes eventually dump into a single one at that Resonator (stock) or Y-pipe (modified) ?

If you watch my video you can see the rear Cats being cut out (they were clogged) and straight pipes welded in their place.

I also show in that video a quick overview of how the Y-pipe sits and also the Flowmaster series 40 sits at the rear.

I imagine there is no harm in having both an X pipe in place of the rear cats, and also a Y in place of the resonator, and then some sort of low flow performance muffler.

I've almost got that, just no X-pipe.

I can't imagine the lacking back pressure with or without the X-pipe.

Recall the Resonator or a Y-pipe installed in it's place should give plenty of backpressure as 2 pipes that are 2.25" are dumping into a single 2.5" pipe.

So, you can experiment limited only by your willingness to try new stuff & pay an exhaust shop to try this & try that.

I'm sure they'll want to be paid $$$ whatever you're trying, right ?!

Here's my thread I just posted of late. The YouTube link is there.

If you follow it to YouTube you can also see my earlier video where I show the exahust a bit closer up & sound check from last summer when I first did this.

https://www.benzworld.org/forums/w2...rg/forums/w210-e-class/3032230-w210-e320-wagon-2nd-cat-delete.html#post17840650

Let us know how you fare -

David in East Texas

 

In my case, I would need an x-pipe, not a y-pipe. I have 2 individual exhaust pipes running from the engine to the back. I'd like to do a rear cat delete also, but I don't know any close people that can do it, and no shop wants to break the law for me. *eyeroll*

I only want to do the x-pipe because it's cheap. I don't intend on putting on new mufflers or anything. Not yet anyways...

 

Ok, but keep in mind the best place to put that X-pipe will be, you guessed it, right where those 2 (probably clogged) Rear Cats are.

Did you watch my YouTube video showing my rear cat delete ?

You're in Oregon, right ? In a pollution control smog check area ?

Even if answer is yes, many such areas don't care if you delete Rear Cats, it's the Front ones that MUST stay as they're essential for proper engine operation / pollution control.

So, when you go to exhaust shop. [And I would GO, not call.]

You want them to see it's an older Benz, tell them you suspect rears are clogged and ask if it's cool for them to do the work.

Also, pick a more rural shop vs a 'big city' shop.

The rural shops do more mods that are more '*******' in nature, if you follow.

If you keep getting refusals, double check with local 'Smog Officials' to verify that it's the actual law in your locality that all the Cats remain, or if just the Front 2 that have the Sensors anyhow.

I've seen it where tradesman THINK something is the LAW when its really not.

Even here in East Texas the guy at the local exhaust shop, when I called, he mis-understood me and said "By law I can't remove your Catalytics...."

I then clarified myself & said "Not the Front cats, this Mercedes has 2 pair, and I mean the rear ones, I think they're clogged..."

He replied, "oh, well that's quite different, bring it here so I can look at it...."

Viola, job done !

Anyhow, that's how I'd proceed.

I cannot begin to describe how much better our e320 is now running with those clogged rear cats gone.

Feels like a M113 has been transplanted (thats the V-8 engine).

So, best wishes to you - Let us know how you fare.

David

 

So I went to an exhaust shop and the guy said he can do the secondary cat delete. So now I am thinking that's I want to do, a cat delete and replace it with an x-pipe. Does anyone know what the sound would be like compared to resonator delete w/ x-pipe? The mechanic said the cat delete would be better for performance, but not really noise.

Or should I do a cat delete and replace with x-pipe, plus straight piping the resonators?

 

There are several youtube videos demonstrating what you are asking for.

 

Thanks, but I've searched already. I can't find videos answering my specific question to my specific model.

 

Good to hear !

You said your w210 has two exhaust branches straight to rear.

Therefore it should have 2 separate mufflers, right ?

Where is / are resonators in relation ?

Personally I would do only 1 major change at a time, so you don't "overplay your hand".

Deleting both Rear cats & installing that X-pipe ought to make a sweet upgrade.

Your sound will improve, mpg and more power too.

Deleting both Cats / X-pipe Upgrade AND resonators simultaneously risks too much cabin drone.

Ask me how I know.

I had resonator removed on our ML500 and had to return to exhaust shop & pay $50 to have it added back in.

With both my rear Cats gone / Straightpiped + muffler upgrade, the Resonator needed to stay.

Lesson learned !

How about posting a video to YouTube so we can follow your project ?

Its pretty simple from YouTube app !

Cheers- David in East Texas

 

Thanks for the response and help, 2000 E 320 White Wagon. My plan of attack now is what you said. I am gonna just do the cat delete with x-pipe and see how that is. then possibly upgrade muffler later on when funds are more existent. I'll try to do a YouTube video like you said, that would be cool!

 

So I did the cat delete w/ x-pipe. Good news is that it got rid of a CEL and the noise is slightly deeper. The bad news is that it's barely noticeable, but I am still happy with it since there is a very slight higher HP feel to the acceleration. I think my next step is to get upgraded mufflers. The thing is that the bumper doesn't have a cutout for pipes, it just lands right under the bumper, making the exhaust pipes barely noticeable. I feel like it would look weird to just have some pipes sticking out under the bumper instead of some sort of integration into the bumper.

David, is yours the same way? What kind of muffler upgrade did you get? Magnaflow?

 

So I did the cat delete w/ x-pipe. Good news is that it got rid of a CEL and the noise is slightly deeper. The bad news is that it's barely noticeable, but I am still happy with it since there is a very slight higher HP feel to the acceleration. I think my next step is to get upgraded mufflers. The thing is that the bumper doesn't have a cutout for pipes, it just lands right under the bumper, making the exhaust pipes barely noticeable. I feel like it would look weird to just have some pipes sticking out under the bumper instead of some sort of integration into the bumper.....

ALL w210s rear oem bumper designs are the same/similar, where the exhaust tips do poke out just below the bumper cover....
unless you wish to spend $$$ for a flashy (rear) bumper body kit that allows the exhaust tips to be revealed more.

 

That's great to hear !

So you have 2 rear mufflers ?

In what orientation do they sit back there ?

Can you post a picture?

It is a Flowmaster and I say the exact # in my YouTube video if you take a look at it.

But the wagon muffler orientation is sideways at rear.

I agree that your muffler upgrade should be the "cherry on the ice cream sundae" !

I can't say how much I enjoy the new sound !

On Sunday coming home from church - all 7 seats full - I had an open road and gave her full throttle - the scream from 4000 to 6000 rev limit was thrilling - my son said it sounded like the Audi R8 race car (his favorite dream car) - mission accomplished !

 

Couple more thoughts:

In daylight I will snap picture of how tip looks peeking out from rear bumper.

I think it looks OEM slightly custom.

I can relate to the budget limits.

There is a source for mufflers that are a budget Flowmaster / Magnaflow and I will try to dig that link up for ya.

The upgrade muffler on our ML500 is this and she sounds great for half price of a Flowmaster.

David

 

Steps to doing a Muffler Upgrade I learned along the way:

For me, the genesis of doing this was discovering that our w210 wagon had a totally unique, one off OE type muffler, specific ONLY to the w210 wagon and they were proud of it: $310 plus shipping & installation

That's kinda high for a super quiet, overly restrictive 'right back to stock' ticket, on an almost 20 year old car !

You might just visit an exhaust shop, they will stock certain brands and ask what they suggest, what will fit & for an estimate.

You could go to the 'Flowmaster' or 'Magnaflow' online catalog & see if they show a particular type for your exact e320 Sedan. They may or may not. Even if they don't, some thing they offer will fit - most likely - and work well.

A Good exhaust show will know how to match flow capacity, pipe size & overall size so your Benz gets the right result.

On our e320 wagon, that's what I did. He held up a nice Flowmaster 40, it fit the space under car nicely (actually much smaller than oem muffler) and then we discussed a nice chrome tip, he showed me options.

I think the bill was around $225 and this included cutting out the resonator and installing a Y-pipe I had sourced myself.

Now, you said you're on a budget & the sedan has 2 mufflers, right ? Doesn't sound real cheap at an exhaust shop.

To do it more 'ultra cheap' you can locate the 'budget' muffler brands - I did this later on our ML500 and with equally satisfying results.

Keep in mind you have to do a bit of 'leg work'.

Doing a Non-Stock Performance muffler upgrade is a bit like visiting a buffet; many things COULD satisfy but only a few will really nourish you - be just right.

On the ML500 upgrade, I did need help welding in the muffler.

I located a budget model off Amazon a 'clone' Magnaflow SUV Performance muffler, the Rumble RM22583. Clone isn't quite right. Made by the same company, so it's more of an identical twin.

It had just the right specs for the ML500, a 2 inlet, 1 Outlet of correct diameter.

It was just $30, and then I got the shop to cut out the old & weld this in for $60 - not bad !

Had I gone with the 'name' muffler would have been double that, or more.

But, and here is the rub, unless you can get an application # from one of these online catalogs - say from the 2 major brands just mentioned - Flowmaster or Magnaflow or even from the 'Budget Brands' I suggest - 'Rumble Exhaust' if they list an application, look it up physically then compare both the picture AND the physical measurements to what you have on your e320.

It sounds harder than it is, but to me, it's a straightforward DIY thing to do.

There is an even more 'basic' muffler upgrade approach, that works for SOME cars.

My son's 2003 Lancer OZ Rally needed a muffler, so we took the meaurements and went to O'reillys Auto.

We knew we wanted to ditch his restonator & replace his stock, heavy super quiet muffler, with a better flowing & sounding muffler, so we bought a 'Test Pipe' - just a same diameter pipe to replace restonator and a mid-size generic 'One size fits Most' Thrush Turbo muffler.

Cost: $ 8 for test pipe
$28 for turbo muffler
$ 6 for 4 clamps
$ 9 for chrome tip

So just around $60 all in, we cut out resonator and muffler with sawzall, and bolted in these upgrade parts. Got it all lined up & tight - no welding needed.

Man it sounds absolutely great and runs measurably better - the ultimate inexpensive 'driveway exhaust' - no exhaust shop needed.

Back to the ML500: It required an exhaust shop because persuading the heavy thick MB dual inlet pipes to fit / clamp to the muffler inlet didn't sound like my idea of fun.

More like asking for a sore back & frustration !

In contrast, my son's Lancer was more straightforward, the Mitsu oem pipe is half as thick as MB oem exhaust pipe

Plus my son is even more budget challenged than me - some feat !

So, you've got options.

Jegs Automotive seems to have a nice selection of the Rumble Exhaust mufflers.

So does Amazon.

But Amazon doesn't list in terms of what a given muffler could fit, their listings just give dimensions, layout & show a picture.

Walker Mufflers seem to follow the Rumble Exhaust numbering scheme, my box for our Rumble R22583 also gave the (Walker) 22583 number

(Obvious hint that they're really the same company...)

Also, a big hit that a Rumble is really a 'Magnaflow' is this listing showing both names, same muffler for 2x the price:

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=R22583&ref=nb_sb_noss

Jegs listing / applications for Rumble Mufflers:

https://www.jegs.com/p/Magnaflow/Rumble-Exhaust-Mufflers/3862663/10002/-1

Then again, if a Rumble = Magnaflow = Walker, then see what / if Magnaflow or Walker lists a specific number for your application, right ?

If they do, punch that # as in 'xxxxx exhaust muffler' to the Amazon search bar.

https://www.magnaflow.com/collections/performance-muffler

Enter in 2001 Mercedes e320 Sedan, base

Once you enter that model informaton you get 14 mufflers listed **, with some variation like diameter, center in, offset in, and so on.

The first listing given is:

#11225
MagnaFlow 4" X 9" Oval Center/Offset Straight Through Performance Muffler

Lists for $89

Go to Amazon, punch in the listing: '11225 Magnaflow exhaust muffler'

And it shows that one exact muffler for $88 same price as Magnaflow site.

But you also get other compatible choices, including the Rumble Muffler equivalent, now listed 5th from bottom here:

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=11225+ma...5+magnaflow+muffler&crid=35SD8H9ZXA3VE&sprefix=11225,aps,281&ref=nb_sb_ss_i_9_5

If you read the specs for this, it matches the pricier $89 Magnaflow to a T, it's the same unit, at a budget friendly price:

https://www.amazon.com/Rumble-R2244...+muffler&qid=1564528445&s=gateway&sprefix=11225,aps,281&sr=8-18#customerReviews

Anyhow, that's the research method I discovered to locate suitable upgrade mufflers for our Benzes.

Somewhere in there is plenty of room to get what you & your car needs on any budget !

This was exhausting...

David in East Texas

** 14 mufflers listed in this example, are likely very close fit & appropriate spec, but choose the closest match in terms of undercar fit.

 

Modding ML500 exhast:

https://youtu.be/GjKdiY0r_ZE

w210 Wagon Exhaust Upgrade Phase 1:

https://youtu.be/U-_Y9LHt_Vo

w210 Wagon Exhaust Upgrade Phase 2:

https://youtu.be/3juBNTRNJtU

 

I am trying to do some digging and am finding mixed results. I want to do a resonator delete and replace it with an x-pipe like the offical x-pipe thread in the E55 section talks about. I know that doing this on my v6 e320 isn't extremely great, but I might have to do a catalytic converter replacement and figured the exhaust shop can do the delete and x-pipe while he's under there. Anyone do this on their car and have good results? Not looking for "look at me" results, but just a slight deeper throat.

My big questions is about back pressure. Does anyone know if the lack of back pressure from resonator delete will affect horsepower. I hear both sides say that it will reduce HP or it does nothing at all. I've read plenty of theories on how back pressure work, so I am hoping someone with experience in doing the delete can chime in. Thanks!

This is the x-pipe I want to get. I hear the Magnaflow is overpriced.
https://www.amazon.com/TOTALFLOW-TF...ef=sr_1_fkmr1_1?keywords=w210+x-pipe&qid=1563774651&s=gateway&sr=8-1-fkmr1&th=1

i did a whole delete, secondary cats, resonator and the two big mufflers in the end, I ended up putting a X pipe for the resonator went, i have a wagon, 2004 E320, i get a lot of compliments that sounds good, that sounds like a v8 😂 i get a few pops here and there also