Resonator delete: straight pipes, H pipes or X pipes?

[MarkyMark]

Hey all

I'm picking up my 64 plate SL63 at the weekend (can't wait!!) I know I will want to increase the volume a little. I've spoken to MSL / TorqueFlow about a resonator delete. He has given 3 options:

1. straight pipes
2. H pipes
3. X pipes

I'm interested to hear anyone's experience of any of the above? Ideally on the 5.5 V8 twin turbo motor. And if you have clips even better.

 

[mbzclk]

Interested about the same too!

 

[Steve84N]

Avoid straight pipes, unless they cross over you'll end up sounding raspy with essentially two four cylinder engines.

I'm not sure about the SL but on the C63 the stock resonator also includes an internal H pipe. H gives the more classic rumbly V8 sound which I think suits AMG engines better. X is going to take the pitch up a notch.

This video isn't an SL but it gives a clear comparison between the two sounds.

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[Rich764089]

I had exactly this question for my E63 5.5. Consensus, including from torque flow, seemed to be straight pipe, despite some mentioning the need for x or h pipes, it doesn't seem necessary for the engine, and apparently gives a much more subtle change in noise than straight pipe.

Avoid straight pipes, unless they cross over you'll end up sounding raspy with essentially two four cylinder engines.

I disagree. I had concerns going straight pipe but am VERY happy I did. The noise is excellent, and I wouldn't say raspy, it's very much brutal V8. But if pootling it's still discrete.

That's my tuppence worth but I'm sure you won't be disappointed whichever route you go.

 

[Rich764089]

This video isn't an SL but it gives a clear comparison between the two sounds.

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Not sure how relevant this is with a totally different car/ engine?

 

[Rich764089]

PS congrats on your purchase

 

[Steve84N]

Not sure how relevant this is with a totally different car/ engine?

It's not a totally different engine, it's a big capacity V8. The general difference applies across the board.

Have you got a clip of your car with straight pipes?

 

[Rich764089]

It's not a totally different engine, it's a big capacity V8. The general difference applies across the board.

Have you got a clip of your car with straight pipes?

Sure, but isn't one NA and the other TT? that's quite an important difference, if so.

It's hammering down here, but will try to get a vid later.

EDIT: I was led to believe the balancing of gasses with x or h pipe is more important on NA engines... but i really don't know myself!

 

[MarkyMark]

Thanks for the responses so far. Would be good to hear a difference between straight pipes and either X or H pipes. The guy at TorqueFlow said 95% of people go for straight pipes. That being said, I'm leaning towards the H pipes, that is what is fitted from factory (inside the resonator) and assume they did that for a reason? Yeah I know, so why am I removing the resonator box then, that was there from factory and put there for a reason. But we know the reason, to reduce noise, I just want to reverse that I do really like the sound of it as is, just want the volume turned up a little.

 

[badgx]

H pipe does sound good though and possibly could help with low down torque and reducing that rasp. But the x pipe probably gives better overall result in performance on the dyno as it probably uses the scavenging effect. Both systems still sound good either way

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[Rich764089]

I just uploaded a video in the media section. Not sure how to link it to this thread. Not sure of quality as done on phone.

Waiting to be told it's raspy certainly doesn't sound it from the drivers seat.

It's such a subjective thing.....

 

[jimjamiejames]

H pipe does sound good though and possibly could help with low down torque and reducing that rasp. But the x pipe probably gives better overall result in performance on the dyno as it probably uses the scavenging effect. Both systems still sound good either way

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Any scavenging effect from exhaust design is totally negated by the turbos so the only choice to make is which one you like the sound of.

 

[MarkyMark]

I just uploaded a video in the media section. Not sure how to link it to this thread. Not sure of quality as done on phone.

Waiting to be told it's raspy certainly doesn't sound it from the drivers seat.

It's such a subjective thing.....

Just found that video, that sounds great!! So is yours the same engine that's in the SL63? 5.5 V8 twin turbo?

20211029_143429.mp4

forums.mbclub.co.uk

 

[Rich764089]

Yep. M157 engine.

 

[Steve84N]

Hmmm...

You're right, it's not raspy. The turbos are probably what's keeping that at bay and my comment is more directed at NA.

However, it's not the most melodious of sounds imo, especially at idle. It has more in common with 4 cylinder sounds than a more mellifluous rumble of a V8 that has some form of connection in the exhaust. I'd still go for H pipe personally.

 

[Rich764089]

Agreed it's slightly strange at idle. But even partial throttle that goes.

 

[Bellow]

Hmmm...

You're right, it's not raspy. The turbos are probably what's keeping that at bay and my comment is more directed at NA.

However, it's not the most melodious of sounds imo, especially at idle. It has more in common with 4 cylinder sounds than a more mellifluous rumble of a V8 that has some form of connection in the exhaust. I'd still go for H pipe personally.

For whatever reason, MB V8s don't sound that good - they just don't. VAG's (and other's) V8s are a lot more wholesome sounding and that's without them being loud either.
For the (important to MB) American market (where V8s are commonplace) maybe MB wanted its V8s to sound different?

 

[Steve84N]

Err, that's a pretty standalone view right there...

The video posted is modified, stock the 5.5 sounds delicious. The VAG units all sound pretty generic with little character.

I'm definitely not in the camp that all V8 sounds are the best thing ever but I do think most AMG V8s sound good stock. The best are some of the Italian ones for me, especially Maserati.

 

[MarkyMark]

I agree. One of the things that pulled me towards the SL over other options was the sound. AMG V8's sound fantastic! I've had Jag V8's, an LS2 in an RX7 and right now the Mclaren V8, I think the AMG sounds the best out of all of them.

 

[AMGeed]

This is mine after a resonator delete and straight piped. Work done by Imran at MSL/Torqueflow Nov 2019

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