Sl 129 cat or no cat

[BULLITTBOSS]

I recently purchased a 96 500 sl which runs great although i thought sounded a bit odd,have found that the left hand cat has had problem at some time and been cut open,ceramic removed and then welded up!
Now i am wondering do i replace that cat ore remove the other side and make up sleeves to do away alltogther,
there is only lamdas before cats so would not affect the running
Although i think the big v8 engine should be quiet and not like my Mustangs,SO ANY ONE OUT THERE HAVE A CAT FOR SALE PLEASE LET ME KNOW!


RICHARD

 

[rockits]

I recently purchased a 96 500 sl which runs great although i thought sounded a bit odd,have found that the left hand cat has had problem at some time and been cut open,ceramic removed and then welded up!
Now i am wondering do i replace that cat ore remove the other side and make up sleeves to do away alltogther,
there is only lamdas before cats so would not affect the running
Although i think the big v8 engine should be quiet and not like my Mustangs,SO ANY ONE OUT THERE HAVE A CAT FOR SALE PLEASE LET ME KNOW!


RICHARD

I had the same problem when I bought my SL500 back in December as one of the CATS was rattling and broken down. I decided on a custom DECAT centre section with balancing pipe and a full PowerFlow Stainless Steel exhaust. It also didn't sound ideal so I took it back to the exhaust guys and we traced the problem to the missing CAT section. They had a pukka MB CAT they had removed from an SL recently which was lucky so we fitted that and it is perfect now.

My SL500 is now for sale making way for the SL60 AMG I just bought but I would say the SL500 is almost too quite in standard form and also with the PowerFlow exhaust it could still do with more sound to come through. My SL60 AMG however is spot on as had the smaller back box/resonator removed and this sounds spot on.

 

[rockits]

Forgot to say that I had it MOT'd before DECATTING and had custom flanges made up to be able to install the old CATS back in again for MOT in 12 months time. As it had no smaller pre-CATS in the downpipe section it was unlikely to pass on MOT emissions with the DECAT section in place. Not a problem now but thought I would mention it.

 

[BULLITTBOSS]

I have decided to replace the faulty n/side cat on my 96 r129 500,so any information would be gratefull regarding finding a replacement.
i purchased new aftermarket cat from euro car parts and sent it back as it was absolute crap,didnt fit,half the weight and size of original,even the lambda sensor thread had'nt even been tapped out! rubbish,would rather find good s/h if possible
Richard

 

[rockits]

I have decided to replace the faulty n/side cat on my 96 r129 500,so any information would be gratefull regarding finding a replacement.
i purchased new aftermarket cat from euro car parts and sent it back as it was absolute crap,didnt fit,half the weight and size of original,even the lambda sensor thread had'nt even been tapped out! rubbish,would rather find good s/h if possible
Richard

I ended up replacing my one dead cat in the end with a MB item as the Decat section was too noisy and not a nice noise. Since I have removed the Decat section and re-installed the CATS it is working nice, quiet and smooth now. Shame I am selling the car!