W208 Aftermarket Exhaust??

[Conicuzn]

Firstly, I'd like to say hello to everyone on the forum I've just signed up (having been a 'lurker' for a little while now!) I've recently bought a w208 CLK320, and have many many questions, but firs things first:

I was looking into an aftermarket exhaust, preferably duplex/quad tip, but just something to replace the standard boring tube. Anyway, I spoke to the guys at rtec who told me that they are unable to make custom SS exhausts for cars like MB, BMW, etc, because they run at higher pressures in order to 'kill the power a bit'. Supposedly, their custom systems have the baffles blown out and whatnot, if used on such cars.

Now I don't profess to know everything about engines/cars, (but being a mechanical engineering student, I have a pretty good knowledge of the theory) and the idea that a car manufacturer would deliberately raise the pressure at the exhaust side of the system, in order to REDUCE power seems insane.

Is this true? Because a quick google search shows that quite a few people have had success with relatively simple y-pipe set ups?

Thanks for any help, I just wanna get my 208 looking as sweet as some of the ones I've seen on here!

 

[flango]

I've got a custom Ss on my 230k no issues at all done by Tony Banks in Leeds a real craftsman its a copy of a Brabus spec exhaust with a 200 cell sports cat and is perfect so think what you are being told is BS

BIL had a quad custom on his 320 from Exhausts UK again no issues at all

 

[Conicuzn]

Yeah, I did think it sounded like a pretty ridiculous thing to say... Thanks

 

[R2D2]

Fast Road Conversions - 01233 662225 - Exhaust Specialists in Kent

Ask for Andy, he'll make what you need.

 

[Tim203]

Hi Conicuzn, I have been involved with the manufacture of exhaust systems for a long time. Most original equipment systems are part or full stainless steel in their construction, Audi systems being amongst the best, the rear silencer on my c 220 showing signs of corrosion looking not so good.
In my experience people are generally looking for an optical improvement with some nice trims and some more noise. 6 and 8 cylinder engines are a relatively easy fix sound wise but fours can be more tricky with lower rpm resonance being the trade off for a a nice tailpipe note. Generally this gets quite wearing and most people are happy to have a quiet system again after a while. The industry standard for back pressure is normally around 300 millibar and providing your not tuning the engine to get another 100 horsepower you will see little or no advantage by fitting a 'sports system' apart from looks. Generally the extra noise gives one the impression of improved performance only. Most o.e. systems are pretty much free flowing and catalysts are carefully matched to light up quickly but not back up the turbo.
There are a lot of people custom making systems using either pre bought silencers or self made ones and there is a lot of nice work done. If you are having sports cats made for your vehicle you need to know it will pass the mot emissions test. Generally you will save weight on a custom made system and you'll get an individual look at the back that will sharpen up the styling. Personally if the front half of the system is in good shape a rear silencer with some nice trims that fits up to the original centre section is a good choice and probably cheaper than an original Benz. A lot of the mass market service centre systems fit poorly and don't' last long. Original systems are normally very good, earlier Benz systems had tube work with wall thicknesses of 2mm plus and were very quiet. Not all replacement o.e systems are of the same quality as the newly factory installed ones but this varies from manufacturer to manufacturer! Hope this helps in some way.

 

[flango]

^ best post and advice I have seen in a long time thanks for sharing and backing up with actual figures

 

[Conicuzn]

Thanks for the advise Tim, I wasn't looking for a power improvement per se, but more the styling of a quad tip. Thanks for the info though, really helpful!

 

[Tim203]

Thank you all for your positive reaction to my post, just investing in the back half of the system is a good dodge in several ways. Firstly you don't generally compromise the work the o.e. manufacturers have done with resonators, a smaller rear silencer will give a bit more sound and you can keep the original rear section/s to put back on if and when you come to sell the car. Alot of people prefer to buy an original vehicle.

 

[Lenny63]

lets see your clk 320