300SDL exhaust - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

airbus · #1 10-01-2006, 12:53 PM

What's the deal with the exhaust? I can't find any parts except the header pipe and the rear muffler. What's so special about the center part of the exhaust system and why can't I get it anywhere?

Hatterasguy · #2 10-01-2006, 02:15 PM

Just have an exhuast shop make you one, its just pretty much straight pipe, with a slight bend.

Timevalve makes stainless systems they will probably sell the center pipe to you.

airbus · #3 10-01-2006, 04:52 PM

OK, and what about that thing that looks like a catalytic converter and the center muffler? Can I just replace all that with pipe without making her sound like a muscle car?

Hatterasguy · #4 10-01-2006, 06:07 PM

Seems so, I'm pretty sure Brians SDL is running without a center muffler and it sounds fine. I'd dump the cat you really don't need that, the center muffler is your choice. My SDL has both, I'm not sure if I'd keep the center muffler or not.

Hit Man X · #5 10-01-2006, 11:14 PM

My cat was hollowed out (somehow) and I retained the center muffler/resonator.

psfred · #6 10-01-2006, 11:38 PM

The trap catalyst is there to reduce soot emissions, has to be there if it's every inspected (some states do, some don't).

TimeValve exhausts are excellent, fit perfectly and are very heavy stainless and should not need to be replaced.

You may have to special order the front muffler -- I would, since these are very quit cars with a good exhaust.

Peter

Hit Man X · #7 10-01-2006, 11:57 PM

'86 Federal SDLs didnt have that cat... I wouldn't really worry about it. A well running motor shouldn't have excessive emissions.

psfred · #8 10-02-2006, 12:27 AM

They do once the infamous trap oxidizer plugs up and kills the turbo and is replaced with the trap catalyst in the exhaust. Trap oxidizers were used on 85 CA cars and all 86/87 diesels.

My brother has one, 87s are exactly the same, ditto for the 87 300D with a 603.

The trap catalyst is there to oxidize the soot, not for any other reason.

Peter

Hit Man X · #9 10-02-2006, 02:04 AM

1987s had them regardless of Fed or CA emission, I have never seen an '86 with the cat in either position that are Fed emission.

airbus · #10 10-02-2006, 10:32 AM

OK, here's the full story: the header pipe has a huge hole and the rear muffler is falling apart and I believe. Also, someone told me that the system may be clogged up somewhere (is that possible?), and this would be the reason why I have almost no power at higher RPM's. Since the front and rear parts of the exhaust are due anyway, I'm planning to replace the entire system. Well, it's 770 bucks at timevalve, but since you guys recommend their system, I will probably go with it.