The two wings of this system have hangers which do not match the hangers on the SE body where I've stuck the engine. I'm guessing they are cat converters.

What is the effect of heat gain/loss and performance if I cut them off to simplify mounting the exhaust? I'm speculating on replacing that section with a solid pipe of proper length.

As always, opinion/advise and information always welcomed.

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84 300SD
85 380SE
83 528e
95 318ic

I have an 83 300SD and the kidney mufflers were shot and I did not want to pay to get them replaced. I have not seen any negatives on removing them. If I recall correctly they aren't really much in the way of mufflers as there are no baffles inside. I have some junk ones that I need to take the sawzall to anyways. Maybe I'll take a peek inside.

As far as heat / performance loss I don't think there would be any issues as the exhaust pipe is large enough diameter that any backpressure on the turbo would be negligible.

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1977 Red 240D ( Squished by a 18 Wheeler )
1976 Black 240D ( Sold )
1991 White 420SEL ( Sold )
1987 Black 560SEL ( Sold )
1983 White 300SD ( Sold )
1984 Blue 300SD ( Sold )
2014 Red Chevy Cruze Diesel ( New Hotness )

How many miles since you cut those things off?

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84 300SD
85 380SE
83 528e
95 318ic

There was a lot of driving done but I don't recall the number. I do wish I had used some baling wire on the middle of the straight pipe to the kidney hangers to take some of the weight off the muffler hangers.

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1977 Red 240D ( Squished by a 18 Wheeler )
1976 Black 240D ( Sold )
1991 White 420SEL ( Sold )
1987 Black 560SEL ( Sold )
1983 White 300SD ( Sold )
1984 Blue 300SD ( Sold )
2014 Red Chevy Cruze Diesel ( New Hotness )

I plan to put a hanger in the middle of the body by attaching it to the vertical break which defines the front of the space where those converters were.

I'll probably just bolt something on there there shouldn't be much weight to deal with.

I appreciate your help here. I try to look before I leap.

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84 300SD
85 380SE
83 528e
95 318ic

Well, not buying those resonator / kidney thingies saved me 200 something dollars so I figured it was well worth it.

__________________
1977 Red 240D ( Squished by a 18 Wheeler )
1976 Black 240D ( Sold )
1991 White 420SEL ( Sold )
1987 Black 560SEL ( Sold )
1983 White 300SD ( Sold )
1984 Blue 300SD ( Sold )
2014 Red Chevy Cruze Diesel ( New Hotness )

Anyone know what the function of those are?

__________________
84 300SD
85 380SE
83 528e
95 318ic

Whunter has a response to that here:

Any experience running W126 300SD without Resonator?

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1977 Red 240D ( Squished by a 18 Wheeler )
1976 Black 240D ( Sold )
1991 White 420SEL ( Sold )
1987 Black 560SEL ( Sold )
1983 White 300SD ( Sold )
1984 Blue 300SD ( Sold )
2014 Red Chevy Cruze Diesel ( New Hotness )

According to the drawings and description on that Benz place in ATL they are just mufflers.

Attached Thumbnails

   

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84 300SD
85 380SE
83 528e
95 318ic

Definitely not emissions devices.

Is the SE exhaust 2 pipes through the cat? If it's single pipe to the last muffler, hook up the SD down pipe to the SE exhaust system and enjoy.

Sixto
98 E320s sedan and wagon

I disposed of the SE exhaust months ago. I'm just about satisfied that I'll cut that section and replace it with a straight pipe.

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84 300SD
85 380SE
83 528e
95 318ic

I cut them all off,and went strait pipe,sounds good like a cummins.

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1999 w140, quit voting to old, and to old to fight, a god damned veteran

Good enough for me, thank you.

I'm cutting them off and joining the two pipes with a short straight pipe. I can work a new hanger on in the middle to support the big span between the muffler and the downpipe.

Thank you all.

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84 300SD
85 380SE
83 528e
95 318ic

If you want to spend $100ish, "aero turbine" mufflers are straight through and shouldn't soot up too bad.

I ran mine straight piped, it wasn't bad.

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$60 OM617 Blank Exhaust Flanges
$110 OM606 Blank Exhaust Flanges
No merc at the moment

There's a muffler at the end of my exhaust. Will I need another one?

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84 300SD
85 380SE
83 528e
95 318ic