Hi everyone,

I am really big into diesels and I currently own a 2000 VW Jetta TDI with lots of mods. I used to drive a 94 E420 in which I loved dearly. So, I am really big into Mercedes also.

Anyways to my question:

I am really starting to look into the 98-99 E300's, and notice some people are putting straight pipes on them from the cat back. I was just wondering if it was possible to remove the cat on this car, and if it has an 02 sensor? I was also wondering if there is a CEL that will come up after the cat removal?

Thanks for all of your help!

Hi, welcome to the forum!

It IS possible to remove the cat but it's located behind the turbo (kind of a coffee can sized piece) and it has a 90 deg inlet and outlet, sort of like a "Z". This just means you have to fab up a more custom replacement pipe than a simple straight piece.

There is no O2 sensor and I've never heard of the CEL coming on for the people who have removed cats on these cars.

__________________
-Evan


Benz Fleet:
1968 UNIMOG 404.114
1998 E300
2008 E63


Non-Benz Fleet:
1992 Aerostar
1993 MR2
2000 F250

The turbo is so micro sized, I'd be worried about it overspeeding without the backpressure of the cat to slow it down.

Thanks for the quick replies everyone,

Yea the stock Jetta VNT15 turbo is pathetic also. There is no way the turbo on this car is as small as that!!

I just think that hearing one of these I-6 motors with a 3" straight pipe from the turbo back would sound like heaven.

So is the cat in the down pipe, or just past the down pipe?

thanks

It's literally right behind the turbo.

__________________
#dieselFLEET
---------------
'97 E300
'99 E300

The cat IS the down pipe...

__________________
-Evan


Benz Fleet:
1968 UNIMOG 404.114
1998 E300
2008 E63


Non-Benz Fleet:
1992 Aerostar
1993 MR2
2000 F250

Thanks for informing me. Even though on my Jetta it is quite a bit different. That kind of ticks me off that the cat is that close to the turbo.

I wonder if anyone sells any aftermarket down pipes? I am assuming everything is near custom for these cars.

Thanks again!

There is virtually no performance market for these cars. Suspension bits can be found for the E55 cars that will cross over but as far as the engine is concerned, 99% is custom.

__________________
-Evan


Benz Fleet:
1968 UNIMOG 404.114
1998 E300
2008 E63


Non-Benz Fleet:
1992 Aerostar
1993 MR2
2000 F250

Just curious, but why? The closer it is to the turbo, the more heat will go to the catalyst, the more effective it will be, and, most importantly, the less likely it is to clog up.

I've never heard of anything aftermarket for these cars besides custom chips. The down pipe will definitely have to be fabricated.

__________________
John Robbins
'05 E320 CDI - 240k
'87 300TD - 318k