Hello all..
i need everyone's help.
which is the best muffler exhaust to get for my CLK430?
i am rackin' my brain. I want to make sure that the muffler will give better free flow, good gains, while preserving some sort of back pressure that retains off-the-line performance. i was told that some level of back pressure is needed.

which muffler should i go with? any other suggestions besides the brands i mentioned? where it the best place to get it?

thanks a lot!!! : )

I have always heard that to get your money's worth from a new muffler in terms of performance gains on a Benz you really have to do the whole exhaust system, as well as air intake system. AMG did a pretty good job on the CLK55, why not trade your 430 in on a new or year old 55? It might be cheaper in the long run, if you consider all the other mods you are getting along with it.

__________________
Jason Priest
1999 E430
1995 E420 - retired
1986 420SEL - retired

I agree with jason here.

If I had my choice and money was no object, I'd go with Braubus, Lorinser, Renntech, AMG, or one of the other mercedes tuner exhausts.

But as jason said you might be able to trade up to a clk55 and get what you need, though I'm sure there is a long waiting list for the clk55.

Alon

__________________
'92 300CE - Sold
2004 C240 - 744 - C7 Wheels - Android Radio
2002 C320 - 816 - Sport Wagon

thanks for the input...
however, $$ is a concern for me. (i wish it wasn't).
i personally don't think the CLK55 is worth the premium and i can't afford the premium.

the mods i want to do:
Rims
h&R springs
eibach sway bars
muffler...

that's it...

Rims - $1500
hr springs - $300
sway bars - $450
muffler - approx. $500-$700??
maybe a 3.27 diff. (stock diff. is only 2.87)

total expenditure: approx. $3,000

not too bad...

any advice?

thanks!!

$500 to $700 for the muffler limits your choice among the tuners. I know some Lorinser and AMG mufflers cost north of $1000, even more for Rentech. I did many of the upgrades you're looking to do on my 98 C230. I chose a Brabus muffler after shopping around for some time. It ran about $750, their model for the CLK may be more or less. If price is your first priority, Remus isn't a bad choice. If fit,hassle free installation and performance is a factor, a Tuner muffler (designed specifically for your model) may be worth the added cost. The Tuners would surely have designed a muffler to take advantage of potential performance benefits (if any). As far as my experience, I noticed no additional performance benefit after the muffler was installed. Given how sluggish a C230 (pre compressor) is, I'd think even a 10hp gain would be noticeable. The only difference in operation I noticed was the deeper growl the Brabus muffler puts out over the OEM. The only way to find out what muffler may give you the best performance boost is the call a tuner and ask. Try Brabus (Newport Beach CA(949) 797-0177) or Lorinser (CEC in Los Angeles (310) 203-3900). They are the two Tuners I contacted when I was shopping around. I hope this was some help

Why dont you just try a muffler like a Borla or even a Flowmaster (check out their websites http://www.borla.com/ and http://www.flowmastermufflers.com )These companies sure are not Barbus or Renntech but they are good. The Mustang Cobra R has borla mufflers on it from the factory. I seguest that you to go down to your local muffler shop and see what they can do for you. Make sur you tell them you wan't SS (stainless steal) tubeing most all mufflers are SS. I went to a shop and they quoted me $350 for steal and about $550 for SS for my 1994 E420. Anathor option is to have the steal tubeing Jet Hot coated to protect it, but I dont know how well that will work.

__________________
Factory trained Mercedes-Benz Technician
Look At My Website
-2002 C32
(E420 has passed away)
The best way to contat me is e-mail.

Oh I forgot to add. You can get a muffler form these companies to make your car soud exactily like you want it.

__________________
Factory trained Mercedes-Benz Technician
Look At My Website
-2002 C32
(E420 has passed away)
The best way to contat me is e-mail.

I don't suggest the Flowmaster, 2 loud. I am not sure if either the Borla or Flowmater would fit either. Exhaust won't make a difference, if you're talking about performance. You're gonna have towards the front of the engine for Euro exhaust manifold, to make a difference. Renntech has it, but way too much. Oh, this is for CLK. Don't know if they have a Euro version or not. Exhausts on these cars won't make much of a difference, except looks and sound.