im new to the mb world so im still learning about the '86 w201 i pick up a few days ago.....i took it to my shop to get a good look underneath and i noticed that it had a single in-out universal muffler on it...... i assume it was installed for to pass smog, but its a cheapy muffler and im sure its really holding back all the power.......did this car originally come with a daul outlet exhaust???..... i also noticed that it has a cheapy fram air filter, which will soon be replaced by a k&n...... since im a newb to the mb world, i really dont know what kind of exhaust to look for and where to find it .......please help......hehe

No it never came with a dual configuration of any kind. If you don't have any smog regulations I would run a straight pipe on it to a high quality muffler.

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DRIVE HARD-DRIVE FAST-DRIVE TO GET THE HELL OUT OF MY WAY.

1986 190E 2.3-16 Pearl Black!!
1987 190E 2.3-16 Smoke Silver!!
1986 190E 2.5-16 Pearl Black!!
2004 CLK 500 Cabrio Designo package!!
1994 E320 Cabrio Red with black top!!
1985 500 SEL Anthracite Grey !!
2011 Subaru Impreza STI 380HP (Yeah Baby)

if you convert to k and n i would not throw away the stock parts.

at least on the diesels folks dont find any power there. a bit more noise though. which might be desired.

i doubt that the stock setup is actually restricting your air.

tom w

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

You can check out www.timevalve.com to see a diagram of the 16v exhaust-its single from the cat on back. They do only stainless systems, and you can have them do mandrel bends for a bit more $. I think they are one of the very few performance exhaust options made specifically for the 16v.

Tuning the 16v is tough...its a very well designed car already, not alot of room for cheap improvement. Make sure it is in top running condition before spending money for extra performance. For the love of all that is holy and good, make sure your timing chain's tensioner has been updated.

Also, put your car in your sig

cheers,
dan r.

The twincam does benefit from mild port/polish, as the Cosworth casting seems to have been a bit rough around the inlets. If your system has them, gutting the "pre-cats" just after the header also seems to improve performance.

thanx for all the info guys....i've been looking all over the net looking for aftermarket parts and i'd love to go with a supersprint, but they only make a system for the 2.3 8v, not the 16v...then i looked up remus, but i really didnt like the styling of the tips, and im not sure if thats something that can be modified on those exhausts........those are about the only brands i'd go for, but theyre pricey, so i just might go with an oe set-up.....

as far as the tensioner, is there anyway of being able to tell whether or not it was updated??......damn i feel like such a newb.....hehe

I hate to say it, but I think a search will turn up info about what the newest tensioner looks like. Here are some part numbers:

190E 16V Timing Chain Tensioner Installation

Bingo:

16v Tensioner?

Besides the tensioner update, make sure the valve clearance is within spec...it should be checked every 15k miles and adjusted if out of spec. If it goes out of spec for too long, your valves will burn and you'll have to pull the head. The valve check just requires a 27mm socket to turn the engine and a set of feeler guages, but the valve adjustment is involved, you have to pull the cams. If you need to adjust, do searches on the forum and ask questions...I'm ordering some parts for the job right now. Get a shop manual on CD!

Good luck,
Dan r.