Note to self... do NOT replicate this exhaust set up ever again...

Well, needless to say I've just returned to the office with my full-out sounding RACE CAR... do'ah! Took my '87 16v to my local pipe bender today, had them remove the pre-cats, install a high-flow Catco cat, and cut out the resonators... making it header/cat/factory muffler. Let's just say I'll be BACK @ the shop tomorrow 8:00 a.m. having that, oh, I don't know, RESONATOR, put RIGHT BACK IN... Whoops. Funny thing is that I did this exact same set up on my '88 ///M5, then again on my '90 300E, and they both sounded superb. Wonderful. Blissful. The polar opposite of THIS. Oh well. Who knew? I'll have them slap it back up there in 5 minutes on my way in tomorrow. I'll RE-let you know how THAT sounds when it's done! Right now, for reference, it sounds like a track car at your local autocross, picture maybe a rabbit GTi with a pipe coming off the manifold and exiting beside the driver's door. With TONS 'O decelerative 'burble', 'sputter', 'pop', etc. Sounds like that bowl of cereal when I back off of it... snap! crackle! POP! (and I NEVER use smiles / frownies!)

So, moral is tune in tomorrow a.m. when I've got this rectified to find out where I stand.

(YES, I know a Supersprint or Remus would make a wonderful symphony under there, but hey, must spread the resources amongst all the toys you know...)

-Paul
'87 190e 2.3-16 smokes silver db breaker!!!
'98 ML 320 arctic silver
'58 TR3A brg
'99 Arctic Cat ZR500

Hehe...who knew? Have you noticed any impact on power, or does it just sound fast (like the Civic I killed the other day with my Diesel).

Hope it works out.

__________________
"If God had meant for us to walk, why did he give us feet that fit car pedals?" Sir Sterling Moss

Michael
2014 E63S Estate
2006 SLK55
1995 E500
1986 Porsche 944 turbo

Well, OK, I've just returned (again) from the shop after having the resonator RE-installed. Verdict? Well, it's sort of an all-or-nothing issue. No resonator = race car. Resonator = factory sound. Oh well. Realisticly, there is a bit more of an idle sound (not much), and a slight sputter when going through the revs, sort of the way a GTi 16v might sound. To answer your question Mike, the all-important power issue and why I began this quest to begin with... yesterday's power seemed the same or less, the no back pressure thang combined with wall shattering noise made it hard to tell. But a few Civic's, GSR's, and their other riceboy ghetto-glider counterparts seemed to like it (dumbasses). OK, I made that up. They PROBABLY liked it though. Today's power is much more noticable. The tach no longer struggles up after 6200 or so, making 6800 or so a quick sweep through the gauge. I'd say what I heard about getting 15hp by removing pre-cats is probably about right. Worth the $294 it cost me.

Hope that helps any of you other 16v-er's out there who weren't curious enough (read: stupid) to experiment with this yourself. I'm proud to be the guinea pig...

If anyone can answer why the F*ck my car keeps stalling after I rev it up instead of returning to idle, I'd be happy to listen! (to be blamed again on the idiot who fiddled with the allen screw atop the throttle housing maybe? 1/4 twist clockwise..)

-Paul
'87 190E 2.3-16 smoke silver and sounding better
'98 ML320 arctic silver
'58 TR3A brg
'99 Arctic Cat ZR500

Now I feel guilty as this was all my idea. However, when I had my 16V, I had a front pipe without pre-cats (from Borla East $425) no resonator and a Remus muffler. My car was not that noisy, throaty, sure but not crazy noisy.

Sorry your car didn't work out.

David
'92 500E 66k miles
PS But just think of a great time you'll have in tunnels!!

HENDY! (said in the manner Jerry Seinfeld would mutter "NEWMAN!")... damn you Hendy (I'm beginning to sound like Michael)...

Heh heh, just razzin you. Not a problem, I appreciate your insight about the pre-cats!

Also per your suggestion, I've got my new ignition wires coming from a wholesaler in CA, $74 for the set, list $258 or so. Forgot the brand, sounded OK. So, am I to expect the car not to run AT ALL once I install these, as this was another of your bloody bright English ideas? HA!

Thanks again, though, seriously (I suppose...)

Paul
'87 190E 2.3-16
'98 ML320
'58 TR3A
'99 Arctic Cat ZR500

Here's the latest. My 16v has been running a bit rich and seems to have BURNT OUT the 2-day old Catco cat I just installed to the point of it rattling. This morning they cut it out and said they'd order me a new OE one. Here's the funny part. They welded in straigt pipe "until it arrives", heh heh... I'm enjoying the cat-less power!

Anyway, the saga continues, as it always does whenever I try and 'cut corners' like this. Remember, you get what you pay for!

Paul

If you really want an extremely good system for the 16v, get the AMG system. You can get just the cat-back system (center resonator and rear muffler) or with the down pipes sans the pre-cats and with a small "muffler" in the place of the cat. This system is just "the bomb". You can get 'em direct from AMG (made to order by Sebring) for about $1300US. Or from PMG in Canada for a lot more. If ordered from AMG, be prepared to send a wire to Germany and wait for three months, though. FYI, the resonator and muffler are really straight through pipes perforated to allow gas expansion (and sound dissipation) into an insulated body.

__________________
john
'87 2.3-16v
'92 500E

Tx for the advice. I'll pocket the G-note difference, thanks, and put it into something else in the car. Sounds great and the price was right.

Paul