Arospeed muffler (AMG Tips) - Page 5 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

#61 10-08-2002, 04:21 PM

hey Jsmith.

can i assume from the 'tone' of your mail, you won't be putting the old muffler backon?

#62 10-08-2002, 04:22 PM

Jsmith.

all you have to do now is post some pics.

jsmith · #63 10-08-2002, 05:28 PM

Neil,

Right now, I'm about 75-25 for keeping it on. I don't like low rpm resonance which I think I'm getting a bit of. Funny but it's only under load that I get it, not from reving it in the garage. I need to drive around some more.

I'll take some pics tomorrow...

jsmith · #64 10-09-2002, 11:13 AM

ok i'm revising my observations - it's loudest between 1400 -1700 rpm's fully warmed up (quieter when it's cold). i cut up a piece of leftover laminate floor padding and placed it underneath the trunk mat. the material is a 1/4" thick black foam rubber with a cloth backing that has good sound absorption qualities. it seems quieter now - hard to tell without a db meter. the growl does seem to grow on you but i like it quiet with the windows up...

haasman · #65 10-09-2002, 12:39 PM

Joe,

I've been following the thread and considering this muffler for our sedan, so your fresh impressions are great.

The low rpm resonance issue makes me want to ask probably a dumb question, but .... the muffler is properly isolated from the body? It isn't touching anything?

Additionally, how is it suspended? Could you utilize the existing exhaust system hanging points?

Jeff

jsmith · #66 10-09-2002, 02:04 PM

Jeff,

Yes, it's hung from the stock mounting points w / rubber hangers. If you look at the picture I posted earlier on, you'll see the hangers out front which my installer used (with a couple more bends). It's not touching anything, maybe I'm just a little finicky about sound levels. I bet if I put on my Stevie Ray Vaughn CD's I won't even notice. Let me go try that now...

Cheers

mushedroom · #67 10-09-2002, 03:15 PM

I DRIVE with all my windows down (love that pillarless window), with music playing and i never am bothered by the growl
i do notice it when the windows are up but i like how commanding yet non-obnoxious it is...
hope this helps...

jsmith · #68 10-09-2002, 04:01 PM

okay, i agree with mushedroom. i just drove with music / talk radio on and i hardly notice it...

#69 10-10-2002, 04:36 AM

Hi all.

Yeh, I like the sound of it too. it's a bit noisier than the standard but compared to some its very quiet. I don't have a problem with it and neither do my neighbours.

Infact I don't even have music on with the windows down - i prefer hearing the exhaust with its gentle growl.

Neil.

jsmith · #70 10-10-2002, 09:12 PM

i had an extended drive today and did maybe 5 hrs worth of critical listening. in the low rpm ranges under 2000 rpm i did find it a bit loud in certain situations. i might wind up taking it off if it gets tiresome. for those watching this thread, my car's engine has a slightly smaller displacement at 2.8L as compared to the 300E/300CE's - don't know if that makes any difference. i really just wanted the chrome tips - and this baby has a nice set of em. i thought maybe it wouldn't be too loud, and surprisingly it isn't. it's just that low rpm range that bothers me...

mushedroom · #71 10-10-2002, 09:19 PM

yikes...

well jsmith just to let you know the bigger the displacement the more the growl...and louder too...
i think if you didn't spend so mush time obsessing on how loud the sound is, you'd realize how unobtrusive it really is...

kinda like picking at a scab...if you keep picking at it, it takes longer to heal and leaves a scab, but if you forget about it, leave it alone, it goes away and voila...no more scab...

hope this helps.

#72 10-11-2002, 05:00 AM

Hi jsmith.

Sorry to hear that, I suppose it is down to personal preference, but I think you would have difficulty in finding an exhaust with that size tailpipe that gives off even less of a sound. Personally I like it. Keep it on for a few weeks and see how it goes.

Neil.

jsmith · #73 10-11-2002, 06:56 AM

i wonder how those magnaflows sound? i guess what spoiled it for me was having driven an SL55 (with real AMG tips :p of course). boy does that little monster growl. it is quieter at lower rpm's as opposed to when you really step on it. i wonder if the resonator has anything to do with the equation. i remember the threads were the suitcase resonator is dropped in favor of a straight pipe. allegedly, it is quiet down low.

i'm trying something new today. i adjusted the bowden cable so that it shifts a little later keeping the revs a little higher...

#74 10-11-2002, 02:01 PM

Hi jsmith.

Nice idea with the Bowden cable. Mine is a 5 speed manual so i don't have that problem. The resonance is in my hands so to speak. Mind you, my dream car is a silver 600CL. similar to those used on the F1 circuit, athougfh that one is an AMG 5.5. I have been looking at the old shaped CL, but I prefer the E-class coupe that I've already got. If I must replace it it'll be for raw power. ................ an E55.

jsmith · #75 10-11-2002, 04:34 PM

hey neil,

the 5 speed manual wouldn't have as much of a problem. now i have you feeling the resonance eh? i feel it on my back more than anything else. the bowden cable trick seems to help some. i added more of the sound absorbing material behind the upright panel in back of the gas tank and also under the rear seat. a couple of laps around the block seems to indicate even more reduction in interior decibels....

cheers