400E exhaust mod - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

amg280 · #1 07-04-2003, 06:46 PM

Hello.

Im curious to know if modifying a 400E exhaust would yield any performance? Perhaps bypassing the center resonator?

Has anyone ever done this. Is it too loud?

-Andy

tkd_M119 · #2 07-04-2003, 08:46 PM

You might want to check out this thread over @ bnzsport

http://www.bnzsport.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=6830

Mike400E · #3 11-22-2003, 06:09 PM

AMG280:

Did you ever find/do anything for your 400E? I also have a 400E, (1993) and want to do some kind of modification, more for a better sound than performance. MB went too far to quiet and refined, and engineered out a nice V8 sound. There doesn't seem to be a lot of options out there for us!

The Arospeed looks ungainly, and the Remus expensive. (But probably the best choice I have found so far.) I wonder if removing the resonator AND a new muffler would be too loud?

Thanks - Mike

mbtjc · #4 11-24-2003, 11:13 AM

I don't know if this is apples and oranges or not....but I ditched the center resonators on my 126 and left the stock rear muffler. Sounds great!!! I am very happy with it. Nice rumble and even "racks off" if you rap it. Also, not too loud. A little resonance, but not intrusive and if you play music, you can't hear it.

I guess you could cut it out at first and see how you like it. Then go from there. I doubt that just cutting the resonators out could cost that much.

Tabasco · #5 11-25-2003, 05:28 PM

Cut mine out and hardly notice the difference in sound..........need to spring for the Renntech rear mufflers for that mellow sound

BauhnBuster · #6 11-26-2003, 02:58 PM

There is a big thread going on about this product. It replaces the stock resonator. I believe (but I am not 100% sure) that the exhaust for the 500E is the same as yours. The first post talks about trhe car really waking up! A gear change in your 400E would help as well. Good luck.

Shaun

Mike400E · #7 11-26-2003, 08:49 PM

Bahnburner:

Where did you say this "Time Valve Y pipe" thread was? I did a search and came up with nothing. I think I am going to try taking out the resonator and see how that sounds and feels. I have found a local muffler shop who will do a straight 2-1 pipe for me for $150. Sounds pretty good to me. Are you talking about something different?

BauhnBuster · #8 11-26-2003, 08:58 PM

Quote:

I think I am going to try taking out the resonator and see how that sounds and feels. I have found a local muffler shop who will do a straight 2-1 pipe for me for $150. Sounds pretty good to me.

This is exactly what the Time Valve Y pipe is except for around $300-$350. Do a search for Timevalve Y pipe in the Hotrods forum. paperchase started the thread with "Timevalve Y-Pipe Installed Today"

I would like to post the link but I am too computer illiterate. Good luck. Sounds like your exhaust guy might be the man to do the job. You will see when you read the thread....

Shaun

Mike400E · #9 11-27-2003, 12:24 AM

Thanks Shaun!

Sounds like the Timevalve product is basically just a prefabed "ypipe" they have designed for the 'Benz. I would think any muffler shop could take a 2 into 1 pipe and bend it to fit, which is what I think my shop is planning to do. May not be a huge improvement, but a good first step. Maybe a freeer flowing muffler to follow.

BauhnBuster · #10 11-27-2003, 12:31 AM

I think your exhaust guy can do it like he quoted Mike. Apparently the gains are quite noticable because of the weight and free flow exhaust. I have a client who works at a shop and he will be taking a look at my exhaust as well. I am leaning towards dual pipes from the manifolds into the cats. From there, dual out into a performance muffler with dual in/out. Depending on cash, the y pipe might be good enough. Mike, look at doing gears in your car as well, especially if you do a lot of city driving. Bergwerks does it and that would really wake your 400 up. Cheers and keep the board posted.

Shaun

Mike400E · #11 12-06-2003, 06:55 PM

Well guys, sometimes things work, and sometimes they don't.

I had a local muffler shop take out my resonator and replace it with a "Y" pipe they fabricated. I find virtually no difference in sound or performance. There might be a tiny bit of a throatier sound when fully on the throttle, and a miniscule bit better response, but definitely not worth the $200! If you were going to replace the stock muffler as well, I might consider it since there might be a symbiotic advantage. The 500E resonator must be more restrictive.

Oh well, live and learn...........

Now on to lowering springs and a new rear dif!

90free400e · #12 12-07-2003, 12:24 AM

I have a 1993 400e, and asked my mechanic wheather or not a Y-Pipe would help. He said that the exaust system is straight through, the only thing the mufflers have in them is sound baffling. I do have a new rear R-1 racing DTM muffler, and the engine does seem like it revs faster. The best exaust modification you could do to any 124 chassis would be headers, as the stock mercedes manifold is very restrictive. I have seen gains of 37 horsepower just by getting custom headers but on a E420 -- but it cost the guy 1000 dollars. Good luck...