W126 V8 Dual Exhaust Upgrade Question - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Litton · #1 01-28-2003, 11:40 PM

Can a 126 V8 be retrofitted with euro style dual exhaust without to much difficlulty. If so, with dual cats would it meet federal smog specs. Are the US and Euro exhast manifolds the same?

Thanks for your help, we have been discusing this topic in another forum but the EXPERTS are over here.

Again, thanks for any assistance.

Litton
'90 420 SEL

Rocket · #2 01-29-2003, 12:01 AM

The only V-8s that originally had dual exhaust were pre 86 models from outside the US. Those grey market cars had cast-iron manifolds that exited on either side of the trans. and there was plenty of room to fabricate cats. into the system.As far as being legal I doubt most states would allow modification fron the original configuration. If it only has to pass a sniff test then I'm sure a system could be made that would pass.
Starting with the 86 models the left manifold crossed over the trans except the SLs which crossed under the bellhsg. and merged into one large cat setup which became dual after the cat.
The best way would be to find AMG headers that were made by another co. Sebring? maybe and of course were big bucks. One more thought, the port shape on the 420-560 motors was offset and would match poorly with a 380-500 manifold. Good Luck!

grey500se · #3 01-29-2003, 01:33 AM

I have a Euro grey market, my original exhaust did have two individual manifolds and dual all the way back, the cars were retrofitted near the trans, I later took the cats off and had the Euro downpipes, new cost $80 each, then my engine went bad, I put an American exhaust single, no cat or resonator is needed for Euro since mine is waived from all 50 state emissions

keithed · #4 01-29-2003, 11:29 AM

Reentech offers european stainless headers and down pipes and stainless mufflers, but the 3000.00 plus price tag for 25 hp gain does'nt seem worth it to me. Your model may or may not be available.

Keith