W126.. Anyone ever eliminate the center muffler????

[jay3000]

My center muffler is rusted out where the pipes go in.. I've repaired it several times with putty, and I'm not going to try again.. Even though it only costs about a quarter, and takes 2 minutes.. I also don't plan on spending $350.00 to replace it right now..

My master plan is to hack out the center muffler with a reciprocating saw, and use stainless flexible tubing to bridge the gap .. I wonder how much louder it will be?? I also wonder if I will see any performance gains??? That would be cool.. Anone see a reason why this won't work as a semi-long term solution?? I'll only have about $15.00 in it, and a little labor..


Thanks,
Jay

[stevebfl]

It will sound like ***** and won't do nothin for performance. Aside from being technically disgusting I can't say much else about it.

[william rogers]

I removed mine on my 86 Euro 500 SE that has Euro 420 engine .It had rust holes holes, I bought a tailpipe expander to expand american size pipe and replaced muffler with two sections of exaust pipe. Yes it is a bit louder but being raised with american muscle cars it's to my liking, and at cruising speed very pleasant but might be on the loud side if you enjoy a silent auto as probably most MB owners do.......
William Rogers.......

[jay3000]

Originally posted by stevebfl
It will sound like ***** and won't do nothin for performance. Aside from being technically disgusting I can't say much else about it.

Steve, I've read a great many of your posts, and I value your opinion, and your knowledge.. But I don't understand what is "technically disgusting" about a system where the exhaust actually exits at the rear of the car?? "technically disgusting", is a center muffler that leaks, and the cost ot the center muffler..

"technically disgusting", is half a tube of muffler cement packed in the hole of the center muffler

I don't have $350.00 or more, (just a guess, probably more), to spend right now, so which is the better of the two evils??

So far, this Benz doesn't do anything better than my Park Ave Ultra with 50K more miles on it. With the exception of opening my wallet, that is..

[placo1]

Not sure how long a flexible stainless hose would hold up. If the rest of your exhaust is in good condition why don't you spend $75 and have a muffler shop weld a piece in there? A permanent solution that won't be technically disgusting. Yes it will be louder but that's a matter of personal preference.

Kind of OT: I remember a high school buddy installing flexible stainless exhaust on his Cougar from catalytics to the rear of the car. Well one day he decided to change his spark plug wires and didn't install them correctly. Goes to start up the car and BANG!!!..........car backfires leaving the exhaust exiting the side of the car. I guess that's what you get when you half ass something.

[jay3000]

placo1, That's the idea.. If I like the sound, and don't mind the center muffler missing, I'll have something more permanent done later.. If I don't like it, then it's easy enough to put the muffler back in later.. BTW the stainless tubing I have is PLENTY heavy duty. It would probably out last the rest of the system.. I'm not convinced that a welded pipe would be a significant improvement..

[jay3000]

Well. It's gonna happen in the next few days.. I'm tired of hearing it leak. If I'm happy with the way it sounds, I'll probably leave the flexible tubing on until it becomes a problem.. It's stainless steel, and it's pretty heavy duty.. So, I don't expect to messing with it soon..

Though it would seem, by making the exhaust flow better, there would be a performance gain, however slight it may be...

[stevebfl]

Jay,

You are right that getting the exhaust to the back of the car is the important thing. Whether we disagree about liking the noise means nothing.

A flexible SS pipe rigged into the exhaust to me is technically disgusting, but we may be of a different mind technically. I am bound by my trade. I was welding MB exhausts with the car on jack stands 30 years ago.

[jay3000]

Steve.. I agree that you could never do that for a customer, and feel good about it. And I agree with you that it certainly isn't a high tech repair.. It's shade tree stuff, but it's better than leaving it like it is.. And it's easy to un-do..

The good news is that I solved the cutting off problem the other day by re-soldering the fuel pump relay.. That's something you probably couldn't do for a customer either.. You would need to replace it, or risk a come back.. It's different when it's your own car..

[afmcorp]

this has nothing to do with the original idea of the post......but...."technically disgusting" that is the best one i've heard this week lol

i'm still laughing like a fool. thanks for laugh

[DanielW]

I drove a very quiet 300E for 3 years. PO had a straight same dia. pipe welded in. No one could have heard any real difference in loudness. It was a very quiet car at all speeds. I purchased it without recognizing that there was supposed to be a center muffler ! ( First MB) Drove it from 132K to 200K with no troubles, traded it in to a MB dealer whose used car appraisal guy did not mention it either.

Go for it, I suppose the cat. does quite a bit of the noise damping anyway.
DanielW

[Cap'n Carageous]

I removed the center muffler on my 89 300E a couple of years ago. I had a muffler shop weld in a 'Y' pipe and it looks technically disgusting, but for $75 it did save me some money. The bottom of my car is not exactly what I consider an art gallery. So far as I know, the only people who will see it is an occassional tech ands gawkers if I ever flip it!
Removing mine made absolutely no difference in the tone of the exhaust that I could hear. Earlier this year I punched out my cats as a last ditch effort to cure a gas guzzling condition. There is a noticeable noise increase now but it has more to do with that irritating resonance at low to midrange rpm than actual loudness.
Oh, by the way, I couldn't perceive ANY improvement in performance after the center muffler hit the scrap pile. My wallet felt OK though!

[jay3000]

Thanks Cap'n.. I have a feeling my wallet will feel better too..



I'll let you know on Sunday..

Jay

[mbtjc]

I had a whole new exhaust put on mine and left out the center muffler. I left the stock rear muffler. I love it. I wouldn't change it. Mine has a very finished look since it was a whole new exhaust. Perfect sound. Nice rumble when you take off and/or get on it and quiet when cruising at a constant speed. I say go for it. I would take it to an exhaust shop, though, and have them do it for a more thorough job. Couldn't cost much.

[jay3000]

I had decided to take it to a shop.. But, after two calls to two different shops (midas, and Mineke) both were unwilling to remove the center muffler, and replace it with pipes. They said they would not alter the exhast from its' stock configuration for fear of reduced back pressure, and possible engine damage..

Oh well.. Out with the all saw

$20.00 worth of parts, and about an hour later, it was running as quietly as ever, and weighed about 25 lbs less...

I cannot tell any difference in noise levels, or any performance gains whatsoever.. It was a quick, simple, durable repair that will likely stand the test of time.. I don't expect to have any problems with it in the forseeable future. I took less time than it would have taken me to drive to the muffler shop, and back. And, if I ever need to repair my repair, it will only take a few minutes..

Parts you will need..
2 adapters 1 7/8ID to 1 3/4OD (the pipes leading in are 1 7/8)
2 clamps 1 7/8
4 clamps 1 3/4
4 feet 1 3/4 flexible stailess tubing..
Flat black barbecue spray paint... I painted the whole exhaust while I was under there..

It's not as pretty as a welded pipe, but it has its' advantages..

PS.. A compact reciprocating saw, and a good blade will be helpful...

Jay