Exhaust dillema
 

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I searched through the archives for proper installation of the center muffler on my w126 1988 300SEL car and ran into some threads that made me rethink. I took my car to a local exhaust shop so they could lift the car up so I could better see where the leak was at. I easily found it since it was the only rusted part on the system. The two pipes in the begininig of the center muffler were severly rusty and had cracks and eroded areas at the top of them... this caused a loud noise that bugged me and made me feel embarassed driving down the road. Anyways... I asked the shop if they would do the work(put the muffler on) if I brought in the part. The man said no... that I would have to buy it through them. So I asked for an estimate.... and was surprised with a $796.95 price for JUST THE CENTER MUFFLER. I laughed and said no thanks. I checked out fastlane and other online stores for prices and they all seem to be in the $300 range more or less. Being a thrifty, yet smart, college student... I kept looking for another source untill I found a gentleman in Indiana that had some new center mufflers for sale and has a center muffler for my car at $198 shipped. Feeling as though thats the best price I could find on the part... I began to research on how to and what tools I would need to do the job myself.

I stumbled across this thread... http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?threadid=83033&highlight=w126+center+muffler

same problem.. same situation... same car, albeit my car is 6 inches longer. He simply got rid of the center muffler and connected pipes from the cat to the rear muffler. There were some complaining that its wrong.. and some that praised the removal. This got me into the dillema.

There are 2 things I want .... no loud obnoxious noise from the muffler, and doing so with least possible dollar amount.

Any insights?:D :cool:

TTT

Just a thought but what would it cost to have a shop bend you up a new system, useing the old cat, but say just with a new Flowmaster muffler? It might sound cool. If it were me I'd just eliminate the center muffler, you can alwalys install one later if you don't like the sound.

If the problem is really as localized as it sounds, consider ordering just new gaskets and bolts, and taking it to a welding shop for repair. You may get several more years out of it.

I would be concerned that the induction system might get 'confused' with different backpressure characteristics if you removed the muffler, though I do not really know. Car would probably be louder too.

My cats are good.. and my rear muffler has been put on prior to me purchasing the car. The center muffler is original and is causing the problem, so I am not planning on buying some aftermarket performance enhancing muffler.... I want it to be stock and QUIETE... I hate rumbling sounds that make it sound like a motorcycle.

The problem is.. the exhaust shop said that since both pipes in the begining are TOTALLY rusted, all the way to the actual center muffler, it would be hard to attach any pipes and said I am better of getting a new replacement. My technician told me the exact same thing.