SLK AMG 55 X Pipe Decision time
Discussion
Hi All
I've had an SLK AMG 55 since the beginning of this summer and really enjoy it but just lately
have felt the need for it to be a little louder under acceleration and at tickover whilst not being too much louder on a motorway cruise.
So - I am looking at an X pipe conversion at CKS in Watford.
Guess its a given that the resonator will be removed but what about the secondary cats.
Are they needed for emissions - is their removal going to make MOT time difficult.
Is there really any BHP gained by their removal?
Any pictures you have may help.
Thanks
I've had an SLK AMG 55 since the beginning of this summer and really enjoy it but just lately
have felt the need for it to be a little louder under acceleration and at tickover whilst not being too much louder on a motorway cruise.
So - I am looking at an X pipe conversion at CKS in Watford.
Guess its a given that the resonator will be removed but what about the secondary cats.
Are they needed for emissions - is their removal going to make MOT time difficult.
Is there really any BHP gained by their removal?
Any pictures you have may help.
Thanks
Edited by rev-erend on Wednesday 25th November 09:15
Hello, I've an R171 SLK55 and this mod is an absolute MUST !
If it's suitable i'd recommend Infinity Exhausts in Bristol (actually on outskirts of Bristol Just off the M4 to the east of Bristol).
If you're concerned with too much noise you can remove the 2nd cats first, and leave in the resonator box. i acquired my car in this way from previous owner but for me it still was a bit subdued (although huge improvement over standard) so I went to infinity and whipped out the resonator box and put in an x-pipe. More like it !
there is no drone at all when the cruise control is on, yet touch the throttle and wey hey. As you'd expect a V8 to be.
Obviously noise levels are super personal. i'd advise Remove the 2nd cats 1st, with straight piping - this releases a nice bit of noise but not loads. See how you get on for a month or so, then remove the resonator and x-pipe it later if required. this way you get to nibble away at the noise restriction in peice meal. The difference when you remove the resonator is very noticeable. but in a good way ! (for me).
I'd also advise keeping all the parts cut out, so you can sell them with the car if you ever move it on, new owener can just have them welded back in. For even more kudos you could have infinity fabricate flanges so you can bolt in and bolt out OEM parts and the custom pipework.
Some pics of mine. You wont regret it !
CKS are double the prices of Infinity, upon the research i did summer 2014. The quality of Infinity's work is excellent. They have done tonnes of X-pipes and associated work. I've had no problems MOT wise with emmissions since 2nd cats are out, and neither have UK Forum members on SLK world either. Not much BHP gain, however mine has had the eurocharged re-map, K&N's and the exhaust work done and is at 400BHP. Nice. Eurocharged in Watford (Not CKS!) do the re-map, i'd recommend this 100%. makes the car feel alot livelier/responsive.
Before:
After:
After:
If it's suitable i'd recommend Infinity Exhausts in Bristol (actually on outskirts of Bristol Just off the M4 to the east of Bristol).
If you're concerned with too much noise you can remove the 2nd cats first, and leave in the resonator box. i acquired my car in this way from previous owner but for me it still was a bit subdued (although huge improvement over standard) so I went to infinity and whipped out the resonator box and put in an x-pipe. More like it !
there is no drone at all when the cruise control is on, yet touch the throttle and wey hey. As you'd expect a V8 to be.
Obviously noise levels are super personal. i'd advise Remove the 2nd cats 1st, with straight piping - this releases a nice bit of noise but not loads. See how you get on for a month or so, then remove the resonator and x-pipe it later if required. this way you get to nibble away at the noise restriction in peice meal. The difference when you remove the resonator is very noticeable. but in a good way ! (for me).
I'd also advise keeping all the parts cut out, so you can sell them with the car if you ever move it on, new owener can just have them welded back in. For even more kudos you could have infinity fabricate flanges so you can bolt in and bolt out OEM parts and the custom pipework.
Some pics of mine. You wont regret it !
CKS are double the prices of Infinity, upon the research i did summer 2014. The quality of Infinity's work is excellent. They have done tonnes of X-pipes and associated work. I've had no problems MOT wise with emmissions since 2nd cats are out, and neither have UK Forum members on SLK world either. Not much BHP gain, however mine has had the eurocharged re-map, K&N's and the exhaust work done and is at 400BHP. Nice. Eurocharged in Watford (Not CKS!) do the re-map, i'd recommend this 100%. makes the car feel alot livelier/responsive.
Before:
After:
After:
Edited by rgv250ads on Wednesday 25th November 14:53
Edited by rgv250ads on Wednesday 25th November 14:56
Edited by rgv250ads on Wednesday 25th November 15:05
Edited by rgv250ads on Wednesday 25th November 15:09
NO.
http://mbworld.org/forums/general-mercedes-discuss...
I have also had a very poor experience dealing with the owner - who believes that nothing is his fault and everything he does is a favour to you. Including the stuff he is obliged to by law.
Go somewhere else like your life depended on it.
http://mbworld.org/forums/general-mercedes-discuss...
I have also had a very poor experience dealing with the owner - who believes that nothing is his fault and everything he does is a favour to you. Including the stuff he is obliged to by law.
Go somewhere else like your life depended on it.
I'll add that you should look into the sounds made by Xor H-pipes
X gives a higher noise, H gives a deeper noise
Neither really gives you any increase in power just an increase in noise.
I have an H pipe on an audi v6, tried divorced pipes (no join up) - no good, tried H pipe - sounds waaaay better.
X gives a higher noise, H gives a deeper noise
Neither really gives you any increase in power just an increase in noise.
I have an H pipe on an audi v6, tried divorced pipes (no join up) - no good, tried H pipe - sounds waaaay better.
Well watford is 25 miles for me and bristol is 120. Still went to infinity and this is one of them times where the 2 hour drive really isn't a negative.
alternatively try your local MOT place for advice and recommendations for stainless fabricators. Whatever u decide to do, good luck with it and post progress!
alternatively try your local MOT place for advice and recommendations for stainless fabricators. Whatever u decide to do, good luck with it and post progress!
Infinity do come highly recommended - I've seen some of their work (in pictures) and it is impressive.
I've spoken to CKS too, one phonecall was enough to put me off bothering to visit them.
But for your exhaust, realistically any good exhaust fabricator should be able to sort this for you - find someone with a good reputation locally and have a chat, they should be able to advise.
Personally, I think the X-Pipe and (Secondary) decat is too loud (but I'm getting old!) Have a look at this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDcWHHRHNDg
I've spoken to CKS too, one phonecall was enough to put me off bothering to visit them.
But for your exhaust, realistically any good exhaust fabricator should be able to sort this for you - find someone with a good reputation locally and have a chat, they should be able to advise.
Personally, I think the X-Pipe and (Secondary) decat is too loud (but I'm getting old!) Have a look at this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDcWHHRHNDg
- Warning* - some choice language in that clip!
I went to infinity based on feedback from this forum and didn't regret it despite being a 250 mile round trip.
infinity specialise in custom exhausts and quality of welding was superb..compare this to the X pipe on CKS's website..chalk and cheese. I've never used CKS before but all the negative reviews put me off
regarding secondary cats..you will still pass the MOT with these removed and the X pipe.
One word of caution..if you are going to consider further tuning (specifically exhaust headers) don't remove the secondary cats. Why? I learnt to my cost when having a kleemann headers installed this means taking out the mahoosive primary cats and essentially running straight through pipes. This makes the car really loud (but not in a good way). I had to take it back to infinity to add a small custom silencer and some 100 cell sports cats the next day!
infinity specialise in custom exhausts and quality of welding was superb..compare this to the X pipe on CKS's website..chalk and cheese. I've never used CKS before but all the negative reviews put me off
regarding secondary cats..you will still pass the MOT with these removed and the X pipe.
One word of caution..if you are going to consider further tuning (specifically exhaust headers) don't remove the secondary cats. Why? I learnt to my cost when having a kleemann headers installed this means taking out the mahoosive primary cats and essentially running straight through pipes. This makes the car really loud (but not in a good way). I had to take it back to infinity to add a small custom silencer and some 100 cell sports cats the next day!
MattyB_ said:
Infinity do come highly recommended - I've seen some of their work (in pictures) and it is impressive.
I've spoken to CKS too, one phonecall was enough to put me off bothering to visit them.
But for your exhaust, realistically any good exhaust fabricator should be able to sort this for you - find someone with a good reputation locally and have a chat, they should be able to advise.
Personally, I think the X-Pipe and (Secondary) decat is too loud (but I'm getting old!) Have a look at this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDcWHHRHND
I think this car has had all cats out it is very loud and seems louder than mine.I've spoken to CKS too, one phonecall was enough to put me off bothering to visit them.
But for your exhaust, realistically any good exhaust fabricator should be able to sort this for you - find someone with a good reputation locally and have a chat, they should be able to advise.
Personally, I think the X-Pipe and (Secondary) decat is too loud (but I'm getting old!) Have a look at this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDcWHHRHND
- Warning* - some choice language in that clip!
mine is not this loud and ive heard a few other '55s with 2nd cats out and they've not been that loud as this clip.
I ordered an X pipe a few years ago from CKS for my C63
Had to be the worst bits of pipes laying around in the workshop "welded" together.
Awful product, was embarrassed asking my indie to weld it in
The product was poor, no sleeves, lots of very rough joins etc.
When I removed it to sell the car it just went straight in the bin.
I wouldn't recommend them, although it did sound better!!!
Had to be the worst bits of pipes laying around in the workshop "welded" together.
Awful product, was embarrassed asking my indie to weld it in
The product was poor, no sleeves, lots of very rough joins etc.
When I removed it to sell the car it just went straight in the bin.
I wouldn't recommend them, although it did sound better!!!
Hi All
In the end - I cancelled my slot at CKS and had the modification done at EMP.
Very pleased with the work.
I had the resonator removed and left the secondary cats in place. Now have an X pipe
that sounds great.
Louder than standard, quite when cruising and a bit louder under acceleration.
Just what I wanted and half the price that CKS wanted.
In the end - I cancelled my slot at CKS and had the modification done at EMP.
Very pleased with the work.
I had the resonator removed and left the secondary cats in place. Now have an X pipe
that sounds great.
Louder than standard, quite when cruising and a bit louder under acceleration.
Just what I wanted and half the price that CKS wanted.
rev-erend said:
Yes agree the bark on start up is great for waking up the neighbours.
Cant say I notice the MPG being any worse.
Rev,Cant say I notice the MPG being any worse.
It's a Mercedes - not a SEAC!
How's it going mate? - long time no speak.
Any regrets about the X-Pipe? I'm contemplating doing something with the exhaust on the SLS but not too sure what. I want the loud bark on startup and the general tone being a bit louder and... "basier" but don't want any droning at Motorway speeds.
Decisions, decisions, decisions....
Gassing Station | Mercedes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff