280ce loud exhaust

[mbenz280ce]

Ever since I finished my 280ce a couple months ago I've been trying to get the exhaust note in the right range. I don't want a stock exhaust but I want something with a sport sound to it. I've tried a couple different muffler set ups and it's still too loud. My latest attempt is going to be a catalytic converter that will be added. Has anyone changed there stock mufflers for something else and if so what did you use? Also how loud is it compared to the stocker? Thanks

[Mike Murrell]

Originally Posted by mbenz280ce

My latest attempt is going to be a catalytic converter that will be added.

Catalytic converters are pricey - even the discounted versions. That's a lot of $$$ to spend for a sporty sound, but to each his own.

If your car is a pre-CAT era vehicle I would wonder what affect adding a CAT would have on overall performance.

I recently replaced a rotted out center muffler on my MB + new rear muffler. My concerns were the opposite of yours. I didn't want to end up with an MB that sound like a '68 Chevy with glass packs. Fortunately the ANSA system I used retained the stock sound.

[mbenz280ce]

My car is a 85 euro model and the exhaust did have a catalytic converter but I think it was added to meet emission standards when it was imported. I couldn't use any of my stock components besides the piping so I used a chambered muffler up front and a x-crossover style muffler in the rear and it's just a little louder than I would like. I'm assuming a catalytic converter in place of the first muffler should make it a little bit quieter and as for performance I guess I won't now until I do it. I just love the sound of that m110 when I'm going through the gears but when it's to loud long trips aren't pleasant I'm just looking for that in-between area.

[Mighty190]

Dynomax sells a straight through muffler you can get in stainless. Its on summit as pn 17537 we have it on a M103 and its one of the quieter cars on track and my Nissan with a Honda rice pipe is far louder. Would recommend for noise reasons. It does drone a bit at 3k and doesn't do much to tune the exhaust note however. If I were to run this on the street I would definitely add a resonator. The resonator does tend to cut out the high notes though so if you want something that screams a bit more you typically have to live with the drone or consult an acoustics engineer.