Timevalve muffler options

[jeffc280sl]

Timevalve has told me as an option they can provide straight through perforated tubes inside each muffler.  They would not have OEM style staggered ID reductions and would be louder than their standard system.  Will speak with them on Tuesday to get more info.  Anyone have experience with this option?  My current system is stock and at this point it is pretty loud.  I suspect the mufflers are basically hollow.  I'm looking for a sporty sound versus a luxury quiet stealthy sound.  Thoughts?

Thank you

Jeff C.
1970 280SL 4-speed

[Tom]

Jeff,

I installed the standard Time Valve stainless exhaust and switched it out to the stock system.  In my view, the stock unit is plenty sporty and throaty sounding.  I found the standard Time Valve much too loud for my liking.  You may find that the even louder Time Valve unit over their standard unit would be too loud.

1971 280sl Tunis Beige Metallic (restored & enhanced)
1971 280sl Tobacco Brown (low mileage stock)
1970 280sl Medium Metallic Blue Beige Interior (project car)

[Lilly]

I installed a TimeValve SS exhaust system onto my Pagoda about twenty years ago...Its note is fitting for the roadsters we drive and it turns women's heads when they hear it.
Don't remember what the OEM exhaust sounded like until it had rusted through...And then it was so loud I could not hear my female passengers asking me to slow down when I drove thru the hills and passes.

[George Des]

I agree with Tom. I've got the TV system and it is loud. I also am not particularly hap[py with the fit. The downpipes on mine could be slightly longer to give a little more clearance under the passenger floor. As a result, I get some vibration through the floor especially when the weather and the system are cold. I've played around with this fit and just can't get it right. I even welded in a stainless steel plate to draw the two pipes further together and cut down on some of the vibration--it did---but not quite enough. I also had some problems with the fit of the rear muffler as well. If I had confidence that a stock system would last more than just a few years, I'd probably consider going back to stock. Others have not had this problem so it may be that the individual cars are ever so slightly different that it affects the overall fit. Unfortunately with the TV SS system you do not have all the adjustment points with the stock system because it actually is made up of less pieces.

George Des

[bpossel]

Hi All,

What are your current experiences with exhaust system replacements?
Timevalve stainless, other?

Thanks!
Bob

bpossel  (Memphis, TN.)
'71 280SL  /  '97 E320

[hill]

quote:Originally posted by George Des

I agree with Tom. I've got the TV system and it is loud. I also am not particularly hap[py with the fit. The downpipes on mine could be slightly longer to give a little more clearance under the passenger floor. As a result, I get some vibration through the floor especially when the weather and the system are cold. I've played around with this fit and just can't get it right. I even welded in a stainless steel plate to draw the two pipes further together and cut down on some of the vibration--it did---but not quite enough. I also had some problems with the fit of the rear muffler as well. If I had confidence that a stock system would last more than just a few years, I'd probably consider going back to stock. Others have not had this problem so it may be that the individual cars are ever so slightly different that it affects the overall fit. Unfortunately with the TV SS system you do not have all the adjustment points with the stock system because it actually is made up of less pieces.

George Des

I had a couple of tabs welded in also, it stopped the vibration and the droning . The TV system is louder. But as a kid at heart I like it and it's not that it is loud enough to set off car alarms.

Happy Benzing
Darryl, Hill
350 SL4.5 #60
1967 250sl "California"

[Shvegel]

I think I bought Toms timevalve system. It was the deal of the century. It used to be a little loud but seems to have mellowed over time or I am losing my hearing.

At the risk of being branded a hack I used to stuff an old sock into one tailpipe on long trips which quieted it down quite a lot.

[hauser]

I have the Time Valve on my current 280sl and I also had one on my previous 250sl.  I wouldn't have it any other way.

1969 280sl 5 spd
Gainesville, Fl.

[Richard Madison]

Patrick (Shvegal):

 

quote:...I used to stuff an old sock into one tailpipe on long trips...

Maybe the sock kept the noise down but didn't it increase the possibility of getting exhaust fumes backed up into the car?

Did you fall asleep a long on long trips?

Richard M, NYC

[jeffc280sl]

I bought the time valve system front to back and like it.  Everything fit well with plenty of overlap at the joining sections. It does take some work to get everything aligned.  Thankfully that involves moving sections front and back untill the system is where you want it.  It hangs very nice and level with no vibration or clanging due to interferance.  Other than the SS part the first muffler comes with front and rear pipes welded in place.  This is especially important for getting the right clearance with the floor, connecting to the rear muffler and getting the system to hand correctly.  The pipes go from the front muffler at a very difficult compound angle under the rear axle to the rear muffler. If this joint isn't aligned correctly with any other system you will have problems.  Having this most important joint fixed and welded in place to a factory jig makes this job a DIY. It is a little loud and I suppose it sounds a bit raspy.  I wish is sounded like a Ferrari but no such luck. (Maybe its not the mufflers fault)  I did speak with them about the mufflers and they are stainless steel inside as well as outside.  I did not use the regular u shaped clamps that tend to crimp steel systems in place forever preferring to go with band type stainless steel clamps.,  They work great and I can take it off if I need to without too much trouble.

Download Attachment: frmuffler.JPG
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Jeff C.
1970 280SL 4-speed

[bpossel]

Jeff (and others that have a TimeValve system),

Did you guys use clamps between the joints, or just slip the system together?
Also, are the end pipes diameter small enough to allow for the chrome tips to be used?

Thanks!
Bob

bpossel  (Memphis, TN.)
'71 280SL  /  '97 E320

[dseretakis]

I bought a complete Timevalve exhaust for another car 12 years ago.  It was a 450SEL.  I had to use an exhaust pipe expander to get the ends to slide into on another.  I then used clamps.  The systen did not fit well so I called the company in Plainfield, CT and they told me to drive the car over if I could (I was living in CT at the time).  I drove the car there with the ill fitting exhaust and they, on the spot, started cutting and welding the system until it fit perfectly.  I was impressed with their skill and professionalism.

Dimitri
71 280SL

quote:Originally posted by bpossel

Jeff (and others that have a TimeValve system),

Did you guys use clamps between the joints, or just slip the system together?
Also, are the end pipes diameter small enough to allow for the chrome tips to be used?

Thanks!
Bob

bpossel  (Memphis, TN.)
'71 280SL  /  '97 E320

[Douglas]

quote:Originally posted by bpossel

Jeff (and others that have a TimeValve system),

Did you guys use clamps between the joints, or just slip the system together?
Also, are the end pipes diameter small enough to allow for the chrome tips to be used?

Thanks!
Bob

bpossel  (Memphis, TN.)
'71 280SL  /  '97 E320

Bob,

The system clamps together. As others have commented, it's a decent system. It's most definitely a different sound though. Kind of a hollow, "tubular" sound and, as others have said, it's louder. I believe they'll sell you stainless tips for the ends, but you may also be able to ask them to polish the tips instead.

Douglas Kim
New York
USA

[Nate]

If you're not going OEM, I would highly recommend the Timevalve exhaust.  The complete kit (including chrome tips) was about $800 if I remember correctly (including shipping from CT to CA).  A good muffler shop should be able to install the complete system for $150-$200, depending on what part of the country you reside in.  I chose not to go OEM because I had my entire undercarriage detailed during the restoration and didn't want a rusted-out OEM system detracting from the appearance.

1971 280SL
Arabian Gray

[bpossel]

Thanks Everyone!

Very helpful comments!  I like the idea of the TimeValve based on the look of stainless (no rust) and also the nicest part being that I can install myself and use clamps.  It will be nice working with just the header pipes, installing them on the manifolds, vs trying to twist, bend and maneuver the entire exhaust system up and around, and down and up, etc...  those of you that have removed your system know how hard this is... especially without a lift.
Thanks again!
Bob  

bpossel  (Memphis, TN.)
'71 280SL  /  '97 E320

[mdsalemi]

Bob,

FWIW, I have the Timevalve too and echo the comments made here.  It isn't quite as noisy I suspect however as some say--but definitely different.

Be sure if you order this or any other SS system that you go for the SS mounting kits too--they are sold separately.  Don't know why anyone would use a regular steel kit on a SS system, but just be advised about it.

Should go without saying you need to change all your rubber doughnuts as well.

Michael Salemi
1969 280SL
Signal Red 568G w/Black Leather (Restored)
President, International Stars Section
Mercedes-Benz Club of America

[Mike Hughes]

I just put a TimeValve system on my 230SL last month.  I find the exhaust note to be different from the cobbled up part Midas / part original system with multiple rotted areas that has been on the car for at least the last 20 years.  The tone is deeper at low speeds but quieter at idle and at freeway speeds.  The sound turns heads when tooling along at 15-2500 revs.  The one thing that I miss is the characteristic "exhaust snap" on acceleration, but it is very sporty sounding.

Altogether, I am very satisfied with the fit and sound of the TimeValve system.  The price was reasonable, too!  Get their hanger kit and exhaust tips, as the outside diameter of the pipes seems a little larger and the stock system tips wouldn't fit the new rear muffler pipes.  Also, I had to shorten the rear muffler pipes just a bit so that they didn't stick waaaay out beyond the rear bumper and overrider!

- Mike Hughes  -ô¿ô-
  1966 230SL Auto P/S
  Havanna Brown (408)
  Light Beige (181)
  Cream M-B Tex (121)

[Shvegel]

Richard,
To answer your question no, I didn't experience any ill effects from the "socking".  

For the record I do try to do the "right" thing with my car it's just that sometimes I like to experiment as well.