New Mercedes RHD drive exhaust down pipes

[g2000tpembroke]

Hi not sure if anyone on the forum has purchased new steel down pipes from mercedes I fitted the middle and rear pipes and box about four year’s ago didn’t fit the front and the joined pipes at the time because they weren’t available.
Found out late last year that they had new stock so took the plunge, trying to fit them the pipe from the front manifold is way out if we try and get it in the right position under the car it’s touching the sub frame posted a picture.
We first thought we had the configuration wrong on the two pipes but tried switching them over where they cross but still way out.
Just wondering if someone has a word of advice on what to do next thanks for reading if nothing else.
 Regards Gary Tingle

[Pawel66]

I did for 280SL LHD. Yes, they go very close to the floor (in your case routing is different, I understand). When they are hot, they go down and towards aft a bit, about 1cm, maybe even 1-2cm in the very tail - at least it is what I observed.

I think levelling of the drive train may play a role.

The fit is tight, but it worked perfect in my case - no touching, no noises.

[Duncan200]

Hi Gary,

Here’s a pic of mine looking the other way.

This pic is before I started my restoration.

I have new downpipes but they are yet to be fitted to the car.

It appears your pipe closest to the right wheel needs a little bending to sit right.

Doug

[Duncan200]

Found another pic of the crossover on the manifolds which may help you determine which pipe is which.

[Bshaunessy]

G2000tPembroke
  You definitely have an issue with your down pipes and orientation of same.  You imply you sourced down pipes from Mercedes?  Q? did they not come as a set and already welded to the crossover section ( as this connection, factory welded, sets the horizontal orientation of both the cross over and the crossover connection ( ie level).
   Some pics of old and new that might help ( complete system from down pipe to tail pipe / Buds Benz/ 1970 LHD 280 SL / DIY….tedious job but I have a lift). Old system is on left, new on right….pre install…bench mock up to get angles right.
   

[Bshaunessy]

More pics

[g2000tpembroke]

Thanks all for the reply’s the were two individual pipes from my local Mercedes dealer we did manage to fit everything up but we had quite a rasp from the exhaust at  3000 rpm especially when going up through the gears we thought it would be an easy fix but failed to find what was causing it. When taking it off we could the see how much tension it was under and we were concerned about the manifolds. I did take it to my local tyre and exhaust centre when we were trying to find the rasp and they were stumped even on the lift the couldn’t come up with the cause, unfortunately they only fit new run of the mill systems so I think I need to find a proper exhaust fabricator to put some better shape into the one pipe.
Thanks again for taking the time to reply.
Regards Gary Tingle

[Duncan200]

Bshaunessy

The RHD engine pipes are different to the LHD.

The engine pipes and the crossover are separate pieces because the engine pipes on a RHD go forward to clear the steering box, then run under the front lower control arm. Even the exhaust manifolds point forward as per one of my earlier pics.

Two completely different setups.

These are just one of the joys that can be experienced by owning a RHD 113.

Doug

[Pawel66]

RHD set up is the one on the bottom part of the drawing. Upper one is the LHD.

[Bshaunessy]

Duncan200:
 Very interesting fact that LHD and RHD downpipes are completely different.  Thx for that ( in case I ever get a RHD Pagoda!)

[g2000tpembroke]

Thanks Pawel I have seen the diagram but unfortunately they don’t sit like that they cross over going down so six sits on the left side when the meet the joined pipe, I if I had known the problem we have had with the steel exhaust from Mercedes apart from the cost I think now I would go with stainless.
Definitely a problem with the bends in the one side.

[Duncan200]

Hello All,

Just reviving this thread as I too purchased genuine Mercedes RHD Engine Pipes, albeit 3 years ago and have only just gotten to the point of fitting them.

As you can see from the pics, mine are actually worse and not only are they sitting vertical, they are pointing at the gearbox.

The last pic shows where the crossover pipe sits in relation to where they are sitting.

I’ve sent an email to the dealer I purchased them off, only because I’m friends with the warranty administrator, but I’m not holding my breath I’ll get a favourable response.

My advice to anyone looking to purchase the high quality, precision manufactured OE RHD Engine Pipes from Mercedes, DON’T!

[Pawel66]

Really sorry to hear that...

I bought 280Sl LHD from Mercedes and they were a perfect fit...

[g2000tpembroke]

Hi Duncan

Definitely a real pain the only way we managed to get ours to line up was to cut the front pipe at the top next to the manifold and turn it and weld it back wasn’t a lot out but a fraction at the top threw it out a long way underneath..