stainless steel exhaust system and coil springs

[winston the browndog]

I am looking for a really good stainless steel exhaust system , can any body recommend one . I am also looking for new coil springs for the front and rear . I am running the alloy aluminum wheels . Thanks for the help , paul

[mmizesko]

timevalve.  excellent.  to fit right, I'd find an experienced guy to line up the pipes to the exhaust manifolds, and have timevalve ship the pipes unwelded (in the middle, to assure a good fit.  a little bit of variance in the pipes can cause a large misfit.

Mike Mizesko
Columbus, OH

[Mike Hughes]

I'll second the Time Valve.  I've had mine for 5-6 years now.  Just be aware that it will be just a bit louder than the factory mild steel system, but not objectionably so.  Make sure that they include the exhaust tips!

[UJJ]

Agree, Time Valve is the way to go. 10 years on my car now, no issues.
Urban

[mmizesko]

Mike,

I don't know about the timevalve exhaust tips, but George at Authentic Classics has great tips, at good prices.  the gauge of the brass is better than the mercedes oem.

Mike Mizesko
Columbus, OH

[mdsalemi]

Mine's 15 years old. Just perfect. Authentic Classic tips.

[Bullethead]

Another endorsement of Timevalve, the system will probably outlive your ownership. Mine is 16 years old and still looks new. They aren't DOM but fit and quality is excellent, great price, and the exhaust note is just sporty enough. As to springs, do they need to be replaced? If you're considering something other than a stock suspension setup, read this thread:

http://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=584.25

[hauser]

I had a SS exhaust system that I thought was a Timevalve but was a Borla.  It didn't quite fit very well so a new Timevalve will take its place.

[jeffc280sl]

I had the time valve system for 10 years or so.  Perfect.  Just replaced rubber donuts.  Keep and eye on these.

I have the progressive springs talked about in the link above.  Also the larger 230 SL sway bar.  Both nice.  Koni shocks on rear.

I think one of the best upgrades was 15 inch wheels and 65 series tires.  Im sure aluminum wheels are nice, 15 inch by any chance?

[UJJ]

I agree 15" rims 205x65 tires did improve the ride considerably.
Urban

[ted280sl]

I. Ought my car 16 years ago and it had an improperly installed Timevalve stainless steel exhaust. It was terrible but, the adjustments were simple.
My system had clamps holding the pipes together. One of the clamps was in contact with the chassis. Heat and vibrations were transmitted to the passenger compartment. Simply rotating the clamp resolved the problem.
The second problem I had involved the connection of the system to the exhaust manifold. The bolts were loose from vibrations. This also lead to the gaskets being burnt by the exhaust gases. The solution was new gaskets and brass nuts. The brass is softer and does not loosen from the vibrations.
My exhaust system has not required additional maintenance since then.
Good luck,
Ted

[Scottcorvette]

I bought a Timevalve system for my car and wasn't impressed, in fact I was so disappointed that after a few months of deliberating I bought a factory system instead, see my comparison here:

http://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=21397.msg171125#msg171125

See reply #308 onward, I didn't think the welding was particularly nice, and I didn't like the look of the mufflers, the edges were really jagged and they aren't a proper oval, it all seemed a bit home made to me. Comparing the two side by side, the pipes entering and leaving the muffler looks to be at slightly different angles too, one of them must be right...

I'm very funny about exhausts, I see so many garbage custom made exhausts on the cars that go through my shop, and I find them very offensive. The Mercedes system looks like a much nicer piece of kit in my opinion, that being said obviously isn't going to last a s long so there's the trade off. I want to sell the Timevalve system but fear the shipping to the USA would make it uneconomical.

[mbzse]

.../...I bought a factory system.../... The Mercedes system looks like a much nicer piece of kit in my opinion.../...

I concur with what you write... See:
http://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=24399.msg174524#msg174524
/Hans S

[ja17]

Nothing like original equipment. However, with the stainless, it lasts a lifetime. Exhaust systems are just too much work to be doing every five or six years. I'll do the extra tweeking on the stainless and put it on my own car, because I plan on doing it once and driving it for a long time.

[114015]

I concur with what you write... See:
http://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=24399.msg174524#msg174524
/Hans S

Same with me.
Only factory original here (because of the nicer, more quiet sound).

Just my 2 cents ...

Achim

[Scottcorvette]

It was more the way the time valve system was made that I found disappointing.  It just seemed very sloppy to me. There's pros and cons to both system I guess, I was expecting something that looked close to stock and well made.....

As an aside we often punch a small hole in the lowest point of the muffler to let water drain out, of course it does create a very small blow in the system but this generally can't beheard over the engine noise, don't know if that may be a good idea on the Mercedes or not.

[Cees Klumper]

I guess it really depends also on the make of the stainless system; I put on mine from Van Dijk jn the Netherlands many years ago and couldn't be happier with the sound and fit. It replaced a mild steel system. I clamped rather than welded the joints which has worked just fine for me.