Exhaust System

[dirtrack49]

Hi all,

Back working on my 1966 230SL and I am concerned about my exhaust set up.

I know from having some history on this car that some foreign car, so called Mercedes experts in Los Angeles, replaced the rear muffler and hangers on this car several years ago. After further inspection, I find that the muffler is an Anza muffler made in Italy. Obviously an aftermarket item.

It appears that the exhaust pipes were cut off about mid car and someone did a poor job of welding pipe extensions to the rear muffler. I am guessing that there might have been a center muffler where they cut out the pipes?

My question, did the 230SL have only one muffler, or did all of the SL series from 1963 to 1971 come with two mufflers?

As a side note, this car is rather loud. At least I would consider it loud for this era of vehicle.

Thanks for any help.

Tom L.
66 230SL Auto

[rjmarco]

Hi, Tom.  I had a similar experience with my 1965 230 SL.  It was very noisy inside while driving when I first got the car.  It took some time to discover that it came with aftermarket exhaust installed.  It was a poor fit and found that at some point, one of the headers had been cut short to enable fit-up.  The fit-up was poor and part of the exhaust was in direct contact with the passenger floor board.  Thus, it transmitted exhaust noisy directly into the interior of the car. 

I was able to secure a used header from a source in LA.  I had it mated up with a new MBZ exhaust system.  I couldn't be happier with the end result including a much more reasonable noise level in the interior.  Hope this is of some help.

[cfm65@me.com]

Hi Tom,
Yes, it should have another muffler in the centre and no, they are not noisy. The Pagoda is just another Mercedes Benz, they should sound like any other 230S, 250S or SE, 280S or SE of the sixties. However, you do sometimes find that aftermarket stainless steel tail pipes might have a different tone.
Google SLS or Niemoeller or any other parts vendor for images of the 230 SL exhaust system. I have attached a screan shot off the SLS site.
Regards
Chris

[dirtrack49]

Rich and Chris, thank you for your input.

I guess I will need to decide if I should get another Anza middle muffler or purchase the Mercedes set up. First I will need to determine if the front part of the exhaust system is still salvageable.

Thanks again,
Tom L.