Author Topic: My Garage Find 280SL - Looking for exhaust system parts  (Read 1601 times)

willthomason

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My Garage Find 280SL - Looking for exhaust system parts
« on: March 31, 2023, 18:02:14 »
Hello fellow travelers!

I'm in a bind. 

The aftermarket exhaust system I purchased is not cutting it quality wise and I'm writing it off as a loss (was not installed).  Unfortunately, my old system has already been removed and I'm in need of OEM header pipes, muffler and resonator to get back on the road. 

Does anyone have any sources or solutions they can share?
What are people's thoughts on stainless steel?

Thanks in advance!

Will



« Last Edit: March 31, 2023, 20:17:37 by willthomason »
1970 280SL Light Ivory 4-speed

MikeSimon

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Re: My Garage Find 280SL - Looking for exhaust system parts
« Reply #1 on: March 31, 2023, 18:56:35 »
Will: What are your plans for the exhaust that "did not cut it"?
1970/71 280SL Automatic
Sandy Beige
Parchment Leather
Power Steering
Automatic
Hardtop
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German specs
3rd owner

Cees Klumper

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Re: My Garage Find 280SL - Looking for exhaust system parts
« Reply #2 on: March 31, 2023, 19:59:32 »
I recommend stainless, I believe people have had good results with the TimeValve system (suggest you do a search on the forums here, plenty of discussion in the past on the topic, in fact one very recent one I can recall). I've had my stainless system now for about 20 years and it has held up very well (came from an aftermarket supplier in Germany, don't know the brand as I bought it lightly used).
Cees Klumper
1969 Mercedes 280 SL automatic
1968 Ford Mustang 302 V8
1961 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Coupe 1600
1962 FIAT 1500S OSCA convertible
1972 Lancia Fulvia Coupe 1.3
1983 Porsche 944 2.5
1990 Ford Bronco II

rwmastel

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Re: My Garage Find 280SL - Looking for exhaust system parts
« Reply #3 on: April 02, 2023, 00:05:57 »
Will,

There's no reason to post this in the Full Members section where limited number of people can see it.  General Discussion or Drivetrain sections make much more sense.
Rodd

Did you search the forum before asking?
2017 C43 AMG
2006 Wrangler Rubicon
1980 450SL
1966 230SL

willthomason

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Re: My Garage Find 280SL - Looking for exhaust system parts
« Reply #4 on: April 03, 2023, 18:05:51 »
Thanks Cees. 

Mike - I'll keep you posted.
1970 280SL Light Ivory 4-speed

Bshaunessy

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Re: My Garage Find 280SL - Looking for exhaust system parts
« Reply #5 on: April 03, 2023, 18:35:57 »
Willthomasen
   I just finished ( DIY…..no credible muffler shops who could do this job anywhere near me) replacing my worn out OEM exhaust system (1970 280 SL auto) with an aftermarket steel system sourced from Buds Benz.  This is a tedious job as you need a hoist for starters and need to be able to take out OEM a exhaust as one piece ( original system was welded end to end).   If your OEM system is already out, you are half ay there!
  The aftermarket BUDS system came as:
(1) new manifold to resonator down pipes with integral crossover.
(2) new resonator…..must fit up to AND weld to down pipes.  Install downpipes and tack weld resonator after carefully lining up….the fitment in this step is very critical .  Remove from car and circumferential weld down pipes to resonator.
(3) resonator to muffler "S" pipes x 2.  These are bolt up both ends using muffler clamps….makes install and fitment much easier.
(4) muffler and twin tail pipes…..bolt up with muffler clamps
(5) BUDS supplied all new hangers, rubber donuts, 50mm clamps, new exhaust bolts and copper alloy nuts and exhaust manifold gaskets (2)….suggest you order4 of these gaskets as you need to install / remove down pipes several times.

While a tedious job, ALL THE AFTERMARKET PIECES FIT WELL TOGETHER.
Some pics of OEM welded system beside new after market bolt up system on bench prior to in car install.

mnahon

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Re: My Garage Find 280SL - Looking for exhaust system parts
« Reply #6 on: April 09, 2023, 15:17:52 »
Will,

Out of curiosity, what was the brand of the aftermarket exhaust that you said you were not happy with?

Meyer
Meyer Nahon
Montreal, Canada
1968 MB 280SL Auto Euro LHD Silver
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Bill Sgro

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Re: My Garage Find 280SL - Looking for exhaust system parts
« Reply #7 on: April 12, 2023, 02:45:39 »
I've had a Time Valve in my 1970 280sl since 1988 and I have been very pleased with it!
1970 280SL
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Cees Klumper

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Re: My Garage Find 280SL - Looking for exhaust system parts
« Reply #8 on: April 12, 2023, 13:37:15 »
P.s. I clamped rather than welded my stainless exhaust components together - works fine, no leaks.
Cees Klumper
1969 Mercedes 280 SL automatic
1968 Ford Mustang 302 V8
1961 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Coupe 1600
1962 FIAT 1500S OSCA convertible
1972 Lancia Fulvia Coupe 1.3
1983 Porsche 944 2.5
1990 Ford Bronco II

jeblack123

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Re: My Garage Find 280SL - Looking for exhaust system parts
« Reply #9 on: April 20, 2023, 23:00:57 »
Good evening.  If you are interested, I have a "never installed" OEM front exhaust pipe for the 280.  On top of that, I am in Albany, Georgia and frequently come to Atlanta which may negate shipping.

I hope I get the attachment thingy done correctly.

James (Eddie) Black

BOTIGER1970

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Re: My Garage Find 280SL - Looking for exhaust system parts
« Reply #10 on: April 21, 2023, 00:18:06 »
Eddie,
If nobody is interested in the front pipe, I might be.  How much are you asking for the pipe?
Thanks,
Mark

mdsalemi

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Re: My Garage Find 280SL - Looking for exhaust system parts
« Reply #11 on: April 21, 2023, 13:26:29 »
I second a positive vote on the Timevalve stainless steel system. I’ve had mine for over 20 years now, and I am pleased with it. Some very nitpicking purists with amazing auditory memory detect a slightly different sound than OEM, but then again, I would imagine anything, but the originally installed muffler is going to have a slightly different sound..mine is very quiet, what can I say?

I think you need to ask Timevalve for our systems. Some years ago he started focusing on Ferrari and other high cost exotics. Essentially the same pieces and parts bent differently but selling for 3x the price.
Michael Salemi
Davidson, North Carolina (Charlotte Area) USA
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jim 56

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Re: My Garage Find 280SL - Looking for exhaust system parts
« Reply #12 on: April 21, 2023, 14:30:16 »
Yes Timevalve great guy to work with helped a lot with advise also shipped right away

rwmastel

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Re: My Garage Find 280SL - Looking for exhaust system parts
« Reply #13 on: April 21, 2023, 15:58:37 »
Good evening.  If you are interested, I have a "never installed" OEM front exhaust pipe for the 280.
I assume that pipe is normal steel, not stainless steel?
Rodd

Did you search the forum before asking?
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2006 Wrangler Rubicon
1980 450SL
1966 230SL

jeblack123

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Re: My Garage Find 280SL - Looking for exhaust system parts
« Reply #14 on: April 21, 2023, 20:58:09 »
Yes, correct it is "normal" steel, not stainless.

jeb