Mild steel vs stainless steel exhaust system

[Peter]

I had contact with MB Classic Parts Stuttgart concerning the availability of exhaust systems for the W113 

The answer is that there is no availability at this moment and that “according to our product management, talks are underway to make a new system available,  but they can't give a date yet”

[mBdrvr]

My 280 SL now has a stainless exhaust system that is too loud for my liking. I had Borla in New Jersey put a resonator on that help a bit but I'm still not happy with the sound. The stainless system I have replaced the bodged together system that came with the car. I still have the old exhaust. That has an Eberspacher 113-490-00-22/25 muffler in good shape. Are these known to be quieter? If I swapped mufflers would that make a difference?
Thanks,
Paul

[Peter]

My experience is that Eberspacher is quieter and more like the original sound must have been.

[Cees Klumper]

Since stainless and (the Eberspacher) mild steel are dissimilar metals, the interwebs warn against combining them - just one quote "Carbon steel is anodic to stainless steel, which can lead to significant corrosion of carbon steel in the presence of stainless steel". So use at your own risk. Maybe check after a year or so whether the muffler seems ok.

[mdsalemi]

My 280 SL now has a stainless exhaust system that is too loud for my liking. I had Borla in New Jersey put a resonator on that help a bit but I'm still not happy with the sound. The stainless system I have replaced the bodged together system that came with the car. I still have the old exhaust. That has an Eberspacher 113-490-00-22/25 muffler in good shape. Are these known to be quieter? If I swapped mufflers would that make a difference?
Thanks,
Paul

Paul, this is an older thread, but look at my reply from 6-July-2024, more than a year ago.
Have you been to any gathering of any number of Pagodas, and thus been able to listen to a few different 113s with different exhaust systems and notes to them? If not that would be a worthwhile idea to pursue. Aside from some Pagodas with holes or leaks in the exhaust system, I've never heard a system that was remarkable in any way. I know that for certain as my own system developed a minor leak from dragging on the ground for a bit as I headed to Chicago for PagodaFest in 2023. The resonator was weakened and blew a small hole on the way home.

While the "budget conscious" can mix SS and mild steel together in an exhaust system, as Cees points out you are setting things up for accelerated degradation of the mild steel parts. The moisture and condensation in an exhaust system create the perfect environment for this to happen, especially in areas with high humidity or road salt.

One thing I would certainly NOT do, is weld together a system of dissimilar metals. The reason for that is in addition to the galvanic corrosion, now you have thermal expansion to deal with. The welds would probably want to break apart.

Meet up with a bunch of Pagodas, listen to them and choose ONE exhaust system that meets with your ears. Don't kluge something together.

Oh, BTW...I'm not familiar with Borla's current offerings for the Pagoda. Their current catalog starts at 1980 so a Pagoda would be a custom job. But, Borla's reputation is in the aftermarket "performance" exhaust systems, and sound is a huge part of their marketing, with their "touring" system being the quietest but still louder than stock...then they have two more systems designed to be louder. I also remember from my advertising days that Borla vs. Borla East (New Jersey) were not exactly the same company...you also indicated you had Borla ADD a resonator which helped a bit. My TimeValve has a muffler and resonator as standard.

[mBdrvr]

Thanks for your replies. I've heard a number of Pagodas in the past and mine is much louder especially at speed. I understand the cautions but, as at least an intermediate step, I'm going install the good Eberspacher I have in the system and cross my fingers. Bora East had a resonator in stock to replace the one I had and it did make a small difference. I'll keep you all posted.

[mdsalemi]

Thanks for your replies. I've heard a number of Pagodas in the past and mine is much louder especially at speed. I understand the cautions but, as at least an intermediate step, I'm going install the good Eberspacher I have in the system and cross my fingers. Bora East had a resonator in stock to replace the one I had and it did make a small difference. I'll keep you all posted.

Just understand that anything made by "Borla" will be louder by design. Louder than stock, and louder than other systems. That's their MO. While some systems such as the OEM or a TimeValve only have ONE system, Borla has three dB levels: loud, louder and loudest. They go by their names of Touring, S-Type, and ATAK. They also have a race-only system called XR-1.

Good luck and report back on how it all fits together for you.

Doesn't apply to you, but in North Carolina any modification to a street-legal vehicle's exhaust system to make it louder than the OEM stock system is prohibited. Doesn't stop all the wannabe NASCAR drivers with their exceedingly loud cars here. Police have more things to worry about and loud cars persist.

[g2000tpembroke]

Just wondering if anyone in the UK has had dealings with this company in High Wycombe the price they are offering is fully fitted looks fair value

I have hade a nightmare with a Mercedes system over the last 18 months originally had to cut and turn one of the front down pipes to clear the subframe but its got a Dreadful rasp or noise under load at 2000rpm we have even opened both boxes and repacked just to check for a loose baffle not quite sure where to go next.

Any help or advice would be much appreciated Gary Tingle

[mBdrvr]

I had the stainless muffler removed and the and Eberspacher installed. Night and day difference. The car even seems to drive better. Thanks for all the help.

Paul

[rwmastel]

Just wondering if anyone in the UK has had dealings with this company in High Wycombe the price they are offering is fully fitted looks fair value 

Gary,

It's best to start a new thread for a new topic of discussion.

[rwmastel]

Paul,

That's great news!!  Clamped together?  I hope you can provide a status in 2027 about any material problems where they join.