[W126 Coupe] A little bit of all of it and more

[Dick Spellman]

Hi Bruce:

I would check with Jonathan or Rusty for your replacement exhaust on the 500SE.  I think the head pipes will be the only difference where you have the preferred euro manifolds vs. the US DOT.  I will tell you that while the Timevalve set-up will fit nicely, there could be a serious downside.  The stainless pipe did resonate a noise into the passenger compartment from the engine bay on my 300SE.  It's not a loud exhaust noise but rather a hiss or tin like sound as the exhaust travels through the head pipes just below the manifold.  I'd say in a sedan like your 500SE this would be unacceptable.

The original Mercedes pipe was made to deaden that sound.  If your head pipes are still in solid shape, why not get the mid and rear sections and have someone make the connection.  Should not be too difficult.

I have since replaced the head pipes on the one sedan I did with TimeValve using a softer (non-stainless) pipe to eliminate the noise noted on the stainless set-up.  A smooth quiet ride is the norm in the sedan.

Good luck.

Dick
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