High Performance Stainless Steel Headers

[DerFuror]

There are so many other things one can be disappointed by without also unloading a bank account. Why waste it on “high performance” 500E stainless steel headers? If it was worthwhile, headers would’ve been done & made available decades ago when the 500E was current.

As an alternative, coat both the outer & inner surfaces of the OE cast iron manifold with Swain Tech’s White Lightning (TBC-EX) Exhaust Coating. Then wrap the existing exhaust pipe down to the Cats with Thermo Tec Insulating Wrap & be done with it.

Then, unload your surplus savings by going nuts with intake & internal coatings. Everything bolts right back to where it came from without months of design work & surgery, & will provide more gain, cost/benefit than any header on a 500E.

Plus, you’ll still have thousands of dollars left over to do other fun stuff with.

But, like anything in life, if you want it, go for it.

 

[TerryA]

I'm with Derf. Save your $$$ for a more interesting opportunities.

 

[gsxr]

There are so many other things one can be disappointed by without also unloading a bank account. Why waste it on “high performance” 500E stainless steel headers? If it was worthwhile, headers would’ve been done & made available decades ago when the 500E was current.

They were done and made available in the 1990's... by RENNtech, for $12,600, along with a full custom exhaust. This was typically only done as part of a Stage III 6.0L conversion; I have never heard of RENNtech installing that $13k exhaust setup on a 5L engine.

"COMPLETE EXHAUST SYSTEMS
Complete RENNTech stainless steel exhaust system including hand-built
tubular headers, downpipes, twin all-metal catalyzers, sport resonator, and sport
rear muffler. $12,600"​

https://web.archive.org/web/19990922134148/http://www.renntechmercedes.com/w124.html

 

[Doomsday]

It shouldn't take months of "surgery," but the link I provided, was meant to show the pinnacle of header tuning. With the way you guys talk, why's there even a "performance" section, if nothing's available, or too expensive?

I should just delete my account. Everything tweaks my HP/$ pet peeve...

 

[gsxr]

With the way you guys talk, why's there even a "performance" section, if nothing's available, or too expensive? I should just delete my account. Everything tweaks my HP/$ pet peeve...

There are other definitions of "performance" besides power output. Handling, braking, top speed, standing mile trials, etc.

Unfortunately, MB did their homework on the M119 and didn't leave much on the table for tuners (either professional, or backyard DIY). The '92 LH module gets you some WOT power on 93-95 models, or you can spring for NOS if you want a bigger WOT gain. There had been some aftermarket camshafts available (click here) but I believe those are NLA, and nobody was ever able to provide dyno data to show what the cams would do... and, there were unanswered questions if valve springs needed to be replaced or not. Forced induction brings a ton of complicated issues which is why you almost never see that done either.

The 6L conversion is still the best way to go IMO, but the vast majority of people are reluctant to fork over ±$20k which is probably the value of most 036's owned by forum members.

 

[cwmyoung52]

ciao, to all tweaks. keep these dinosaurs going and true to the era.

 

[DerFuror]

...but the link I provided, was meant to show the pinnacle of header tuning.

The information is an excellent & thorough contribution. No need to delete account. There's just not a whole lot that can be done to these cars as can be done with others.

 

[sheward]

Absolutely. Enjoyed reading it and learned something more.

drew

 

[Doomsday]

I actually, felt like a kid in a candy store, when I received my copy of "scientific design of intake and exhaust manifolds..."

 

[Benzy Boy]

2024 update on m119 headers and 6.0L+ conversions? Supercharger or turbo kits? Anyone?

 

[Benzy Boy]

M119 headers and full exhaust
Worth it?
How much performance gain? (no dyno sadly)

 

[nocfn]

I bought a system from the headers back, no cat or resonator. Other than throaty sound, no performance gain I can tell but I have not had a chance to open over 100mph since the change.

*edited by me for multiple mobile phone typos....

 

[gsxr]

M119 headers and full exhaust Worth it?

Probably not, but what is the price?

How much performance gain? (no dyno sadly)

Expect single-digit gains, if any. If the seller doesn't post dyno graphs, that means they never tested them either (or, the gains were so small they don't want to share the results of the test).

I assume you are looking at a kit for R129. I doubt they'll offer a kit for W124.

 

[TerryA]

I didn’t see a price for the M119 on their website. An example is a 126 - M117 = $2459.00 for headers and down pipes plus shipping from Estonia plus if your in the EU add another $1868.00.

Note: @nocfn, has similar set from @5thscaleracer and commented in post #112 above.