108/109 V8 exhaust replacement

[4point5]

Hey all-

I want to hear your advice and/or experiences with replacing the exhaust on 3.5 or 4.5 v8 108'S & 109's. I am in the market, most likely will go with a full stainless system from Timevalve in CT. Used this before on a 6-cyl. 108 and was pleased. My 4.5 system currently needs serious help in order to pass inspection later this spring...

Any thoughts?

-J

[Tom Hanson]

I've only had second-hand info that these systems are a bit loud. I have access to the OEM manufacturer at aftermarket prices.

[gerryvz]

Timevalve systems are in general quite good. Certainly the last a long, long time. Some people have said that they are louder than stock, though I have never heard anyone say that this is obnoxious or a high degree louder than a stock system -- perhaps 10% louder would be all.

Also, because it comes as a pre-fabricated system, Timevalve systems can take a bit of time/expertise on the part of the installer to ensure that they fit correctly. This means patience to make sure there are no rattles or conflicts with anything.

I have a Timevalve system on my 300SEL 6.3 and have been very very happy with it. Others I know who own 6.3 and 6.9 cars have them as well, and have been very happy.

The company in general is very responsive to customer needs and honors returns or defective products quickly.

Cheers,
Gerry

[Tom Hanson]

Time valve would sound good on a 6.3 . Nice rumble. the only thing that would sound better would be straight through exhaust with no mufflers at all. I've heard one before. Sounded great !

[ja17]

Hello,
The original systems were welded together when the cars were new. For best results they should be welded or they may settle and hang low. Welding stainless can be a little more difficult for some shops. If you clamp up the system you must be sure to make sure everything is tight and all the exhaust hangers are all in place or your system will soon be much too close to the ground!
Improperly hung exhaust will create a real nightmare of vibrations, noises and rattles. Finding someone to do a good job hanging the system is critical.
With a stainless exhaust system chances are you only will only have to go through the pain and frustration of getting it installed correctly one time.

Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio

[Allen]

I had Timevalve on 71 280SE and 72 280SE 4.5 for 8 years. No problems, yes, a little little louder but sounded good. Sold both cars last summer. Money well spent, will use again if occasion arrises.

[4point5]

My Timevalve system is being installed as I type this-

If it's a little louder than stock, with a healthy v8 rumble, that is fine, and still quieter than my leaking, swiss-cheese stock system...

JAS

[Tom Hanson]

Good choice.

[Allen]

It was louder at idle and driving at low rpm, but sounded good. Was quiet at cruising speed. Let me know what you think. On the subject of 4.5. There's an optometrist just down from my office who has a navy blue one to wit he bought new, this afternoon I got behind him and was scheming on ways that I could talk him out of it, I wish I had mine back everytime I see one. but....I gave in to Ben Franklin and friends. Enjoy your car!!

[4point5]

Thanks, yes, I love this car, don't see many around here, though I surely saw fewer when up in New England (where I grew up)- I love the surprise of meeting someone on the road who is also driving a 108/9, though I usually see older 6-cylinders, not many V8's.

And nothing like smoking kids in Honda's away from stoplights with that 4.5....

I'll report back on the Timevalve system when I get my car back-

[4point5]

Got my car back yesterday, with the full timevalve ss exhaust installed (incl. engine pipes), and wow what a difference. Yes, I agree, louder than it was before at idle, but in a different way. Before it had the hiss hiss sound of an exhaust leak, now it sounds more like a muscle car! From outside the car, overall more quiet for sure. Like I said, inside, at idle and low engine speeds, it has a healthy V8 rumble, that smooths out as engine speed and road speed increase.

Overall, it sounds and feels great, bad *#*#*# sound, and feels like it has really opened it up- it feels stronger, esp. in 3rd gear between 45-65- just a touch of throttle and it really steps out- feels like it is breathing much better.

Maybe my imagination, or a side effect of the sportier exhaust note, but it sure does feel good (and no more exhaust leak light-headedness...!!)

-JAS

[Tom Hanson]

It might be a case of the engine sounding like it should.

[4point5]

Continue to be impressed with it-

spoke to the tech who put the system on, said when it was half installed, they fired it up just for ha-ha's, said it sounded like a top fuel dragster, shook the whole shop!

The early 4.5's really do put out a lot of power (and sound, if unmuffled...)

[Tom Hanson]

I did this same thing with a 6.3 one time. It sounded like a well prepared big-block American hot-rod. We even drove it this way. Smokin' burnout (easy in a 6.3) sounded fantastic. Went like stink on a cow pie !!

[4point5]

That's hysterical! Must have been some very surprised onlookers during that manuever-

I once laid rubber with the inside wheel (while taking a corner in an intersection) in my old 70 280se (6-cyl.)- that was surprising for no other reason than it actually happened...but the 1st gear on that car was so low that it would bust the rears loose if heavily provoked...

Haven't laid much rubber in the 4.5 since its new wheels and tires- I could get the old skinny whitewalls to make noise (and spin indefinately in the wet)- maybe I am just babying it lately, in the interest of long tire life...

[Tom Hanson]

If you nail the go pedal in a properly tuned 6.3 and don't correct the direction with the steering wheel, you'll do some nice circles. Tires don't last long with this kind of use, indeed. It's worth it, though. what a thrill. I have to get another one in my lifetime. Everyone should have the pleasure of owning a good 6.3. Simply the best sedan money could buy.

[gerryvz]

Glad you are happy with your Timevalve. It should give you no problems as long as it was installed well. Most decent shops are pretty good, though sometimes the Timevalves take a little bit of fidgeting to get mounted right. Other times they go right in with few problems.

If you're interested in MB burnouts, up here in Portland we're expert in them. We do them every Friday night at the racetrack in our 6.3s and my E500.

A few movies of us from the 2003 drag season, at Portland International Raceway:

http://www.300se.com/vid/dan1.avi
http://www.300se.com/vid/dan2.avi
http://www.nemonis.net/video/gvz1.avi
http://www.nemonis.net/video/gvz2.avi
http://www.nemonis.net/video/gvz3.avi
http://www.nemonis.net/video/gvz4.avi

Cheers,
Gerry

[4point5]

It's true- the mounting of the Timevalve system is key- did a shake-down run last night, Charlottesville to Richmond and back, and have discovered a bit of vibration under the driver's seat, from the exhaust.

Will have to get under there to see how I might be able to isolate it- not sure yet- other than that occassional noise/vibration, the system is great. Like you said, a matter of fine-tuning.

[ArcanumOne]

Just finished installing the complete Timevalve Stainless on my 280 se 4.5, including the engine pipes. A pain in the rear to do yourself, but it is worth the effort. I found mine to be no louder than the stock unit. It looks great, and the fit is good. Took quite some time lifting it into place and securing it. Had to make sure no part of the system touches the body of the chassis. Overall construction quality is good. It does not follow the stock system design exactly, but no one can tell unless you look under the car. Definitely looks like a handmade system. I bought the chrome tips to make it look nice.

[Tony H]

When I installed the exhaust system on my 3.5 coupe I installed unions in the header pipes so I could easily remove the system. It only takes about 5 min to take apart the unions and drop the system for chassis work or what ever. I also built a custom X-pipe to replace the original cross over. Made a difference I could actually feel plus the exhaust sounds smoother.
Tony