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Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG: Exhaust Modifications

Exhaust systems are plentiful online, and some may promise more than they can likely deliver. So how do you know which system to outfit your Mercedes-Benz C-Class with? Read this guide.

By Jerry Perez - May 19, 2015

This article applies to the Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG w204 (2007-2014).

The engine in your Mercedes Benz C-Class produces power in a few different ways, and without getting into details, the exhaust system plays one of the biggest roles in that process. The exhaust system's job is to compress the gases that come from the engine, channel them through the exhaust piping, clean up the fumes (cat), and then push them out the muffler as hard as well as clean as possible. So, you can think of it as a big powerful filter that makes your car sound good and generate horsepower via back-pressure. There are multiple parts to an exhaust system, so here is a compiled guide that explains how each component can positively affect your w204's performance.

Exhaust Modifications

The most common exhaust modifications are broken up in the following segments:

  • Headers
  • Mid-pipe (a.k.a center section, x-pipe)
  • Cat-back
Figure 1. Exhaust outlet.

Headers

DIY Cost – $1,000-$3,500 for parts

Professional Cost – $300-$1,200 for labor

Skill Level – Difficult; it requires specialty tools, knowledge, and may involve welding.

Headers are the first set of pipes the gasses (coming off the engine block) go through. Headers play a crucial role in managing those gases, and sending them down the system in the most efficient as well as packaged way possible. Headers can range in price from about $1,000 to thousands of dollars depending on the complexity of the pipes, the material they are made out of, and the amount of research done to develop the part. Recommended for its horsepower and torque gains.

Mid-Pipe

DIY Cost – $250-$600 for parts

Professional Cost – $400-$800 for parts, and $300-$1,200 for labor

Skill Level – Difficult; it requires specialty tools, knowledge, and may involve welding.

The exhaust mid-pipe, which is also known as the center section of the system or the x-pipe, normally complements the headers by allowing the exhaust gases to flow throughout the same material and diameter of exhaust as the headers. Therefore, achieving a uniform flow from beginning to end.

Modifying the mid-pipe is normally only done when upgrading the entire system, as replacing it by itself will normally not have any positive or negative impacts in performance. Think of it as a "compliment" to the exhaust system. Usually, the headers you select dictates what your mid-pipe solution will be, whether it means retaining the stock unit (some headers are made specifically for this), buying a paired header and center section combo, or going the cutting and custom fitting route. Recommended for its uniform flow with the header combination.

Cat-Back

DIY Cost – $800-$3,800 for parts

Professional Cost – $300-$1,200 for labor

Skill Level – Difficult; it requires specialty tools, knowledge, and may involve welding.

The cat-back exhaust is by far the most common type of exhaust purchased, and not just for Mercedes Benz, but for most cars in which the owners wants to upgrade the exhaust system. The reason is because they offer most of the benefits as a whole new system, but it's less expensive, requires less parts and work to install. While you may miss out on headers and mid-pipes, the cat-back exhaust begins at the catalytic converter and ends at the pipe. Catback systems will still deliver horsepower and torque gains. Most importantly, the rear section of the exhaust often deletes or replaces the large stock mufflers, and cranks up the decibels considerably. Recommended to replace large stock mufflers.

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