CUSTOM AIR BOX FOR CLK500
#26
Senior Member
....but is it 10 horses of top end and the cost of a few midrange horses.....where you really need them. Peak power means nothing......its the total area under the dyno line that denotes flexibility and improved drivability. I fitted race cams to Kawasaki I had.....extra dyno proved 22 horses.....but it was peaky and horrible anywhere apart from the track. The area under the curve was actually less than before the cams. Also the loss of midrange DID make it feel more powerful than it actually was....this was because when it left the flatter midrange and transitioned to the, now more powerfull top end it really took off....
Now don't get me wrong I'm not saying your box does not make extra power....its just that every one making air boxes claims much the same thing.....and next to no one ever proves it. A 10 horse air box is a lot easier to sell than one that just looks great and makes a nice sound I guess. I'm sure you will be the exception to this.
Now don't get me wrong I'm not saying your box does not make extra power....its just that every one making air boxes claims much the same thing.....and next to no one ever proves it. A 10 horse air box is a lot easier to sell than one that just looks great and makes a nice sound I guess. I'm sure you will be the exception to this.
Last edited by ALFAitalia; 07-10-2016 at 10:57 AM.
#27
MBworld Guru
Originally Posted by Yidney View Post
Yeah, I don't really believe it either. These sorts of mods always seems to claim a 10 hp increase. Like it's a magic number. I'd need to know the conditions of the dyno testing. Was a "before and after" done on the same dyno on the same car on the same day? Just one test? 10hp is probably barely outside the margin of error of the machine even if no variables changed. And 10hp would be hard to tell on a 300+ hp car even if it was there. I still would bet that if somebody put this on and was all like "wow!" and then I snuck into their garage and put their stock box back on overnight they would still be saying "wow!" the next morning because they think it's on there. I'd bet $100 on that.
Yeah, I don't really believe it either. These sorts of mods always seems to claim a 10 hp increase. Like it's a magic number. I'd need to know the conditions of the dyno testing. Was a "before and after" done on the same dyno on the same car on the same day? Just one test? 10hp is probably barely outside the margin of error of the machine even if no variables changed. And 10hp would be hard to tell on a 300+ hp car even if it was there. I still would bet that if somebody put this on and was all like "wow!" and then I snuck into their garage and put their stock box back on overnight they would still be saying "wow!" the next morning because they think it's on there. I'd bet $100 on that.
You will be like WOW this box does make a difference. Than take the 100 bucks your willing to bet and use it towards a dyno test because people here won't believe your experience with the box.
After the dyno send my air box back and I will refund you the dyno test and the shipping fee.
To understand this, let's say I place a wall in front of you and tell you to push against as hard as you can to try to move it. Based on your size and strength, you'll apply some amount of force. But if I put another wall behind you to lean against, the force you are able to exert upon the first wall will increase. This is the same with an internal combustion engine.
I'm not saying this airbox doesn't increase HP. It probably does, but at the same time, you may lose some torque. This is usually the case with ECU tunes on normally-aspirated engines and freer-flowing exhaust systems. Audio effects and the apparent extra pull in the seat of your pants does not necessarily mean better performance. Regardless, I commend you for your ingenuity, efforts and skills and I hope you are able to make a few bucks by selling your idea to satisfied customers.
#28
MBWorld Fanatic!
Where in the power band do you gain and lose hp based on altitude and air temps? I can lose more than 10 hp just but taking a drive 20 minutes west and gaining 1,500', and I'm sure not talking about how my car comes alive when I get back to my neighborhood.
#30
Super Member
For the most part most mods are a little give and take. I've modded my car and others allot. I've havent done anything to my car where i regretted it and felt like a lost something that wasnt worth the gain. I do track my car, no mod has ever made my car slower. Some may have not made much of a difference to make it faster either. Also with any mod it matter what else you have done to the car. What is the limiting factor on the car.
I can tell you from experience and track times the 2 biggest improvements where the tune, and exhaust. Removing the secondary and adding a x pipe with the rest of the exhaust. I truly believe atleast on the 550's the exhaust is a big limiting factor.
I can tell you from experience and track times the 2 biggest improvements where the tune, and exhaust. Removing the secondary and adding a x pipe with the rest of the exhaust. I truly believe atleast on the 550's the exhaust is a big limiting factor.
#31
MBWorld Fanatic!
If your car has room for the air box to be raised I can do one for you. You will need to send me some pictures of the air box showing the back end of the box to the firewall. You need to remove the rubber engine seal in the middle. Once that up you will see the metal that the rubber sits on. You will need to measure from the top of the air box to the top of that metal. So let's say it's 2 inches, I will than raise the box 3/8 less than that so the hood will close.
There are hardly any mercedes cars around my area so I need you guys to help out a bit if you want me to customize an air box for you. And do forget to check out my new mod, this will make your cars run way better and really nice throttle response. It will soon be dyno tested so if you want to wait for that. Link is above in one of my posts. Thanks
There are hardly any mercedes cars around my area so I need you guys to help out a bit if you want me to customize an air box for you. And do forget to check out my new mod, this will make your cars run way better and really nice throttle response. It will soon be dyno tested so if you want to wait for that. Link is above in one of my posts. Thanks
#32
I haven't heard from him so if your willing to do it lets start this. First I like a picture of your air box so I know what I'm looking at. Or link a picture to the right one. Than I will need you to figure out how many inches the box can be raised. Even if it's just an inch with guts inside removed it will make some good power. And don't forget my new elbow housing mod that flows the air faster to the throttle body.
Last edited by speed43; 07-16-2016 at 11:06 AM.
#34
this is what a 550 airbox looks like
06 11 Mercedes CLS550 S550 C350 E500 Intake Air Box Filter Cover 2730900201 | eBay
06 11 Mercedes CLS550 S550 C350 E500 Intake Air Box Filter Cover 2730900201 | eBay
#35
Super Member
I was just sharing a picture for you. Im not sure if im interested. That was another poster.
I maybe interested, but i also have a strut tower bar in my car. So my room for a taller box is more limited.
I maybe interested, but i also have a strut tower bar in my car. So my room for a taller box is more limited.
#36
#45
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Mar 2010
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12' W204 C63 AMG coupe "T-Rex", 12' W451 Smart Fortwo Pulse (99' W202 C43 AMG sold)
Nice write up and like you I love the enlarged air-box but on my 43 this time...
#46
I been asked if I'm still doing these air boxes and the answer is yes, for sure.
I now include the air box with the mass air flow sensor HOUSING and the plastic elbow that goes to the throttle body.
These 3 parts make some good HP and TQ along with great throttle response.
Price ranges from 485 to 545 depending on how much I get the parts for from eBay. Shipping within the USA is included.
Have questions or like to order send me an email to geo3617@gmail.com
Thanks for reading.
I now include the air box with the mass air flow sensor HOUSING and the plastic elbow that goes to the throttle body.
These 3 parts make some good HP and TQ along with great throttle response.
Price ranges from 485 to 545 depending on how much I get the parts for from eBay. Shipping within the USA is included.
Have questions or like to order send me an email to geo3617@gmail.com
Thanks for reading.
#47
MBWorld Fanatic!
Hey Speed43, I had interest in the modified air box. I don't think I will have any room for an increase in size (thickness) with the strut brace installed. The brace rests very snuggly against the engine cover now. Without the strut brace there is probably 1/2 to 5/8 inch clearance to the top on the engine bay seals. Since I have the brace off right now, I'll get a more accurate measure for you tomorrow.
#48
Hey Speed43, I had interest in the modified air box. I don't think I will have any room for an increase in size (thickness) with the strut brace installed. The brace rests very snuggly against the engine cover now. Without the strut brace there is probably 1/2 to 5/8 inch clearance to the top on the engine bay seals. Since I have the brace off right now, I'll get a more accurate measure for you tomorrow.
#49
I bought a used W220 S430 airbox (112 09015 01). This airbox is 1/2" taller than all the other stock M112/M113 airboxes (112 090 11 01) so I figured oh, a bit more volume. This airbox was almost twice as heavy and the same interior volume and shape. Then I realized that the W220 airbox is double walled at the top with a thick layer of sound insulation sandwiched in between. Long story short, I carefully removed the top layer then cut out the inner skin with all the insulation then glued the top layer back on. This increased the volume by about 1/3 and I was able to remove a lot of the obstructions built into the interior. I'm sure its not as effective as speed43's work which looks fantastic but its good enough for my C320 beater.
https://imgur.com/a/hcmWo
https://imgur.com/a/hcmWo
Last edited by tjts1; 01-01-2018 at 10:30 PM.
#50
I bought a used W220 S430 airbox (112 09015 01). This airbox is 1/2" taller than all the other stock M112/M113 airboxes (112 090 11 01) so I figured oh, a bit more volume. This airbox was almost twice as heavy and the same interior volume and shape. Then I realized that the W220 airbox is double walled at the top with a thick layer of sound insulation sandwiched in between. Long story short, I carefully removed the top layer then cut out the inner skin with all the insulation then glued the top layer back on. This increased the volume by about 1/3 and I was able to remove a lot of the obstructions built into the interior. I'm sure its not as effective as speed43's work which looks fantastic but its good enough for my C320 beater.
https://imgur.com/a/hcmWo
https://imgur.com/a/hcmWo
Nice job cutting it in half and putting it back together.
The air box you used is heavy, like you said. When I shop for air boxes to mod I buy the ones that do not have that split all around the box.
Those with the split are the heavy ones which I don't like to use. The ones without the split are very light and sometimes hard to find.
You should mod the maf housing by porting the top a little and the bottom a lot.
Than remove the plastic fins of the plastic elbow and do some porting there too.
Worth the effort and your engine will breath and perform so much better.