Air Marshall Eldritch

Take a look at this:

http://www.globalautoshop.com/access...ons/e_w210.htm

the air intake kit on sale for $149.

What do you think? They claim "up to 10%" gain. Thats pretty robust for the price. Then again, "up to 10" can logically include 0 through 9 as well.

hubert

They have them on ebay too. I think its bullsh!!t.

Richard Galing

Been there...done that! Evosport's dyno says I lost +20HP, even with the addition of insulating wraps to control heat build-up and dissipation.

Josh K

The text advertises it as "HOT." Funny thing is, the only thing that's "HOT" is the air that you'll be sucking in with that system.

MARK CUMMINS

I Can Back This up...Also after TWO MASS Air sensors...Removed the kit no more problems

Richard Galing

Yes, the BMC Carbon Dynamic Airbox had some issues with my MAF TWICE TOO! but it did add some mid-upper range grunt , I'm sure you can agree w/me on that Mark. However, previous to the CDA I experimented with an AEM style cold air intake inc. thermo wrap & bypass valve which on the roller just decreased HP. Funny...my wake up call was when a GS430 just took me off the line, initally I just though it was bad gas...

BMC CDA is now on my buddy's '95 M5.

Whitey

Anyone seen or tried the water cooled type air in-takes.....?

Richard Galing

Hummmmm...interesting, How bout U try it Dave and let us know the results...hehehe.

Whitey

Its like USD360 for the kit and you need to keep topping up the water every few days as it evaporates.....too much trouble for my liking and too rich for my blood. Rather get new wheels, hee, hee....

I can take pics of the kit if anyone is interested...it works like a "bong" i.e. the air passes thru the water and get cooled by it.

Richard Galing

Dang...I knew it was just a matter of time I would here those words "new wheel" once again... btw, your running out of room on your sig, you'll have to rent space on mine...no worries I'll cut you a good deal...:p

Whitey

LOL, I won't rent from u unless u gurantee to keep responding to my posts - back-to-back.........Where is that sig BTW? Waiting to get the rest of the mods in first?

Richard Galing

Whoa...just noticed them new pics on your sig, looking good... Nah, just being lazy...I'll have you architect my sig as soon as I get the Lambo doors install j/k

Air Marshall Eldritch

Wow! thanks for the real story on these things guys. I'll save my money.

One thing that has bothered me for awhile...if cold air is so good for the HP in theory, why is my engine power no different between August, when the temp here is in the 90's, versus February, when the temp might be in single digits? Surely that winter air goes in cooler, no?

MARK CUMMINS

The HP Difference IS there!!
Do a Dyno on a HOT Engine then again after it has cooled down!

Since You Fly You SHOULD know about Density Altitude
Ever Fly When is Hot?...I Have and The Power loss IS there! I Have been at the River when the oat is 120 plus and The Aircraft does NOT want to fly...Then at Colder Temps its a Rocket!

I Have Noticed this on my Porsches and The Wifes C Coupe
On Cold Mornings its a LOT Faster than on HOT summer days

rob_fed

I'll try this one, given that the ambient temp affects the overall HP output, the changes are probably only in the few % range. I would consider the loss of HP a parasitic loss or something that is fairly minor. Since the gain of HP would be in the opposite direction, you may or may not feel the difference because it is so small. For instance, say you have the V6 rated at 275hp.

+5% = 288.75 HP -> +13.75 best
+4% = 286.00 HP
+3% = 283.25 HP
+2% = 280.50 HP
+1% = 277.75 HP
base = 275.00 HP
-1% = 272.25 HP
-2% = 269.50 HP
-3% = 266.75 HP
-4% = 264.75 HP
-5% = 261.25 HP -> -13.75 worst

So, the best/worst possible gain due to ambient temp is probably in the 1-3% range, I could be wrong, but even if it was at the 5% range, we are taking just a few HP. Something that the average driver may or may not be able to feel while accelerating their car.

Also, other factors that maybe already negatively affecting the base line, HP of a particular vehicle:

a. Larger tires/wheels - more unsprung weight
b. Incorrect tire pressure - stock or aftermarket tires
c. Added vehicle weight due to extra stuff in the trunk, mega woofers, body kits, and other cosmetice accessories.
d. Added electrical load - alternator is always charging or on causing an additional parasitic loss of HP

Many times when "cold air intakes" are tested, the hood of the car is open, the large external cooling fan is blowing air through the radiator and over the engine, and the overall ambient temperature is relatively "cool" during the test. All of these factors combined make provide the maximum gain when using these types of devices. Obviously, the real world environment is almost the exact opposite.

BlownV8

Each 10 degree reduction in intake temperature is worth 1% more power. The E430 and E55(not sure about E320) already have a cold air intake built in from the factory so why would you want to switch and spend money. The only benifits I can see would be to insulate the stock plumbing and airbox so it doesn't get hot.