W203E35

Nothing yet, I'm actually trying to find an 82mm TB to get that taken care of first then try to design an intake. I'm not really worried about the CAI part but rather feel the airbox gets heat soaked real quick and it might be restrictive. What is your input on this? You know a lot more than most of us and may be able to save me some headache down the road

We noticed the 2.5l wasn't making much hp in the low-mid because of the new manifold (me and Marco AKA Snacks) think that since the flaps are open it robs down low torque but it made great up top and by up top I mean 5800 and above (not really useful).

Now It's my turn to find out once and for all.

The way I see it or feel I should say is, this might not be the right mod. The SLK engine is a little different and has different gears as well. Our heads and rear end are totally different. I was talking to some guy and he said the 74mm is good enough but I'm soo far into this project I just want to get the TB and go to Jeremy for a tune and see once and for all what's going on.

Sometimes I feel I should have sold my car and bought a C32 or C55 and called it a day

Let's go to Irwindale Come by and surprise some cars with the C32. I'm sure they won't know what hit them. I want to go again because I just got a retune recently and my errors got fixed and I do feel I gained a little power too maybe this time I can beat my slow time lol .

Edit: Unless I get an adapter plate made and just try it with the 74mm.

snacks

plus one on the c55. more options in regards to upgrades for the amg models. but oh well until then i'll enjoy my c230

if any try using the 80mm tb easier to mate up to the opening of the single intake runner with not a lot of machining done on the adapter plate needed.

W203E35

Hey Marco, waz up bro. Did you ever go back with the stock setup to see what you did?

snacks

No haven't gotten a chance yet.

probably in two weeks when i'm off from work. Have been enjoying the new tune. Feels more linear than vtec like. After i do a base run to see what my car is making i'll slap the manifold back on and have jeremy adjust the tune i currently have.

i'll let you know how it turns out. In the meantime i've been thinking of redoing my intake the K&N apollo looks like a nice kit but not sure if it may work for our setup. I've seen the BMC CDA but can't seem to find a US dealer.

i may just do something with a k&N cone filter and some fiberglass. Yikes! i've never worked with fiberglass before. this will be a first.

phister

be careful with fiberglass you'll want to add very little hardener at first so the fiberglass doesnt harden to quickly and you can form it the way you want. Little tricks with fiberglassing: Use a good brand like 3M or I like Elmers brand because it comes out purple and when it hardens it becomes the clearish color so you know what areas you missed. Using the fiberglass cloth is good but I found that going to a fabric store and using a white wool-like fabric works great with making odd shapes like custom sub boxes or other parts. Doing it out in the sun is best if you want it to cure fast. And always wear a good mask.

phister

I'll have my intake done today, I had an *** kicking week at work and didnt have time to install it. Once its on i'll post pics and see if I can jack my car up and start stripping my wheels to repaint them.

snacks

Cool thanks for the advice. Looking forward to seeing your intake setup

I was thinking of molding the feed tubes from fiberglass. May have to mock something up prior to molding it out.

W203E35

So the tune works better with the stock manifold? Or are you still on the new one? +1 on what Phi said. Heard working with fiberglass isn't as easy as it sounds. Good luck man, I always love seeing custom mods. Phi post your intake man!! Your car is looking boss, currently the best looking w203!!!

splinter

haha and thanks, Karo.

Must be noted I don’t know anything more than the next guy, although it’s fair to say I’ve been hot rodding a while longer than some here.
Pushing 50 and still haven’t grown out of it...wth?

Reducing intake restrictions and temperatures are an oft-proven recipe for improving performance. The M272’s variable-length intake manifold passages are remarkably effective at broadening its torque curve. Mom’s 2.5-liter '07 C230 feels quite peppy and seamless given its limited displacement and natural aspiration. Resonance or ‘ram’ intake (and exhaust) tuning has been utilized successfully by the manufacturers for decades. Ever seen a '55 300SL’s manifolds? They’re a thing of functional beauty. Your tuner could easily alter the intake manifold’s switchover threshold to verify its efficacy. My engines typically run between 2,000 to 4,000 rpm far more often than 4,500 to 6,500, excluding off-highway operation of course. Despite being saddled with myriad corporate environmental, consumption and legal concerns, MB’s engineers aren’t clueless.

Haven’t closely followed the cpbeasley (and others’) factory parts bin M272 builds, though there’s clearly more to be had via judicious upgrades.
Good luck, and my Irwindale invite still stands.

snacks

i'm running the slk manifold with the current tune right now. Haven't swapped out the manifold yet will probably do it this weekend. I start my vacation this weekend. Hopefully i'll get a chance to go this upcoming monday to do a baseline run.

It's actually running better now compared to when i first got it tuned. I think it's because i swapped back to the stock airbox. less heat soak compared to the spectre intake.

derecklouthood

Any word on a custom intake? I'm down to purchase one... Karo, sick hood, did you notice alot of difference afteR? I havent seen pics of the airbox you made though?

phister

Since I'm having to change up my intake piping to 3" now instead of the 4" due to the car rpms fluctuating up and down on start up. Think its due to MAF reading rich now, I'm still using the Spectre filter with the hood vents dropping right into the OEM intake pipes my temp stays at 80 or a touch lower, which is pretty good in 100+ temp right now. Usually its closer to 90 when I had my OEM box on.

So... trial and error I'm working on my 3" intake now. Hopefully will have it done in a couple of weeks. 3" intake parts is easier to find then having to custom make 4" parts at least so I can get all the stuff faster.

But since I couldnt do my intake... I got to painting my wheels champagne gold. Forgot what a pain it is to remove all the dang rivets, but well worth it...no more panda look... now its a panda with gold shoes hahaha

snacks

Lol nice looking forward to seeing your intake setup.

Your a braver man than I am to cut the hood.

W203E35

Thanks everyone for you comments. Thanks John for the info. I got the final piece in today. I will change the mani and tb and then hopefully Jeremy will be free to tune my car tomorrow and off to Irwindale on Thursday (that is if you're free). I believe my best was 9.3 or 9.5 I don't really remember so I hope I can beat that.

I was also thinking doing the intake before going over to Jeremy but don't know yet.

Here is a pic, waiting for it to cool down and start changing out the parts.



Thanks to Johnny for finding me a TB and thanks to Cale for helping with the project. Also thanks to Phi for sending me those assless chaps photos of himself. They made the waiting a lot more easier.

W203E35

Did the swap today, man Cale wasn't kidding. The car just loves to rev and sounds awesome while doing so. This definitely helped me down low and helped me way more mid to up top. The RPM just climbs like there is no tomorrow and the car sounds incredibly sick!!! Stupid butterfly flaps!! Why on the E35 motor??? Even when they are open they cover it 1/4!!! BS!!!

Check out the difference in this pic.



Thanks Cale for coming up with this mod!!! Thanks Johnny for helping me find this TB!!!

Up next intake mod!! Loving Phi's idea but I don't have the ***** to cut my hood but I want to.

havoc_vulture

CUT IT !!!

snacks

lol i'm glad you like the mod. That was my first impression as well.

the car sounded great and pulled like crazy from 3k on for me. The tune now just evens out the torque curve for me.

I bet you felt more of a gain due to your current mod list as well.

Enjoy mang!

W203E35

Thanks Marco, ya I totally love it. I really think it helped me big time. The rpm climbs soo fast. Hopefully Jeremy can squeeze me in for a tune tomorrow. I don't know how you're going to swap back, after I finished this I was like that's it lool

phister

Cut it so it gets as much air as when you wear your assless chaps in a cool spring day lol.

I need to get my mani and tb but just paid tuition, 4k out the bank account. Big mods will be on the backburn for awhile unless I work OT get spare $$$. We'll see...

Glyn M Ruck

Pleased to see that the project is progressing well.

snacks

yeah that's how i felt but in the pursuit of performance i want to do a before and after to see how much of a gain i did receive with just this upgrade. Before i put on mufflers and headers. this also helps me determine if there may be anything wrong with the car itself.

I know for sure that i gained top end but wanted to see how much i have gained/lossed.

but don't worry as soon as jeremy is done doing a baseline run that tb/mani combo is going back onto the car.

snacks

excited to see your results man.

gakz

excited to see what comes of this. Pics of that manifold installed?

TruTaing

Nice! The new TB looks huge!

Mercury

Where is my cold air intake!