Hey guys,


While cruising the internet I found a post somewhere about someone piecing together their own intakes for their w204. So, I figured I'd give it a shot and think they turned out pretty well. I wasn't looking for any kind of a performance gain, simply wanted to get a little sound and maybe a little bit of visual pleasure for the rare times I pop my hood haha


Anyway, using two Spector air filters, two 3"x4" tubes and a couple of couplers, I installed this set up. I also ordered two heat shields that mount right onto the same clamps for the filters. It took some cutting and trimming to get them to tuck into the tight spaces where the filters ended up so that it would clearance everything but turned out well. Smoothed and finished all the cuts with some edge guard.


Overall I am happy with the result. Here are a couple of pictures I took. Tried to make a sound clip but it wasn't worth posting since my phone camera doesn't do it justice. The sound isn't anything crazy, and is virtually the same at start up and idle. But under wide open throttle under load or pulling through the rpms the engine has a little growl to it now that I am happy with! It's nothing crazy, but noticeable none-the-less.


Cost me around $180 for parts plus a few cut off wheels and grinding disks and some edge guard.


Anyway, let me know what you think

 

That looks very nice.
Neat work.

 

any change in performance?

 

You took out the stock filters in the airbox, yes?

seems like this will be a hell of a hot air intake and will actually perform more poorly than the factory set up.

If you like it, it will likely not harm anything, but I don't really see the appeal.

 

Pros/cons of the actual setup aside... that is one clean engine bay!!! I got lazy after prepping the car for winter and skipped cleaning the bay, but need to do so now after seeing these pics.

 

As far as a change in performance I'm not really sure. I know that I can tell there is no loss in performance but as far as any gains I am not sure. The car has not lost anything as far as I can tell.


I did remove the stock paper air filters from the air box. There is no need to run both filters once these are installed. It may be pulling more hot air then before but again, I have not noticed any change in performance.


I read that someone with a c350 did a similar, almost identical set up and dyno'd before and after. He claimed a gain of 7hp after this install. I cannot vouch for those results and have no clue if they are true or accurate. I did not do this looking for performance gains or a bump in hp from it as these motors are not race engines. I don't compare dyno numbers with buddies to brag about who has more. I did this mainly for the look and slight change in sound when accelerating. Whether its a good performance mod, I will never know since I don't plan on ever dynoing my car...


Yes it is a clean engine bay! It was not a few hours before those pictures were taken. After I did the install I couldn't stand the dirty engine bay so I took the time and detailed it. With a few products from chemical guys, engine degreaser with a brush and my hose I washed it then dressed all the plastics with chemical guys black on black wiped off with a microfiber. Its pretty good stuff!


SO, I am pleased with this set up and plan on keeping it. I lost nothing in doing the set up and gained what I was looking for so I am happy. If anyone is on the fence about doing it just go for it. But make sure you have the ability to chop up those heat shields if you end up getting them. It was easy to do but took some time to get them right.


Thanks for the comments guys, if anyone has any more questions, feel free to ask!

 

I found your post and I'm curius to know if you still happy with this mod? Thks

 

Hi,

I'm the original person who pieced this intake together. I did it about 5 years ago, and I am still running the set up on my '08 C350 with no issues. Here's a link to the original post (w/dyno info):

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w204...take-dyno.html

While there is a slight HP/TQ gain, it's not enough to really make a big difference in the 0-60 time. It does look and sound good, though.

If you click on my user name, you can see my photo albums that show the intake. Additionally, I recently re-did the interior in red & black. I think the seat covers really helped the look of the car versus the look of the plain black MB-TEX seats. I've mainly been concentrating on my 928S, so the C350 is my year round daily driver now.

-Steve

 

Yes I am still running them in the sane set up as pictured above, haven't changed a thing. I have never had any problems with this set up and am still pleased with it.

 

Where did you get the heat shield?

 

I got everything I used off of the Spectre website

 

Thanks GUTTER-BOY!

 

Pat,

You're welcome.

As Murdered C300 said, if you're looking for a simple, easy modification, give it a try. I've done some other things - grille, blacked out all chrome, rear window spoiler, ECU tune, interior w/new seat covers, painted calipers, etc. If you decide to do any of those mods and have any questions, send me a PM and I'll help if I can.

-Steve