I've been a passive participant to this site for many years and have learned a lot from everyone's unselfish inputs. I've just had an experience that is worthy of sharing with all of you and to "give back" a bit. I'm also surprised to find that this hasn't been talked of all that much.

I have a stock 2003 C32. I do have MagnaCore wires and Iridium plugs along with a res delete but that's it.

I just received yesterday and already installed the CAI from Needswings. If i remember correctly their site claims approximately a 50% increase in air-flow. By looking at the stock equipment I took off I would have guessed it is much more. They provide a new intake boot that is much larger than the stock one and is needed to fit their larger tubes. It all went in nicely and took about an hour just as they indicated. Its a work of art.

My next question was "why didn't MB build it this way the first time?" this is SO MUCH BETTER. I'm very happy with the addition and I'm surprised to find that everyone doesn't have one of these. Now I know what you must be thinking....... I work at Needswings or I'm a friend of theirs. I couldn't pick Rob from Needswings out of a lineup but I can tell you what------ I know I like him already. Not only is the intake the best- he's answered when I called him, he called me back when I left a message, he told me exactly what to expect and he was spot on. Its rather a simple customer focus formula but its surprising how many companies can't get it right.

After taking a drive with it on I started questioning my other plans to install a Eurocharged 185 pulley, a heat exchanger and a Johnson IC pump. I question it because my pickup was nicely enhanced and I'm wondering if I'm going to have overkill here. It will simply be a beast.

I will install the new parts next. If anyone would like to hear how it goes I'll let you know. I'm doing all the work myself. Eurocharged has also been good with communication too. Now all i'll need to do it download the tune from them and I have a lot of confidence in their capabilities that they are up for the task- based on everyone's inputs on this site.

Just wanted to share a humble and sincere thank you to all of you who contribute to this site. You don't know how many others like me sit quietly on the side and learn from all your experience. Thanks again!

 

Here's an update for Friday evening after the install we had weather coming through. With wet roads and 32 degrees I had to be careful.

Today is dry, clear and cold. Just took the car out with my son and holy sh*t! With no other mods on this car the wheels now spin. The take-off is phenomenal and you actually get pushed back into the seat.

I'm happy this is the first thing I've done to the car and i like the idea of being able to judge the impact of this mod separately. As indicated in other note, I'm installing a Eurocharged 185 pulley and tune, a heat exchanger and Johnson IC pump on Friday.

This was the best decision that I made. The comparison of what I took out to what I put in regarding cold air intake is so much different. I lost a little respect for MB after seeing what actually should have been in there from the start.

As you can tell by the length of time I've been on this site to the number of posts that I have to date- I'm not one to get on here and overstate anything.

I guarantee that anyone who goes ahead and installs this on their car will be writing me back thanking me profusely.

Happy and safe driving to all!

 

Pictures?

 

Just took these for you.

 

Here is what it looks like in red on my car. And I agree, Rob is a super nice guy to deal with. My car was already somewhat modifyed and until
I finish my winter project, it will be hard to say how much, if anything, I'll pick up. But the instruments are telling me that I'm getting more air in.

 

What's the unit in the top front of your car where the radiator is?

 

I think you are referring to a reservoir used together with separating the cooling system. It provides extra coolant capacity for the Heat Exhanger. And the little thing on the other side of the radiator support facing forward is my radar detector.

 

Could someone post a picture of the filters themselves? I would love to see what they look like! Thanks!

 

Sorry, they are already on the car and it is too cold and too dark now to take them out. But here is some info about them. They are cone shaped. 5.5" Tall, 4" O.D. base tapers to 1.6". Made out of high flow catton fiber. Red in color.

 

your missing 2 clamps at the front that connects the intakes to the tubes in the rad support

 

That setup looks nasty! In a good way. :)

 

Looks fabulous !!!

 

Good eyes but clamps are not needed there.

 

They do look great but the performance i'm getting these are even better. I just returned from a 4 hour drive tonight and I'm more amazed each time I take her out. I would have never expected the car to respond like it is. I know I sound like a new father telling everyone how beautiful my baby is, but- it's TRUE!

 

I can't wait. Rob said mine shipped out last week.

 

Sounds good!

 

hmm tempting.. maybe i just might get a one :-)

 

Tempting as well.. I just have to justify replacing the C3 intake and near new K&N's for this.. it does look far superior!

 

just checked it out on the needswings site. does anyone have any quantifiable data/dyno on the power gains?

 

The filters come with the intake. No additional costs needed. I believe they are K&N's that they use...... but am certain that they are similar to them in that they don't have a set life. They are resusable.

If I had to do it all over again I would have just done the following.
1. I just replaced my supercharger clutch/pulley with OEM. I would have rather installed a smaller SC pulley, and
2. installed Needswings CAI.

This alone is an amazing boost. As indicated earlier, I've already spent the money for a Eurocharged 185 pulley and tune, HE and Johnson IC pump but I'm afraid this is going to make it a death machine. How much do I really need?

 

Glad you're enjoying the product! The Crossfire boys are huge fans of Rob @ Needswings and pretty much everything he retails, haha.

Regarding the pulley and CAI combo, it's a hoot. I'm running Rob's single intake and it's awesome. I will be upgrading to the dual soon, you can never have enough horsepower and it's a great looking product

With my NW single CAI, 65mm pulley, and latest EC tune I should be in the low 12's (with driver mod). You will love the 185, just be prepared to throw more fuel into the mix. Hoping my friend Anthony chimes in, as he was running your basic setup and had a few hurdles to overcome with the fuel. Last fall he ran a best time of 11.8 @ 117 if I recall...

 

Looks awesome !! Let us know what you pick up on that?? Still going for Jake's record???

 

nah he's just trying to catch me!!

 

It's never enough. Add the upgrades, and within a few weeks, you'll find yourself wanting more. That's why I'm looking into either the E55 or SL55 route next.

 

Thanks. I do like the look. I also have red manis to go with this intake. Unlikely I'll pick up much without the rest of the changes that I have planned. I'm always going for the records, but not forgeting to have good time while doing it.

Catching you? Steve, this is a W203 forum.