Engine air intake question.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 385
Likes: 92
From: Bognor Regis UK
Alfa 159
Engine air intake question.
I have the lowly 1.8 Kompressor motor in my CLK....not lightening fast but adequate for it's main job as my dd commuter. Now obviously they fit V configuration engines as well and that is why there are two intakes above my grille. What I don't understand is that my air box and throttle are on the right of the motor (when viewed from the front) but Mercedes elected to use the left hand air intake. This means that instead of having a straight air path to the air box (probably about 10 inches) it's takes a two feet path from the left of the engine across the front of the block and then into the air box. My question is why as surely a straight short path is more efficient than a long S shaped one. They even go to the bother of blocking off the right side one with a removable shield! Was this done for intake noise reasons? Is there any gain from replacing the long pipe with a short one straight to the right side intake....I kinda doubt it but just asking the question. If yes, is there a pipe made for the job? Thanks in advance for any replies.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,784
Likes: 84
From: SCV SoCal
2002 CLK430
Someone might read your question and assume there is an advantage to the sorter, straighter path. For your engine, I’m not sure that matters. The "diameter" of the inlet pipe at its narrowest point may be a much more important factor than the "length" of the pipe leading to the supercharger.
Think of it this way, if the supercharger produces 7 psi regardless of the inlet length before the compressor, isn't the pressure drop after the compressor more important?
Think of it this way, if the supercharger produces 7 psi regardless of the inlet length before the compressor, isn't the pressure drop after the compressor more important?
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 684
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From: Lebanon
2007 BMW 550i
I think its just easier to install and uninstall. imagine a plastic pipe similar to the v6 thats just a couple inches long. Its not going to be easy to design a piece of plastic that can be sturdy and easily removable at the same time. Also I'd think the pipe material can act like a sound insulator.
