JLee

I was not expecting much but I highly recommend this if you have not done this already. The throttle feels smoother/more responsive and definitely a noticeable gain in power. I am losing traction a little more readily as compared to before the removal.

Thinking of putting in the BMC filters next. If there is similar improvement as the charcoal filter removal, I would be very happy.

One interesting effect I noticed while normal(slow) driving is that the exhaust sound seems to have gotten a little smoother/quieter. Not too sure about this though. It could be because I am giving it less gas to get similar power as before.

GeoGeo

Just did the same thing today too. Also did a TPS reset. Car feels a bit more livelier.

JLee

Please tell me about the TPS reset and how it is done!

LOVEMYBS

Where is the charcoal filter located? When I spoke to L.E.T about an ECU re-flash they suggested I remove the filter also.

user z478747

If you take the air boxes apart to get to the air filters, flip over the top half of the box once you've unscrewed it from the base (where the air filters are located) and you'll see the charcoal filters.

Thought I read somewhere there is ~12 bhp after removing the charcoal filters? Perhaps someone might verify....

GeoGeo

The actual gain is probably 3 hp...do a search, it's been covered before.

TPS reset:
1. get in car, close all doors
2. turn the key to ON position (but don't start!), then press the gas pedal all the way in for 5 seconds
3. keep gas pedal in while turn the key to off. THen take foot off gas, and wait for 2 minutes.
4. restart the car.

THere's some claim that this resets the throttle position, along the same line as resetting the ECU. However, I drove the car again today, not much difference. Also, it's been said that the ECU is quite powerful and learns / adjusts to your driving style. If you drive harder it'll responds better.

Seat of pants couldn't tell much difference, but the transmission seems more eager to kick down with any light thump on the throttle.

JLee

It will be very hard to flip over the top part of the box unless you disconnect the part completely which is a lot more work. But if you look at the underside of the top part of the box, you will see the charcoal filter. It is held in place by the little black plastic tabs that stick out along the two long sides. If you pull on the charcoal filter gently so that it clears the plastic tabs, it pulls out pretty easily. Just be careful that you do not tear the delicate filter, otherwise it will get messy. Also, make sure to leave in the main air filter on the bottom.

JLee

Thanks!

user z478747

You are correct but, I think it's only one connected wire that needs to be disconnected. Can't remember for sure as I haven't done mine yet. Is it really that difficult to disconnect?

JLee

To flip the box, the electronic sensor attachment and the air inlet attachment has to be disconnected. To disconnect the passenger side electronic sensor attachment(the driver side attachment can be taken out by accessing the top of the attachment), the box actually has to be flipped over to get to the underside of the attachment, which cannot be done unless you remove the shock tower brace.

I am sure there are tricks you can use but I was not too familiar with the process involved and did not want to chance breaking anything by using too much force in the wrong way.

I actually removed the shock tower brace and all that and removed the charcoal filter on the table, which I would not do if I had to do it again.

SMP

There is no need to remove the strut tower brace. I changed my stock airbox for a carbon fiber unit with the strut tower brace in place. Just unplug the sensors for the left and right bank and loosen the clamps on the rubber intake. Only if you want to change the box the sensors have to be removed and transferred. Takes about 10 minutes.

JLee

Yes, if I had to do it again I would do it the simple way.

The first time, I did not know how easy/hard it would be to loosen the charcoal filter. I did this procedure on an E60 M5 before, and on that car, you almost had to break some plastic to get the charcoal filter out as it was held in place by metal clips.

ET550

I seem to recall a thread some time ago that had pictures showing how to remove the air box and filters, including screw locations and sensor removal. Maybe someone else has the same recollection or is better at doing a search.

SMP

First, remove the front cover (the one that has the MB star on it) of the airbox by lifting it up. Take the plastic covers off the left and right MAF, also by lifting it up. Disconnect the plugs for the right and left MAF sensors. Driverside is easier, push down the tab in the middle of the plug and pull off at the same time. Passenger side has the tab to push down on the other side towards the intake manifold. Loosen the 2 clamps that connect the airbox to the rubber intake. Remove the 5 torx screws from each airbox and pull it off the rubber intake. Done.

SMP

Here are the pictures I posted last time.

Sincity

That sounds abour right. Brian@GT PRO just did a dyno a couple weeks ago on a C63 and gained 10 HP (forget if that was crank or wheel) from the removal of the charcoals.

forhamilton

Can you post these larger please? Thanks.

Carnol4

is the removal process about the same on a w209 clk55? I changed the filters before and dont remember seeing any other filter

hughes369

that was fun! What else can we do?

JLee

Well, after the BMC filter, which I have not done yet, I am thinking of spacers to push the wheels out a little(10 -12mm) and maybe lower the car ~1 inch.

After that I think I will be pretty much done. Do not want to go the route of reflashing the ecu and exhaust yet.