NEW MODS
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 514
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From: So CAli/L.A
88 260 E
NEW MODS
Hey Guys,
So did a couple mods this week. As you know the M103 came with stock CAI,
however it's a bit restricted. Took it apart and with the Dremel trimmed off
the front deflector shield allowing more air to go directly in.
(Cheap easy mod)
I also installed the new headers, I'll have to powder coat the nuts to finish the jobs;the combo of these two mods gave me dramatic
improvement in torque and HP. I highly recommend doing this if you want to squeeze a few extra HP for cheap.
*Note - you'll need new gaskets when installing the headers, and the CAI mod won't be as efficient if your air filter is old and dirty.
~Cali
So did a couple mods this week. As you know the M103 came with stock CAI,
however it's a bit restricted. Took it apart and with the Dremel trimmed off
the front deflector shield allowing more air to go directly in.
(Cheap easy mod)
I also installed the new headers, I'll have to powder coat the nuts to finish the jobs;the combo of these two mods gave me dramatic
improvement in torque and HP. I highly recommend doing this if you want to squeeze a few extra HP for cheap.
*Note - you'll need new gaskets when installing the headers, and the CAI mod won't be as efficient if your air filter is old and dirty.
~Cali
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Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Connecticut, New Haven
95' AMG SeeThreeSix
I'm skeptical as to how much actual HP and or low end torque is gained from swapping out the old with new STOCK headers, cutting the beveled edge of the air duct isnt a bad idea though. Nice job either way, looks very clean 
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Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,213
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From: Kirkland, WA
500E Signal Rot
Yes, cutting the edging off of the intake duct does help, but highly unlikely it made a "dramatic" improvement, most likely the dramatic improvement came from the addition of the header, which shifts the power band.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 514
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From: So CAli/L.A
88 260 E
I always gasss at peeps that are skeptical or eager to throw in their two cents when they haven't done the mod themselves.Whatever the case may be I put the info out there it's up to the individual to take it or not.
1) NOT new stock headers
2) Dramatic increase in highway performance from the CAI mod; doesn't take a rocket scientist to tell you the more un-restricted air going in the more HP you're going to get.
As these mods were done in steps, I can say, you will see a significant
increase in performance just from the CAI mod. I never said turbo power here but enough for you to feel and notice the improvement on the highway.
~Cali
1) NOT new stock headers
2) Dramatic increase in highway performance from the CAI mod; doesn't take a rocket scientist to tell you the more un-restricted air going in the more HP you're going to get.
As these mods were done in steps, I can say, you will see a significant
increase in performance just from the CAI mod. I never said turbo power here but enough for you to feel and notice the improvement on the highway.
~Cali
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,213
Likes: 5
From: Kirkland, WA
500E Signal Rot
I always gasss at peeps that are skeptical or eager to throw in their two cents when they haven't done the mod themselves.Whatever the case may be I put the info out there it's up to the individual to take it or not.
1) NOT new stock headers
2) Dramatic increase in highway performance from the CAI mod; doesn't take a rocket scientist to tell you the more un-restricted air going in the more HP you're going to get.
As these mods were done in steps, I can say, you will see a significant
increase in performance just from the CAI mod. I never said turbo power here but enough for you to feel and notice the improvement on the highway.
~Cali
1) NOT new stock headers
2) Dramatic increase in highway performance from the CAI mod; doesn't take a rocket scientist to tell you the more un-restricted air going in the more HP you're going to get.
As these mods were done in steps, I can say, you will see a significant
increase in performance just from the CAI mod. I never said turbo power here but enough for you to feel and notice the improvement on the highway.
~Cali
Dyno results on the intake modifiaction showed 0 rwhp increase, good idea and a good modification to do, unfortunately, in reality, it just does not net any hp increase.
Butt dyno's are not reliable means of judging performance increases
Sorry about the header comment, the pictures were not showing up for me when I posted my original comments, so I was led to believe you installed a actual header. I see now that you just have the stock exhaust manifold.
Last edited by 2PHAST; Oct 20, 2008 at 03:13 PM.
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 509
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From: Atlanta, GA and Richmond, VA
1991 300E
yeah, he had them ceramic coated to help keep underhood temperatures down. i've already gotten the spare set of manifolds and i'm going to get on the ceramic coating part soon.
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 163
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1994 E320 Dragon Wagon
Maybe he took a Dremel to the "headers" as well.
The manifold looks cool coated but was there a suggestion of flow mods with anything other than the intake? May have solved an exhaust leak and wham, instant-power.
Me thinks this might be a bit of a stretch to get "seat of the pants" gain just chopping the intake horn.
The manifold looks cool coated but was there a suggestion of flow mods with anything other than the intake? May have solved an exhaust leak and wham, instant-power.
Me thinks this might be a bit of a stretch to get "seat of the pants" gain just chopping the intake horn.
Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 202
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From: Little Rock, Arkansas
1995 E 420
anyways, enjoy the pictures..
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Joined: Apr 2005
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From: Long Beach, Ca
lots of cars
I had that air inlet mod since like 2 years ago when a semi ripped the front of my car off including that little plastic cover. It was by accident so it wasn't really a mod. I never really noticed a difference since i detuned my car to drive like a grandma car for fuel economy and i now get 24-29 mpg. The air filter doesn't really get that dirty with the plastic like that anyways. If there are performance gains it would show up with a high flow air filter.
Jet hot coated exhaust manifold looks good. I did that to a set of try y headers on my mustangs. I've bought other headers that are ceramic coated but those aren't that shiny.
Headers are overkill when your only making 180-210 hp so invest in something that actually helps like a stand alone fuel system or a better suspension. I learned from messing around with 302s and 351s trying to get the hp on the cheap.
anyways, i'll be back in these forums in another month...
Jet hot coated exhaust manifold looks good. I did that to a set of try y headers on my mustangs. I've bought other headers that are ceramic coated but those aren't that shiny.
Headers are overkill when your only making 180-210 hp so invest in something that actually helps like a stand alone fuel system or a better suspension. I learned from messing around with 302s and 351s trying to get the hp on the cheap.
anyways, i'll be back in these forums in another month...
Last edited by YNVDIZW124; Oct 31, 2008 at 01:52 AM.
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Joined: May 2017
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W202 C36 AMG
Sorry to bring up a old thread but childofjoy I can send you money via PayPal and I would pay you for your time if you could purchase these headers for me. Unless someone, anyone can point me in the right direction to a company with a set of headers for a M104 engine. Thanks in advance!
