ZAC Intake install
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Super Member
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 881
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AMG GLC 63s Coupe
ZAC Intake install
Finally received my intake from ZAC to go along with my Eurocharged Stage 2 tune.
I am kind of "on the fence" in relationship to whether an open system is any better than a closed system as you definitely are drawing in more heat in an open system. Maybe the increased airflow offsets this? Some studies show they do.
All that aside...I wanted the sound and looks of an aftermarket intake. I really like the looks of the ZAC intake and heatshields. I also figured the turbo blanket would be a good idea.
I am a far cry from a mechanic but this was a pretty straight forward install. The heatshields were the most difficult part. It took me about 4 hours to install but an hour of that was cutting out the aluminum mesh, in the heatshield, for fuel rail clearance and the air filter sensors, without the proper tool. It is actually a weird design as it could have just come from ZAC already cut out.
Me being weird, I uninstalled everything yesterday just to see how long it should really take and I even took off both of the heatshields, that cover the turbos, so I could properly install the turbo blanket and it took about an hour to install everything on my second go around.
I am kind of "on the fence" in relationship to whether an open system is any better than a closed system as you definitely are drawing in more heat in an open system. Maybe the increased airflow offsets this? Some studies show they do.
All that aside...I wanted the sound and looks of an aftermarket intake. I really like the looks of the ZAC intake and heatshields. I also figured the turbo blanket would be a good idea.
I am a far cry from a mechanic but this was a pretty straight forward install. The heatshields were the most difficult part. It took me about 4 hours to install but an hour of that was cutting out the aluminum mesh, in the heatshield, for fuel rail clearance and the air filter sensors, without the proper tool. It is actually a weird design as it could have just come from ZAC already cut out.
Me being weird, I uninstalled everything yesterday just to see how long it should really take and I even took off both of the heatshields, that cover the turbos, so I could properly install the turbo blanket and it took about an hour to install everything on my second go around.
Last edited by ParadigmDawg; Mar 1, 2021 at 11:22 AM.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 881
Likes: 300
AMG GLC 63s Coupe
https://www.zacmotorsport.com/collec...3-evo2-intakes
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 22
Likes: 3
From: Great White North
GLC AMG 63 S
Thanks so much for advising and providing the link ParadigmDawg. I am not quite familiar with the MB aftermarket performance goodies. This is my first MB AMG daily driver vehicle. So far, I am quite impressed. I think I see the ZAC CAI set up in the very near future. But first, an aftermarket exhaust for my Porsche 991.2. Cheers!
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 881
Likes: 300
AMG GLC 63s Coupe
Thanks so much for advising and providing the link ParadigmDawg. I am not quite familiar with the MB aftermarket performance goodies. This is my first MB AMG daily driver vehicle. So far, I am quite impressed. I think I see the ZAC CAI set up in the very near future. But first, an aftermarket exhaust for my Porsche 991.2. Cheers!
I really like the ModalWorks intake too. Interesting how they sealed the top of the airboxes to the hood. It was kind of a toss up to me and in the end, I liked the ZAC the best. Plus I think I am going to switch over to their BOV. Zac's intake doesn't connect to the BOV so you have a nice amount of blow off sound but it sounds pretty refined, just open to air, unlike a rice burner. When the BOV goes into the intake your ECU controls it and also triggers your traction control. I can definitely kick the tires out from under now before traction control comes on.
https://modalwork.com/products/w205-...34221309755532
Either way, use the ModalWorks install instructions, they are way easier to follow...lol...
Last edited by ParadigmDawg; Mar 1, 2021 at 05:14 PM.
Member
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 133
Likes: 26
From: San Francisco, CA
2020 GLC63
How hard was it to pry the engine builder plaque off the air box?
I have the modalworks myself. The install took me less than an hour and was really straight forward. I haven't done much research into ZAC but from modalworks data there are no increase in intake air temperature compared to factory airboxes. The only thing I don't like about the modalworks is there is no provisions for the air filter quality sensors. (Also I lose the engine builder plaque but they are releasing a bracket for it soon)
I have the modalworks myself. The install took me less than an hour and was really straight forward. I haven't done much research into ZAC but from modalworks data there are no increase in intake air temperature compared to factory airboxes. The only thing I don't like about the modalworks is there is no provisions for the air filter quality sensors. (Also I lose the engine builder plaque but they are releasing a bracket for it soon)
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 881
Likes: 300
AMG GLC 63s Coupe
How hard was it to pry the engine builder plaque off the air box?
I have the modalworks myself. The install took me less than an hour and was really straight forward. I haven't done much research into ZAC but from modalworks data there are no increase in intake air temperature compared to factory airboxes. The only thing I don't like about the modalworks is there is no provisions for the air filter quality sensors. (Also I lose the engine builder plaque but they are releasing a bracket for it soon)
I have the modalworks myself. The install took me less than an hour and was really straight forward. I haven't done much research into ZAC but from modalworks data there are no increase in intake air temperature compared to factory airboxes. The only thing I don't like about the modalworks is there is no provisions for the air filter quality sensors. (Also I lose the engine builder plaque but they are releasing a bracket for it soon)
I don't think the air filter quality sensors are a big deal. ZAC said you can tie them up or put them in the heatshield slots which are built to inset and 1/4 twist like the factory box. I installed them just because it is cleaner looking.
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Member
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 226
Likes: 47
From: N. Maryland
2024 GLE 580
So the stock intakes bring cold air from the grill, but the aftermarket cold air intakes suck air from well inside the hot engine bay? Interesting.
Last edited by Bmo Pete; Mar 5, 2021 at 12:57 AM.
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Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 881
Likes: 300
AMG GLC 63s Coupe
There are theories that also conclude the advantage of dumping air back into the intake to reduce turbo lag. A lot of this is trial and error.
I use an aftermarket BOV that works only off of manifold pressures vs ECU so I don't have the issues of the ECU slowing my car based on it controlling what I am trying to do.
As I did in my BMW, once I can get this car to stick(I spin off the line and when I hit 2nd gear right now). I will log some passes with the ZAC, with stock and probably with the Modal intakes. My BMW ran best with the stock box and stock filters which surprised me. An after market high flow filter, in the stock box actually ran the worst.
