Chinbold

Has anyone tried to make a custom intake system on their ML350? Any advice?

Chinbold

I'm thinking of something like this.

N_Jay

Why?

paracutin

Worthless. You will pull in hot air from under the hood rather than cold air from behind the grille. Your hp will actually go down do to the air charge being less dense.

Chinbold

So i guess this 1 is better

paracutin

Yes. With a proper tune you should see a few more ponies.

Chinbold

This is what i did today. It really works! I can geel the difference. I've got much more power and acceleration.

paracutin

What did the dyno say?
I have seen too many independent tests on various vehicles that show the hot air system you installed have a negative impact on actual hp/torque numbers.
Here's a simple way to test the results. Use any GPS app for your phone and measure your acceleration. Swap your old air intake system back in and see what the difference is.
It looks cool and they definitely sound cool but they do not add performance.

C43AMG

Interesting setup and comments.I am amazed at the concern over drawing " hot air from the engine compartment" into the motor.The vehicle only draws hot air when bits stationary.I am sure the motor "breathes" better.Wether or not it adds ponies , only the sumo knows.

C43AMG

Stupid iPhone ....."only the dyno knows"

Chinbold

It's -20C here and theres no chance to suck hot air while driving.

paracutin

This is the solution one company has come up with for full size trucks.
http://www.bankspower.com/products/s...C6.2%2C8.1%7C3
While the application may be different the principals of air temperature and density remain the same.
Your setup looks cool and probably sounds cool too but don't be fooled into thinking you are making more power. That's all I'm trying to say. If you want to make more power get a tune to go along with the exhaust you installed a while back.

Chinbold

Ok thank you for the advice. I can't measure the exact horsepower since there is no dyno or professional tuning shop in mongolia. Next i'm looking forward for a manifold system. But i'm not sure with ECU tuning since it will shorten my engine life. Whats better?

N_Jay

Your intake is BEHIND the radiator.

Go to radio shack and buy a cheap indoor/outdoor wireless thermometer and double check you ASSumptions.

paracutin

ECU tuning will not shorten engine life. Your driving style will. Lack of regular maintenance will but tuning itself will not.

paracutin

+1

C43AMG

ECU tuning on a NA motor in MOST cases is useless

paracutin

What is an 'NA' motor?

BillsBenz

Normally aspirated or a non turbo charged engine.

paracutin

This tuner has dyno results that show and increase of 22HP and 26 lb ft of torque from an engine tune alone. That's an 8% increase in HP and a 10% increase in torque. Price = $1,000.00. Probably the single largest gain you will find short of adding forced induction.

http://dyno-comp.com/details.php?bro...owse_submit=GO