Took some time this morning and removed the secondary charcoal filters from both airboxes on either side of the engine. I read on the W211 E63 board that they have dyno'ed their 63's before and after removing these filters and they realized an additional 18 RWHP! I won't say that I'm enough of a mechanic to tell the difference between 503 and 521 HP. But my butt dyno says it does seem a little livelier. Pretty simple overall, you just need the right tools to make it easy.

 

Powerchip, pulley and now an airbox mod. Lots of hidden hp in these babies.

 

Guess I missed that one. What pulley mod for the ML63 are you referring to and what are the gains?

 

Instructions for airbox filter removal?

 

Very simple. Tools needed are just a 1/4" ratchet with 2" and 4" extentions and a size 25 torx bit socket for the end of the extention.

First with your fingers just pop up the front plastic pc with the star emblem. Start at the ends as shown. It's a little stiff so give it a gentle but firm tug upwards, and remove.


Then all 5 screws will be available for removal. The toughest one being hidden near the rubber intake at the rear.


Using the ratchet and bit remove all 5 screws and gently lift airbox lid just enough to reach into the box.


Leaving the beige filter with the red edges in place reach underneath upwards and gently pull out the grey charcoal filter. Then re-assemble and you're done!

 

The filters don't give you a boost from 503 to 521. Instead, it gives you BACK the 18HP that you LOST from having those filters. So, it brings you closer to 503HP, not beyond it.

 

You're right! Thanks for reminding me of the difference between crankHP and RWHP.

 

Thank you for that excellent walk through!

 

Your walk through was very helpfull and detailed. You saved me a lot of time

 

Question: What is the purpose of those filters?

 

I was told that the extra set of filters (the charcoal filters) help the vehicles meet emmission requirements for California and New Jersey. Remember, that even after removal of the charcoal filters, the primary air filters for the engine are still there. This just allows the engine to breathe easier.

 

Thanks for your response!

 

Very nice! I'm going to do this as soon as I get my ML63.

The charcoal filter is indeed simply for emissions to prevent retrograde leakage of gases when the engine is off. Many cars including BMW's have this restrictive extra filter and removal of it has yielded noticeable gains. My E60 M5 had it as well and it has been a popular mod on the M5boards although removal wasn't as easy on the M5 as EX-BEEMER illustrated it for the ML63.

 

Unfortunately, I didn't see much of a gain from this 'mod'...

Video of the dyno
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJnz2PZwIiE

The charts are under the W211 forums

 

I agree with Masmole, the M5/6s' engine compartments are not as roomy as the 63s, I had a tough time removing those charcoal filters too. On the ML, it was different, 15 minutes are all it takes.

 

if i once a week ride on a sandy roads and if i remove charcoal filters will it damage my engine? is it possible that sand will come to my engine inside?

 

No way... The primary air filters are left in place and they are very substantial. Open up the airbox and you'll see what I mean. I have been told by knowledgeable folk that the gray filters are for emmission control only.

 

JUST FOR EMMISSION CONTROL AND COST YOU 18HP?? INCREDIBLE.

ANYWAY, WILL REMOVE THE FILTERS TODAY AND SEE WHAT HAPPEN!!
THANKS!

 

Sorry to bring this to the top of the thread, but it came up in a search and so you guys are probably interested in this link I posted on the W211 AMG area.

http://www.knfilters.com/MAF/4MAFSensorVideo.htm

Tells you that the charcoal filters keep gases from going out when the engine is off. It is toward the end.