SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: Sneak peek @ new CAI....
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Southern, CA.
V12-Biturbo
Sneak peak @ new CAI....
it goes thru Radiator support & fetches completely outside cold air, Silicone tubing w/SS joiners tubing DIA goes from 3" in begining then majority runs 4" to nearly 4.75" it def makes power thru entire rev range. I dyno'd pre & post made 48.9 rwhp vs OEM stock boxes... IDK if Pre-Face lift models can achieve it, as I had to Sawzall the hell outt've the factory openings by headlights..
I'm using Foam mushroom filters mounted outside Radiator inbetween MB main grill..
I'll post more pix after it's cleaned up & trim some of the C-Clamp ends etc... Another plus vs pure metal or hard oem plastic, it doesn't get heatsinked you can touch all tubing & filters after a full street session of terror
I researched ordered/sourced ALL parts needed & built it myself, I'd fathom a guess of $200-$250 delivered, Time for install & Fab will vary w/skill level took me a couple Sunday afternoons maybe 4-5 hrs tops (& that's taken your time few six-packs etc)
I'm using Foam mushroom filters mounted outside Radiator inbetween MB main grill..
I'll post more pix after it's cleaned up & trim some of the C-Clamp ends etc... Another plus vs pure metal or hard oem plastic, it doesn't get heatsinked you can touch all tubing & filters after a full street session of terror
I researched ordered/sourced ALL parts needed & built it myself, I'd fathom a guess of $200-$250 delivered, Time for install & Fab will vary w/skill level took me a couple Sunday afternoons maybe 4-5 hrs tops (& that's taken your time few six-packs etc)
Last edited by Thericker; Apr 1, 2012 at 04:41 PM.
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From: Maryland
Eurocharged 2004 E500, Eurocharged ECU/TCU 2005 SL600, 2010 Caddy SwaggerWagon
Have you logged AFR or fuel trims since the install? Did you lean out a bit? Also, I know it's probably impossible to tell, but any chance of those silicone tubes collapsing on themselves once they get real hot? I can only imagine how much air those suckers are pulling under WOT, so I'm worried that once that silicone heats up under the hood, they might get soft and collapse a bit.
Can't wait to see the other pics. Interested in the filter setup/location. Good job, thinking outside the box.
Can't wait to see the other pics. Interested in the filter setup/location. Good job, thinking outside the box.
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 939
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From: Del Mar, CA
2003 CL600 2005 745Li
Air intake set up is one of my next mods.
I thinking of doing pretty much the same thing.
Where you are connecting the tubing why not just glue them together with high temp silicon like some engine builders use ?
Love to see more pix and have more testing feedback and added 50whp is no joke !
I thinking of doing pretty much the same thing.
Where you are connecting the tubing why not just glue them together with high temp silicon like some engine builders use ?
Love to see more pix and have more testing feedback and added 50whp is no joke !
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 9,155
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From: Southern, CA.
V12-Biturbo
Thanx guys, ZERO collapsing as each section of Silicone tubing is connected by 3"-4.5" DIA Stainless Steel Joiners, each about 3" in length, they have a raised hump-ridge on each end (2) fitting humps per joiner where they fit Silicone tubing super snugly & resist any collapsing. & allow proper C-Clamp to attach ALL the progressively larger or smaller tubing together. The SS joiners come in myriad of sizes to suit ANY project.
I repeatedly inspected every inch of tubing after a good 2-4 hours of driving (to & from LA) the SS joiners are integral in keeping this CAI from ANY deformations whatsoever..
NO glue needed, as you don't need it, trust me it's like a chineese finger puzzle once fitted together, I'm no weakling & it's an absolute b!tch to pry them apart after fitted onto SS joiners.
ps the added SS joiners add very nice growl/Phhhhssshh in Turbo Resonance sounds under heavy acceleration.
The updated Facelift headlights leave big gaps to outside fresh air, (the pre-facelift models don't.) Still I would say that 65% of labor went to cutting OEM holes to fit new Silicone tubing in order to run Filters outside Engine bay.
No Data logging, but I know these 275 engines very well after modding them for past 3.5 yrs of ownership, you're getting PURE AMBIENT AIR w/this TRUE CAI
Lastly the Black Duct--Tape isn't needed (& will be removed shortly) it was ONLY ADDED to hold down the excess C-Clamp ends that were popping up, they will be trimmed to fit after I'm certain on final fitment. I've been running w/this setup for couple months, & did some adjustments after work, may change Silicone part colors to ALL red, & filters are currently Blue, may go Red their too...
I repeatedly inspected every inch of tubing after a good 2-4 hours of driving (to & from LA) the SS joiners are integral in keeping this CAI from ANY deformations whatsoever..
NO glue needed, as you don't need it, trust me it's like a chineese finger puzzle once fitted together, I'm no weakling & it's an absolute b!tch to pry them apart after fitted onto SS joiners.
ps the added SS joiners add very nice growl/Phhhhssshh in Turbo Resonance sounds under heavy acceleration.
The updated Facelift headlights leave big gaps to outside fresh air, (the pre-facelift models don't.) Still I would say that 65% of labor went to cutting OEM holes to fit new Silicone tubing in order to run Filters outside Engine bay.
No Data logging, but I know these 275 engines very well after modding them for past 3.5 yrs of ownership, you're getting PURE AMBIENT AIR w/this TRUE CAI
Lastly the Black Duct--Tape isn't needed (& will be removed shortly) it was ONLY ADDED to hold down the excess C-Clamp ends that were popping up, they will be trimmed to fit after I'm certain on final fitment. I've been running w/this setup for couple months, & did some adjustments after work, may change Silicone part colors to ALL red, & filters are currently Blue, may go Red their too...
Last edited by Thericker; Mar 30, 2012 at 01:28 PM.
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From: Southern, CA.
V12-Biturbo
This small section of original pipe, shows vast difference between very small 3" Diameter SS piping used on previous setup.. (These were from TTM version the 3" pipes" Though the original Scorpion Design from SpeeDriven was a bit smaller @ 2.75" I took it to 4.75" @ largest intake opening section.
Last edited by Thericker; Mar 30, 2012 at 02:19 PM.
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Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Southern, CA.
V12-Biturbo
Bit of hassle as they're hidden behind main MB grill in front of radiator, If you don't own your car & it's leased I wouldn't suggest this mod, I severely butchered factory OEM holes to fit larger tubing thru, it's non reversable after SawZall work.. Trust me the amount of air this things gulping is very notable in traffic, standstill, & flat flying on frwy in higher gears it moves D' ***-out hard 3rd thru 5th just pulls n pulls
Example pulled up nxt to Panamera TT on Freeway (lady
driver) my BOV is so loud when proded! I goosed throttle while nxt to her (her windows up, driving 75 mph) she jumped & nearly 
lost her wig when she whipped her melon towards my SL to see what noise was)
Example pulled up nxt to Panamera TT on Freeway (lady
driver) my BOV is so loud when proded! I goosed throttle while nxt to her (her windows up, driving 75 mph) she jumped & nearly lost her wig when she whipped her melon towards my SL to see what noise was)
Last edited by Thericker; Apr 3, 2012 at 04:55 PM.
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Joined: Sep 2008
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From: SoCal
SL55 AMG
Damn Sean that is some serious sewer size plumbing and here I am thinking my 4" intake is huge. Great job bro.
You are right about the facelift, it sure does seem there is a lot more room than pre-facelift.
You are right about the facelift, it sure does seem there is a lot more room than pre-facelift.
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S65 amg
Do you still have the parts list ??? pm me
This small section of original pipe, shows vast difference between very small 3" Diameter SS piping used on previous setup.. (These were from TTM version the 3" pipes" Though the original Scorpion Design from SpeeDriven was a bit smaller @ 2.75" I took it to 4.75" @ largest intake opening section.
