VRP Airbox fitting problem - UK throttle body different to US one?
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Joined: Mar 2008
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From: Croydon, England
2004 E55 AMG
VRP Airbox fitting problem - UK throttle body different to US one?
I finally received the instructions and missing washers etc from the bloke on eBay who was selling the E55 VRP airbox, and went to fit it today but came across a problem.
Hoping it's something simple I've done, but after following the instructions closely I am left with an approx 1/4" gap between the throttle body and the airbox...
Have I got the correct thickness foam ring for my car?
If not, can I get a thicker one?
Or more worryingly, is my UK throttle body different from a US one? Step 3 in the instructions says to remove the throttle body from the supercharger inlet with an 11mm socket - I needed a T27 Torx driver to remove mine
I really want to fit this airbox, plus I've got a set of Python tubes on order too - please help me out guys!
Hoping it's something simple I've done, but after following the instructions closely I am left with an approx 1/4" gap between the throttle body and the airbox...
Have I got the correct thickness foam ring for my car?
If not, can I get a thicker one?
Or more worryingly, is my UK throttle body different from a US one? Step 3 in the instructions says to remove the throttle body from the supercharger inlet with an 11mm socket - I needed a T27 Torx driver to remove mine
I really want to fit this airbox, plus I've got a set of Python tubes on order too - please help me out guys!
Last edited by Scorcher; Jun 28, 2008 at 02:20 PM.
Out Of Control!!
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From: San Diego
2015 S212
Not sure what the problem would be but I think it looks like simple fittment. If everything on the TB clears, it is likely an alignment issue. DO NOT FORCE it or you may crack it. Consider removing the knobs that were there to hold the OEM airbox in place. For me, removing the two front ones helped the box settle in and fit flush. As a test, spray some carb cleaner to see if you have it sealed.
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Drives Slowly
What is preventing you from pulling the unit forward to meet the TB?
Are the brackets for the air-box assembly fully seated in these pictures?
You do have to shave some of the black rubberized material on the TB to properly position the unit but it was not a simple install (at least in my case).
Are the brackets for the air-box assembly fully seated in these pictures?
You do have to shave some of the black rubberized material on the TB to properly position the unit but it was not a simple install (at least in my case).
Thread Starter
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From: Croydon, England
2004 E55 AMG
Jangy - what knobs do you mean?
Rock - Yep, I've shaved the rubber, as you can see on the top left of photo 1, so it's not keeping the airbox away.
The gap is there when the bolts have been inserted into the original airbox holes, so I can't adjust the fitment of the box much at all
Rock - Yep, I've shaved the rubber, as you can see on the top left of photo 1, so it's not keeping the airbox away.
The gap is there when the bolts have been inserted into the original airbox holes, so I can't adjust the fitment of the box much at all
Out Of Control!!
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From: San Diego
2015 S212
Jangy - what knobs do you mean?
Rock - Yep, I've shaved the rubber, as you can see on the top left of photo 1, so it's not keeping the airbox away.
The gap is there when the bolts have been inserted into the original airbox holes, so I can't adjust the fitment of the box much at all
Rock - Yep, I've shaved the rubber, as you can see on the top left of photo 1, so it's not keeping the airbox away.
The gap is there when the bolts have been inserted into the original airbox holes, so I can't adjust the fitment of the box much at all
Thread Starter
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From: Croydon, England
2004 E55 AMG
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Drives Slowly
Jangy is talking about the lower part of the airbox that houses the filters, not the CF box you got from VRP. The upper and lower sections can be pulled out in one piece. You will see the mounts once you do this.
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Out Of Control!!
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: San Diego
2015 S212
Rock is right. My bad for not being clear. Yes, if you remove the two rear ones, then the box can slightly tilt back and the mouth slips right in. If you really want, you can replace the knobs once the mouth is in place, but it really is no need.
From the pic it looks like that is the issue. idon't see where the TB plastic is hitting it and that is the only thing that should even be in contact with it.
From the pic it looks like that is the issue. idon't see where the TB plastic is hitting it and that is the only thing that should even be in contact with it.
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From: Croydon, England
2004 E55 AMG
Crap - just removed all four rubber knobs, plus the rubber surrounds to the airbox lugs....
...so engine bay looked like this....
...and when VRP box was fitted, I still have the gap.
- ok, so I can now wiggle the whole airbox around, but unless I snap off all the locating lugs on the lower AMG airbox part, there's no way I'm getting a snug fit.
This is making me think that my throttle body is slightly slimmer than it's US counterpart
Here's my original airbox with no gap
All I need for it to work is a rubber shroud of some sort to give an airtight join between the VRP part and the AMG throttle body, or maybe 2-3 more of the VRP neoprene foam rings?
I've PMed VRUS, but I guess like sensible people he's not at work on a Sunday
...so engine bay looked like this....
...and when VRP box was fitted, I still have the gap.
- ok, so I can now wiggle the whole airbox around, but unless I snap off all the locating lugs on the lower AMG airbox part, there's no way I'm getting a snug fit.This is making me think that my throttle body is slightly slimmer than it's US counterpart
Here's my original airbox with no gap
All I need for it to work is a rubber shroud of some sort to give an airtight join between the VRP part and the AMG throttle body, or maybe 2-3 more of the VRP neoprene foam rings?
I've PMed VRUS, but I guess like sensible people he's not at work on a Sunday
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There was a couple of different version Air-boxes for the larger throttle Body upgrade as it was being finalized. One used a fabricated and added flange to mount the larger T/Body and the later used a AMG part that needed no flange. You may have one of those that allowed for the flange's added thickness.
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From: Croydon, England
2004 E55 AMG
There was a couple of different version Air-boxes for the larger throttle Body upgrade as it was being finalized. One used a fabricated and added flange to mount the larger T/Body and the later used a AMG part that needed no flange. You may have one of those that allowed for the flange's added thickness.
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From: San Diego
2015 S212
Hmmm, I'm confused now. Can you take the bottom off and just see if the top piece fits around the TB? I really don't think the TB thickness is different, so there may be something else holding it up.
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From: orange county, ca
2006 E55
mine has some gap as well. Even taking off the little black knobs helps just marginally. On the other hand, there doesnt appear to be any leaks, so I suppose its safe to say the box fits just enough so that the gasket does its job.
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From: Croydon, England
2004 E55 AMG
The rocker cover (I think! - big silver AMG branded lump of metal
) prevents the VRP getting any closer to the TB
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Good luck...
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W211 E55
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From: Richmond Hill, Ontario
2003 E55 AMG
The problem is the BOLTS on the throttle body.
That airbox you have is for an 80mm Throttle body. Do you have the 80mm on your car or 74mm ??
With my 80mm Throttle body kit I supply 8x35mm stainless bolts with socket caps and 1 stainless washer. When you use those bolts, the top of the bolt sits much higher than those stockers you have.
The metal backing on that foam ring seats up against the heads on the stainless bolts and is what holds the plate in its position.
I've never tried to use the foam ring on a stock 74mm TB but it SHOULD WORK.
Just go to the hardware store and pickup 4 stainless bolts and washers like I described.. it will raise the backplate far enough to mate up to the airbox.
That airbox you have is for an 80mm Throttle body. Do you have the 80mm on your car or 74mm ??
With my 80mm Throttle body kit I supply 8x35mm stainless bolts with socket caps and 1 stainless washer. When you use those bolts, the top of the bolt sits much higher than those stockers you have.
The metal backing on that foam ring seats up against the heads on the stainless bolts and is what holds the plate in its position.
I've never tried to use the foam ring on a stock 74mm TB but it SHOULD WORK.
Just go to the hardware store and pickup 4 stainless bolts and washers like I described.. it will raise the backplate far enough to mate up to the airbox.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 132
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From: Croydon, England
2004 E55 AMG
The problem is the BOLTS on the throttle body.
That airbox you have is for an 80mm Throttle body. Do you have the 80mm on your car or 74mm ??
With my 80mm Throttle body kit I supply 8x35mm stainless bolts with socket caps and 1 stainless washer. When you use those bolts, the top of the bolt sits much higher than those stockers you have.
The metal backing on that foam ring seats up against the heads on the stainless bolts and is what holds the plate in its position.
I've never tried to use the foam ring on a stock 74mm TB but it SHOULD WORK.
Just go to the hardware store and pickup 4 stainless bolts and washers like I described.. it will raise the backplate far enough to mate up to the airbox.
That airbox you have is for an 80mm Throttle body. Do you have the 80mm on your car or 74mm ??
With my 80mm Throttle body kit I supply 8x35mm stainless bolts with socket caps and 1 stainless washer. When you use those bolts, the top of the bolt sits much higher than those stockers you have.
The metal backing on that foam ring seats up against the heads on the stainless bolts and is what holds the plate in its position.
I've never tried to use the foam ring on a stock 74mm TB but it SHOULD WORK.
Just go to the hardware store and pickup 4 stainless bolts and washers like I described.. it will raise the backplate far enough to mate up to the airbox.
I do only have the stock 74mm TB - either the eBay seller didn't know or did know and didn't say in his listing that it was for an 80mm TB -
Could you be a gent a take a photo of the bolts you supply with your 80mm TB please?
I was thinking about upgrading to your larger TB - is it a straight bolt on swap for the 74mm one, or is other work needed too? Could you perhaps PM me the fitting instructions so I can see if it's a DIY job?
cheers
