Headlight intake?
Thread Starter
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Feb 2003
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haters crazy
Headlight intake?
I thought this would be cool and get rid of a MAJOR restriction on the intake system on my CLK55. Not to mention going from stock headlights to flat black projector headlights (Had to get rid of the wannabe BMW halos as soon as I got them though lol) When the hood closes it covers up the stock inlets on my car which were tiny to begin with. It is now 3" ID silicone hose up to the 3" inlets of the E55 airbox. I haven't driven it much yet but mpg went way up. Drove ~20 miles and got 22mpg 
I wont comment on the power until I have something tangible to prove it and most likely wont be seen on the dyno. This is just the first ghetto rigged attempt. Things will be updated until I am happy with the complete setup. Some of you are probably weary about rain. I was too, but I dont drive very much in the rain. Plus there is a big 45 degree angle the water would have to travel up and I dont think much, if any, water would be able to get up the hoses and up through the air filters. The way I have it setup is that I can switch back to the stock inlets in a matter of a couple minutes anyway 
Here are some crappy cell phone pics for now (hood is open and washer nozzle covers not reinstalled yet)...
I wont comment on the power until I have something tangible to prove it and most likely wont be seen on the dyno. This is just the first ghetto rigged attempt. Things will be updated until I am happy with the complete setup. Some of you are probably weary about rain. I was too, but I dont drive very much in the rain. Plus there is a big 45 degree angle the water would have to travel up and I dont think much, if any, water would be able to get up the hoses and up through the air filters. The way I have it setup is that I can switch back to the stock inlets in a matter of a couple minutes anyway Here are some crappy cell phone pics for now (hood is open and washer nozzle covers not reinstalled yet)...
Last edited by blackbenzz; Jul 7, 2008 at 07:23 PM.
Thread Starter
Out Of Control!!
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The problem with dataloggin my CLK55 is that the IATs are not measured post sc. I can still do it though
Evoiiiyou- Great minds think alike. Thats one of the next things I have planned. This is just the preliminary setup. Eventually, I may just completely get rid of the 55k airbox
This is what the previous headlights looked like
Last edited by blackbenzz; Jul 7, 2008 at 07:31 PM.
Former Vendor of MBWorld
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: In a box
W211 E55
Pretty pimp, Big A. 
I briefly looked at the W211 for a "headlight delete" but the high beams are contained in the smaller housing.
Did your projector upgrade relocate both hi + low in the same unit?
If so, could you please direct me to the vendor?
TIA.
I briefly looked at the W211 for a "headlight delete" but the high beams are contained in the smaller housing.
Did your projector upgrade relocate both hi + low in the same unit?
If so, could you please direct me to the vendor?
TIA.
Thread Starter
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Feb 2003
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haters crazy
Unfortunately, I no longer have high beams. I guess if you really wanted to you could retrofit something to have both high beam and low beams in the outer circle. I have no interest in high beams 
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Former Vendor of MBWorld
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: In a box
W211 E55
My weekend place is in the woods, and I need every lumen possible to stave off the daily attacks of the Kamikaze deer, groundhogs, and rabbits.
Thanks for the reply.
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Out Of Control!!
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 13,394
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From: San Diego
2015 S212
HOLY COW!! That is exactly what I wish i had the gaul to do!! Great job and I'll bet you do see a difference on the dyno. Get rid of the airbox, bro. I am swapping out to Cone filters but was having a hard time finding a spot to get air. All logical thoughts come back to the headlights. I considered the fogliht area as well. We'll see. i really think the intake is restrictive in these cars, especially if modded.
Last thing, you could easily build a slope into it so that not as much crap gets in, but hey I have no issues with slapping in a clean filter every so often and I don't care about high beams either!!
Can't wait to see the final and hope you'll help a cali car do the same.
Last thing, you could easily build a slope into it so that not as much crap gets in, but hey I have no issues with slapping in a clean filter every so often and I don't care about high beams either!!
Can't wait to see the final and hope you'll help a cali car do the same.
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ChicagoX- Must be nice!
chiromikey- Thanks!
jangy- if you look closely you can see that there is a slope built into the design. look how much higher the inlet of the 55k airbox is than the inlet on the headlilght. I would be happy to help you with a similar setup. The foglight area was my first idea for the ntake inlets. It would be difficult to route it down there, the body of the car gets in the way. Plus the issue of water is amplified.
chiromikey- Thanks!
jangy- if you look closely you can see that there is a slope built into the design. look how much higher the inlet of the 55k airbox is than the inlet on the headlilght. I would be happy to help you with a similar setup. The foglight area was my first idea for the ntake inlets. It would be difficult to route it down there, the body of the car gets in the way. Plus the issue of water is amplified.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: San Diego
2015 S212
How hard is it to remove the headlight? Any error codes? Does anyone know if these codes can be shut down by SDS.
I'm going to give the fogs one hard try and also even pulling straight from the bottom. I'm not too worried about water or debris and that would have a huge slope to climb.
What are you going to do about filters? I'm just going by assumption that we can increase surface area (reducing pressure) by going to a canister or cone, but I haven't tried it.
NICE!! Intake, Exhaust, LSD and I'm done.
I'm going to give the fogs one hard try and also even pulling straight from the bottom. I'm not too worried about water or debris and that would have a huge slope to climb.
What are you going to do about filters? I'm just going by assumption that we can increase surface area (reducing pressure) by going to a canister or cone, but I haven't tried it.
NICE!! Intake, Exhaust, LSD and I'm done.
Thread Starter
Out Of Control!!
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Not sure if the E55 is the same as the CLK55. I had to remove the bumper and then remove a bolt that went into the side of the headlight through the fender, a bolt on top of th eheadlight that went into the fender, and a nut on the headlight close to the bottom of the grill. Thats it. I get an error code when I turn on my headlights (lamp defective) because I have no city lights anymore. This can be fixed with a resistor. Befor eyou try fabbing stuff up for the fog lights, make sure you have room to plumb the hosing. The E55 may have mor eroom than my car but there was no room on my car to run 3" hosing all the way down there.
I have several filter ideas right now and have yet to select one. For now the stock 55k airbox stays until I can see what gains it made at the track. Heat wrapping everything would be a great bonus too.
I have several filter ideas right now and have yet to select one. For now the stock 55k airbox stays until I can see what gains it made at the track. Heat wrapping everything would be a great bonus too.
Thread Starter
Out Of Control!!
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Jeff- Thanks, let me know when you want to put those airboxes in. I am free today.
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From: Ga.
All of them!
My "Monster" is driven daily and just sick.
Getting some more hook out of the tires has been the main issue lately. I'm going to raise the suspension at least some and install softer springs and maybe shocks soon in a attempt to make some more traction happen. My 211 is so much easier to drive, even with the open diff.
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From: Seattle
05 E55
I had a similar set up on my old Maxima. The one thing that I had to do was cover the opening of the tube with mesh. You'll be amazed at how many leaves, rocks and debris find their way inside.
As for water, unless you are submerged in it, I think you'll be fine, as it should evaporate. But if you are submerged, then I think you have more problems to worry about.
On a side note, you have to wonder why manufactures don't do this more often. What seems logical to us may have been proven not to be beneficial...or worse, harmful. Think about erratic air pressure around your hood during stop/go/accelertion. One could argue that a steady, consitant pressure is needed for maximum performance. Or like that of a controlled, forced induction system to achieve maximum results.
As for water, unless you are submerged in it, I think you'll be fine, as it should evaporate. But if you are submerged, then I think you have more problems to worry about.
On a side note, you have to wonder why manufactures don't do this more often. What seems logical to us may have been proven not to be beneficial...or worse, harmful. Think about erratic air pressure around your hood during stop/go/accelertion. One could argue that a steady, consitant pressure is needed for maximum performance. Or like that of a controlled, forced induction system to achieve maximum results.
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From: City with Tall buildings!
C43/55,2k11 Volvo S60 T6AWD,2k Audi B5 S4,95 Eagle Talon Tsi AWD 500+awhp
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From: City with Tall buildings!
C43/55,2k11 Volvo S60 T6AWD,2k Audi B5 S4,95 Eagle Talon Tsi AWD 500+awhp
I thought this would be cool and get rid of a MAJOR restriction on the intake system on my CLK55. Not to mention going from stock headlights to flat black projector headlights (Had to get rid of the wannabe BMW halos as soon as I got them though lol) When the hood closes it covers up the stock inlets on my car which were tiny to begin with. It is now 3" ID silicone hose up to the 3" inlets of the E55 airbox. I haven't driven it much yet but mpg went way up. Drove ~20 miles and got 22mpg I wont comment on the power until I have something tangible to prove it and most likely wont be seen on the dyno. This is just the first ghetto rigged attempt. Things will be updated until I am happy with the complete setup. Some of you are probably weary about rain. I was too, but I dont drive very much in the rain. Plus there is a big 45 degree angle the water would have to travel up and I dont think much, if any, water would be able to get up the hoses and up through the air filters. The way I have it setup is that I can switch back to the stock inlets in a matter of a couple minutes anyway Here are some crappy cell phone pics for now (hood is open and washer nozzle covers not reinstalled yet)...
I wont comment on the power until I have something tangible to prove it and most likely wont be seen on the dyno. This is just the first ghetto rigged attempt. Things will be updated until I am happy with the complete setup. Some of you are probably weary about rain. I was too, but I dont drive very much in the rain. Plus there is a big 45 degree angle the water would have to travel up and I dont think much, if any, water would be able to get up the hoses and up through the air filters. The way I have it setup is that I can switch back to the stock inlets in a matter of a couple minutes anyway Here are some crappy cell phone pics for now (hood is open and washer nozzle covers not reinstalled yet)...
Member
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: DC
junk
looks good bro. since i got bi xenons are my smaller lights just for looks? also, could you close off the windshield washer outlet hose and fill your reservoir tank with 108 or better. than just pump some octane into your inlet?
Thread Starter
Out Of Control!!
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haters crazy
Carl- I agree, the 55k airbox has got to go. They heat up so quick sitting on the engine bay. But it looks so nice
