For now, i just stuck the pvc tube in there. Dont make the hole too big. I bought a grommet to match the tube but i havent asembled it yet. You will need a longer tube. Just bring a measuring tape. The mouth of the rubber elbow is bigger than the body. Turbo inlet is 2.5 in dia.

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'85 300D Cal 280,000 miles
'14 GLK 350 60000 miles

You can spin that elbow underneath the filter housing.

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'85 300D Cal 280,000 miles
'14 GLK 350 60000 miles

I spun the elbow a little closer to the turbo, but the height of the elbow remains the problem. I'll cut an inch off of the elbow and take it from there.

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'81 300SD

How about spinning/clocking it further away from the turbo to take up the length of the hose?

In the end, probably cutting the some of the elbow off would be the correct course of action.


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1983 123.133 California
- GreaseCar Veg System

Did you drill a hole in the sheetmetal to receive the grommet and the nipple at the bottom of the air box?
If you didn't, the air box will sit too high.

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78 W116 300SD 'Desert Rose' new as of 01/26/2014
79 W116 300SD 'Stormcloud' RIP 04/11/2022

Yes, I drilled a hole in the sheet metal yesterday. Everything lines up well. The motor mounts are about a year old, so I think that the engine height is correct. Did you use a new or used intake hose?

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'81 300SD

The intake hose was used, but still quite pliable.

IIRC I mounted the hose to the turbo intake, snugged the clamp, and then snaked the other end onto the air box.

If you wish, I can bring my air box and hose and do a test fit/troubleshoot session in person.
I have a light schedule tomorrow.
Just send me a PM.

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78 W116 300SD 'Desert Rose' new as of 01/26/2014
79 W116 300SD 'Stormcloud' RIP 04/11/2022

You mostly figured it out. I posted the same swap in a 300D, but can't find it, just the post below. You guys had a good idea to drill a hole in the lower frame rail for securing the rubber bottom, instead of installing the factory lower bracket, since that gets the air cleaner lower. I had to hacksaw the outlet tube, as suggested, to match the turbo inlet (of non 1985 CA intake). Many times I have posted PN for a cheap Wix air filter elements you can stack 2 to fit, though $35 is a good price. Note that I routed the blow-by oil to the oil pan, rather than straight into the turbo, as the factory did (gunky, bad, bad German engineers).
Engine Mounted Air Cleaner Mount Reinforcement - Mercedes-Benz Forum

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1984 & 1985 CA 300D's
1964 & 65 Mopar's - Valiant, Dart, Newport
1996 & 2002 Chrysler minivans

The w126 version never came with a lower bracket. It's just a hole in the inner fender well with the grommet in place.


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1983 123.133 California
- GreaseCar Veg System

Alec came over today and sold me an intake hose that is in much better shape than the one I pulled from the yard. The ends of the hose sit flush on both the box outlet and the turbo, but I'm thinking of cutting an inch off of the elbow on the box because the bend in the hose doesn't look good to me. I was expecting a little improvement in acceleration off the line because of the direct route to the box, unlike the federal set up which is an S route. I didn't feel any improvement in acceleration, and at times it felt a little less peppy. Here's a pic.

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'81 300SD