Bekker Imports sells a big bore throttle housing for the 2.3-16 that makes for an 18% increase in the opening. They say "the engine feels the effect of applying 18% more throttle through the rpm range." Just what does this mean? Is anyone on this list using one?

Do a search through this site. This is a much touted, yet apparently not very effective upgrade. Save your money.

I'd agree with the "save your money" advice. It's not just a matter of putting a bigger hole in the intake. Air velocity is important too. Figure that Mercedes may have done a bit of R&D before getting Cosworth to make the heads for the 16V. The basic design on most MB stuff is hard to improve on. Unless you're increasing displacement or doing something radical with cams, I don't think you're going to see much of a difference. I've been chasing the "horsepower genie" for years on my stuff. You can spend a lot without much improvement when you consider driveability vs performance.
Randy D.

Making the hole bigger will only help if there was some restriction there to begin with. Even then the valve train flow, displacement and exhaust systems all come into play. If thoses systems cannot move the extra air what good is the bigger hole? The potential benifit of course is increased airflow, but a larger hole affects velocity (as mentioned) and hurts throttle response. I agree that MB likely spent substantial time setting up the stock configuration, especially on a performance model like the 2.3-16. I doubt much was left to chance, save your money.

__________________
1995 G320
1984 280GE
1971 Unimog 416

Gentlemen:

Thanks for your advice!

Robby

I have one of the first big bore throttle bodies from Bekkers. I havent noticed any real improvement in throttle response except maybe in the extreme top end. I wouldnt really suggest it unless you go with the 2.5-16 upgrade. I also had the center muffler removed. The car now has just the oe rear muffler plus the 3 cats. It isnt as quiet as it was before but I feel it sounds a hell of a lot better than when I had a Remus muffler installed. What a piece of junk that muffler was.
Thanks, JOe

Joe-

Just so you're aware, should you ever remove your pre-cats or main cat and just have the rear muffler, it sounds like GARBAGE. See my post in the hot rods section about where I stand now (no cats... don't ask... resonator and muffler stock). Sounds great and the power is wonderful. I'm putting the OE cat in soon, but you should really loose the pre-cats, that's said to be an expected 15 horse gain. Good luck!

Paul
'87 190E 2.3-16
'98 ML320
'58 TR3A

I just removed my resonator because it had holes in it and it was time to have the car inspected. So i'm driving around with just the rear (stainless) muffler and as Paul wrote it is uncomfortably loud. Who do you recommend I get a replacement resonator from. The rest of my exhaust is all low restriction and stainless steel.

Robby

Hmmm... did you check with Bekkers? If not, maybe an ANSA unit; I've seen some people post here that have those. I use a wholesaler in CA for parts, give Al an email, ph2ocraft@aol.com (that's an O not a zero), he's been very reasonable for my fog light lenses ($58 ea.) and ignition wires ($74). Tell him I referred you. Let me know what you end up doing. Are you still running all 3 OE cats? My car with just resonator / muffler is a bit on the louder side out back, but not bad and no where near as bad as w/o the resonator. Funny thing is that I did that same set up on my '90 300E and my '88 M5 and they both sounded excellent. Good luck!

Paul

Paul

Thanks for the advice and Yes, Bekkers has one. And No I am not running any cats. It is interesting to note that it was within spec and passed the emissions test without any cats.

I just ordered a new Bosal exhaust. It is a complete cat plus the center and rear mufflers. The pipe diameter is 2.5 inches. It only had the 1 cat on the front pipe. There arent any precats. I cant wait to have it installed because lots of people have talked about a gain by gutting the precats. Well, this system doesnt have any precats. Joe