Has anyone on the board have or ever attempted to build a cold air intake for the M103 motor in 300E or 190E? While on the web I came accross this pic of a 190 with a custom cone intake system. I am contemplating whether to design one myself, but am a bit reluctant since it is often quite diffucult to improve something that MB designed? This system seems quite easy to build, if a little research is done and we come up with some proper specs. This could make a great little upgrade for those looking to get a little more Power from the M103 Anyone with any expireance or knowledge about this matter or air intake design please share...

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I would not recommend that type of setup like the one you have pictured from Ebay. Maybe if you live in Alaska! Imagine drawing 200 deg. air into your engine! I would definately use an outside sorce. (No pun intended.)
BTW: I like the idea,,, You can easily access components of the fuel injection system!
Adam

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Current Stable:
01 ML55 AMG
92 500E (a few mods)
87 300E (lots of mods)
00 Chevy 3500HD Diesel Box Truck
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PREVIOUSLY OWNED:83 300SD, 87 420SEL, 88 420SEL, 90 420SEL, 86 560SEL, 86 190E 2.3-16V AMG, 94 E320

Additional Custom Fabricated Heat Shield? If bimmers and other imports could somehow make effective use of this system. We should be able find a proper way as well. In that pic the cone is postioned next to the shortened stock air scoop. The engine compartment looks ugly that way. But if this system work, I sure something can be done.

A heat shield would definately save you some temp. Another route that is possible is to fabricate an intake port to fit directly under your left headlight. this duct would then replace the small rectangular cover under the headlamp which would then look and work very cool! AKA: Very effective in raming in cold air. If you do decide to go with the heat shield, do fabricate it around the headlight assy., plenty of moving air around it.
Good luck!
Adam

now... I don't see how this would give you better airflow over the stock setup... unless perhaps the large air box is less efficient than the cone design? I mean, the car is already drawing in cold outside air, and if you saw off the scoop, you get the added ram air effect...

Yea, I just sawed off my scoup. The intake is right behind the grille which gets some great airflow and has some prtection at the saem time from weather and debris. I don't think a custom cone intake system would gain much if any efficiency over a sawed off scoup. Maybe I dunno what I'm talking about, just seems logical to me.

How about do what the 400E/500E do for air intake behind the headlights? For a M103 engine, this would on the left headlight.

That is, purchase both the plastic sleeve that encompasses the headlight, and the matching plastic rear-cover. Then run an insulated flex-tube.

:-) neil
1988 360TE AMG
1993 500E

Does anyone have a picture of where the intake hose hooks upto the headlights, thats a really good idea for us 300E's....I think I see where it hooks up now, it looks like they come in on both sides of the radiator, but still, pics would help...
Thanks for the advice Neil

hrmm... weren't people bashing 400s and 500s for drawing in air from behind the headlights? I mean... doesn't seem all that efficient to me....

Considering the effieciency of the air-intake/exhaust systems on the M119 (i.e. scarce, if any, effective aftermarket setup - other than 'cosmetic improvement'), I don't know what people would have to complain about. Maybe I've missed these discussions?

Modifications of this type only net a max of 5hp over a limited rpm range, seems like more trouble than it's worth, but to each his own. Using the factory cowl of the M119 would be a nice, clean way to do it, and save some custom fabrication too!

Regards,
- Ryan

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'95 E420 - 'Shadowfax' 138kmi.
'92 Volvo 740Turbo Bard 193kmi
'74 240D - 'Ol' Green' 4spd Manual 104kmi. (sold )
'77 300D - 'Red' 223kmi (sold)
'75 240D - 'Bianca the Blue Bomber' (sold)

Our good friend guido has crafted custom plates under the lights to allow air to move in, and several 500E members have also complained that the intake is constricting the air flow... I really don't know... as I don't own a m119 equipped car...

Where would you fit the air temp sensor thats fitted in to the air inlet trunking ,?

I have experimented alot with that.Yes you can get quicker throttle,also with no cat too.The noise is what really gives the feeling of quicker response too.
However most kits are just hot air,unless you plumb cold air in.

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1999 w140, quit voting to old, and to old to fight, a god damned veteran