I've been dreaming up ideas for a custom cold air intake for my '97 C230, but I'm not quite sure what I'm getting into with the computer, etc. I know a couple people with aftermarket intakes on their cars and they've had problems with the computer thinking something is wrong, and showing the "check engine" light, or shutting the car down entirely. Before I touch anything, I want to make sure I can avoid this.
My plan is to remove the factory air box, and place a K&N cone filter inside the front bumper. There would be plenty of airflow from this location from the lower grill in the bumper. This would use the stock intake tube, with the addition of extra heat-insulated tubing to reach the new filter. A friend though suggested, since the factory intake crosses over the engine from the left side to right(standing in front of the car), why not remove that assembly entirely and place a cone filter inside the right side of the bumper and run new tubing from there directly to the intake manifold to avoid the heat from crossing OVER the engine. This is where my questions about the computer come into play. Would relocating the mass airflow sensor and the crankcase vent create problems?(I'm assuming that's what they are, I'll try to post pictures soon)
Forgive me if I've made any incorrect assumptions in this post, I'm still trying hard to learn as much as I can about this car. Also, thanks for any replies, or any advice you can give.

Um, why?

Do you have reason to believe the M111 DOHC mill is strangulated? Are you opening up the head (valve work) and exhaust too?

I doubt you'll see any HP gains...

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John Shellenberg
1998 C230 "Black Betty" 240K

http://img31.exs.cx/img31/4050/tophat6.gif

Well, that's actually part of why I made this post. I have no plans to upgrade any other components for performance, and I wouldn't expect any amazing hp gains, but this is something that I could do relatively cheap. I'd enjoy spending the time to do it. Part of what I'm asking, though I forgot to actually type it, is whether or not I'd gain ANY horsepower by doing this without upgrading any other components.