Should I add a cold air intake to my 300E???? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

mike690003 · #1 07-27-2003, 02:19 PM

Hello Board,
I have been pondering the idea of adding a cold air intake to my 300E, I want added performance(at least increased throttle response!) and a more agressive sounding car. I saw 2phast use the intake from a Ford Focus, but will it work on a 300E? I have seen a "custom" intake for 190's and 300e's on ebay, but for $130!! I can make my own intake, and save some $$. Is adding a cold air intake a good idea, or should I stick with the stock airbox?

2phast · #2 07-27-2003, 06:26 PM

For what it is worth.....I switched back to the stock intake system with a K&N drop in.

Even with my design (heat shielded OBX filter) the air temps into the TB were about 10 degrees higher than with the stock air box.

mike690003 · #3 07-27-2003, 07:24 PM

So my best bet is to stick with the stock airbox??? Any way to add a more agressive sound to the intake?? I'm not going to "swiss cheese" my airbox, but I am open to other ideas.

BlackBeauty · #4 07-28-2003, 06:51 AM

Can we perhaps ceremic-coat the stock air box so it doesn't absorb all that engine bay heat?

2phast · #5 07-28-2003, 09:14 AM

Even with the air intake (focus obx) your not going to get much of a growl, at least not the increase that you might see from an Integra when you remove the air intake resonator

mike690003 · #6 07-29-2003, 04:42 PM

Since a cold air intake is a bad idea, what can be done to the stock airbox to enable better airflow??

Jackd · #7 07-29-2003, 05:21 PM

Nothing.
jackD

mike690003 · #8 07-29-2003, 05:25 PM

Would the 1995 E420 airbox fit the 300E??

The E420 airbox has 2 openings as opposed to the 300E's one opening.

2phast · #9 07-29-2003, 06:16 PM

A cold air intake is a GOOD idea, the problem is implementing it.

Both Brabus and AMG did nothing to air intakes on their M103 modified cars but I have seen others modify the rectangular funnel at the end of the OE air duct. Either cutting off the flap (like I did) or replace it with a larger, round end piece. Have also seen people tap into the duct used for the passenger side motor mount cooling and run a tube up and over to the air cleaner assembly.

http://www.190revolution.net/~revol/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2798

This thread has a picture of something similar except the owner used a 190 turbo diesel fender as the source for the cold air. Nice idea but a bit too close to the header IMO to be of any real value.

omegabenz · #10 07-29-2003, 06:22 PM

2Phast...

AMG did do stuff with their modified M103 engines. On the back of the Air cleaner, they put in another port that went to the right front side of the car to pull in air.

I am not sure of brabus.

2phast · #11 07-30-2003, 12:03 PM

Not on the W201 3.2l AMG (M103 motor) I have factory lit sitting in front of me.

You may be thinking of the one-off cars that AMG built, as that is where I first saw the tubing from the rear of the air filter assembly that goes down to the motor mount cooling duct. No one has been able to provide proof that AMG did this and not the owner as I have also seen other W201 and W124 one-off modified cars that had nothing done to the air filter assembly.

On the mass production M103 motored vehicles, all the items are straight W124 parts (filter assembly, intake tube etc.)

The AMG 400E had a modified air intake box, same for the E60. (1992 era)

omegabenz · #12 07-30-2003, 01:29 PM

If it is in the AMG catalogue, then AMG did it.

To me cold air intake means bringing cold air from infront of the radiator and piping it up to the air cleaner, not just putting some ricer k&n right after the radiator in the engine compartment. ANything in the engine compartment is hot air intake to me.

2phast · #13 07-30-2003, 02:03 PM

Have you not been reading my posts??? I specifically said that I have factory AMG literature on the 3.2l AMG 190E and the air intake is stock, just like the 300E/190E w/M103 motor.

If it makes you feel any better, I agree with your statements about the open element filters and I don't believe anyone has argued in favor of a open element filter in the engine compartment. If you read my previous posts, I specifically stated that I SWITCHED back to the stock intake system with a K&N drop in filter BECAUSE the intake temps were actually higher, even using a shielded filter placed directly in front of the radiator grill opening.

Brabus 3.6l M103

AMG 3.2l M103 motor 1992-1993 1st Official AMG/MB co-op

AMG M103, custom one-off design. Notice that the intake snorkel is different. This is a pre-1992 AMG W201 3.2l

AMG M104 from a custom one-off install on a 300E, late 80's build