Will the air filter housing from a 190 E 2.6 flow enough air for a 300 SE? They are the same size and configuration except the 190 E 2.6 housing is about 2" less thick to clear that car's lower hood line. That means the height of the air filter element is also about 2" less. Will it flow enough air for the 3 liter engine?

I've had a devil of a time finding a replacement for the one that came on the car. Two of the external mounting tabs are badly cracked and broken. Every replacement I've looked at either has the same cracked/broken tabs as mine or is cracked or broken around the studs on the inside.

I picked up the 190 E 2.6 housing and it's in perfect shape. I'm very tempted to just slap it on and hope for the best, but I don't want to cause trouble for my perfect starting, running idleing engine by starving it for air.

Can any of our experts offer their sage advice. Thanks.

__________________
2000 Mercedes S500
1990 Mercedes 560SEL
1970 Triumph Spitfire

I am sure it flows less, to what extent? Who knows. The PNs for the air filter elements are different.

The M103 is no power house in a W126.

lol You will not starve it for air at idle, it may restrict SOME power up top. Probably not enough to notice

Just run it until you find the correct unit.

__________________
I'm not a doctor, but I'll have a look.

'85 300SD 245k
'87 300SDL 251k
'90 300SEL 326k

Six others from BMW, GM, and Ford.

Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty.[/IMG]

you will get by till you find the exact fit.I would assume all 6 cyl 103 had the same air cleaner
mak

It'll flow enough until it gets dirty.

__________________
-tp


1990 300SE "Corinne"- 145k daily driver - street modified differential - PARTING OUT OR SELLING SOON - PORTLAND OR. AREA - PM ME FOR DETAILS
1988 560SEL "Gunther"- 190K passes anything except a gas station
1997 S420 - 265k just bought it with a rebuilt trans. Lovely condition

I did a search before posting this question and found a reference to Wix Filters. Anyway, I followed up and found this website: http://www.wixfilters.com, which has a wealth of great info, including, when you finally drill down to the details on the filter you need, it tells how much air it flows. In the case of a 300 SE filter it's 575 CFM. The filter for the 190 E 2.6 only flows 435 CFM.

Under normal operation it probably doesn't make all that much difference, but when you go WOT it probably would. I'll use what I've got 'til I find the right one for my car. Anyone need a perfect 190 E 2.6 air filter housing? ;-)

__________________
2000 Mercedes S500
1990 Mercedes 560SEL
1970 Triumph Spitfire