Cold Air Intake - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Matt L · #16 04-01-2010, 10:12 PM

Let's take a step back. M-B didn't leave a lot of easy horsepower available via trivial modifications such as air filters and exhaust systems.

If you want power, sell your car and get an AMG. Seriously.

ps2cho · #17 04-02-2010, 01:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt L

Let's take a step back. M-B didn't leave a lot of easy horsepower available via trivial modifications such as air filters and exhaust systems.

If you want power, sell your car and get an AMG. Seriously.

Exhaust systems will always be an option because remember MB must design it for many different emissions states with different rules + regulations....but as I said previously, it's only good for 10-15hp tops.

JohnM. · #18 04-02-2010, 03:56 AM

Has anyone done a MegaSquirt/similar conversion on the stock 3.0L M103 with no other modifications? Most people using MS have turbo's, etc. What are the expected gains in economy/power, if any?

RBYCC · #19 04-02-2010, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tbomachines

K-Jetronic is the Bosch (CIS) fuel injection system used on these engines. They're much outdated by today's standards and I know some people prefer to convert to proper EFI for reliability, power, and fuel consumption. If you've got a lot of time, do a site search for K-jetronic (or K-jet, kjet, etc.), or CIS.

I disagree...

The 124 itself is outdated by today's standards.

If you were to drive a brand new M103-12V ( as I did when I purchased the vehicle new in May of 1988 from Autobahn in Upper Darby ), you'll understand that a properly maintained engine will be quicker then you think.

Yet to see anyone who has installed an EFI such as MS do before and after dyno pulls..

RBYCC · #20 04-02-2010, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt L

Let's take a step back. M-B didn't leave a lot of easy horsepower available via trivial modifications such as air filters and exhaust systems.

If you want power, sell your car and get an AMG. Seriously.

So true...

For the money needed to get power from a M103-12V 0r M104-24V, one can buy a fairly quick Merc.

Best bang for your buck...400E or E420 if you want to stay with the 124 chassis.
500E/E500 next step up, still less expensive then modding an I6.

Like the I6 then the ultimate would be the W202 C36, and the W202 C43 V8 not much more .

At the minimum it will cost $10K to get V8 power from a Merc I6...

You have to have a specific reason to do it...

My reason was I wanted to do "period" modifications on a pristine 62K mile 1988 300CE that I purchased new in May of 1988.

First was the install of a period NOS Turbotechnics TT kit obtained from the UK dealer who commisioned the kit for install on new delivery cars in the late 80's / early 90's.
Suspension also done.
Next and currently in progress is a replica widebody build, a "tribute" build to "1AMG"...
Again as "period" correct as possible..

Many dollars in to achieve what was and still is an extremely rare C124.

So far at 7lbs boost using the stock CSI, I've seen 302 torque at the rear wheels on a load dyno.
0-60 around 5.2 seconds, which is "Hammer" territory !!!

caa337 · #21 04-02-2010, 10:23 AM

Nice 5.3 seconds?

Yeah, my car is quick, i wanna time my 0-60 time and post it for being completely stock cept a K&N filter.

What about a motor swap? or would it just be better to buy a newer car for because of all the old equipment.

Matt L · #22 04-02-2010, 10:48 AM

It's a matter of cost, Caa337. There are always hundreds to thousands of dollars in unanticipated costs when changing to a different engine in any car, and that's after the thousands of dollars in anticipated costs. Then you end up with a car that perhaps nobody else wants.

RBYCC · #23 04-02-2010, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by caa337

Nice 5.3 seconds?

Yeah, my car is quick, i wanna time my 0-60 time and post it for being completely stock cept a K&N filter.

What about a motor swap? or would it just be better to buy a newer car for because of all the old equipment.

Depends what your objective is...

Keep a 124 in top shape and you'll do 0-60 in the high 7 to low 8 range..
Slow?
All relative..about the same as some 60's USA muscle

If you want to go really fast with low cost, then buy a Honda..

Lot of performance stuff available and good value..

The W124 had minimal performance parts available when new...
Nothing now...But why?
Because it was a quick car for it's time...

MTI · #24 04-02-2010, 12:54 PM

Back in the 1987 "Bosch CIS" days, AMG did modify the air intakes of the W124 and W201 cars they tuned. In the W201, they upped the size of the scoop and hose, but kept the original design. In some of the W124 cars, they modified the air filter housing to allow for a second air hose which ran to the opposite side of the front grill.

caa337 · #25 04-02-2010, 01:36 PM

Yeah was just wondering, for a 23 year old inline 6 its a fast car

And i would never buy a riced out civic or honda...Whenever I see one i want to race one, and i bet i could beat mostly all of them.

caa337 · #26 04-02-2010, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MTI

Back in the 1987 "Bosch CIS" days, AMG did modify the air intakes of the W124 and W201 cars they tuned. In the W201, they upped the size of the scoop and hose, but kept the original design. In some of the W124 cars, they modified the air filter housing to allow for a second air hose which ran to the opposite side of the front grill.

wow do you have a link? I would actually buy one of those. Or is it one of those rare occasions that no one sells? Sounds like an awesome idea though.

tbomachines · #27 04-02-2010, 06:05 PM

Sounds cool, but good luck finding one. I imagine there are even less w124 AMG parts than there are cars out there. I think a turbo system can be fashioned for relatively cheap. I am planning on doing it as soon as my diesel projects are done.

Exhaust manifold from 350SDL (bolts up with some slight modification), T3/T4 turbo (pick up used), plumb the turbo yourself, custom intake pipe from turbo to TB, custom exhaust ($$), Megasquirt EFI ECU, conversion to EFI (I need to research this more, not enough info for cost). I think if you're willing to do it yourself (AND DO YOUR HOMEWORK) you can source all this stuff fairly cheap and build a fairly reliable low-boost turbo system, though wouldn't spool up near as quick as a TT. I've put quite a bit of thought into it but have a lot more legwork to do before even setting aside the money. I'd say that's your cheapest option besides buying a V8 car.

The M103 is a great engine and the car was fast in its day don't get me wrong, but its always fun to squeeze everything you can out of an engine. IMO the auto transmission saps a TON of power by awful shift points...maybe thats just mine (I am going to adjust anyways). I would love to have an M103 with a 5 speed, but that conversion brings its own headaches. A major plus of the m103 is its one of the nicest sounding engines I've ever heard...

RBYCC, what is the FI setup in your car with the TT kit?

MTI · #28 04-02-2010, 06:16 PM

It looked much like this

caa337 · #29 04-02-2010, 06:41 PM

I feel like a good sounding exhaust would do the engine some justice

And I know when i floor it and the engine opens up all the way the filter makes a good sound

RBYCC · #30 04-02-2010, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MTI

Back in the 1987 "Bosch CIS" days, AMG did modify the air intakes of the W124 and W201 cars they tuned. In the W201, they upped the size of the scoop and hose, but kept the original design. In some of the W124 cars, they modified the air filter housing to allow for a second air hose which ran to the opposite side of the front grill.

AMG modified the air intake to match the requirements of the modified engines...
3.2L AMG M103, 3.4L, 3.6L AMG M104..