Im looking to buy TVT's CAI for my N/A XF.. (lol) anyway I was going to go with TVTs because its $150 cheaper than Needswings and I'm thinking same performance / looks. Am I right? Also I saw TV offers a MB cover for an additional $170. If i were to look for the cover elsewhere what exactly would I look for? Would a stock MB cover fit with the TVT CAI?

 

The MB box TVT will sell you is the larger MB box. This is the set up I have. I like it.

 

is that the cover from the ML320? any mods needed to be done to it?

 

Regarding the CAI:
Needswings are teflon coated, shorter and relocates the MAF.
TVT is longer and in my opinion more difficult to install - easier to return to stock for dealer work etc.
The reason I state length is it offers the air more chance to warm up while travelling from the filter to the t-body.
Both are good - as for the same performance I am not willing to state my opinion.
Presumably you are aware that you cannot have the CAI AND airbox - it's one or the other.
If you want to keep it stock looking go for the TVT airbox where they remove the guts etc.

 

yea I know u cant have a CAI and airbox. Thats why I was planning on replacing my engine cover with a MB one. Which is better TVT CAI with MB cover or MB Cover and Intake Tube Conversion

http://www.tvtdesign.com/inc/sdetail/1059

 

I think the CAI makes more HP - fairly sure all the info is on TVT's website...
i.e) TVT250 uses an airbox - TVT265 does not.

 

That is MB air box. Same one I have. It's from a CLK320.

 

ok so Ive decided on the CAI. But about the cover. It appears to be a ML320 engine cover he packages with it. Any mods required?

 

No mods required.

 

thanks much for the help. BTW your engine cover is amazing. Just noticed the ML320 cover has an extra hole in the left side the is empty on our airs, where the intake is mounted on the MB. Will any other covers work with little or no mods?

 

I dont think so. TVT offers these combinations:

1) stock XF airbox with K&N-Filters
2) large MB (CLK320) airbox with polished intake tubes
Don't mix up the CLK320 with the SLK320 airbox which is used by some forum members. The SLK320 airbox has the same flow like the stock XF airbox - it just looks different but it doesn't produce more power.
3) CAI with our without Engine-Cover (no airbox, only for the looks)

No. 1 is used in the TVT250 kit, No. 2 and 3 are both used in the TVT265 kit. No. 2 and 3 make practically the same power - 2 produces slightly more torque while 3 is a bit more powerful in the upper revs.

 

This is correct. That is the CLK320 airbox that is being offered, not the ML320. There is a HUGE difference. The ML320 is not actually an airbox but rather just an engine cover. The ML's have a different intake setup. This is not what you want:

ML320


EDIT: Sorry about the watermark on the photo...I just did a Google Image search and used the first thing I saw.

 

FP, did you notice an increase in HP? Did the engine sound a bit different?