Hi There.

I'm in the process of installing (this afternoon?) the MB C class air box with the TVT air inlet tubes and bigger K&N filters .....and i came across this air scoops for the MB E55 (pictures from VPR & RPI tunners)
Anyone knows if there's such a thing for the X-Fire? I was in the process of creating my own, but let's ask first.

Thanks a bunch.

 

In my opinion those scoops aren't necessary for the X-Fire. You should enlarge/remove the exisiting inlets though. But they sit directly in the air flow through the front grill as you can see here.

 

Thanks G3arh3ad! I agree, scoops may not be necessary, specially if the inlets "sit directly in the air flow through the front grille".... Smaller radiator than the E55 I guess, so more space to fit the air inlets on each side.

 

Hi gang!!!!

Well, here it is. I put it together this weekend. MB air box, K&N air filters and TVT air inlets (picture). I also modified the front grille as suggested in this thread

CrossfireForum.org> Technical> TSBs and How-To Articles
grille mod with pic.


https://www.crossfireforum.org/forum/tsbs-how-articles/24738-grille-mod-pic.html


…..it allows the air to flow right into the intake without the interference of the front grille deflectors. Great suggestion by AMX1397.

Next step maybe injectors and ECU form TVT.... Group Buy anyone?????

Enjoy your ride....

 

Well done! And thanks for the link to the grill mod. I've thought about that but now I know that it makes sense - so I know what I'm going to do tomorrow after work...

I have the same setup like you do now - MB-Airbox, K&N's, larger Inlet-tubes - plus the 74mm-Throttlebody. Did you also notice a different intake noise - a bit louder and more aggressive. Or is that just my imagination?

 

Yep, you are right on the money. It breathes better. I tried to make a quantifiable measurement that gives me an idea of what has changed in the dynamic chapter. So I went for 1) fuel efficiency and 2) mph @ 3000 rpm (same portion of hwy in sixth gear).

1) Fuel efficiency: Since I just did the mod. this weekend is really too early to tell how has been affected but BEFORE the mod I was getting 23.77 mpg or 9.89 l/100 km (that’s 14 last gas receipts, topping tank and dividing by trip odometer). I have a limited/ manual. Mostly suburbs, same itinerary, only summer. Some days berserk others really calm. I will update (if interested) once i have results of fuel effc. AFTER the mod.


2) Performance: Surprising. Did test same portion of hwy (between two same exists heading north) and I came up with BEFORE 72 mph @ 3000 rpm 6th gear AFTER 82 mph @ 3k rpm . I did the test just 4 times but I believe accurate.

I’m planning on further mods down the road. TB is indeed one of them!!!! About the sound of the new intake…I’m sure you are right, hard to tell, my stereo is always too loud even to hear my own thoughts….a shame….the x fire is my evasion POD.

Cheers!

 

Now I'm no Einstein - many people will vouch for that!
And I'm certainly no expert when it comes to engines etc.
However, all you have done is changed/modified the air intake, you have not changed the gearing.
Therefore I do not see how all of a sudden you are gaining an extra 10mph (from 72mph - 82mph) @ 3000rpm. Sounds like you've miscounted your gears somewhere.
You have not changed the gearing or wheel size. If your stats are correct then your mpg will raise dramatically.
If this is the case I suggest you patent this and start your own business - you'll make a fortune with today's gas prices.
Working on your theory, we could add nitrous and at 3000rpm we would be making about 75hp more and be doing a speed of about 112mph.
I'm sorry, but something is wrong somewhere.
I don't care how many times you make that run, just adding more air (or fuel etc.) will not affect the speed at any rpm.

 

Fair enough. As with many aspects related to our beloved cars there's the suggestible side of it. It is good to keep tabs on it. That's why i tried to make my mods "quantifiable". It doesn’t make sense that for the same RPM. The car goes any faster (or slower for this matter) if gearing is the same. Your point is valid and my observation a bit skewed. …something is off.

I appreciate the fact that somebody takes the time to keep BS (even well intentioned) out of the forum.

Salu2.

 

I admire that you've taken the time to validate and measure your mods etc. - so many do not.
I'd still like to know the outcome of the mpg.

 

Yep, definitely it might be an interesting exercise to do and learn if in our quest to gain power (arguably) we actually improved somehow the fuel economy. I’ll do quite a few tanks and report my findings.

Enjoy the ride!

 

I believe your mpg will increase as you have introduced more air into the engine, but the fuel has remained the same - as long as you don't start playing with the gas pedal!!!
I'm in the process of seeing what mine gets with (effectively) the TVT265 kit.

 

I did a quick test on my car this morning on the way to work.
At 72mph in 6th gear I'm doing ~2600rpm.
So I'm going to agree with your 82mph @ 3000rpm.

 

At risk of veering off topic, I’m compelled to ask, after you mentioned your TVT 265 kit, how you feel about it (everyday commute friendly?).…I’m straightening up my priorities on the mod’s chapter and I could use first hand feedback. I have to add that I don’t want to be the fastest kid on the block but I do feel the urge to marry “astonishing looks” with “character” on this unique car…( I know, srt-6, but I have a crush for the unpretentious …no offense! )

The MB air intake is done, next I did consider the larger injectors and ECU tune-up from TVT (called TVT250?), the 74mm TB proved increasingly difficult to find , even at the mbworld.org forum classifieds , and it appears that gains are greater on a highly modified car…so it can wait? I’m in the right path?
.
All of this will give me the chance to start a journey of mechanical learning, that surely will prove a humbling but rewarding experience…..


Tschüss.

 

Where did u get those CAI were can buy some of that tubing so i can do my CF.

 

DeepSurge...
In order of appearance on the car (from what I can remember)...
K&N filters (later removed)
Underdrive pulleys from TVT
NeedsWings CAI
Plugs and leads from TVT
Rotex Gold and SS lines brakelines
Injectors from TVT
ECU tune from TVT

I like the way it drives, it's a lot smoother and doesn't bog down when you change gears (manual). I'm used to vehicles with a lot of torque where you don't need to change gears - the Xfire is now in that category.
I did have some teething problems at first after the tune was done - all of a sudden it ran really ragged, like it was missing. I must have had Anthony (TVT) on the phone about 5 or 6 times trying to get to the bottom of it. It turns out one of the connectors to the ECU was dirty and needed cleaning and coincidentally it just showed up after I had the injectors installed etc - so nothing to do with TVT.
Kudos to TVT for support/late nights etc.
I don't know what I was expecting to feel after about a 50hp gain, but it wasn't as quick as the impression I received from everyone else on the forum who has spoken about it.
I don't regret it one bit though.
Next is a larger filter from NeedsWings then probably a bigger throttle-body from TVT if they get any more in.
IF I ever get some free time I'm probably start removing things from the car to reduce weight etc - still keep it looking stock.

Bottom line - BUY IT!!!

 

You might want to check with VRP if they have a C32/Crosfire application. VRP is big on MBWorld.org

 

Simply have TVT machine your current TB to 74mm, cheaper too

 

I'm really thankful for all of your inputs….. I'm gaining some perspective on what should I expect at the same time that I’m sparing myself a good deal of expensive empty promises from questionable tuners (my inexperience makes an easy prey ). I appreciate all of you pointing me at the reputable people in the business with a solid record on M112 applications. …

It just dawn to me that maybe I should stop listening the nagging tech questions of my co-worker (Mistsu-EVO owner) and come to terms with the fact that smart, budget friendly mods (bigger injectors, tune-up, bore out current TB…) can produce a substantial power gain on the X-Fire and for the same money is not possible in other cars .

I will commit myself to do ECU and injectors and tell what I find!!!

Godspeed.