Hey Dan,
I know you want to try it out before you decide wether or not I'm full of Sh**. But let me ask you this, did you ask K&N if you could try out there air filters, because you weren't sure if it would be worth the cost &, or trouble? I really doubt it. I'm sure you trust them enough to think they wouldn't sell you something that does nothing. Besides Dan, I'm a fair guy and if I let you demo a system I would have to let everyone be able to have a chance at it.
If you don't trust me, ask HDDP if it workes. I know for a fact, that he knows it works, and he has been just as cautiouse as you. I would say more so, only because we're good Friends, and he is cut and dry. It works or it doesn't work, no second chances. He'll tell you straight out. That's why I respect his opinion so much. He only accepts the best.

 

I thought you were selling and making them ?If you're not trying to sell them let me know.

I was offering to give $$$s for real value only if I felt it worthy of my $$s for your intake system after all you are not K&N and most people here that have put K&N products in their XF or other cars have posted their opinions.And filters are not $500+ and they replace originals for the same price about $60.

If you can't give me a test drive that ok .I'll keep my $$s until some one trys out your intake and can post real results.Since you have yet to do so !

 

I also thought since I've got only brake and K&N mods on my car IF your intakes made a difference to me It would help you out .I have 16,000 miles on my XFire.and I'm sure I would be able to give a good Opinion on your Modified intake for other Xfire owners here .Before they paid $500+ for it.

 

You are totally correcta filter does only cost 60.00 However how much do there intakes cost. Some applications cost as much as my system does, and they are only a single chambered systems. Mine Twice the metal, twice the time, and for me, twice the money to produce. This isn't my first intake system I've built. I'v built fot Fords,Chevy's, Dodge,& BMW'S. You don't have to buy anything from me, because not only does it work for the Crossfire, but also for the Mercedes. Tell me were there is a mod to be done for that car that is as good as that for 500.00, even a chip for the car is still 700-800.00 bucks. Dan I'm sorry dude, there are no freebiees, because like you said I'm not K&N.

 

Saskins,

Can you get a price for shipping the system to the UK? Am keen to experiment with your system, especially bearing in mind the current UKP/USD exchange rate.

Am very bad at mechanics so would need step by step instructions for fitting.

Also, can you confirm that the system could be removed and the standard intakes replaced for servicing?

 

How about answering the real ??s first ! any performance would be easy to feel by a test drive .And that might take me an hour to drive to you.And drive your car!! i'm not asking for a free intake only a 1 minute test drive ! As for you letting any one else drive your car that's up to you.And I'll pay you CASH for the system if you can deliver it within 1 week!!
Forget K&N that was about filters only.
I have only a XFIRE no Mercedes.Ford or whatever.
I'm only asking to FEEL the Incredable difference you have said it MAKES .And I'm willing to PAY.$500+ for a system!!! If you don't want my bussiness that up to UUU.
And I can chip for 350-500 depending on mail or direct.
Repeat I"M NOT ASKING FOR A FREE INTAKE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Ok.... 500 bucks no performance numbers no dyno, no track times, not even G-tech. I am going with my personal assumption of 1-2whp gain if not a loss. If this was the ideal setup dont you think startech would have taken advantage of it? They use a similiar to stock unit that allows more flow. And KandN has a hell of a rep. Thats why people buy their product without testing it. KandN is a long cry from a man messing around in his gargage with parts from Home Depot and pep boys. As a wise man once said "Show me the money!" it would be better suited here as "Show me the results!"

 

hi all

Pardon my ignorance but what does this do that the stock setup doesnt, surely and this is no offence to anyone but this thing will cause more damage than good as it hasnt been through the testing process of a manufacturer to determine if the engine is going to explode after 5k and that its only sucking in clean air etc... I guess I just dont get the point of this, there arent that many modifcations without adding a supercharger out there on the marjet to get more juice out of this engine. So to me it seems like its at the top of its potential already. Like I said im no expert, but maybe an expert can chime in with an explanation to all of this.

Or maybe saskins could explain what this does, what benefit it will give the engine what testing he has done and if it does indeed give better performance then what the gain is. Test driving isnt going to prove that b'cus as soon as you get in the car your brain will be fed what it wants to hear(meaning if you really want it to work you'll be convinced it is working no matter what happens), that I am an expert on.

 

This man speaks the unwanted truth.

 

Brittt1 You brought up a very interesting point of you can convince yourself of anything that you want to believe in. Aftermarket intakes have been proven to be a performance pluse on any foreign, or domestic car or truck. To get a good idea of how many are out there, just go on Ebay and just type in the word "cold" that alone will bring up probably 11,000 items.
AS for testing, I had put the system on at 2225 miles. I now have close to 9K. The only thing that happened was I got better fuel economy, and I gained or added miles to when the ECU( Car's Computer) recommended I would need to have the car serviced. So to set your mind at rest, the car will probably blow up at 10K miles. HaHa I'm just kidding, I have had the system for a long time, and have put it threw every type of driving condition you can think of. I also come from a racing background, I constantly monitar what the car is doing. Wether that be my wifes car or my buddies cars, I can't help but to say what the car is doing at all times. I also have a vast knowledge of mechanics, anything with a piston I can wrench on
If you want I can break down how an air intake works

 

I don't think I'd convince myself with-out a test run or very good and true dyno numbers.
But besides getting off the top of the very hot engine.And letting the engine breath a little better i think it should help at least in hot weather areas or stop and go driving.
Since I usually drive around the cool ocean air area I live it may not help much.But it would help Saskins because he drives the Valley and Saugas area about 15-30 degrees hotter than were I live !!

 

Ok fair enough, I understand that machines generally run better with cold air which is why there are so many aftermarket intercoolers for turbo cars. OK makes sense im sure people would like to see more close up photos and stuff and im sure they would want to see some dyno numbers, but we all know thats a pain in the *** as you have to first run stock make the change and then re-run. In any case the mod looks real nice adds a nice look to the engine compartment and gets rid of the stupid looking engine cover, So win win! I just would likeyou to ride it for another 20K before considering :-)

On another note

Why are there such a limited amount of performance parts for the Xfire? considering its a Merc engine thats been around awhile I just dont get it.

 

What type of parts are you looking for? and Why?

 

non really, when i had my TT within a short period of time you had chips from multiple companies that gave much higher HP gains than the ones we see, larger turbos, Diverter Valves, Interior arm rests, cup holders, phone holders, intercoolers, big brake kits, exterior bodykits, spoilers, accessories. Jut allot of stuff, and at reasonable prices...Right now i see a couple of chips with small HP gains and damn expensive body parts like $400 for a sill that lights up, pretty pathetic really. What I was getting it is when do we expect to see companies taking an interest and investing in performance parts for the xfire. After a TT that was around 265bhp thats where I would like to be with the Xfire, that (265hp) was the power that felt good, im not interested in top speed, i just want a car that can take on a mini and win upto 60mph. :-)

 

<preach mode>
Okay I have to chime in a second time, just to be very clear your dual intakes are not cold air intakes. In order to be cold air intakes the inlet or filter should be outside the engine compartment.

I know, I know you never said it was a CAI but it seems that we have some people that might be confused.
</preach mode>

I was actually looking at the stock intake(s) today and they ARE cold air intakes, drawing air from in front of the radiator. One of my previous cars I installed a true CAI and the driveability improvement was tremendous. Unfortunately I ended up getting worse gas mileage because of the increased throttle response.

 

also, i went to ebay and typed in cold...more than 12k so i filtered to cold intake and hen models like 350z etc. found tons like this

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...category=38634

but these are all around $50

 

Yeah might be a good example of someone calling an intake a cold air intake. I'd have to see an installed picture but the tubing looks awefully short to put the $3.00 air filter outside the engine compartment. If it isn't a CAI it should be called just an intake system or short intake.

 

Ok I'm going to see a Mercedes tuner in LA next week for Eibach springs installed $350+tax,and ECU tuning $500.+tax,I'll as them about the intake then.Will report back after.

Oh Saskins call me soon if there is any possible way to test yours before I mod my ecu.

 

CyberGreg, were did you put the air filter, were it didn't get water or debris. I have found from testing different vehicals for the most optimal PSI flow areas on the Car or Truck, are 9 out of 10 times is right behind the headlights. The last place you want to put the filter, is behind the radiator, it is like a dead Zone of hot air.
On my system, the air filters are placed directly behind the stock Ram air ports

 

Originally the CAI w/K&N filter was routed through the inner fender well in front of the drivers front wheel, completely outside the engine compartment (and protected by the plastic inner fender). This setup also, as you correctly pointed out, recommended that an AEM bypass valve be installed to eliminate the possiblity of drawing water into the engine. I was living in CT at the time and drove the car in plenty of rain storms and never had a problem with water.

Note: AEM makes a bypass valve that once installed on an upper part of the intake will open if the filter gets submerged in water and thereby not allow water into the intake system.
***
Once I installed a turbo charger on this car I modified the CAI to fit the turbo. Needless to say the performance was very impressive. I have no dyno numbers but I'm sure that having the turbo pull air from outside the engine compartment did nothing but help. Heat is the number one problem with any sort of forced air engine.
***
I would agree that placing any sort of air pickup or filter behind the radiator is indeed a bad idea, there is never any clean or cold air there. I think its a good design that our stock intakes pull clean, cool air from in front of the car, I guess you'd call it the front grill area, inbetween the radiator and headlights. My wife's 2003 Mustang GT also had a cold air "designed" stock intake, pulling air from the front grill area.
***
Now onto some additional design thoughts... it looks like your air filters are in the upper 1/3 of the engine bay, is that right? Have you considered additional tubing to place the filters in the lower 1/3, or are you concerned about water? I haven't a clue as to how the air flow pattern is through the engine bay, my guess is there's a bit of mixed flow or turbulence but perhaps better, cooler air closer to the gound. Just a thought...