2003 E320 Power Boost ?
#1
02-28-2005, 09:27 PM
2003 E320 Power Boost ?
I own a 2003 E320. I was wondering if anybody could point me in the right direction of boosting the performance of my car and grabbing a few more horses out of the engine for a reasonable amount of cash (Under $1000 total). I've looked into cold air intake/chips/exhaust, was wondering if anybody could help me out a little on brand names, price ranges of products, and anything else that goes along with this kinda thing. Thanks.
#2
03-01-2005, 01:10 PM
RE: 2003 E320 Power Boost ?
The chip I've used (not on my MB yet because I just bought mine a few weeks ago - '99 E320 with 27k certified miles [8D]) is Speedtuning. Probably under $300. Go to www.speedtuningusa.com and you can see a dyno chart for the 320. The U.S. distributor, Oliver, is from Austria and knows his German autos. He has a new S4, I think.
For better air intake, an inexpensive improvement is to replace your stock air filter with a K&N panel filter which drops right into the stock location. Runs about $40. There's a lot of argument about actual benefits but many people say at least a couple hp are gained and maybe a few more, depending on which car.
A performance exhaust will cost $$$ especially if you buy one from a vendor and it's a name brand (Borla, etc.). Best route is to find a good exhaust shop - good in the sense that they regularly work on performance cars - and talk to them about building you a system. You want the bends to be mandrel bends to eliminate internal ridges that slow the flow, and if possible going to as large a diameter pipe without going wild. There are performance cats (I have used Xtremeflow which passed the stringent Maryland emissions test w/flying colors) but I understand the OEM Merc cats are pretty good as is. Of course a cat w/many miles through it will not flow as well as a new OEM or a performance cat. A ton of different mufflers are available so make sure you get a good one which will last a while and, unless you want it, not
wake up the biker next door when you roll in at 0-dark-thirty.
For better air intake, an inexpensive improvement is to replace your stock air filter with a K&N panel filter which drops right into the stock location. Runs about $40. There's a lot of argument about actual benefits but many people say at least a couple hp are gained and maybe a few more, depending on which car.
A performance exhaust will cost $$$ especially if you buy one from a vendor and it's a name brand (Borla, etc.). Best route is to find a good exhaust shop - good in the sense that they regularly work on performance cars - and talk to them about building you a system. You want the bends to be mandrel bends to eliminate internal ridges that slow the flow, and if possible going to as large a diameter pipe without going wild. There are performance cats (I have used Xtremeflow which passed the stringent Maryland emissions test w/flying colors) but I understand the OEM Merc cats are pretty good as is. Of course a cat w/many miles through it will not flow as well as a new OEM or a performance cat. A ton of different mufflers are available so make sure you get a good one which will last a while and, unless you want it, not
wake up the biker next door when you roll in at 0-dark-thirty.
#4
03-07-2005, 11:59 PM
RE: 2003 E320 Power Boost ?
Air intake systems and K&N filters are ineffective for generating any extra HP .. all you will get is added throttle body sound .. which sounds good, but does nothing to add hp.
The only way to add real HP is with forced induction ... either NOx, supercharging or turbocharging. You can try a chip ... but that ususally means reprogramming the CAN ... not swapping out a chip. And, what horsepower you gain in one area, you will most likely lose elsewhere in the torque range.
The only way to add real HP is with forced induction ... either NOx, supercharging or turbocharging. You can try a chip ... but that ususally means reprogramming the CAN ... not swapping out a chip. And, what horsepower you gain in one area, you will most likely lose elsewhere in the torque range.
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