[ACR3597]

I've narrowed it down to tree choices


1. First is the Injen CAI. This seems to be the one I see people have the most on this forum and the majority of the people who have it seemed to be pleased. I'm not too sure about it not being a sealed air box intake.
http://www.topgearsolutions.com/inje...i-f30-n26.html

2. AFE Momentum Pro intake. I've seen that some people have this one and again seemed to be pleased with it, but haven't really seen as much feedback about it as the Injen. This one is a sealed airbox.
http://www.topgearsolutions.com/afemainstsip2.html

3. AFR Stage 2 Intake. This one I haven't seen anybody with this intake. This is an open exhaust although AFE sells a box you can put a around it. http://www.topgearsolutions.com/afe-...28i-f30-n.html

[RM7]

The one that looks the best to you, since they are for looks.

[ACR3597]

Originally Posted by JamesNoBrakes

The one that looks the best to you, since they are for looks.

Mainly for sound, but at the most I'm trying to get one that at least doesn't hinder performance

[Vegetable]

Originally Posted by ACR3597

Mainly for sound, but at the most I'm trying to get one that at least doesn't hinder performance

I doubt any of them will hinder performance, but the Injen seem to be the highest quality for the price (for sound).

[EuroWhips]

I would go for Injen, happy with mine

[ACR3597]

Originally Posted by EuroWhips

I would go for Injen, happy with mine

Have you had any problems with driving through puddles and water getting into the intake or anything like that?

[EuroWhips]

No issues whatsoever as it uses the stock scoop behind the grill

[crono06]

Originally Posted by ACR3597

Have you had any problems with driving through puddles and water getting into the intake or anything like that?

Originally Posted by EuroWhips

No issues whatsoever as it uses the stock scoop behind the grill

Correct. These are not like traditional 'cold air intakes'. They all utilize the stock filter scoops and placements.

[ACR3597]

Originally Posted by crono06

Correct. These are not like traditional 'cold air intakes'. They all utilize the stock filter scoops and placements.

Since the Injen intake is constructed of metal, won't the metal absorb heat from the engine which in turn would put hot air in the filter area?

[TypeOne]

Originally Posted by ACR3597

Since the Injen intake is constructed of metal, won't the metal absorb heat from the engine which in turn would put hot air in the filter area?

Yes, typically metal tubes will inherently absorb heat faster than other materials such as plastic, fiber, silicone..ect. However, they typically dissipate that heat pretty quickly, depending on the specific applications of course.

There are always going to be trade offs between different intakes. Metal tubes may see a rise in IAT's, but the plastic intakes can warp or (depending on mfg quality and design) reduce the airflow (compared to a smooth aluminum tube.) Some plastic intakes can be BETTER than the aluminum tubes since you can design and tune plenums in specific ways compared to using a simple extruded aluminum tube. They are also relatively inexpensive to produce.

Take it with a grain of salt though since the differences will likely not be noticed in any significant way on a stock car. My main concern with an intake system would be the air filter element itself. You can compare different types of tube materials but the filter type and flow seem paramount to me. A properly sized intake tube and high flow filter will work well enough. Like all mods, there is a finite amount of power to gain from a modified intake system.

Other things to consider would be air inlets, size, heat shields and boxes (keeping the air flowing into the filter as cool as possible) and not to mention the MAF sensor position and location. From what I have seen, it seems that upgrading the intake should be paired with the JB4 for best results otherwise the stock MAF reading could be a little unstable.

Hope that helps!

[ACR3597]

Originally Posted by TypeOne

Yes, typically metal tubes will inherently absorb heat faster than other materials such as plastic, fiber, silicone..ect. However, they typically dissipate that heat pretty quickly, depending on the specific applications of course.

There are always going to be trade offs between different intakes. Metal tubes may see a rise in IAT's, but the plastic intakes can warp or (depending on mfg quality and design) reduce the airflow (compared to a smooth aluminum tube.) Some plastic intakes can be BETTER than the aluminum tubes since you can design and tune plenums in specific ways compared to using a simple extruded aluminum tube. They are also relatively inexpensive to produce.

Take it with a grain of salt though since the differences will likely not be noticed in any significant way on a stock car. My main concern with an intake system would be the air filter element itself. You can compare different types of tube materials but the filter type and flow seem paramount to me. A properly sized intake tube and high flow filter will work well enough. Like all mods, there is a finite amount of power to gain from a modified intake system.

Other things to consider would be air inlets, size, heat shields and boxes (keeping the air flowing into the filter as cool as possible) and not to mention the MAF sensor position and location. From what I have seen, it seems that upgrading the intake should be paired with the JB4 for best results otherwise the stock MAF could be a little unstable.

Hope that helps!

Which of these intakes do you have or which do you suggest? I am kind of planning on getting a tune for my car after my warranty is up. Thanks for the advice so far!

[TypeOne]

Originally Posted by ACR3597

Which of these intakes do you have or which do you suggest? I am kind of planning on getting a tune for my car after my warranty is up. Thanks for the advice so far!

My car is all stock right now.

I do have other cars (non-BMW) and have a hand in developing performance intake systems for them through my company. I've been doing a lot of research on F30 systems and from what I have seen, the BMS intake seems to be the best value. I have read concerns about the tube housing warping issues (not surprising) and their fix for it.

The AFE looks like a really nice part as well but I have yet to see much to justify the costs, especially when none of the manufactures will put out dyno graphs.

No matter which route you go, it seems like the JB4 will make anything better.

[ACR3597]

Originally Posted by TypeOne

My car is all stock right now.

I do have other cars (non-BMW) and have a hand in developing performance intake systems for them through my company. I've been doing a lot of research on F30 systems and from what I have seen, the BMS intake seems to be the best value. I have read concerns about the tube housing warping issues (not surprising) and their fix for it.

The AFE looks like a really nice part as well but I have yet to see much to justify the costs, especially when none of the manufactures will put out dyno graphs.

No matter which route you go, it seems like the JB4 will make anything better.

AFE actually does have a dyno chart on their site with and without the intake though I'm not sure if one is supposed to take the dyno results seriously. Also, I have a full catback exhaust on my car, would that make any difference with intake?

[alohasurftoad]

check the N20 engine sub-forums. currently, there are a few threads on injen and awe intakes up top.

it seems injen has the best performance gains and is what most have. however, from what i have read intakes don't do much except make more sound (for the N20/26) and look pretty in the engine bay.

personally i'd just put a HPA high flow air filter and spend towards a tune or ER FMIC and charge pipe.

flash or piggyback tunes are largest performance enhancement for the least amount of money, without a shadow of a doubt.

[XRAVE]

Intakes are for looks and sound only. I find it impossible that just an air intake gains you 10 HP without a tune.

Here are some cheaper alternatives to gain 5 HP:

-Kick your GF out of the passenger seat
-Clean out 50 lbs worth of junk in the car
-Remove the back seats

[Nick340xi_qc]

Went for option 3 because i bought it used at a good price. I don't really care for the performance gain discussion. Still i love the increase sound of the DV.

[ACR3597]

Originally Posted by Nick328i_qc

Went for option 3 because i bought it used at a good price. I don't really care for the performance gain discussion. Still i love the increase sound of the DV.

Yeah I'm mainly getting it for sounds, but I do not want one that will hinder the performance of my car because I do hear that sometimes intakes can do that.

[335BOY]

Originally Posted by ACR3597

Mainly for sound, but at the most I'm trying to get one that at least doesn't hinder performance

With my last Audi I was told it would show up when car is plugged in and could trigger warranty issues. I thought, why bother for no performance increase.

[ACR3597]

Originally Posted by 335BOY

With my last Audi I was told it would show up when car is plugged in and could trigger warranty issues. I thought, why bother for no performance increase.

What could show up when car is plugged in?

And I have a full catback exhaust on my car and it was recently at the dealer to get some stuff fixed under warranty and they didn't say anything about the exhaust so I imagine and hope they wouldn't care about an intake.

[XKxRome0ox]

Originally Posted by XRAVE

Intakes are for looks and sound only. I find it impossible that just an air intake gains you 10 HP without a tune.

Here are some cheaper alternatives to gain 5 HP:

-Kick your GF out of the passenger seat
-Clean out 50 lbs worth of junk in the car
-Remove the back seats

the driver should also put the pizza and ice cream down and lose some weight

every 8 pounds shaved is the equivalent of gaining 1 hp

[Billfitz]

Originally Posted by XRAVE

I find it impossible that just an air intake gains you 10 HP...

It could if it was replacing a poorly designed intake. The stock intake isn't poorly designed.

[TypeOne]

If you have a 328i N20, the results may be different than what I have been seeing with the N55 EWG F30. As stated above, you really need a tune to get any sort of significant increase in power. That pretty much applies to any car, except for like a Mustang GT or something. hehehe