[CntryClub007]

We have a few threads going on this, going to consolidate to this one. Package arrived today, the dog completed her inspection of it.

Initial thoughts:
-Surprisingly (or maybe not surprised)...high quality components. Powder coating is really nice, welds look solid, something I would definitely install on my vehicle. I work as a mechanical engineer with a lot of metal and powder coating, and I'm pleased with the initial look and feel.
-I was able to peel off the "FTP" labels and "serial number" label nicely, they now look very clean and OEM. Nothing against Taiwan, but I wasn't a fan of a massive "Made in Taiwan" sticker when I opened my hood.
-I received these in literally 2.5 days. Pretty darn fast service from DHL (standard $30 shipping)
-Instructions and couplers look really good, obviously I'll comment on how good they are once I start the install.

Realistically, I'm going to be able to install these this weekend when my Burger Intake / JB4 arrives.

SO - Now I want the COMMUNITY feedback. How do you want me to install these? With a video, without a video?

Install JB4 and BMS Intake first, then these separately to identify any improvement? That's what I'm thinking, but let me know what you'd like me to do.

More to come!

[track.n.trail]

Awesome! I'm personally most interested in the stock air intake with the FTP intake pipe. There are plenty of sound clips of the Agency Power intake, which is essentially a BMS filter and this intake pipe, but there are no sound clips of the stock intake box and filter with an aftermarket intake pipe which deletes the factory intake resonators.

Thanks for taking the time to document this!

[j1980mac]

Originally Posted by dotfiles

Awesome! I'm personally most interested in the stock air intake with the FTP intake pipe. There are plenty of sound clips of the Agency Power intake, which is essentially a BMS filter and this intake pipe, but there are no sound clips of the stock intake box and filter with an aftermarket intake pipe which deletes the factory intake resonators.

Thanks for taking the time to document this!

That would be nice to hear.

Although I don't think the intake pipe will make that much difference in performance though.

The chargepipe however is a game changer! I love mine.

[track.n.trail]

Originally Posted by j1980mac

That would be nice to hear.

Although I don't think the intake pipe will make that much difference in performance though.

The chargepipe however is a game changer! I love mine.

Agreed, intake pipe is mostly a sound upgrade, the chargepipe probably does more for performance.

[j1980mac]

Originally Posted by dotfiles

Agreed, intake pipe is mostly a sound upgrade, the chargepipe probably does more for performance.

I would say that the DP adds 60% more smiles , and the chargepipe about 25% more!

[B58]

Originally Posted by j1980mac

I would say that the DP adds 60% more smiles , and the chargepipe about 25% more!

Better throttle response?

[j1980mac]

Originally Posted by B58

Better throttle response?

Like lightning!

[B58]

Originally Posted by j1980mac

Like lightning!

Post some pictures of the pipe installed

[j1980mac]

Originally Posted by B58

Post some pictures of the pipe installed

Not much to really see, but here you go. It's a tight fit on an X3 M40i. The job (by the book) is 1.6 hours.

[CntryClub007]

Originally Posted by dotfiles

Agreed, intake pipe is mostly a sound upgrade, the chargepipe probably does more for performance.

OK - Stock Airbox with Intake Pipe to start!

[kern417]

Awesome man. The main thing we need is comparison shots. Intake pipe to intake pipe, and charge pipe to charge pipe. I don't see how an aftermarket pipe can increase any performance, so maybe your pics could shed some light on this or if it's a placebo.

Also I'm wondering if a 1-piece intake pipe is difficult to install, primarily with reattaching the vacuum hoses. I don't think we need a whole install video, just a few pics and some feedback after install. My stock intake is already pretty loud tbh.

[CntryClub007]

Originally Posted by kern417

Awesome man. The main thing we need is comparison shots. Intake pipe to intake pipe, and charge pipe to charge pipe. I don't see how an aftermarket pipe can increase any performance, so maybe your pics could shed some light on this or if it's a placebo.

Also I'm wondering if a 1-piece intake pipe is difficult to install, primarily with reattaching the vacuum hoses. I don't think we need a whole install video, just a few pics and some feedback after install. My stock intake is already pretty loud tbh.

You got it, no sense in an 8 minute video in what can be accomplished in 4 lines of words and 3 pictures. Excited to tackle some of this! I'll do it in segments.

[B58]

Originally Posted by j1980mac

Not much to really see, but here you go. It's a tight fit on an X3 M40i. The job (by the book) is 1.6 hours.

It’ll show better with the cover off

[j1980mac]

Originally Posted by B58

It’ll show better with the cover off

Sure, I just updated it with more pictures.

As you can see it's a tight fit. You'll definitely need to jack it up (at the very least) or put it on a lift in order to get to the turbo.

[track.n.trail]

Originally Posted by CntryClub007

OK - Stock Airbox with Intake Pipe to start!

Awesome, thank you!!

[CntryClub007]

Ok - Install party about to begin...don't worry, I'll start with OEM (no JB4) and Intake to Turbo Pipe first...

[Solid67]

Originally Posted by CntryClub007

Ok - Install party about to begin...don't worry, I'll start with OEM (no JB4) and Intake to Turbo Pipe first...

How did the install go?

[CntryClub007]

Originally Posted by Solid67

How did the install go?

Teaser pic, more to come...just taking the kids to a couple of activities and typing up my thoughts on the install process and comparison.

Realistically, pop back over to the thread about 3-4pm CT for the summary.

[GT500R]

Originally Posted by j1980mac

Sure, I just updated it with more pictures.

As you can see it's a tight fit. You'll definitely need to jack it up (at the very least) or put it on a lift in order to get to the turbo.

How does the before and after feel?

[j1980mac]

Originally Posted by GT500R

How does the before and after feel?

The trans downshifts faster and the turbo spools much sooner!

[CntryClub007]

Quick and Dirty - Would I buy them again? Yes.

While I planned to honor the forum request and install solely the intake to turbo pipe, I very quickly realized that it would be necessary to remove all of that work to install the charge pipe thereafter, so I went ahead and installed both pipes at the same time. Sorry, but I just didn't have the time to re-do it all on Mother's Day Weekend.

Install of both pipes was about 2 hours on the dot, all from above the engine (not underneath). 1 man job. If you aren't familiar with C-Clips, get familiar with them. I knew them from my previous vehicle (320i / N20), but if you don't know them, learn about them, you could spend hours fumbling around with them on how to get a pipe off the turbo. It's very simple actually, BMW just uses an annoying black safety cover that you literally need to rip off to allow the C-Clip to open and pipe to be removed.

I would say there is zero sound difference between the combinations (OEM and FTP Intake to Turbo and FTP Charge Pipe), zero. That is with the OEM intake box. To be honest, I'd host the videos, but they are literally the same (OEM and FTP), so I'll just save the Internet the bandwidth, nothing to learn. Some were curious about removing the OEM silencer systems, if you'd start to hear something? Ya, don't hear anything new at all, it's just all motor to hear.

The pedal feels a bit stiffer, it feels raw and firm, I really like the response. Best way to say it, just doesn't feel initially mushy? Not that it was super mushy before, but it's like the equivalency of when I put in hard plumbing and an intercooler previously, everything just stiffened up like it wasn't being heat soaked. I know the B58 doesn't have a FMIC, but that's the best way I can describe it.

Unfortunately, the BMS Intake WILL NOT FIT. You have to use OEM. I really want to use an intake too, my previous 320i N20 used to spool up like a turbo diesel truck and I absolutely loved that sound from in the cabin. This setup (OEM & FTP) you solely hear just engine, little to no intake.

I have written to BMS and Agency Power to see if they'll release a shorter intake or "optimized elbow" for those of us running the FTP pipes. I don't see why they wouldn't want to do something, but we will see.

FTP Charge Pipe is about 76mm vs 56mm wide at the top on the OEM. Other dimensions are identical (56mm).

Let me know if you have any questions and enjoy the pictures!

[CntryClub007]

A couple of finished pictures - let me know if anyone has any questions on the install.