New to Turbo, would like to hear it

[Back N Black]

Sorry for the noob questions, but I am completely new to non N/A motors. I would like to be able to hear the turbo better from inside the vehicle. I have a N55 with DCT.

Would a new intake give more volume to spool up? I'm not trying to sound like a Fast & Furious fanboy, but it would be nice to hear the new toy.

I come from the 5.0 Mustang world, where the first thing you do to that car is buy a new tuner, as you can't change the intake without a tune first. Is this BMW the same way?

Again, sorry for all the questions and thanks for any help.

[zakyzozo]

Originally Posted by Back N Black

Sorry for the noob questions, but I am completely new to non N/A motors. I would like to be able to hear the turbo better from inside the vehicle. I have a N55 with DCT.

Would a new intake give more volume to spool up? I'm not trying to sound like a Fast & Furious fanboy, but it would be nice to hear the new toy.

I come from the 5.0 Mustang world, where the first thing you do to that car is buy a new tuner, as you can't change the intake without a tune first. Is this BMW the same way?

Again, sorry for all the questions and thanks for any help.

Injen makes the best looking CAI so when you open the hood you can see the bling. It is also one of the better performing ones as well, plus you can order it in black. That would probably give you the sound your looking for. Send Mike@xp-h a PM he can hook you up with good pricing. The BMS one is also popular but it uses the factory airbox and looks kinda weird IMO. You will not see any real gains in the butt dyno until you get a tune, then you can benefit more.

[vivanapoli806]

Get the bms cowl filters. I took my cowl off and can hear the turbos. I also added a bms dci and I can hear them sucking in the air and the turbo spooling. Go to burgertuning.com and look both those up.

[Freon]

I don't recommend removing your cowl. That's a ricey mod as it causes airflow reversion into the engine bay from the base of the windshield. Do your own research on hood risers (just google "hood risers"), which is basically the same thing. The cowl design also keeps water out of your HVAC system and engine bay. The cowl filters are also a fraction of the size of the cowl HVAC filter, and way overpriced. It's one of the worst products I've seen for our cars. I truly cannot believe people still recommend this mod. Run away. Run far, far away.

[vivanapoli806]

Originally Posted by Freon

I don't recommend removing your cowl. That's a ricey mod as it causes airflow reversion into the engine bay from the base of the windshield. Do your own research on hood risers (just google "hood risers"), which is basically the same thing. The cowl design also keeps water out of your HVAC system and engine bay. The cowl filters are also a fraction of the size of the cowl HVAC filter, and way overpriced. It's one of the worst products I've seen for our cars. I truly cannot believe people still recommend this mod. Run away. Run far, far away.

I understand what your saying. I left the bottom rubber piece on so it still covers my engine and haven't has any water issues. The water just drains down the sides where it's supposed to. I'm debating doing the m3 cowl but no one has done it for the 135 guys with 335's have

[edisapimp]

An intake will definitely make you sound faster and furiouser.

No, you do not need a tune to change the intake. It's PnP.

[BMist371]

Well, as an N55 guy, i'll help you out somewhat as most of these comments are from N54 motor guys. Injen doesn't make a popular intake for the N55 like they do for the N54 nor do N55's have a DCI. BMS and AFE make the only intakes worth purchasing for these cars. BMS is the most cost effective, and in my opinion, AFE makes the best one. The AFE utilizes your factory intake scoops in the front to provide fresh/cooler air, whereas all of the others just suck hot air from your engine bay. That being said BMS has already proved that hot air is negligable due to the increased volume of air coming in. AFE's "stage 2" intake seems to have the best of both worlds by being unsealed for sound and still being hooked up to the factory ducts. It's a preference since none of the intakes are worth much power. If sound is your only priority, buy a BMS and call it a day.

[suspenceful]

If that is what you're looking for... get this:
http://burgertuning.com/N55_BMW_Performance_intake.html

If you want that cool noise between shifts, look into getting a blow off valve.

[MightyMouseTech]

Originally Posted by BMist371

Well, as an N55 guy, i'll help you out somewhat as most of these comments are from N54 motor guys. Injen doesn't make a popular intake for the N55 like they do for the N54 nor do N55's have a DCI.

Is the 2011 135i not N55?





Looks like they make one, just the listing only shows up to 2011.

http://www.injen.com/search.asp?stop...lID=215&Eng=L6

[zakyzozo]

Originally Posted by MightyMouseTech

Is the 2011 135i not N55?

Looks like they make one, just the listing only shows up to 2011.

http://www.injen.com/search.asp?stop...lID=215&Eng=L6

That is correct, the 2011 has the N55 engine. Not sure how long Injen has been producing them, but they sell for just under $400. I like that the Injen removes the entire stock airbox. Just looks cleaner. I know the BMS one is very popular, but I thought I read a study where the results showed it was actually pulling hotter air than stock. Also +1 on FREON's comment regarding the BMS Cowls. And the N55 does not have a BOV it has a diverter valve.

[MightyMouseTech]

Was thinking of putting the wrinkle black Injen on my own car. Just seems the most like a real intake.

[Exile]

Intake for sure. I have bms but both injen and bms are good. To get the most of the turbo spool you need catless dp as well. That will seal the deal.

[BMist371]

Never stated they don't make one. I'm quite aware of it, just seems most people run AFE and BMS. Injen sells more N54 intakes.

[bmw0bsession]

Originally Posted by vivanapoli806

Get the bms cowl filters. I took my cowl off and can hear the turbos. I also added a bms dci and I can hear them sucking in the air and the turbo spooling. Go to burgertuning.com and look both those up.

This, makes a major difference along with an Injen or BMS intake you will hear serious spool.

[MightyMouseTech]

Originally Posted by BMist371

Never stated they don't make one. I'm quite aware of it, just seems most people run AFE and BMS. Injen sells more N54 intakes.

My bad. All good..

[CGMike]

Even with my BMS intake, the spool and BOV noise is really quiet. Especially at full throttle. It did seem to help with midrange and upper RPM power though.

[cheshirecat79]

As others have mentioned, aftermarket filters are a must. Other than that, even just removing the rubber piece on the front of the stock cabin filter assembly will make a big difference. It typically separates the engine bay air from the cabin filter air- removing this (it goes back on extremely easily) opens up the engine bay sound to travel through the cabin filter in through the front air vents.

The difference is pretty huge.

The piece I'm referring to is the long rubber strip that runs across the top of the image from one side of the car to the other.

http://www.1addicts.com/goodiesforyo.../P90068871.jpg

[jester17]

I have the aFe CAI -- makes a nice sound, sort of high-end big-balls whistley. It MIGHT add some torque, but it's hard to tell... I also have the PPK1, but had the CAI beforehand. I like the sound, it's pretty cool!

[Enzomnia]

That Injen one looks really good IMO. I wonder the IAT being pulled in considering it doesn't have a box.

I have the AFE intake on my N55 and I like it a lot. Comes with its own metal box and hooks up to the stock ducting to the grills. I can hear the turbo plenty. My brother says he can even hear the turbo on the freeway from his car when I gun it, but I'm not sure how accurate that is.

[Tiny Chainsaw]

Originally Posted by Back N Black

Sorry for the noob questions, but I am completely new to non N/A motors. I would like to be able to hear the turbo better from inside the vehicle. I have a N55 with DCT.

Would a new intake give more volume to spool up? I'm not trying to sound like a Fast & Furious fanboy, but it would be nice to hear the new toy.

I come from the 5.0 Mustang world, where the first thing you do to that car is buy a new tuner, as you can't change the intake without a tune first. Is this BMW the same way?

Again, sorry for all the questions and thanks for any help.

Get an injen intake, it sounds, looks and performs awesome.