Best Intake For 135i N54

[bloomjbmw]

I'd really like to see data. For me it would be nice to see real-world data on a daily driver with no other mods except intake...

I am all about doing an intake that will give scratch the mod itch but I'm not putting one on that doesn't perform at least as well as the stock air box/filter combo under the conditions that my car will see. I use my car as a daily driver and it will see ambient temps in the 90-100 degree range from mid June - Late August.

I want to see the data for the scenarios that apply to typical driving in 'real world'. The dyno is a nice reference point but that doesn't prove things for me...especially with an intake mod specifically.

[Brian135i]

IMO the best intake for the N54 has not been made yet. There are some good intakes, right now, but you would have to make it yourself (Mr.5 intake) or pay over $1k. (Dinan)

[tyorll]

Originally Posted by bloomjbmw

I want to see the data for the scenarios that apply to typical driving in 'real world'. The dyno is a nice reference point but that doesn't prove things for me...especially with an intake mod specifically.

I think with these requirements, you're unlikely to find satisfactory "data". Dyno gains/comparisons are iffy at best, with some people claiming that the stock airbox is good enough for minor modifications + boltons without the need for dual cone/cold air intakes whatever. Others will ascertain that the change in sound is enough to change out the stock airbox, and then there are some that have changed back to stock after having aftermarket intakes for various reasons.

I was looking at the aFe cold air intake myself, but couldn't find enough hard evidence to justify the change.

[Brian@bavarianx]

InJen has a made a good intake for the N54. We've sold a ton and not a single complaint about them.

[blacknbean]

real world example, its clear oem > dci. lower times and lower IATs.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=491005

[NYC6]

Originally Posted by blacknbean

real world example, its clear oem > dci. lower times and lower IATs.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=491005

I'll stay with the one my car came with. Everyone is always looking for a better mousetrap and sometimes its hard to beat the original. Many companys come up with gadgets that claim to perform better and even have suspect data to 'prove' it so but in reality it often isnt so.

[MrBlonde]

Stock airbox on mine.

[chancejat]

Originally Posted by blacknbean

real world example, its clear oem > dci. lower times and lower IATs.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=491005

after reading this ill be removing my dci......

[Rawhide]

Nice to know the turbos can take that much boost. Mine will never see that, but makes me more comfortable running with my piddly 2lbs extra.

[bloomjbmw]

That write-up was excellent! Thanks for sending the link. Two birds with one stone - 1) I don't need to spend mod money on an intake! 2) The Cobb AP is a nice tool and easy way to tune these car.

Great information.

[Rawhide]

If money were no object I'd go Cobb too. Bit more than I want to spend, but then I'm about to drop a grand on a FMIC so my thinking probably has some flaws.

[The1]

Originally Posted by Rawhide

If money were no object I'd go Cobb too. Bit more than I want to spend, but then I'm about to drop a grand on a FMIC so my thinking probably has some flaws.

haha, depends on your motives and expectations....

JB4/Procede will be very nice for most people, but some people don't like the idea of piggy backs, and that's where flashes come in.

generally a flash is safter as it can observe every possible situation an engine has to give.

sometimes piggy backs have a slight hesitation where they take over from where the ECU leaves off (this is pretty minimal these days as piggybacks are getting miles better)

One is sort of a bandaid solution while the other is a solution. They both work.

[Jettafanatic]

"I therefore waited, idling, until the light turned green and matted the accelerator..."

I think this explains the difference.
Stop and go traffic / idling will lead to increased under hood temps... which the DCI will notice more than the Airbox.
I have played with all kinds of intakes / OEM Box, Mr. 5 , BMS etc...
My real world experience from track driving / every day fast driving suggests the BMS DCI has worked the best ( including track times).
You sit / idle / then drag? Probably DCI / Open element not good for you...
Stop / go traffic LA freeways ( or similar)? Ditto.
Feel free to disagree, but there is a reason I decided to stay with the BMS after much tinkering.... mind you, I do live in California mostly cool / dry weather and I do not spend most of the time with the car idling.....
Cheers

[My135]

I've Injen intake on my car. It works best on highway with speed over 50 mph, and feel no gain in traffic but who cares since you can't go fast in that condition.

[Mega Man]

Sorry to necro this dead thread, but I was wondering what's new with the N54 intakes. I didn't buy an intake before, since it seemed there was room improvement. I am considering an closed AFe.

Any other suggestions that might be better?

[1speedbike]

Originally Posted by Mega Man

Sorry to necro this dead thread, but I was wondering what's new with the N54 intakes. I didn't buy an intake before, since it seemed there was room improvement. I am considering an closed AFe.

Any other suggestions that might be better?

That closed AFE one is probably the best, otherwise I'd get something like the stett. With the stett the engine bay air doesn't matter, because it's poking out and grabbing ambient air. The AFE one is good because it still has those big cone filters that can suck in a lot of air, but the closed box functions better as a heat shield than the original open AFE heat shield, so you're mostly getting colder air that's coming in through the intake snorkel and the hot engine air is mostly kept out.

I'm still running the open AFE with the head shield and it works pretty decently; I had the BMS DCI and the bog and heat soak isn't as apparent, but it still sounds great and the engine breathes easily. I haven't had a chance to try the new AFE or the stett.

[Mega Man]

I saw the Stett one, but decided against it. It's open and exposed so low to the ground; freeway driving through bug-country will do a number on it, and I'm sure it gets dirty and requires cleaning (maybe once a year). It's not a huge deal, but imagine having to remove the fender lining or driver's side front bumper ever time you need to clean it. That's just time you don't have to spend opening up the box, rinsing off the filters, waiting to dry, and then re-oiling (if oiled). Either one is more self-maintenance than the stock ones, but the CAI seems like it just takes longer.

Also, I had a CAI on my Integra, and it had sucked up water once; was quite a scare. My 135i is lower than my Integra had ever been, and the CAI sits so low already. Another reason that I don't want to go CAI, and would be happy with a closed airbox in stock position.

I'm about to order the AFe unless anyone can suggest better.
Are there any soundbytes or video clips of the AFe intake?

[coolguy]

Whats the best drop in filter one can get for the oem box?

[Suds]

Funny thread.

A less restrictive intake will allow your turbo to spool easier, to build the same pressure and maybe respond quicker, which may lower inlet air temps, but in the end the boost controller will limit how much boost is created, so the car would create the same horsepower.

A better FMIC would be a better investment.

Soooo, if it dosen't look cool or sound cool, it has no value, just my opinion here.

[Colt]

Originally Posted by Suds

Funny thread.

A less restrictive intake will allow your turbo to spool easier, to build the same pressure and maybe respond quicker, which may lower inlet air temps, but in the end the boost controller will limit how much boost is created, so the car would create the same horsepower.

A better FMIC would be a better investment.

Soooo, if it dosen't look cool or sound cool, it has no value, just my opinion here.

I like my BMS DCIs. Cheap mod and car sounds better. As soon as I replace the intakes I'm replacing them with dual 7" intakes (found below):

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ls_o00_s00_i00

[135Pats]

Originally Posted by coolguy

Whats the best drop in filter one can get for the oem box?

drop in is a waste of your money in my opinion. either keep the stock box, which isnt half bad, or just go with bms dci for quicker midrange spool and the cool sound.

[135Pats]

Originally Posted by coolguy

Whats the best drop in filter one can get for the oem box?

drop in is a waste of your money in my opinion. either keep the stock box, which isnt half bad, or just go with bms dci for quicker midrange spool and the cool sound.