Ideas for reducing air temp for non-turbo N52B30 in 125i

JohnE82Coupe · 01-03-2014, 07:41 PM

Hi guys
Living on the Gold Coast in QLD our summers are very warm. Yesterday I went for a 1 hour drive on some backroads at 6pm. It was 31 degrees and 70% humidity. I have the 160kw N52B30 engine (non turbo so no intercooler). The best way I can describe the feeling from the engine was "rough and uncomfortable". It did not feel like its normal self. I have not made any modifications yet but I am considering an engine tune and a better air intake system. In deciding on a new air intake does anyone have some ideas for cooling the air that is going into the engine. The best thing I was thinking was a heat shield to better insulate the factory air box as it does get its air from the front grill so not much point moving it or anything major. I am not really looking for more power, I just want to keep the engine happier with cooler air than the hot air we have to deal with.
Any ideas welcome!
cheers- John
PS: I am assuming BMW regulate the air temp going into the engine to ensure it gets warm air on cold early morning starts in Bavaria. Not sure if they do anything to cool it on hot days in QLD tho!

Giveway74 · 01-04-2014, 01:18 AM

On my 195KW N52B30 in my 130 i find the intake temp not much more than the ambient temp outside when moving.

I have a Bluetooth OBD-II and the torque app to report what the computer is seeing

On a 37deg c day at wakefield the intake temp was around 70c while sitting in the pits. Once moving on track it dropped to 42c

To try and drop it any more would be lots of hassle and not a lot of benefit IMO

flinchy · 01-04-2014, 04:47 AM

You mention it didn't feel good?

You running 91RON?

Plugs old?

Coils maybe?

VMA-1511 · 01-04-2014, 08:40 AM

Noticed the same thing on my 125i a while ago, was a very hot day, low 40's and after a while of "enthusiastic" driving the car felt sluggish, and didn't want to pick up revs as quickly.
Didn't feel rough though.
What fuel are you running ?

Chandon · 01-05-2014, 04:52 AM

feels like my car struggles when it's ridiculously hot, say around 35+ degrees celcius.. other than that it feels normal, and i highly doubt the injen intake really delivers any cold air in those temperatures since it's exposed with a heat shield that i'm not convinced works very well lol

Jeef Beef · 01-05-2014, 08:50 AM

You can always get meth

Drawn05 · 01-05-2014, 02:52 PM

Do you guys have automatic transmissions? I would say that it is more likely that the engine/trans are getting too hot for the dme's liking and it it is scaling back the power. Having 20% of the radiator taken up by an ATF cooler doesn't help the engine keep temps down either.

JohnE82Coupe · 01-06-2014, 01:38 AM

Thanks guys - very good advice. I run BP98 fuel (although thinking about going to VPower as heard good things about it). Its a 6 speed getrag auto box with paddles.

I took it out yesterday morning at about 26 degrees and I thought it felt a lot smoother. Over 5,500 rpm in the hot temp (31 degrees or so) it just felt like it was straining a bit but I have been reading alot about cold intakes recently so I think it may have been in my head! Thanks alot for setting me straight and providing your experiences. It sounds like the engines do fine even when the ambient temp is up in the mid 30s and not worth trying to cool the temp down with any after market addons. Appreciate the posts.

Jeef Beef · 01-21-2014, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnE82Coupe

Thanks guys - very good advice. I run BP98 fuel (although thinking about going to VPower as heard good things about it). Its a 6 speed getrag auto box with paddles.

I took it out yesterday morning at about 26 degrees and I thought it felt a lot smoother. Over 5,500 rpm in the hot temp (31 degrees or so) it just felt like it was straining a bit but I have been reading alot about cold intakes recently so I think it may have been in my head! Thanks alot for setting me straight and providing your experiences. It sounds like the engines do fine even when the ambient temp is up in the mid 30s and not worth trying to cool the temp down with any after market addons. Appreciate the posts.

Isn't the autobox either GM or ZF? Getrag is the manual.

JohnE82Coupe · 01-24-2014, 10:30 PM

yes, sorry - looks like GM box for the 125i AT

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=299111

aggsy · 01-27-2014, 11:41 PM

Did you figure out why your car was running rough?

We've have a couple of 40+ days here in melb over the last few weeks and while the car ran a little sluggish it was still smooth as butter.

flinchy · 01-28-2014, 06:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeef Beef

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnE82Coupe

Thanks guys - very good advice. I run BP98 fuel (although thinking about going to VPower as heard good things about it). Its a 6 speed getrag auto box with paddles.

I took it out yesterday morning at about 26 degrees and I thought it felt a lot smoother. Over 5,500 rpm in the hot temp (31 degrees or so) it just felt like it was straining a bit but I have been reading alot about cold intakes recently so I think it may have been in my head! Thanks alot for setting me straight and providing your experiences. It sounds like the engines do fine even when the ambient temp is up in the mid 30s and not worth trying to cool the temp down with any after market addons. Appreciate the posts.

Isn't the autobox either GM or ZF? Getrag is the manual.

Manual should be zf

130 is the gs6-37bz.. 135 n54 is gs6-52bz

Crai135 · 02-01-2014, 05:36 AM

Probably the best thing
To do for an atmo engine would be a small 25 or 50 shot nitrous oxide fogger system. As nitrous oxide is not flammable. It would feel the same as running the car on a cold
Crisp night, without having any adverse effects to the cylinders valves and or valve stem seals. Better than spending 300 or 400 on a custom intake that will only sound good. Remember bmw pay engineers to research and develop things like air intakes. I am pretty sure for all round drivability the stop one will be better than all others.

The first mod I did to my car remove all the casting marks from the plastic inner side of the air box, so it is nice and smooth and reduces the amount of turbulent air going into the cylinder. Remember turbulent air creates restriction, restriction is what looses you horse power.

01-03-2014, 07:41 PM	#1
JohnE82Coupe BMW Club Gold Coast 1 Rep 8 Posts Drives: E82-125i Coupe M-Sport Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Gold Coast, QLD, Australia iTrader: (0)	Ideas for reducing air temp for non-turbo N52B30 in 125i Hi guys Living on the Gold Coast in QLD our summers are very warm. Yesterday I went for a 1 hour drive on some backroads at 6pm. It was 31 degrees and 70% humidity. I have the 160kw N52B30 engine (non turbo so no intercooler). The best way I can describe the feeling from the engine was "rough and uncomfortable". It did not feel like its normal self. I have not made any modifications yet but I am considering an engine tune and a better air intake system. In deciding on a new air intake does anyone have some ideas for cooling the air that is going into the engine. The best thing I was thinking was a heat shield to better insulate the factory air box as it does get its air from the front grill so not much point moving it or anything major. I am not really looking for more power, I just want to keep the engine happier with cooler air than the hot air we have to deal with. Any ideas welcome! cheers- John PS: I am assuming BMW regulate the air temp going into the engine to ensure it gets warm air on cold early morning starts in Bavaria. Not sure if they do anything to cool it on hot days in QLD tho!
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01-04-2014, 01:18 AM	#2
Giveway74 Private First Class 13 Rep 187 Posts Drives: 130i and MK7 Golf GTI PP Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Sydney iTrader: (0)	On my 195KW N52B30 in my 130 i find the intake temp not much more than the ambient temp outside when moving. I have a Bluetooth OBD-II and the torque app to report what the computer is seeing On a 37deg c day at wakefield the intake temp was around 70c while sitting in the pits. Once moving on track it dropped to 42c To try and drop it any more would be lots of hassle and not a lot of benefit IMO __________________ 2006 E87 130i M3 front and rear arms, M3 Front and rear ARB , Quaife LSD, BMW performance wheel (non electronic), 135i Brakes, DS2500 pads, Apex wheel studs, Adjustable Bilsteins, API Half cage, Hankook Z221's (track) and Bridgestone RE002's (street) 225's all around
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01-04-2014, 04:47 AM	#3
flinchy Brigadier General 126 Rep 3,099 Posts Drives: E82 135i Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: QLD, Australia iTrader: (0)	You mention it didn't feel good? You running 91RON? Plugs old? Coils maybe?
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01-04-2014, 08:40 AM	#4
VMA-1511 Private 4 Rep 64 Posts Drives: 125i E88 Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Melbourne iTrader: (0)	Noticed the same thing on my 125i a while ago, was a very hot day, low 40's and after a while of "enthusiastic" driving the car felt sluggish, and didn't want to pick up revs as quickly. Didn't feel rough though. What fuel are you running ?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-05-2014, 04:52 AM	#5
Chandon Major 99 Rep 1,102 Posts Drives: 1M Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Sydney, Australia iTrader: (1)	feels like my car struggles when it's ridiculously hot, say around 35+ degrees celcius.. other than that it feels normal, and i highly doubt the injen intake really delivers any cold air in those temperatures since it's exposed with a heat shield that i'm not convinced works very well lol
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-05-2014, 08:50 AM	#6
Jeef Beef Lord Captain Commander 110 Rep 3,093 Posts Drives: a sleeper Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Sydney, Australia iTrader: (0)	You can always get meth __________________ E82 135i M-sport: SGM/6MT/Black
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01-05-2014, 02:52 PM	#7
Drawn05 Captain 67 Rep 853 Posts Drives: Yes Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Left iTrader: (0)	Do you guys have automatic transmissions? I would say that it is more likely that the engine/trans are getting too hot for the dme's liking and it it is scaling back the power. Having 20% of the radiator taken up by an ATF cooler doesn't help the engine keep temps down either.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-06-2014, 01:38 AM	#8
JohnE82Coupe BMW Club Gold Coast 1 Rep 8 Posts Drives: E82-125i Coupe M-Sport Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Gold Coast, QLD, Australia iTrader: (0)	Thanks guys - very good advice. I run BP98 fuel (although thinking about going to VPower as heard good things about it). Its a 6 speed getrag auto box with paddles. I took it out yesterday morning at about 26 degrees and I thought it felt a lot smoother. Over 5,500 rpm in the hot temp (31 degrees or so) it just felt like it was straining a bit but I have been reading alot about cold intakes recently so I think it may have been in my head! Thanks alot for setting me straight and providing your experiences. It sounds like the engines do fine even when the ambient temp is up in the mid 30s and not worth trying to cool the temp down with any after market addons. Appreciate the posts.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-24-2014, 10:30 PM	#10
JohnE82Coupe BMW Club Gold Coast 1 Rep 8 Posts Drives: E82-125i Coupe M-Sport Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Gold Coast, QLD, Australia iTrader: (0)	yes, sorry - looks like GM box for the 125i AT http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=299111 __________________ ________ John E82 (2010) Black 125i Coupe M-Sport
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01-27-2014, 11:41 PM	#11
aggsy Enlisted Member 3 Rep 35 Posts Drives: AW 125i Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Melbourne iTrader: (0)	Did you figure out why your car was running rough? We've have a couple of 40+ days here in melb over the last few weeks and while the car ran a little sluggish it was still smooth as butter.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-01-2014, 05:36 AM	#13
Crai135 New Member 0 Rep 7 Posts Drives: Bmw 135i m sport package Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Brisbane iTrader: (0)	Probably the best thing To do for an atmo engine would be a small 25 or 50 shot nitrous oxide fogger system. As nitrous oxide is not flammable. It would feel the same as running the car on a cold Crisp night, without having any adverse effects to the cylinders valves and or valve stem seals. Better than spending 300 or 400 on a custom intake that will only sound good. Remember bmw pay engineers to research and develop things like air intakes. I am pretty sure for all round drivability the stop one will be better than all others. The first mod I did to my car remove all the casting marks from the plastic inner side of the air box, so it is nice and smooth and reduces the amount of turbulent air going into the cylinder. Remember turbulent air creates restriction, restriction is what looses you horse power.
	Appreciate 0 Quote