So after watching your video on cold air intakes I decided to order one along with a Turner silicone intake boot. And then I made a mistake….I made a post about it on Facebook. It started out ok with some likes and a few positive comments but then…the know it alls began to comment and were down right arrogant. I replied that that is their opinion and thanks them. Their rebuttals were that their opinions were facts. 🤦🏻♂️ so one again I thanked them and told them “it’s my car, I’ll do whatever I choose to do to it.” Jeeze know I understand you you spoke of. LOL Anyways I ordered a Mishimoto performance intake system and it’s on its way. Looking forward to installing it. Thank you for your content and knowledge. I just recently discovered you and enjoy your No BS videos and experience!
I recently wrapped the bottom half of the box and added an extra intake behind the bash bar . Nice little increase in throttle response for sure . And the noise with the k&n panel filter and my axle back exhaust is just loud enough to notice . I like it , has a nice throaty sound 👌
Hey there. I have the AFE one the same as yours apart from mine is the white cone that is not oiled as I didn’t want to possibly compromise the MAF. Before I fitted it I connected my diagnostics to monitor the AIT air inlet temperature to the MAF and my wife and I went for a drive that involved windy slow roads and long straights and monitored the temperatures at key points throughout. I then fitted the AFE and went for the same drive and I can tell you that in some cases the standard BMW was providing colder air by a couple of degrees C and others the AFE was by a similar amount. I didn’t buy it with performance in mind anyway but what I did want it for is induction noise. Below 3500rpm it’s fine you don’t know it’s there but when accelerating it’s fantastic - like a budget CSL and that I promise! The only two points I picked up on from your (excellent as ever) video is that if I was keeping the standard BMW intake I’d just use standard BMW paper elements rather than the K&N panel and also - did you know that BMW MSport do an induction kit for the E46 325? They do but it’s not very attractive so I went with the AFR and no regrets!! Cheers from UK :-)
Funny enough I also have the afe air intake and did a very similar test here in Los Angeles late at night on a empty freeway and found that the intakes were only a few degrees C away from each other but the afe sounds great once you hit 4K rpm. I definitely agree with you on this one
And that's where 3D printing comes in. The previous owner of my E46 had a gay ass hot air intake installed(No shield to protect it.) I have currently made a box around it with a thin sheet of aluminium. This improved allot but it still not there since it will warm up in certain conditions, so no perfect solution. Coming back so am gonna 3D print the cold air box so it as good as orginal in stopping the heat but it will have way better airflow. Doing so will increase performance everywhere, Heat is number one enemy!. PS: I already made a tube from the mtech 2 brake duct section so it has 2 points off fresh air going to my shitty halve ass but kinda working aluminium air box.
@@SCHIJTERBAAS A NACA duct inserted into the leading edge of the bonnet just before the filter would be perfect but I am happy just with the induction noise and don't want to cut the bonnet. That would be the best solution though.
Good insight on this topic. I am considering the Dinan box pn: d760-0007 or just moding my original airbox and dropping a dry afe filter to pair it with my turner intake boot and just call it a day. Keep the vids coming, cant wait to see how your build drives.
Hi, l like your videos and respect your knowledge. True cold air intake must be solely cold air, not just sticking a cone filter in the engine bay. The original design although limited, it's surely cold air. In addition you may call it Ram Air, as the radiator cooling and the air duct are predominantly the only escape for air from the vents. The area is confined unlike most cars.
I did an an experiment on my old Audi A4 B7 2.0 tfsi… I put a ‘hot air intake’ on it so I put a ram air intake on my MAF sensors about 20cm from the K03 turbo and manifold. I didn’t experience any heat soak my IAT were one degree above factory but on the flip side when I created a shield I didn’t notice any benefits or cooler IATs the only real ‘ benefit’ to this mod was intake noises.
That is pretty true, in my e36 i had cai, summers here in northern California in the valley, it gets hot 105 to 110 degrees hot. My e36 ran sluggish, but when i would go to San Francisco, my e36 ran awesome great response, fun to drive, why cause my intake was getting that 55, 65' degree cold air.
doesnt matter the stock airbox gets heatsoaked as well. More than the open style one. Best solution is heatshield wrapped in thermo tape. The borders of the heatshield having rubber and having fresher air coming also from the bumber area in addition to the stock center duct. My stock airbox was so hot during summer that you couldnt even keep your hands on it, while the open filter itself is barely warm, only the heatshield is hot to the touch.
i havent researched this idea but i have an idea another way of getting cold air is making a sleeve that goes round the air intake pipe and put a co2 line to it and attach those co2 canisters to it like on a soda stream machine and spray the sleeve to make the air intake pipe/silicone pipe or metal induction pipe freezing cold. just an idea but what would you think about that? would be interesting i think👍🏻
Love the video! Im in the third group, and im confused. Now tho, i feel like i made a decision to like it or not :) Btw: K&n do have a chart on their webside with proof and dyno run of an e46 325CI :)
What engine have you got? I've got a facelift 320i, and im considering the mishimoto air intake, but the website only specifies the 323, 325 and 328. Im assuming it would fit a 320 as well, but do you have any idea if it really does?
I have had cold air intakes previously in Subaru Turbo models, and they seemed to be effective…..My approach to my E46 is to use the existing system with a K & N filter, and to replace the piping to the throttle body………This seems to free up the system without it being an obvious mod, and price-wise is a good result………
Here’s 1 example: Edward Johnson see, the thing is it's not opinion based, it's all factual and can be tested. From what I've seen it's essentially fruitless to change the intake because the engine is not demanding more flow. At the stock power level especially the stock box is more than adequate and free flowing. At 500hp you might want to change the intake boot to smooth airflow and accommodate more air through a less restrictive filter, but for these cars all it will do is add noise, so if that's what you want, you'll get it. If you expect more response and power, it's unlikely there will be any measurable difference especially with no tune
Great analysis but what about the computer and the mass air flow sensor. Isn’t it programmed to read a certain air flow and start throwing up the check engine lights and possibly lead to other problems?
first mod i ALWAYS do is add a cone filter. only this time i modded the factory box to fit the cone filter and act as a heat sheild, and was able to fit the lid on it so its acting as a ram air still the same. i noticed an immediate difference. but considering the filter i removed was HORRIBLE AND DIRTY (car was free claimed blown engine, fan bolts backed out allowing it to smack the clutch pully, and the intake hoses were both cracked and rotted) 60 bucks later ive driven her near 5k miles within a month and a halfs time? not counting other small stuff and repairing the disa valve o ring on my 3.0L so that sucked scraping it off. but im all for cold air intake systems. most just dont notice a difference and jus like you said, they dont like modding a BMW its against their religion lol
I think the summary is that CAI systems do provide benefit to power and throttle response, when installed under ideal circumstances with material, placement, and supporting mods like an exhaust and new tune. But if you just install a generic budget cold air intake without it being designed for your specific engine, and you haven't done all the prerequisite upgrades or supporting mods, you're better off keeping the factory airbox. So unless you put a bunch of qualifiers and conditional statements and asterisks, just installing a generic standalone cold air intake will not be an improvement.
It’s worth it. My friend had some leftover pipes and it sits right behind the headlight. At 60 degrees and below it keeps the oil cooler and most the time it won’t reach temp because the air is so cool.
so does that mean, if i am sitting in traffic and i have a Performance air intake installed, there won't be a smoother air flower for the Engine and there are chances of overheating?
@@michaelcarter5 i live in the middle east and the temperature here in the summer reaches upto 51 degrees celsius and 75-71% humidity . Are there any chances of it damaging the engine? I recently changed my expansion tank because it blew up in the while driving and caused overheating so like in such conditions , where i live, would having a aftermarket airintake be better or the stock one?
These are all great theoretical arguments, but unfortunately nobody will be convinced either way without cold hard facts, (myself included.) Unless it can be proven that a "performance" intake has a) colder air intake temps, b) greater air flow rate, and ultimately c) more power on a dyno compared to a *new* stock air filter, nobody is gonna change their mind. Hope you can do some of these experiments in future 👍 Edit: that is not to say anything about cold air intakes on other cars... but like you say there is no "cold air intake" available on the e46 and I suspect there is a reason for that. I am surprised that AFE claim a 6hp gain. If that can be proven, I will be convinced! (And promptly buy one 🤣)
![BUYING A BMW E46 [2022], Do these 3 things - FIRST!](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/xBIo5tzBFo8/mqdefault.jpg)
So after watching your video on cold air intakes I decided to order one along with a Turner silicone intake boot. And then I made a mistake….I made a post about it on Facebook. It started out ok with some likes and a few positive comments but then…the know it alls began to comment and were down right arrogant. I replied that that is their opinion and thanks them. Their rebuttals were that their opinions were facts. 🤦🏻♂️ so one again I thanked them and told them “it’s my car, I’ll do whatever I choose to do to it.” Jeeze know I understand you you spoke of. LOL Anyways I ordered a Mishimoto performance intake system and it’s on its way. Looking forward to installing it. Thank you for your content and knowledge. I just recently discovered you and enjoy your No BS videos and experience!
Your so brutally honest an that combined with the e46 content is why I subscribed
I recently wrapped the bottom half of the box and added an extra intake behind the bash bar . Nice little increase in throttle response for sure . And the noise with the k&n panel filter and my axle back exhaust is just loud enough to notice . I like it , has a nice throaty sound 👌
Hey there. I have the AFE one the same as yours apart from mine is the white cone that is not oiled as I didn’t want to possibly compromise the MAF. Before I fitted it I connected my diagnostics to monitor the AIT air inlet temperature to the MAF and my wife and I went for a drive that involved windy slow roads and long straights and monitored the temperatures at key points throughout. I then fitted the AFE and went for the same drive and I can tell you that in some cases the standard BMW was providing colder air by a couple of degrees C and others the AFE was by a similar amount. I didn’t buy it with performance in mind anyway but what I did want it for is induction noise. Below 3500rpm it’s fine you don’t know it’s there but when accelerating it’s fantastic - like a budget CSL and that I promise! The only two points I picked up on from your (excellent as ever) video is that if I was keeping the standard BMW intake I’d just use standard BMW paper elements rather than the K&N panel and also - did you know that BMW MSport do an induction kit for the E46 325? They do but it’s not very attractive so I went with the AFR and no regrets!! Cheers from UK :-)
Funny enough I also have the afe air intake and did a very similar test here in Los Angeles late at night on a empty freeway and found that the intakes were only a few degrees C away from each other but the afe sounds great once you hit 4K rpm. I definitely agree with you on this one
Great feedback - thank you!😀
And that's where 3D printing comes in. The previous owner of my E46 had a gay ass hot air intake installed(No shield to protect it.) I have currently made a box around it with a thin sheet of aluminium. This improved allot but it still not there since it will warm up in certain conditions, so no perfect solution. Coming back so am gonna 3D print the cold air box so it as good as orginal in stopping the heat but it will have way better airflow. Doing so will increase performance everywhere, Heat is number one enemy!.
PS: I already made a tube from the mtech 2 brake duct section so it has 2 points off fresh air going to my shitty halve ass but kinda working aluminium air box.
@@SCHIJTERBAAS A NACA duct inserted into the leading edge of the bonnet just before the filter would be perfect but I am happy just with the induction noise and don't want to cut the bonnet. That would be the best solution though.
Fitted the oil and cotton K&N filter to my e46330i and it made a big difference. Super responsive.. kept everything else standard.
Good insight on this topic. I am considering the Dinan box pn: d760-0007 or just moding my original airbox and dropping a dry afe filter to pair it with my turner intake boot and just call it a day. Keep the vids coming, cant wait to see how your build drives.
Sounds great!
How was installing it? I bought the same one and have you seen results?
Very very very very very very useful information good presentation thanks for everything
Hi, l like your videos and respect your knowledge. True cold air intake must be solely cold air, not just sticking a cone filter in the engine bay. The original design although limited, it's surely cold air. In addition you may call it Ram Air, as the radiator cooling and the air duct are predominantly the only escape for air from the vents. The area is confined unlike most cars.
I did an an experiment on my old Audi A4 B7 2.0 tfsi… I put a ‘hot air intake’ on it so I put a ram air intake on my MAF sensors about 20cm from the K03 turbo and manifold. I didn’t experience any heat soak my IAT were one degree above factory but on the flip side when I created a shield I didn’t notice any benefits or cooler IATs the only real ‘ benefit’ to this mod was intake noises.
I love watching your videos and listening to all the cool e46 mods. Thank you!
I had Stage 1 tune done but held off on the AFE air intake for now. This video helped with great insight. Still considering. Thanks.
Glad it helped
Mine is cold air intake (Dinan). Sits right behind the fog light duct!
Awesome.....
in my opinion, great for winter, in the summer put back your airbox to avoid heatsoak
That is pretty true, in my e36 i had cai, summers here in northern California in the valley, it gets hot 105 to 110 degrees hot. My e36 ran sluggish, but when i would go to San Francisco, my e36 ran awesome great response, fun to drive, why cause my intake was getting that 55, 65' degree cold air.
doesnt matter the stock airbox gets heatsoaked as well. More than the open style one. Best solution is heatshield wrapped in thermo tape. The borders of the heatshield having rubber and having fresher air coming also from the bumber area in addition to the stock center duct.
My stock airbox was so hot during summer that you couldnt even keep your hands on it, while the open filter itself is barely warm, only the heatshield is hot to the touch.
i havent researched this idea but i have an idea another way of getting cold air is making a sleeve that goes round the air intake pipe and put a co2 line to it and attach those co2 canisters to it like on a soda stream machine and spray the sleeve to make the air intake pipe/silicone pipe or metal induction pipe freezing cold. just an idea but what would you think about that? would be interesting i think👍🏻
Great videos. Can you do one on the vacuum line plug mod on exhaust forE46? It sounds much better exhaust note but unsure on performance
Love the video! Im in the third group, and im confused. Now tho, i feel like i made a decision to like it or not :)
Btw: K&n do have a chart on their webside with proof and dyno run of an e46 325CI :)
Thanks for the info...I guess it depends on which countries web site you check.🙄
Great video mate! Horse power increase or not my Mishimoto intake sounds amazing 😍🔥
That's what it's about! 😀
What engine have you got? I've got a facelift 320i, and im considering the mishimoto air intake, but the website only specifies the 323, 325 and 328. Im assuming it would fit a 320 as well, but do you have any idea if it really does?
Well finally some logical input. Thanks. Subscribed.
And they look kooool too 😊😊
Great video as usual!
I appreciate that
I have had cold air intakes previously in Subaru Turbo models, and they seemed to be effective…..My approach to my E46 is to use the existing system with a K & N filter, and to replace the piping to the throttle body………This seems to free up the system without it being an obvious mod, and price-wise is a good result………
Great video, thanks for the information
Thanks!
Here’s 1 example:
Edward Johnson see, the thing is it's not opinion based, it's all factual and can be tested. From what I've seen it's essentially fruitless to change the intake because the engine is not demanding more flow. At the stock power level especially the stock box is more than adequate and free flowing. At 500hp you might want to change the intake boot to smooth airflow and accommodate more air through a less restrictive filter, but for these cars all it will do is add noise, so if that's what you want, you'll get it. If you expect more response and power, it's unlikely there will be any measurable difference especially with no tune
Great analysis but what about the computer and the mass air flow sensor. Isn’t it programmed to read a certain air flow and start throwing up the check engine lights and possibly lead to other problems?
first mod i ALWAYS do is add a cone filter. only this time i modded the factory box to fit the cone filter and act as a heat sheild, and was able to fit the lid on it so its acting as a ram air still the same. i noticed an immediate difference. but considering the filter i removed was HORRIBLE AND DIRTY (car was free claimed blown engine, fan bolts backed out allowing it to smack the clutch pully, and the intake hoses were both cracked and rotted) 60 bucks later ive driven her near 5k miles within a month and a halfs time? not counting other small stuff and repairing the disa valve o ring on my 3.0L so that sucked scraping it off. but im all for cold air intake systems. most just dont notice a difference and jus like you said, they dont like modding a BMW its against their religion lol
I think the summary is that CAI systems do provide benefit to power and throttle response, when installed under ideal circumstances with material, placement, and supporting mods like an exhaust and new tune.
But if you just install a generic budget cold air intake without it being designed for your specific engine, and you haven't done all the prerequisite upgrades or supporting mods, you're better off keeping the factory airbox.
So unless you put a bunch of qualifiers and conditional statements and asterisks, just installing a generic standalone cold air intake will not be an improvement.
Aren't you due for anothe CAI vid? Its been 5 months or so rofl. I'm just raz'n, great video.
A very good analysis on the subject, I’d install one just for the increased induction noise!!!!😜😆😆😆
I know right! 😎
#Sixty4motorsport, especially that whining supercharger noise!!!👌😎
there is a bad attitude on CAI you aint wrong about that
Interesting, Was think of installing a custom intake.
It’s worth it. My friend had some leftover pipes and it sits right behind the headlight. At 60 degrees and below it keeps the oil cooler and most the time it won’t reach temp because the air is so cool.
@@epkool20onmobile4 I just installed my custom intake, nice low end power too!
I have a very simple answer to the main question here, does CAI work?
Easy, Dyno before and after then check the results!
so does that mean, if i am sitting in traffic and i have a Performance air intake installed, there won't be a smoother air flower for the Engine and there are chances of overheating?
Just means your engine is sucking in hot air , might feel less responsive in heavy traffic.
@@michaelcarter5 i live in the middle east and the temperature here in the summer reaches upto 51 degrees celsius and 75-71% humidity . Are there any chances of it damaging the engine? I recently changed my expansion tank because it blew up in the while driving and caused overheating so like in such conditions , where i live, would having a aftermarket airintake be better or the stock one?
Cold air intakes are really hot air intakes.
Really. I can’t get to temp because it pulls so much air
These are all great theoretical arguments, but unfortunately nobody will be convinced either way without cold hard facts, (myself included.) Unless it can be proven that a "performance" intake has a) colder air intake temps, b) greater air flow rate, and ultimately c) more power on a dyno compared to a *new* stock air filter, nobody is gonna change their mind. Hope you can do some of these experiments in future 👍
Edit: that is not to say anything about cold air intakes on other cars... but like you say there is no "cold air intake" available on the e46 and I suspect there is a reason for that. I am surprised that AFE claim a 6hp gain. If that can be proven, I will be convinced! (And promptly buy one 🤣)
Boîte à air BMW motorsport
Video is hard to watch mate. Edit less and try to not do a new take every 4 words.