Tried to fit a 535i airbox... (lotsa pics)

[PiercedE30]

wow....that looks pretty good.

[static]

yes, good work!

[Bmjpv]

a/c

It might look like a lot of work but it's really not. Who's ever doing this kind of a/c box on their car will do it much faster since I've cut a path as another way to install a OE looking air cleaner box. K&N has a filter for this box, I've orded one from world pac and It'll be here tuesday ,not as deep and I'm sure flows much better. I'll give that info when I get it. If you've got question on what I've done/doing ,just pm me. joe

[static]

^^ yea, i really love your solution for clearing the coolant hose and also to have it lower so the TB aligns

Hope you don't object if i copycat your design a bit :) (i.e cutting off the lowe part)

[dougsic]

Thanks to Static for starting this thread and to BMJPV for getting it back on track and sharing your efforts. Great job to both of you!

I purchased a 3.5" MAF and the 3.5" ITG filter for it. I haven't installed it because I don't find the ITG filter convincing. Looks to me like I will get a lot of oil on my MAF and/or I'll be injesting a lot of dirt in my engine.

I have been searching for a paper cone filter that isn't too huge for lack of other solutions.

Looks like this might be the one. Do you guys think the Samco reducing elbow will work with this mod?

Thanks again for the pictures too - it really adds value to a thread.

[Bmjpv]

a/c

I'm trying to understand, what is the samco reducing elbo? joe

[static]

I'm trying to understand, what is the samco reducing elbo? joe

https://secure11.nexternal.com/shared/StoreFront/default.asp?CS=bimmerworl&BusType=BtoC&Count1=940380275&Count2=857520699&CategoryID=15&Target=products.asp

(if link doesn't work look for sil samco boot under intakes)

I run this reducing 3.5 to 3 samco boot along with the HFM and an Amsoil Ea airfilter (no oil necessary, they say it's better than paper as it's using nanofiber, part number #3555 i think)
The boot fits great with a tiny bit of trimming to clear TB flap mechanisms and the master cyl. I tried fitting the 3.5" side of it through the oval opening in the airbox and it doesn't fit, so will need some widening to accommodate it.
My plan however is to ditch the MAF/HFM for MAP (with appropriate electronics of course) and have straight 3" to 3" elbow from the box to the TB.

Edit: Joe, i see you still use the original boot. If you plan to go 3.5" HFM, you should really consider a reducing elbow like samco. If you don't feel like paying $150, there is a thread on how to get similar thing for $20

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=708734

Cheers
Alex

[Bmjpv]

samco

static, now I know about samco, I looked into a different boot other than the OE type but went to some turbo sites, didn't fall in love with anything and went back to OE. Do you ,or anyone know, are these boots extra length? I've got a short radius into the a/c box but need aprox 2" longer to mate to trottle body. That boot could be a great way to go over the OE boot that i'm using. I looked into it and black is back ordered! Does any one know what would be a great air cleaner, bimmerworld's looks like it could be a good addition, something that doesn't need oiling? joe

[dougsic]

static, now I know about samco, I looked into a different boot other than the OE type but went to some turbo sites, didn't fall in love with anything and went back to OE. Do you ,or anyone know, are these boots extra length? I've got a short radius into the a/c box but need aprox 2" longer to mate to trottle body. That boot could be a great way to go over the OE boot that i'm using. I looked into it and black is back ordered! Does any one know what would be a great air cleaner, bimmerworld's looks like it could be a good addition, something that doesn't need oiling? joe

Joe,

I called Bimmerworld a few weeks ago to order the ITG filter. I believe it was James Clay that answered the phone and I said I was disappointed that the black Samco elbow had been out of stock for so long, according to their website.

He told me that they had just received a few of them so I ordered one. It was delivered to me, along with the ITG filter, two days later.

So I suggest that you call them even though their website says they are out of stock, or did I just get lucky?

I'll measure it tomorrow as well as the stock one and let you know what length it is. I believe that it is indeed longer than the stock one.

Doug

[Bmjpv]

Doug: I will call tomorrow for both of those and see what they've got,thanks! What about that a/cleaner ,are you liken it? Does k&n compare ? I like this set-up a lot! let me know what you think. joe

[Mike B.]

I like ITG filters. I had them on my 911 for years with no issues, and I will be using one on my Euro 3.2. The JC60/86 works great for 3.5" HFM's.

[matt]

ITG filters are oiled foam, right? I would tend to run one of those before I would run a K&N-style, in a perfect world.

[static]

my opinion: i wouldn't trust oiled filters that much. Dyno tests had shown that there are absolutely no gains on bimmers going from stock airboxes with paper to anything else (they even tested with an open throttle body and there were no gains)
So i don't see a compelling reason to go with anything but paper (or the Amsoil stuff that's even denser = less crap in engine) (just as long as the area is sufficient, that all that matters)

[Mike B.]

Not using the filters for gains - fitment reasons only. In a perfect world, stock airboxes/filters are the way to go.

[So Live]

Im a big fan of the synthetic non-oiled cone filters AEM is putting out. Im alot more confident of them than the k&n i used to have.