How-to silicone intake tube

[Beej '86 325es]

Someone else on the board had done this at one point and it didn't sound to hard, here's my results:

Step 1: Order silicone 90 degree elbow from www.siliconeintakes.com
(I bought a 3.0 to 3.5 bending reducer for $20 since I'm using the Euro MAF)

Step 2: Go to the parts store and but some 3/4" heater hose and black silicone sealant

Step 3: Drill two 1" holes in the tube

Step 4: Cut two 1.5" lengths of heater hose off, put a thin bead of sealant around the end where it will contact the intake tube and insert into the intake tube

Step 5: Use a latex glove and apply sealant on the inside and outside

Step 6: Drink a beer - you deserve it

Results:

[NC325iC]

bet you could pull those out pretty easy

[e30s52]

bet you could pull those out pretty easy

thats what i was thinking

[Beej '86 325es]

Actually I tried to break it with a reasonable amount of force (it's the engineer in me) - I was debating on putting on a second layer of sealant, but it holds plenty good for what it's used for.

[grib]

I tried this with the same intake piece from the same company. Unfortunately I couldn't find an adhesive/sealant that held together - especially in the heat of the engine bay.

Finally ended up with the real one from Bimmerworld. Much more robust all the way around, and the side hoses are actually "wrapped" into the silicon boot.

Good luck with it - but keep an eye on those joints. It will be a nasty vacuum leak (forward of the MAF) if they ever cut loose...

[moatilliatta]

Needs more jb weld.

[Beej '86 325es]

I tried this with the same intake piece from the same company. Unfortunately I couldn't find an adhesive/sealant that held together - especially in the heat of the engine bay.

Finally ended up with the real one from Bimmerworld. Much more robust all the way around, and the side hoses are actually "wrapped" into the silicon boot.

Good luck with it - but keep an eye on those joints. It will be a nasty vacuum leak (forward of the MAF) if they ever cut loose...

thanks - i'll keep an eye on it. I did use a high-temp sealant, but I'll still watch it. I don't doubt the Samco hose is much stronger. The silicone hose I have took forever to drill through. It's tough stuff.

[matt]

The trick is to prep the silicone like you're patching a tire... wire wheel the shit out of it, then the RTV will stick better.

I use the stock one though.

[loonibab325i]

very nice, Kenny did the same thing, i'm so copying this on my setup!

-Abe.

[Jordan325iC]

Maybe if my duct-tape boot every blows, I will try this.

BTW where is the samco hose referenced in this thread?

[kroberts]

This is what I did...



I was concerned about adhesion so to ensure I had enough surface area, I cut the side out of the factory intake elbow. I roughed up the silicone and cleaned it with MEK, then I bonded the parts with RTV. The radii matched perfectly. This was sort of a proof-of-concept, it's pretty ghetto looking. I have a plan for version 2.0

[moatilliatta]

should have some how mounted it on the inside.

[matt]

Why are you guys doing this? You really, honestly think it flows better?

[Mulholland]

maybe you should enter the wide world of pvc intakes. We have a full intercooler piping kit we mocked in pvc, functional, before my friend got everything welded up and done right, complete with plumbing parts bov. It was actually really nice for what it was.

But seriously, are you guys just looking for a cheap alternative to replacing, or is this an attempted freebie type upgrade?

[eyagel]

Why are you guys doing this? You really, honestly think it flows better?

intake boots crack after time, doing something new, avoiding the stealership, lasts FOREVER, looks cleaner (sometimes)