AA C38 in E30 intake issues

[passdanachos]

So I am half way through installing my AA C38 supercharger into my E30 with an S52 motor. I am running into some problems (as expected) with the intake. Obviously the intake piping that came with the kit is intended for an E36 and my car is an E30. Thus I ordered some custom 3" aluminum piping and silicone hoses so fabricate an new intake. I figure I will pipe the intake over my existing ABS and behind the front drivers headlight and down behind the foglight. I plan to mount the Air filter behind the foglight and install the HFM behind the headlight.

The pictures show what I initally thought I could do, which was shorten the pipe with the blow off valve and install the air filter behind the headlight. AA tech told me that it would be more beneficial to have the intake somewhat similar in length as what was provided. So I figure re-route the intake below the bumper.

The major issues are the piping for the ABS is in the way (which I can re-route for clearance) but the entire area is pretty cluttered.

As I think I have the solution, I figure I should put this out to you guys and see what other suggestions for a better intake solution?

When I recieve the piping kit, I will send pics of the installation. I guess my TIGing skills will come in handy afterall!!!

[alexbaby88]

I would be interested to see how you route the plumbing. Siting the air filte behind the foglight - would that be too low and run the risk of sucking in water if driving through heavy rain?

[passdanachos]

That is one of my concern but given my options I really don't know where else to mount it. Maybe I should build a baffle on the underside as well to create an air box of sorts but to mainly protect the Air filter from water in heavy rain. Wouldn't be that hard to do.

[alexbaby88]

Please post lots and lots of pics after you are done!

[golde30]

you could always remove the ABS system. that would free up alotta room.

[passdanachos]

yea, it would but I'd rather not.

[alexbaby88]

What about relocating the ABS pump someplace else?

[passdanachos]

The piping can make it over the ABS lines. I think I can fab up some custom piping that will route over and down around the ABS lines. I will getting the 3" aluminum piping soon. I ordered a universal intercooler piping kit including a set of silicone hoses form ebay last week and they should arrive this week. So hopefully by this long weekend (Canadian) I will have some pictures to show.

[alexbaby88]

Did you Canadians get both the US and Euro E36 M3s?

[xLibelle]

just seperate the MAF from the cone, attach the MAF directly to the elbow that comes up from the SC and then cut an elbow that angles down to the cone...FTW

[matt]

Make sure the pipe into the MAF is fairly straight for ~4 inches in front of the MAF. If you can't do this, you wil need to clock the MAF very precisely so that it will read right.

[passdanachos]

just seperate the MAF from the cone, attach the MAF directly to the elbow that comes up from the SC and then cut an elbow that angles down to the cone...FTW

That was my original idea but I AA tech says that is not recommended because it would be too close to the charger and should be connected at the same or more distance away from the charger as in the original piping. I forgot the reasoning but it had to do with the MAF getting a correct reading and the turbulence that the shorter connection causes. At least a four inch striaght pipe is recommended (see Matts comment) I also have to connect the blow off valve and another hose to the the elbow, which AA also not recommends as they should be connected on a straight pipe. I'm sure somebody will correct me, as my expaination sucks!

Also a short elbow pipe and MAF with the the cone filter right behind the headlight looks like dog shit. I'd much rather have a nice flowing chrome intake pipe.

[dark89e30]

The reason that they recommend the blow off be on a straight section is because when it is on a bend, the drag from the hole is amplified. At the same time though, the blow off valve should be as close as possible to the throttle body to really get an accurate release of pressure. Basically, the farther away from the intake manifold the BOV sits, the higher boost pressure it sees due to pressure drops from bends, intercooler, ridges inside tube connectors, temperature changes, etc. therefore it will release too much air to compensate. And you don't care what the boost pressure is right after the supercharger, you care what it is inside the intake manifold. Even though there will only be a 3 psi or so difference, you want to keep your boost pressure limiting device working accurately. Hope you can make use of this...

[xLibelle]

He cant make use of that because thats not what hes talking about.
MAF does not = BOV.

[matt]

He cant make use of that because thats not what hes talking about.
MAF does not = BOV.

It would be a lot better if everyone just ignored that whole post. He's got a lot of near-misses in terms of technical accuracy.