[GTstunna612]

Installed my JB4 and left off installing the Cowl and Cabin Filter and all I can say is the sound now is intoxicating!!! You can really hear the turbo spool with the DCI even more with the higher boost from the JB4. Was wondering if there is any pros or cons with leaving the Cowl and Cabin Filter off? Terry said all his cars run with them removed with no issues. I just don't want water or anything to get inside the engine bay...

[michaelalex17]

wont u here a lot of ticking noises and shit from the DI and Turbo's

[Unkie]

The alternative is to just remove the rubber seal on top of the cowl. You et to keep the air filer for your vents, and still get all the noise effects from the engine.

[benzy89]

Terry also lives in CA -- If it's going to rain, I'd recommend to put your cowl back on to make sure the DME (pricey electronic shit) doesn't get shorted out.

[GTstunna612]

So I'm guessing I should put it back on...don't really want water to damage the DME

[rdeterman]

i wouldnt be worried about the DME if its sealed properly.. i had mine off for awhile till it got cold and i stopped running E85 the car smelled like crap since i have catless dp's..put it back on and the smell went away

[GTstunna612]

Originally Posted by rdeterman

i wouldnt be worried about the DME if its sealed properly.. i had mine off for awhile till it got cold and i stopped running E85 the car smelled like crap since i have catless dp's..put it back on and the smell went away

I like it off b/c of the sound. Did you have any issues when yours was off? Does more water or dirt get in the engine bay?

[n54gte]

if youre worried then put it back on...

[GTstunna612]

Originally Posted by jordan313

if youre worried then put it back on...

Just might have to do that

[idrift4wd]

Pros-Sound with DCI
lighter weight

Cons-Louder ticking (normal)
Water that is usually filtered goes right into the engine bay.
possible leaves/dirt can get into a/c.


However i do recommend it for people with DCI's. It makes your car sound so much better building boost and stock DV sound great

[tcw]

You can still install the HVAC filter. I've had mine off without issue for ~8 months now.

[GTstunna612]

Originally Posted by idrift4wd

Pros-Sound with DCI
lighter weight

Cons-Louder ticking (normal)
Water that is usually filtered goes right into the engine bay.
possible leaves/dirt can get into a/c.


However i do recommend it for people with DCI's. It makes your car sound so much better building boost and stock DV sound great

Don't wanna take that risk of leaves and or dirt getting into the AC system. Might just go ahead and put it all back on lol. Don't wanna risk it for a sweet sound of the DCI that I will miss

[GTstunna612]

Originally Posted by tcw

You can still install the HVAC filter. I've had mine off without issue for ~8 months now.

Could try that out!

[N54King]

Maybe the m3 conversion helps in the sound department without the risk ? looks like it wouldn't muffle the sound as much as more of the engine and etc are exposed ?

[135Pats]

Originally Posted by GTstunna612

Could try that out!

+1 for putting just the hvac back on, I've been running it like that for awhile now with zero issues. The car has been hand washed numerous times with the cowl off, no noticeable amount of water gets into the engine bay (i do leave those two panels on as well, they just sit there w/out the cowl on), and a direct hose to the windshield repeatedly is going to produce alot more water than anything short of a tsunami. If your DME is properly sealed there's really nothing to worry about, if it has a leak in the seal humidity will destroy it, forget about a rain shower. I really don't see an issue with leaving the cowl off, and the hvac bolts on no problem. When I take it in for service I just put the cowl back in place and all is well! And about "water in the engine bay", people clean their engine bays all the time...which requires water. I'm not saying you want to submerge it, but your car is not going to explode because the engine cover got a quick washdown after degreasing etc.

[Rotorocious]

Originally Posted by tcw

You can still install the HVAC filter. I've had mine off without issue for ~8 months now.

THIS!

[._.]

the ticking drove me crazy

[Jeff@TopGearSolutions]

Without the cowl, water can run off windshield into engine bay, DME, and turbo areas. I would put it back on.

I confirmed this myself cause I had the cowl off at one point, I washed the car after i drove it, and I heard all the water hitting hot metal and steam being produced.

You should atleast put the filter back on, no reason to breathe in engine air and dirty air.

[135Pats]

Originally Posted by Jeff@topgearsolutions

Without the cowl, water can run off windshield into engine bay, DME, and turbo areas. I would put it back on.

I confirmed this myself cause I had the cowl off at one point, I washed the car after i drove it, and I heard all the water hitting hot metal and steam being produced.

You should atleast put the filter back on, no reason to breathe in engine air and dirty air.

Interesting that was your experience, I washed the car on Saturday and at several points opened the hood to check for water on the hvac and 2 plastic panels on either side, and I saw about 2 drops. I agree there's no reason to leave the hvac off..

[Jeff@TopGearSolutions]

Originally Posted by 135Pats

Interesting that was your experience, I washed the car on Saturday and at several points opened the hood to check for water on the hvac and 2 plastic panels on either side, and I saw about 2 drops. I agree there's no reason to leave the hvac off..

Perhaps the 135i is different then the 335i in that regards?

I think Terry has a 135i which is why he always says its fine to do.

[135Pats]

Originally Posted by Jeff@topgearsolutions

Perhaps the 135i is different then the 335i in that regards?

I think Terry has a 135i which is why he always says its fine to do.

Hmm now my curiosity is piqued, on my way home from work today i'm going to make a quick stop by my friends house, he has an E9x N54 and i'm interested to see how the engine bay/cowl differs in design. My car has been through numerous washes, rain storms, and humid mornings, i've never had an issue. I do leave both of those plastic covers+hvac on, but even then I don't see much water on them when i pop the hood during a wash. Now if you removed the hvac I could totally see water getting into those holes, but that's different. Further investigation is needed, I much prefer the louder DCI+DV noises and don't mind the ticking one bit. Not to mention it makes getting in the engine bay 50X easier. Terry does indeed have an E82, maybe there is a difference there

[JStang]

Originally Posted by idrift4wd

Pros-Sound with DCI
lighter weight

Cons-Louder ticking (normal)
Water that is usually filtered goes right into the engine bay.
possible leaves/dirt can get into a/c.


However i do recommend it for people with DCI's. It makes your car sound so much better building boost and stock DV sound great

Lighter weight? Take a $hit before you go for a drive and the weight savings might be equivalent.