[benzy89]

Originally Posted by E90Company

Meth dousn't cool oil.

I never said it does, not sure where you got that I was responding to which would have a great impact on cooling intake temps, the answer is Meth

Originally Posted by cvc 22349a

I thought this thread would go sideways. Just interested in Dinan cai v. the PPK radiator. IMO, Dinan cai is the best intake out there and I can get it at a good price right now, but it would preclude me from using the PPK radiator which is the only viable option for improving coolant temps w/an AT. Just trying to ascertain which would be more beneficial for my N54.

Responding to your original dilemma of oil temps exceeding 265 + triggering limp mode, the answer would be neither the Dinan CAI or the PPK radiator would fix it. The Dinan CAI will lower your IATs while the PPK Radiator will just cool the engine, not the oil. I know, the oil goes into the engine, cooler engine --> cooler oil.

SO like Gugs, Jeff & I all said -- The only real solution to your oil temp problem is an aftermarket oil cooler. The OEM thermostat does not open (and start the cooling process) until 230 F, which will maintain temps ~250 with normal driving. Because you're aggressively driving the car (hill climbs & considering track usage), the only thing that will solve this is an aftermarket oil cooler with an [b]aftermarket thermostat[b] (this is the more important piece but unfortunately you can't buy it separately from any kit). A CAI or Radiator have no direct impact on oil temps, that's why there is a completely separate & independent oil cooling core located in the passenger wheel well.

STETT sells an oil cooler kit that is also goes into the OEM location, but you can buy different lower temp thermostats -- I believe the main one is 210 which is perfect for track usage b/c it then allows temps to go above 200 (boil out any water condensation in the oil), but starts cooling early enough to prevent temps from going over 260 & triggering limp mode.

[MilehighM3]

Definitely 2 concerns, but I see your logic as many others don't seem to. You're wondering what to get done first, because without a doubt you will be doing both at some point.
Cooler intake air temps are always good. Ignore the "inter cooler cools it any way" mentality. If 2 cars have the same intercooler set up, but one has 20-30 degree cooler intake air temps, guess which car will make more power? The intercooler will still have the same effect on lowering air temps, but starting at a lower point.
Coolant temps are effected by oil temps, but due to the quantity of the coolant vs oil, I find it's far more effective to cool the oil directly. Since the oil capacity is 7 qts, and the coolant is closer to 2 gallons, it takes a lot of coolant temp reduction to influence the oil temps. The coolant runs cooler any how- at around 205-220 vs your oil temps at 260-265. The auto trans also has a heat exchanger that utilizes coolant temps to reduce trans temps, and the trans to heat the coolant when the engine is cold. Treating oil temps as a separate concern is the best approach, IMO. Even just upgrading the size of the core will add oil capacity and in turn help reduce oil temps just due to the added volume. Of course the increase in core capacity and surface area will aid in cooling even farther. If you have a large core, and can't get air to it, it will have very little effect. Adding the secondary radiator and pulling air from it for a home made intake has deminishing returns by lowering the efficiency of both products.
I tried to get some data on Evans waterless coolant here, but due to lack of vendor support here, the product is not even a blip on the radar. I did talk with a suby owner that has had great luck with it, and lowered the coolant temps on a very well built car by an average of 15 degrees. That would be more beneficial than a $500 radiator that has little effect.
Just my .02 of course

[BQTuning]

Originally Posted by sammy_0559

Stett CAI woks better than Dinan IMO

Dynos ?

[MilehighM3]

Originally Posted by BuraQ

Dynos ?

[Gugs]

Originally Posted by Bmw135er

Who cares dyno. The results are cai is for ignorant people who like to pay 10x as much for an intake that provides no benefit or extra cooling abilities.

Only thing a cai gives you is the ability to suck water in your engine.


And like we've all told u OP-
neither of your choices will help your car in Any way.

[BQTuning]

Originally Posted by Gugs

Who cares dyno. The results are cai is for ignorant people who like to pay 10x as much for an intake that provides no benefit or extra cooling abilities.

Only thing a cai gives you is the ability to suck water in your engine.


And like we've all told u OP-
neither of your choices will help your car in Any way.

In reference to the Dinan CAI sucking up water, you are absolutely DEAD WRONG ! Your statement is best fitted for the STETT CAI which has no fail safe in its design. The Dinan CAI uses mere simple physics as a fail safe.

If water makes contact to the K&N filter the CFMs will transfer to the stock snorkle as there will be less resistance. Water will never make it up the Dinan inlet unless there is ALSO water blockage coming in the stock snorkel inlet.

The purpose of a CAI is to lower IAT = more pressurised air = more power = turbo life longevity

[cvc 22349a]

Originally Posted by cstavaru

I managed to do both, I have the PPK with the radiator, and a cold air intake:

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?p=8762970

But if you have to choose between a Dinan intake and the PPK radiator, choose the intake.

I'm going to. Decided to upgrade my oe oil cooler with Dinan or ER in the future and forgo the PPK radiator. Hopefully, PWR or some other radiator company will make an all aluminum rad for AT 335's in the future.

[Gugs]

Originally Posted by BuraQ

In reference to the Dinan CAI sucking up water, you are absolutely DEAD WRONG ! Your statement is best fitted for the STETT CAI which has no fail safe in its design. The Dinan CAI uses mere simple physics as a fail safe.

If water makes contact to the K&N filter the CFMs will transfer to the stock snorkle as there will be less resistance. Water will never make it up the Dinan inlet unless there is ALSO water blockage coming in the stock snorkel inlet.

The purpose of a CAI is to lower IAT = more pressurised air = more power = turbo life longevity

I'll ignore the water comment cause you have no clue.

However
If you think a cai is lowering air temps enough to Increase the density of said air thus allowing more in then your confused with what an intercooler is used for.
Not to mention any cold air is NEGATED In a turbo car because the air passes though the turbo- duh

The INTERCOOLER- which is inline AFTER the turbos and before the throttle body is what provides cooling.

So that being said and explained- a cai is pretty stupid idea on a turbo setup..... However dinan makes it. So it must be good. Stett is really well made That's apparent by the T pipe connecting both intakes. Looks
Like it flows well. -.- smh

And OP don't buy dinan anything. It's a waste of money for inferior parts with a D stamped on it. Go for ER they make nothing but quality.

[cvc 22349a]

^ I guess someone, you, had to bash Dinan. Was hoping this thread wouldn't have to go there, but it is the e90post forum. No better intake for the N54 imho...

[benzy89]

The Dinan CAI is very nice (looks incredible with the CF), I just don't like how it's basically an upgraded version of the stock box. The bends in the stock air intake box have a less than stellar flow pattern (too many sharp bends), but it's at least supplmented by that additional low-mounted front bumper intake.

There's also no shot in hell I'd pay $1,300 for a glorified intake lid (Dinan's words: The system is a direct replacement for the factory air box lid) that doesn't provide any substantial gains over $100 DCI's. If you're gonna spend big money on an intake, go with Gruppe M

[M3 Eater]

to track the car effectively, oil and coolant temps are going to be the weak point on any n54. If I were you, Id do the radiator, but don't expect amazing results. As many here said, an upgraded oil cooler would help the most to keep the car on the track during laps. A CAI is absolutely the last mod you want to do on a turbo car. I didn't say it wouldn't be effective, but bang for your buck, on the track, last mod.

[Wedge1967]

Honestly, no disrespect intended, I don't know why you're wasting everyones time with this. Sounds like you're informed and are set on getting one or the other, so flip a coin.

But, if you are really concerned about oil and water temps, AR Stg III oil cooler with dedicated trans cooler. http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=594874

Oh, and save your money and just get a DCI.

Good luck.

[Former_Boosted_IS]

Originally Posted by Gugs

Who cares dyno. The results are cai is for ignorant people who like to pay 10x as much for an intake that provides no benefit or extra cooling abilities.

Only thing a cai gives you is the ability to suck water in your engine.


And like we've all told u OP-
neither of your choices will help your car in Any way.

Really? A CAI gives no benefit? I have data that proves you are wrong...

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...CAI+versus+DCI

[cvc 22349a]

Originally Posted by Wedge1967

Honestly, no disrespect intended, I don't know why you're wasting everyones time with this. Sounds like you're informed and are set on getting one or the other, so flip a coin.

But, if you are really concerned about oil and water temps, AR Stg III oil cooler with dedicated trans cooler. http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=594874

Oh, and save your money and just get a DCI.

Good luck.

That's a good link; thanks. I'm familiar with ; been on this forum for 5 years. Not trying to waste anyone's time; was hoping to hear from folks with the parts I'm interested in. No DCI for me

[cvc 22349a]

Picked up a used Dinan cai and had it installed at Dinan in Morgan Hill yesterday since the kit I bought was from a 135i and I needed different brackets and bumper mesh screen. Got a chance to check out some new cars that Dinan is doing R&D on and thought I'd pass one along for 335is 'PPK' owners like BuraQ: Dinan is fitting their cai to the E9x 'is' 'ppk' cars. Should be released soon..