[BQTuning]

Today I received the aFe snorkel kit to upgrade to their Elite Stage 2 SI or Sealed Intake. The aFe snorkel kit is a direct replacement of the stock snorkel which allows smoother air flow and removing the restrictions that was inherent in the stock snorkel.

For those of you have been following from since my first initial review of the aFe Stage 2 Seal Intake Review I did make some modificatons to the stand alone airbox by completely and affectively sealing the airbox air tight allowing absolutely no hot air from the engine bay to get in.

By doing this I also increased the CFM air flow at the stock snorkel mouth. The air flow was also aided by the aFe air scoops.

After the install I took the car for a 30 min spin and found I have a new member added to the turbo spooling orchestra. I can now hear the air being sucked into the snorkel mouths.

I have a baseline dyno scheduled for next week Friday, results will be added to this new post.

Until then, this week the new intake will be put to its howling test at the Palm Beach International Raceway private event coming this Sunday May 6th 2012.

Make sure to subcribe to this thread to get updated on my review as progression is made.

[Redbmwm33]

I only wish they made this for the 135i

[brady2268]

That looks sick!! How much was everything?

[Stucks]

I wonder how much airflow this has compared to the afe dual cone intake that everyone has been using for a while now.

[IMG]http://www.**********s.com/images/Products/AFE%20Intake/CFMGain.jpg[/IMG]

[cn555ic]

Originally Posted by Stucks

I wonder how much airflow this has compared to the afe dual cone intake that everyone has been using for a while now.

[IMG]http://www.**********s.com/images/Products/AFE%20Intake/CFMGain.jpg[/IMG]

That's night And day!! New one looks so much better in design. It's no longer getting baked hot air and instead cold air from kidneys. Good design

[Stucks]

Originally Posted by cn555ic

That's night And day!! New one looks so much better in design. It's no longer getting baked hot air and instead cold air from kidneys. Good design

Very true, but what i was wondering about was if it flows as much air. Im def sure the air is much cooler due to the enclosed/sealed box design.

[BQTuning]

Just got back from the track private rental. Had a friend borrowed me his DashDyno for all 35 runs. This is what I saw

1. 35 Runs (two with my wife)
2. AFM @ WOT 138-142 avrg / Peak 160
3. Ambient Temps 91-92 degrees
4. Intake Temps 108 - 123 (normal driving and idle) / @ WOT 132-138 degrees
5. ET Consistency 12.2 @ 113-114
6. Best time 12.23 @ 115 mph

Will post time slip later this evening...I am too damn tired and need to rest. BBL

[BQTuning]

I was really supprised that I did that good in such weather conitions. The second fastest N54 was an E90 runnning JB4 Map 7, DP's, DCI, and fuel mix of E85 (first time on track)

Here are two other time slips during peak temps and that are my best ET 12.2. The aFe intake came in a nick of time for this hot event.

[cstavaru]

The combined surface area of the two intake box openings seems very small, like not larger than the surface area of the single opening in the stock intake box.

Not only this, but the intake airflow surface area is further limited by the front air openings which are the stock openings.

I would say that this is no better than a stock airbox with a drop-in filter. Yes, the filter may be much larger but if there is not enough air coming to it, it doesn't really help. I have seen 11.x times with the stock airbox...

[2Times]

in for later.

[BQTuning]

Baseline dyno coming next.......

[2Times]

New dynos?

[BQTuning]

Originally Posted by 2Times

New dynos?

This week for sure.......these last Fridays have been booked despite my last minute attempts. Will make sure to book my space early this week.

[mhkm]

I would say that this is no better than a stock airbox with a drop-in filter. Yes, the filter may be much larger but if there is not enough air coming to it, it doesn't really help.

This...

[BQTuning]

Originally Posted by mhkm

This...

The funny thing about that statement is that he didnt even know I was running a K&N drop in filter with the stock box and the new intake was dynoed in much worse weather conditions resulting in better performance with the stand alone aFe Stage 2 airbox that does not come with replacement snorkles

Originally Posted by BuraQ

Yes it was posted in video.

Dispite the temp disadvantages the aFe still pulled ahead by 9 whp and 12 wtq increase while bringing the power much more earlier in the power band over the stock w/ the K&N filter

The next dyno will be with the aFe snorkels added which is the topic of the OP

[nikitino25]

When you did the dyno referred to above, did you just have the AFT sealed box hooked up to the stock snorkel?
Also, with the new AFE snorkels and scoops; do the scoops kind of drop down in front of the radiator? Are you worried at all about blocking the radiator with the scoops? Did you ever do any more dynos with the new snorkels?

[BQTuning]

Ok everyone here are the results and will post PDF and videos later. This weather kicked my ass.

Stock with K&N Drop in Filter originally yielded 371 whp and 412 wtq ; starting temps 86° F/ 82° H

aFe Stage 2 SI (Custom Sealed) yielded 380 whp and 424 wtq ; starting temps 87° F/ 88° H

aFe Stage2 SI Elite (Custom Sealed) yielded 384 whp and 429 wtq; starting temps 93° F/ 93° H

The aFe Stage 2 SI Elite produced 13 whp and 17 wtq in 93°F over the Stock with K&N Drop in Filter


The AFR sensor fell out on the final run so your not going to see it on the dyno, please excuse, the damn place was hot man lol


On stock DPs

[nikitino25]

I have one more question and please forgive my ignorance. Is the stock intake system considered a cold air intake? It looks like it pulls air in through the front grill the same as the AFE with snorkels but just not as much air? Or is it not considered a cai since the box itself is not sealed and pulls in hot air through the box?

[BQTuning]

Originally Posted by nikitino25

When you did the dyno referred to above, did you just have the AFE sealed box hooked up to the stock snorkel?

Yes

Originally Posted by nikitino25

Also, with the new AFE snorkels and scoops; do the scoops kind of drop down in front of the radiator?

They drop down about 3", not even noticeable

Originally Posted by nikitino25

Are you worried at all about blocking the radiator with the scoops? Did you ever do any more dynos with the new snorkels?

It aFe scoop did not affect RAD temps in any way

Just got back today from doing dyno on the aFe Sage 2 SI Elite version..see previous post

[BQTuning]

Originally Posted by nikitino25

I have one more question and please forgive my ignorance. Is the stock intake system considered a cold air intake?

Yes

Originally Posted by nikitino25

It looks like it pulls air in through the front grill the same as the AFE with snorkels but just not as much air? Or is it not considered a cai since the box itself is not sealed and pulls in hot air through the box?

The aFe setup with the air scoops help to guide air, more air into the snorkels to increasing CFM flow and yes the aFe SI version intakes are CAI.

I wanted it air sealed so that to increase CFM flow at the mouth of th snorkels. Before the custom sealing it was more of an exclosed sealed intake ie the stock box was more so sealed than the aFe airbox.

All I did was use multi weather resistant caulk to seal up some minor areas and that was it.

aFe will be coming out with a newer version that will be one piece that will be completely sealed

[TurboBimmer]

Results look very good!

[2Times]

very cool, great results. Going to the track soon?