[SINGH_]

I just recently purchased my E92 335i about two weeks ago... After looking through every post I could find, I can't seem to find anyone that is gone this route.

This is a quick photoshop I threw together but you get the idea...

I wanted to install an intake that could easily be reversed, allowing me to revert to a stock state in a matter of minutes (given you refrain from hacking up your original air box lid).

It seems to give the car a more factory performance look over other inexpensive intakes, such as the DCI setup. Requiring only minor modifications to a spare airbox lid (+new drop in filter). Should help aid in the reduction of heat soak, as well as keeping the functionality/flow of the factory grille scoops for the most part.

Possibly more audible turbo spooling over stock. As well as increased + unrestricted flow, allowing air to pass directly vertical from the top of the lid through the air filter and into the intake runners. (Noticeable gains for those running tunes/various other modifications over Stock)

What I need help with... a.k.a. The Hard Part:
I need help tracking tracking down an drop in air filter that covers 100% of the surface area for this to work (already in production?). A less sought after alternative would be an abs or aluminum plate machined which would allow for a rectangular drop in filter (such as: http://www.kandn.com/images/l/33-2118.jpg given max dimensions) to go within it.

What do you guys think?

[SINGH_]

Images Attached:

[AWTT335i]

I would think the outcome would be just sucking in lots of hot air. The cold air needs to be drawn through the filter on the left side. Removing the top of the filter cover would remove that restriction which is allowing the cool air to be drawn in through the left side. You could always try it and see how it works out.

[SINGH_]

Originally Posted by AWTT335i

I would think the outcome would be just sucking in lots of hot air. The cold air needs to be drawn through the filter on the left side. Removing the top of the filter cover would remove that restriction which is allowing the cool air to be drawn in through the left side. You could always try it and see how it works out.

Do you think it would allow for more hot air than running dual cone filters due to air flow patterns? I was thinking of this as an alternative to going that route. Sub $100 intake range.

[AWTT335i]

Originally Posted by 000000

Do you think it would allow for more hot air than running dual cone filters due to air flow patterns? I was thinking of this as an alternative to going that route. Sub $100 intake range.

Hard to say without empirical data. Have you researched the Mr 5 intake? Seems to be the best low cost option, although its not quickly returnable to stock like you mentioned. Well i suppose it is, depending on how handy you are with tools. Just need an unmodified air box to swap it with.

[jippii ensio]

Originally Posted by AWTT335i

I would think the outcome would be just sucking in lots of hot air. The cold air needs to be drawn through the filter on the left side. Removing the top of the filter cover would remove that restriction which is allowing the cool air to be drawn in through the left side. You could always try it and see how it works out.

It must be colder compared to dual cones since part of the air still comes from the front of the car.

[MDORPHN]

Would work better if sealed up top to a hood scoop

Neil

[SINGH_]

Originally Posted by AWTT335i

Hard to say without empirical data. Have you researched the Mr 5 intake? Seems to be the best low cost option, although its not quickly returnable to stock like you mentioned. Well i suppose it is, depending on how handy you are with tools. Just need an unmodified air box to swap it with.

I have looked into the Mr. 5 as well the simpler Helix Intake, both good alternatives. Mr. 5 seems to be more cost effective and would draw in cooler air over the Helix. Although the Helix would cut back on installation and removal time comparatively. But both are not just slap in and go, Helix would take just as long to uninstall as a Dual Cone setup. It might be time to track down some old airboxes/lids and filters and see what I can fab.

[SINGH_]

Originally Posted by jippii ensio

It must be colder compared to dual cones since part of the air still comes from the front of the car.

Thanks what I was thinking, as well as a sealing/distancing the intake charges in relation to the engine/heat when compared to the dual cone style intakes.

[JC335xi]

Originally Posted by jippii ensio

It must be colder compared to dual cones since part of the air still comes from the front of the car.

I don't think this is correct. From what I remember of the stock airbox, unmodified, the cold air is drawn into the bottom of the box on the left side. It then passes UP through the filter and across to the right side where it drops down into the intake tubes. Without the cover on, there is no need for any filter media on the entire left side of the box and the air will be drawn from the engine bay instead of the snorkel. Even if there was a filter that would work you would be better off just going with a DCI then doing this.

[Myrder]

Give it a shot, I cant see the picture (at work) but from the description sounds like an interesting idea, give it a shot. another random idea, do we know where the most restrictive point on the stock intake is? I would want to guess its the point where the air passes up and then back down into the intake tubes, the gap gets pretty tight there.

could a lid be built that is taller and allows more volume on top?

[mnester]

From the images I am seeing, there's something a bit wrong here. The air in the air box should first go under the filter through the snorkel and then up and around the top. Now that you have cut that out, you will lose the benefit of the snorkel and the amount of filter material that is actually getting used is much smaller. To me that's a fail.

[SINGH_]

Originally Posted by JC335xi

I don't think this is correct. From what I remember of the stock airbox, unmodified, the cold air is drawn into the bottom of the box on the left side. It then passes UP through the filter and across to the right side where it drops down into the intake tubes. Without the cover on, there is no need for any filter media on the entire left side of the box and the air will be drawn from the engine bay instead of the snorkel. Even if there was a filter that would work you would be better off just going with a DCI then doing this.

I get what your saying and that is correct that on a factory unmodified air box air is drawn in into the bottom on the air box... then pushed through the filter... and forced to hit the top the lid making a 90 degree angle (if viewing from front of vehicle) then dropped into the unfiltered partition. What we are saying is that when in motion intake air temperature readings would be cooler than just running a dual cone setup alone. Because on a dual cone setup (vishnu, bms, etc.) give or take 100% of the air being inputted to the turbos is from the engine bay. Where as with this method there is still a partial "ram air" feed into the air box, any not pulled in will exit into the engine bay (free of dust and debris due to its prior filtration).

[SINGH_]

Originally Posted by mnester

From the images I am seeing, there's something a bit wrong here. The air in the air box should first go under the filter through the snorkel and then up and around the top. Now that you have cut that out, you will lose the benefit of the snorkel and the amount of filter material that is actually getting used is much smaller. To me that's a fail.

I'm a bit confused by what you are saying. I'm seeing more filter surface area being used, large filter with dual flow inputs. As well as less restriction because of the straight through design over stock.

[Jeff@TopGearSolutions]

Less heat soak then a DCI, more flow then stock. Sounds like a happy medium possibly.

[mnester]

Originally Posted by 000000

I'm a bit confused by what you are saying. I'm seeing more filter surface area being used, large filter with dual flow inputs. As well as less restriction because of the straight through design over stock.

The reason for what I said is that with the cut out, the path of least resistance will be for the air to get drawn in from the cut out. This would make that little extra piece of filter, the only barrier to filtering the air which could in fact be a hindrance. Why do we go for cone filters? More surface area and it's easier for air to get through a larger filter than to be forcefully rushed through a smaller filter surface.

Just think about the stock air box, that little piece that you are trying to cover with a filter element used to be a gaping hole that was connected to the stock filter, which is much larger than the gaping hole. There is a purpose in this. Mainly for large amounts of air to have easier movement through it.

Before the snorkel would get suction from the engine because it was a closed system, and now it is not. And so the ram air effect will be largely diminished if not completely gone due to pressure differentials. You would need to do some experimenting to confirm that.

[LQQKOUT]

Looks like a good idea. Just need to find that style filter and share the P/N. I think it will be as good as the DCI.

[gtaccord]

Not worth it. Just get a dci.

[boom]

I think this is a great idea. If only we could fashion a dinah style intake port and a hose for it... hmmm...

[Bimmer305]

Originally Posted by 000000

I'm a bit confused by what you are saying. I'm seeing more filter surface area being used, large filter with dual flow inputs. As well as less restriction because of the straight through design over stock.

Let me fix it for you

[jippii ensio]

Originally Posted by Bimmer305

Let me fix it for you

You forgot that a lot of cold air is coming in through the snorkel.

[SINGH_]

Originally Posted by jippii ensio

You forgot that a lot of cold air is coming in through the snorkel.

that's what i was thinking, x amount of will be forced through pass though the system while the vehicle is in motion.