3.0i CAI idea. Am I crazy?

[g300d]

Been thinking of a CAI for the X5 3.0i.

Looking at the E46 330i guys, it seems that the long tube CAI's are the ones that consistently produce power.

In the E46 application the long tube points down towards the lower bumper and positions the filter by the fog lights.

Now, the gains of the long tube is very attractive but an SAV that hydrolocks an engine in low water would be stupid lol!

I was thinking of using the V8 induction system location on the passenger side, with a long tube crossing the engine compartment to the intake pipe on the driver's side.

I would switch out the cowl scoop to the V8 version that outputs air to the passenger side instead of the driver's side that the 3.0 scoop does.

What do you guys think?

[jopecasa]

Not crazy.....liked the idea.

Here's the parts I've found on Ebay close to you....bit pricey though!

V8 Air intake system

I'm sure you can find it cheaper somewhere.

Then fabricate another tube from your TB/MAF to these V8 air intake system.

I'm not sure of cost vs performance gains.

Either way.......do it!

[Scott ZHP]

I'm an E46 guy as well. I've got the factory Performance Intake CAI on my 330i ZHP (basically an M54 with hotter Schrick cams and a revised DME). It has a separate ram air tube next to the headlight. It sounds nice, but adds no measurable butt dyno horsepower/torque increase.

Not trying to discourage you, just giving you another data point.

[dkl]

Would the cold air gained be lost in the tube heating up when ran behind the radiator across the engine bay? Not worth the effort, IMHO

[tmv]

Originally Posted by g300d

...

In the E46 application the long tube points down towards the lower bumper and positions the filter by the fog lights.

That's where the filters are, on my Dinan E39 M5. No problem with rain or water as long as you have all the trim/shield in that area.

[g300d]

Good points, all!

Yeah, not expecting much from this if ever, just want some sound without lost power.

Joe, I dont think I could fit all of that because the secondary air pump MAF is in that area. But hmmm...maybe a euro flash and SAP system delete...

Scott, was looking at the performance intake too and somehow making it fit and work but let it go as this seems easier.

T, true, just wanna keep thevintake same height as stock in keeping with the SAV theme.

[Green Dragon]

Since we're on this topic......Yeah, I'm running an AFE intake currently, but would like more of a throaty intake sound. The AFE is still kinda muted. I capped off the hole/port for the little resonance chamber after the MAF with a rubber expansion plug, and this helped some. I'm thinking of trying a long tube design to get cooler air vented from the brake duct area upward into a chamber created by making a foam mold cavity. It would maximize the space of the current air box area, the area below it going down the brake duct, (whick is often closed on the 3.0). I would then wrap it in fiber glass with a n insulated sandwich material to keep heat sink out and keep it a cool air cavity. Basically making an air box camber. You could use the current upper rad intake, use the lower brake duct or both. That's just my idea I'm playing with. Dunno. I really want that intake sound pronounced, and ultimately better performance and if I can accomplish both, that's a win. You could keep the filter up high for water depth specs if that's a concern. Or run a two filter set up with a "Y" pipe design.... Lots of ways of doing it I guess.

My be you guys can chime in. Short tube vs long tube, getting rid of the e53 3.0 elbow, running smooth-wall silicone tubing from the manifold similar to how the e46 guys are doing it. I'open to ideas and thoughts. Final design on air chamber will be wrapped in carbon fiber or made of carbon.

[Jack_James]

I experiemented with a few setups on my 3.0 X5...did an aluminum bend to the airflow meter with another aluminum bend to a large cone filter. Wasn't happy with the high pitch whistling to be honest haha. Would make my face cringe up during light acceleration.

I ended up going with a new bmw air filter and added a 2.5" velocity stack out the front of the OE air box facing the back of the headlight. Noticed about 0.4K/100L of improved fuel economy with this...and only has audible induction whistle from outside the vehicle :-)