BMW Performance intake installed on my BMW 330i ZHP

[Tampa330i]

Only 2 bolts, this took about 20 minutes to swap out. I had a problem getting the intake tube on the back of the new box (it was tight), so I lubed up the gasket slightly and that was enough to clip it on there. I took it for a spin and while I don't notice any performance difference, it sounds slightly different - a tiny bit more aggressive. How's it look:

http://www.mediafire.com/imgbnc.php/23fc5ef827342a4b506dee5dfa3deb0051c5863027820d5b7f 75503f748d2b876g.jpg

http://www.mediafire.com/imgbnc.php/49f1267eaa6be63268d40bfc465f66bd956d1aeede59f69ce1 678559ed85d1306g.jpg

http://www.mediafire.com/imgbnc.php/987bec6bb876e07e39f6c54aad90d824669a3c8edb4faf5d54 ae9189f6df46b06g.jpg

http://www.mediafire.com/imgbnc.php/74612b0746d9e752c63237e5d70526748ce636a7ddc4627acd 5c22e87e6cb7656g.jpg

[az3579]

I hope you didn't expect any performance increase. Whether "cold" air intakes actually do anything for Bimmers is severely questionable, but I will tell you one thing. With the cone air filter on the E30 S50, it sounded downright MEAN! Doing it for the sound alone is worth it, depending on how much different it sounds on your car.

Do you have any sound clips? In-car?

[Tampa330i]

No clips yet, but I could go make a movie of it. It says 3hp gain! I didn't expect to notice it though, just affirming for those interesting in this intake.

[az3579]

You'd be hard pressed to even notice 3hp, even if it did add that much.
As long as you're happy with the sound and the look, that's all that matters!

What kind of air filter element does it use?

[kayger12]

Looks good. This is on my list as well.

[Tampa330i]

It's pretty weird, not quite a cone filter, but not quite a box filter either. Think box filter horseshoe shaped coming down from the top of the box. I'll see if I can find a picture, if not I'll open it tomorrow for one.

[Marcus-SanDiego]

I have this intake as well. I did not expect any HP gain at all. I got it strictly for the looks. Nothing more.

It does look good, though.

[Tampa330i]

It looks very clean and like it belongs there. Like stock with some additional style.

[Tampa330i]

Here are the stock pictures of the filter, this is exactly how it looked: http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E46-330i-M54_3.0L/Engine/Intake/ES35341/

[danewilson77]

So that's just a bent stock filter? I like eeeet.

[ccconant]

Looking good! Sound clips please :)

[Marcus-SanDiego]

Dane, mediafire's server is down. I just checked.

[Marcus-SanDiego]

No prob. Their server is back up. His pictures are displaying again.

[Cadeez]

Someone said it's a proven, dyno'd 9hp gain which is hardly noticable and could even be a generous number. What I wanna know is if it sounds good and/or if you saw any mpg gains? I'd like to get one, but if it doesn't really do anything except look cool, then the $320 (shipped) is definitely not worth it...

[kayger12]

Sounds better. Dyno sheet I saw had it at 6.5hp increase. Best guess is I'm getting about 1.5 mpg better mileage.


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[Cadeez]

Sounds better. Dyno sheet I saw had it at 6.5hp increase. Best guess is I'm getting about 1.5 mpg better mileage.


Droid X. Tapatalk. Use it.

Hmm sounds "better". I was hoping for a "man the BMW Perf intake makes this thing sound mean!" Guess I better think it over...

[kayger12]

Hmm sounds "better". I was hoping for a "man the BMW Perf intake makes this thing sound mean!" Guess I better think it over...

Definitely not. It really is mostly for looks.

Droid X. Tapatalk. Use it.

[Cadeez]

Copy that, appreciate the honesty, maybe I'll put it on the Christmas list...

[Marcus-SanDiego]

I think it's mostly for eye candy, too. Looks sharp under the hood.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v125/marcussandiego/2011-03-04_17-20-26_759.jpg

[Cadeez]

Yeah it does look good (especially combined w/ that CF strut bar). Eventually I'll probably spring for one, but for now I'll work on cosmetic upgrades that can be seen/enjoyed by all and performance upgrades that actually improve performance haha.

[johnrando]

522

Here's my combo strut brace/intake. Plus, I got an additional 20 HP out of my strut brace when combined with an intake. And of course, the ZHP Mafia beanie and business cards added another 12.

[danewilson77]

Beeeeeeuuuuuuuuutttiiiiiiiffuuuullllllll setup.

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[Dotpage]

Had mine installed today, took 5 minutes.. on the 325i you can feel a small difference, nothing shocking, but a tiny bit more push... And sounds very nice IMHO, specially when matched with a more robust exhaust(or muffler, like in my case).

Johnrando, did you install the brace? Easy/hard?

[johnrando]

"did you install the brace..."

I actually didn't. I got a great deal from the dealer matching internet prices so while they were doing other work, they installed it. I hear it's very straightforward though. The only trick is it's close to the battery jump terminal so there is a little workaround as part of the instructions. I recall there were installation instructions either on e46 fanatics or on some of the parts sellers websites.

And Dane, thanks for the props! John

[kayger12]

Had mine installed today, took 5 minutes.. on the 325i you can feel a small difference, nothing shocking, but a tiny bit more push... And sounds very nice IMHO, specially when matched with a more robust exhaust(or muffler, like in my case).

Johnrando, did you install the brace? Easy/hard?

Strut brace is an easy install. Only time consuming part is altering the positive battery terminal so you can reverse it on the partition to make room for the brace.

DIY here (http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showthread.php?1025-BMW-Performance-Carbon-Fiber-Strut-Bar-DIY)

[Cadeez]

522

Here's my combo strut brace/intake. Plus, I got an additional 20 HP out of my strut brace when combined with an intake. And of course, the ZHP Mafia beanie and business cards added another 12.

Haha definitely at least 12-15 hp with the beanie, biz cards and a ZHP-M sticker! Too bad the strut bar is so expensive, and discontinued(?) per some tuning site I was on, or I'd get one as well...

[johnrando]

ECS tuning has a couple left from what I understand... Otherwise they are sold out just about everywhere else. You can get one for in the $200's now. John

PS forgot to add in the HP I got with the stickers. Haven't decided to go window or plate holder with them.