Poor fuel economy with AFE Stage 1

[orange260z]

Hey all,

I purchased and installed an AFE Stage 1 intake on the 'vert shortly after I bought it. I LOVE the sound, but have noticed that my fuel economy is quite significantly worse since installing it - by over 2 MPG.

I do tend to drive the car aggressively, but did so even before the filter. Just for comparison, I am getting about 13L/100kms (18.0MPG) now, versus 11L/100kms (21.4MPG) before. Part of it may be the use of air conditioning, but I find that it makes little difference on days I don't use it.

Are other AFE users experiences similar?

This drop in economy is bad enough that I'm considering returning to the stock intake despite the AWESOME sound.

[danewilson77]

I think my fuel economy went up.

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[BCS_ZHP]

Where the stock center feeding snorkel connects to the side of the AFE, sometimes it's not a very tight connection. If not, hot air from the engine compartment will be introduced to your air flow which drops fuel economy. If you have a gap where that side snorkel connects to the AFE, cover up the gap with duct tape to prevent the hotter engine compartment air from being introduced into your intake air flow.

[orange260z]

Ok, BCS_ZHP, thanks for the tip! I'd say that the AFE box generally doesn't seal - there's no rubber gaskets around it anywhere. Has anyone added tubing around the edges or anything like that, to get a better seal?

[BCS_ZHP]

We didn't but a great idea, I think I have a roll of door edge guard protection in the garage that I'll try to see if we can get a better seal.

[derbo]

Have you tried resetting your adaptations as well?

[danewilson77]

I'm really not sure sealing that small gap is going to make any difference at all. All of the heat, in the engine bay is pretty much transmitted though the metal lid as well. Maybe not though. Additionally, the lid isn't sealed either.

I suppose sealing it up as best as one can is worth a try though.

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[alexandre]

Nice acquisition. Shoot me a PM next time you drive up to Mtl - would love to hear it in person and compare!

[TomTomTuning]

I tell you what, I just installed my BMW Performance Intake and I love hearing it so I know I'm driving more aggressive then before. I know you said you drove about the same as before but perhaps you're not? IDK

Most people claim better MPG when installing an intake.

I say, give it some more time. Let the excitement of the intake go away and just do some normal driving.
Reset your MPG read out and see if things eventually start to improve.

Maybe start a Fuelly account as well, I bet that it's more accurate then the MPG dash read out.

[orange260z]

Thanks for all the responses.

TomTom, I know what you mean, but I've had the intake on the car since May and have driven the car a few thousand kms. I'm pretty sure the initial excitement has worn off, and I'm driving the way I always do. Even on the highway with cruise set at 120km/h I'm not getting the fuel economy I was prior to the intake. The only change is the weather - it is warmer now, and I am using the A/C more. But I've never seen a 2+MPG drop due to this in any other car in the past.

Derbo - I believe I did try this early on, the car seemed more responsive to the throttle for a few days, and then settled back to the same, dull throttle response.

Alex - will do, please do the same if you are on this side!

FWIW, my daily commute is approx 30kms (20mi) each way - about 15kms on 60-80km/h roads with some traffic lights, and the rest on the freeway at 100-120km/h. I was getting around 11L/100kms pre-intake. I used to get below 10L/100kms in my 2006 330i steptronic.