Carraero N52 'CentroPlenum'

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Has this been discussed yet?

carraero.com

BMW N52B30 Full Carbon CentroPlenum

Carraero N52 CentroPlenum Intake. Intake manifold upgrade. Pre-preg carbon fibre. Induction noise, power gains, fully bespoke and customisable. 1 and 3 series, E8x E9x Z4 E85 E89 X5 X1
carraero.com carraero.com

Thoughts on this.?
I'm very interested to know more.
Last week I was speaking to them via email with a few questions, answers below. This was before they released their product page so some of it is on there website now.

DISA valves get removed, cables tied back. No EML apparently.
CCV plugs into the new plenum and different between FL and pre-FL N52, specified when ordering.
Stock TB is used (or option to spec a different diameter)
MAF housing is migrated from your current setup, or they can provide a tube with the MAF housing (no details on this 'tube').
Trumpet length is either fixed from 3 options, or you can spec a split version that allows changes afterwards, depending on the characteristic (backed up with a map) you're after.

What's preventing me having a sneeze fit and accidently clicking the 'order now' button:
No published dyno graphs.
No sound clips or any sort of review/experience that I can find.
No pictures of an installed system yet.
Unsure if a cold feed will be needed as there's no indication if the airbox needs to move to marry up to the TB. CAD images show this with (I think) a 130i airbox, which is different dimensions to the E86/6 or my ITG/BDS system, need that picture.
What the end result is on a stock car, 'road' trumpets, no custom map, is going to acheive. I get the feeling the plenum is aimed at tuned/track cars.

Comments or concerns?
 
As I have been mentionning here and there on the forum that some people have demonstrated N52's runnig without a throttle and purely relying on Valvetronic, I have been wonderig about doing 3D printed trumpets with/without a box element on top... I am not in a position to do such thing at the moment but I would advise to look into something like this before spending a lot on an unproven solution.
 
Looks like it's https://www.elementperformance.co.uk/ branching out into doing their own parts. Same address, comparing pictures of the 3d printer room, etc they're the same on both sites.

Interesting they've listed Bruno from BDS on there but there's no dyno sheets as you say, seems they have their own dyno too so you'd expect them to shout that from the rooftops to show gains. Never used BDS myself, but Bruno always comes across as knowing what he's doing in YouTube videos I've seen.

https://carraero.com/products/bmw-n52-itg-filter-bds-motorsport-edition listed on their site without any facts figures, is also listed on the BDS site with dyno sheet in the screenshots for example. https://bdsmotorsport.co.uk/store-1/p/bmw-n52-bds-air-filter
 
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I feel we wont see any real world tests or pictures until the pre-orders are built and shipped, and the customers have them installed.
Which is 6-8 weeks away.

I've emailed them to ask for any dyno graphs or pictures they have.
I really hope they can produce something that sways me to press the 'order now' button.
 
Oh man I can tell I’m getting old

I just said “how much???” Out loud

😶‍🌫️😶‍🌫️😶‍🌫️
 
As a prospective E86 3.0 SI owner, I did come across this sound clip. Beware, it sounds like a bit like a N52 turned into CSL airbox goodness:

 
Yes it sounds pretty good, eh.!?! The 2nd clip in particular :thumbsup: 👀.

I do wonder though how much is added by their carbon airbox lid that they run on their 130i test car.

Also, they STILL have yet to produce any dyno graphs from their prototype plenums. This is a repeated request on their social pages.
I assume, as their production plenums are starting to near completion, they'll use one of them to get the dyno tests (probbaly the actuall plenum in the latest video they released on Insta' as it's all bolted up and looks ready to go)

I also hope they'll produce dyno charts for each scenario:
Plenum + stock map - per each trumpet option
Plenum + tuned map - per each trumpet option

With Bruno from BDS in recovery, this may have delayed their testing/dyno charts.
(can anyone share any news about Bruno?)

I got my pre-order in late last year, I've been getting semi-regular updates via email, they're also updating on the numerous socials.
The billet molds had to be re-made as they werent to their exacting standards so there was a delay of about 4 weeks while they waiting for the new molds from Germany.

They've been really good on email, answering my 100's of questions and also offering some minor changes that I asked about.
I think they will be starting to dispatch the first orders in the next few weeks.
 
Congrats, very cool you’re getting one! Looking forward to some in-depth pics of the fit and finish, and sound clips are obligatory of course!

I hope prices will come back to earth a bit, but given the limited demand I won’t get my hopes up.

As for Bruno, recovery from trauma (?) to the head is tough and could take a long time. Hope he’s going to be fine as I did enjoy his insights on YouTube a lot.
 
For 2k minium toured be wanting full dyne proof for each spec and 2k for 25-40hp! You could probably get that from a custom pipe and map for half the price!
 
Jollygiant said:
For 2k minium toured be wanting full dyne proof for each spec and 2k for 25-40hp! You could probably get that from a custom pipe and map for half the price!
Click to expand...

FXX said:
Congrats, very cool you’re getting one! Looking forward to some in-depth pics of the fit and finish, and sound clips are obligatory of course!

I hope prices will come back to earth a bit, but given the limited demand I won’t get my hopes up.

As for Bruno, recovery from trauma (?) to the head is tough and could take a long time. Hope he’s going to be fine as I did enjoy his insights on YouTube a lot.
Click to expand...

Yes. Prices are silly, no doubt.

I went 'budget' basement, no options poverty spec, and pre-order pricing. That got a few £ off which made it slightly more bare able. 🫤

In return for my hard-earned is hopefully an intake benefiting from their long development process, collaborations with BDS (known to be working on N52 solutions for a few years now) , workmanship and attention to detail.
Along with an induction noise increase and hopefully some performance gains. 👍

Removal of the DISA valves will be welcome, as will be the look of the plenum under the hood. It should look proper nice.

I went with 'road' trumpet option to maximise mid-range as I have no interest chasing power at the very top of the rev range.
Unsure yet if I'll need a map, I'll decide after the intake is installed, see how it runs.

Fingers crossed. (still waiting on the dyno results 😬 (make of that what you will) )
 
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I also have one on order. Hoping for delivery soon! Need to come up with a solution to hold the loom box that currently is bolted onto the underside of the stock intake, otherwise it will flop around s and pull on the electrical connections. I’ve had a 3D printed version sent though though and I can confirm it fits in the e86 engine bay. Will also need to come up with a plan for the air filter as the stock intake won’t fit unlike on the E46
 
DaveD said:
I also have one on order. Hoping for delivery soon! Need to come up with a solution to hold the loom box that currently is bolted onto the underside of the stock intake, otherwise it will flop around s and pull on the electrical connections. I’ve had a 3D printed version sent though though and I can confirm it fits in the e86 engine bay. Will also need to come up with a plan for the air filter as the stock intake won’t fit unlike on the E46
Click to expand...

What is this 'loom box' you mention ?
The air filter and airbox they recommend is the ITG cylinder box that BDS sell (I think you can also order with the plenum?).
No need for the BDS intake elbow though as they provide that (need to select the option at ordering)
 
So there is a load of wiring for the various sensors around the airbox plus other wiring that comes out of the main electrical box top right of the engine bay, and then flows down underneath the current intake system. It goes into a plastic junction box underneath the air intake system and the box is solidly mounted to the intake by a metal holder and two bolts. It’s heavy enough to need support rather than floating. Haven’t got a plan for it yet but thinking of fabricating a mount that either goes to the engine block or somehow off the dual plenum.

Agreed re the bds itg filter approach although not sure what MAF tube to use yet as think it needs to have one with a slight bend in it.
 
Hmm I would have thought Carraero would have thought of all this, do they not have a car to develop on?
Some of these cables may become redundant though,as a couple go to the disa’s if I recall. @Zedebee ?
 
the design was for the 1 and 3 series which have a different layout apparently. More work to do on it I reckon but suspect it’s a volume call for them to do a z4 specific version. Let’s see. There is always a way!
 
DaveD said:
So there is a load of wiring for the various sensors around the airbox plus other wiring that comes out of the main electrical box top right of the engine bay, and then flows down underneath the current intake system. It goes into a plastic junction box underneath the air intake system and the box is solidly mounted to the intake by a metal holder and two bolts. It’s heavy enough to need support rather than floating. Haven’t got a plan for it yet but thinking of fabricating a mount that either goes to the engine block or somehow off the dual plenum.

Agreed re the bds itg filter approach although not sure what MAF tube to use yet as think it needs to have one with a slight bend in it.
Click to expand...

Their MAF tube (select when ordering) apparently is what's required to align the airbox. But time will tell when it all arrives.😬

The Plenum does have a load of connector slots underneath for the numerous sensors and stuff.
And the DISA valves get removed so that's a bunch of cable out the way.

If you email them, they'll tell you for sure if anything needs to be fabricated, after install.
Let us know their responses. 👍
 
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