Best Z4M Airbox/Induction kits??

[Rye]

I've been looking around for a while trying to find a reasonably priced induction kit for my coupe for a while and tbh there isnt much out there other than a CSL intake (£££) or a gruppe m that a few people seem to go for.....

Just seeing if anybody else has had any success in finding a good quality aftermarket kit that offers a decent induction roar and possibly a slight bhp gain??

Not wanting to spend over a grand on a second hand CSL airbox because although they sound sexy as hell.....its still just an airbox

any help on a decent kit for it would be appreciated and if anyone has any before and after bhp figures could sway me too

 

[mmm-five]

M@r]{ (Mark) is selling his Z4M, and considering selling some of the parts separately.

He's got a Gruppe M intake - so make him an offer.

I was tempted, but he's already had £600 of mine for some Rogue Diablo back-boxes.

 

[Rye]

thanks for the heads up...i'll drop him a pm

 

[M@r]{]

M@r]{ (Mark) is selling his Z4M, and considering selling some of the parts separately.

He's got a Gruppe M intake - so make him an offer.

I was tempted, but he's already had £600 of mine for some Rogue Diablo back-boxes.

You got them fitted yet? Looking forward to seeing (and hearing!) the comparison videos

 

[mmm-five]

{"]You got them fitted yet? Looking forward to seeing (and hearing!) the comparison videos

Not yet.

Had them booked in to be fitted a few after I picked them up, but they found the 'clamps' were cracked and they didn't have welding facilities. So I asked my ///M indy if he could do it and do some tarting up to remove stone-chips/scratches that I've accrued over the last year. As he's doing 'mates rates' I've got to fit in with his 'paying customers' schedules - which includes a bare metal respray, and full restoration of an e34 M5 LE - so I'm still waiting. It's supposed to be 'booked in' for the next week or so, just waiting for the call.

Have found that the RAM mounts I bought are strong enough for a 60 mile drive, after I forgot to take it off the hatch (along with the attached iphone) when I left the 'Ring earlier in the year. Didn't notice until we stopped for a wee break for one of the older members of the group.

 

[dubsesd]

i have a afe pro dry and its great. sounds awesome. dont feel any power gains, but you normally wouldnt unless you went to an oem csl airbox and tune

 

[daz05]

Out of interest, which brand and size of cone filter does the age pro dry use Dub?

 

[dubsesd]

afe replacement flter

aFe Replacement Air Filter 21-90044 PDS 5-1/2"F x 7"B x 5-1/2"T x 6"H

 

[M@r]{]

I had this same dilemma when I first bought mine. I did quite a lot of research and to summarise, the stock air box system works very well already, so an induction kit is more likely to cost you bhp than gain you any.

Do a search over on M3 Cutters. You'll find plently of people over there who have done back to back rolling road days and see a significant drop in bhp.

The only exceptions to the rule I found were the CSL box (£1000's 2nd hand) and the GruppeM. Hence why I went for the GruppeM.

 

[Steve220]

Who does a good panel filter for the Z4M?

 

[SweetRide]

Actually this is incorrect. You can't compare e46 results to our cars, as our ECU's are completely different. Our S54 uses a twin chip/microprocessor design that is capable of processing 25 million instructions a second and monitors the engine alot different then the old M3 S54 software does. It allows the engine to output more power at all RPM levels, taking better advantage of a CAI. I'd challenged anyone to get 5hp out of the deal, but there certainly aren't any losses OR any differences between units like GruppeM or aFe (with the exception being the hella expensive CSL). The proper thing to do when purchasing either intake is to get tuned for it regardless, thus taking advantage of it benefits (as opposed to slapping it on a otherwise stock car).

 

[mmm-five]

Who does a good panel filter for the Z4M?

Good in what way?

The standard BMW is fine for normal use, and only requires replacement every 15k miles or so. There's also no oil 'issues' to worry about.

There are plenty of other manufacturers that make a paper filter to fit - Mann, Hengst, Guttmann - for £10-£20.

Alternatively you can 'upgrade' to a cotton/foam filter for £40-£100 - BMW, Green Cotton, K&N, Pipercross, ITG, etc.

 

[Steve220]

Alternatively you can 'upgrade' to a cotton/foam filter for £40-£100 - BMW, Green Cotton, K&N, Pipercross, ITG, etc.

Thats what i meant...suppose i assumed you lot would know what i meant, my bad.

 

[M@r]{]

Actually this is incorrect. You can't compare e46 results to our cars, as our ECU's are completely different.

Actually thats incorrect.

Its very simple why the induction kits cause a loss in power, its down to heat soak. Doesn't matter if you've got the ECU from the fcuking space shuttle thats going to cause a power loss.

So the design of the CAI is going to make a difference, particularly ones made out of a material that transfers heat more.

BTW I'm no expert in this, I'm simply passing on info/theory given to me by Evolve - you may have heard of them?

 

[mmm-five]

Thats what i meant...suppose i assumed you lot would know what i meant, my bad.

Sorry, I was just pointing out that 'good' means different things to different people.

Most filters are made/marketed/sold as an upgrade, but may be no better than a BMW/pattern one in a normal duty cycle - and in some cases may be worse.

So if you want something that gives 0.1% more noise, or 0.1% more power and don't mind paying the equivalent of £1000/hp increase for it, then go for it.

What's good for a race car (and where the marketing claims are based) may be useless for road car.

 

[Steve220]

I think I'll stick to my original plan when I get mine

 

[SweetRide]

{"]

Actually this is incorrect. You can't compare e46 results to our cars, as our ECU's are completely different.

Actually thats incorrect.

Its very simple why the induction kits cause a loss in power, its down to heat soak. Doesn't matter if you've got the ECU from the fcuking space shuttle thats going to cause a power loss.

So the design of the CAI is going to make a difference, particularly ones made out of a material that transfers heat more.

BTW I'm no expert in this, I'm simply passing on info/theory given to me by Evolve - you may have heard of them?

Funny, I was quoting from ESS directly (who btw, have been tuning our cars specifically a LOT longer than Evolve). Heard of them? Heat-soak only accounts for driving in traffic (stop and go). You really think for the millisecond the air is passing thru the intake on the track that your AIT's are gonna account for any negatives? I've got a bridge to sell you too. These are basics, and it's more about getting more air in/out (CFM) and having your tune adapt for such.

 

[M@r]{]

LOL BMW spent a long time perfecting that S54 setup, to squeeze the most from that 3.2. You think simply slapping a cone filter on there is going to gain you 5bhp + ??? You do realise those "Go faster" stipes don't actually make you go faster? You'd get on well with our McDonalds crowd

It not just about de-restricting the air, its the quality of that air (ie heat) and the pressure as well I believe. In addition to the tuners over here there is a guy on this forum who has done a lot of testing (datalogging etc) with the standard setup of the Z4M (and Z3M) He has proved its not "just as simply as getting more air in/out" If that was the case we'd all just go around with a pipe sticking out the front with a stocking over the top

 

[Rye]

haha only just got up to date with all these comments......

Dont want to interupt your argument above guys..... :roll: but has anyone got a link for a gruppe m specifically for the z4 or know any UK stockists? as i can only find ones for the e46

and just to add confusion to the mix.....if i was to find a second hand CSL box.....does it need much messing about in order to get it fitted? i.e. does is use the same mounting points/holes etc? and after installation do you need an ECU flash in order to make it compatable and the butterfly valve on the front work with the MAF etc?

 

[M@r]{]

Give Evolve in Luton a call. They'll be able to point you in the direction of GruppeM stockists and be able to answer your questions in relation to the CSL box.