CSL carbon airbox experiences

[GT Spec]

Hi all,

I am finally ready to buy a Karbonius carbon race airbox for the Z4MR and wanted to any thoughts of those who have already done the upgrade. How are you finding the alpha-N tunes, who did it and what is the drivability like when tuned?

My setup will be Schrick 288/280 cams, Supersprint V2 stepped exhaust manifold, cat-less exhaust and debaffled X-pipes.

Many thanks for your help.

GT Spec

 

[Babw]

I have a Karbonius airbox and snorkel on a pretty much standard engine + Remus exhaust. The airbox has considerably increased the enjoyment and love the noise at WOT. It's really one of the unique features of the car which makes me hang on to it.

The tune was done via Evolve, I have had no issues with CEL or otherwise. Driveability has possibly improved but this maybe a placebo effect from burying the throttle more often to hear the vocals. 2 years since I did the conversion and no adverse effects to reports.

 

[MichaelK]

I'd love a karbonius but it's not just the cost of the airbox, it's all the other bits you have to buy aswell. Big big money.

 

[tomscott]

I would like a CSL style airbox too. The main thing that puts me off is that the average Z4MR is worth probably 12k and sinking 4-5k into a mod that will give a bit more noise and about 4% more horsepower... probably the worst and best mod you can make.

Why many people go down the GrouppeM route similar gains but less than 1/5th the price and a lot easier to turn back to stock and sell on.

Better off enjoying the car and keeping the money for a better car or maybe do plenty of epic trips instead.

 

[Babw]

Market value is just that, considering us wanting to enhance our car wants to for enjoyment so what someone else wants to pay doesn’t really bother me.

Let’s put it like this, what other small focused roadster can you get for 12k + 5k which sounds and is relatively uncorrupted?

Markets change, enjoy your car and do the modification you can afford. As an owner of said modification and car I can certainly justify the cost as it adds at least a similar dose of enjoyment to the ownership.

 

[XMetal]

Market value is just that, considering us wanting to enhance our car wants to for enjoyment so what someone else wants to pay doesn’t really bother me.

Let’s put it like this, what other small focused roadster can you get for 12k + 5k which sounds and is relatively uncorrupted?

Markets change, enjoy your car and do the modification you can afford. As an owner of said modification and car I can certainly justify the cost as it adds at least a similar dose of enjoyment to the ownership.

Agreed and very valid points!

OP - Note that the tune for our cars won't be as simple as the E46M3 with 288/280 cams and most off-the-shelf tunes may not work on our cars. See this thread for more info => https://www.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1737672

 

[tomscott]

Completely true.

Only issue is it won't add 5k come change and as you need to add a tune to make it work its not hot swappable, so bit of a pain to put back to stock to then move on.

 

[MichaelK]

One good thing about our cars though is theyve not hit the bottom of their value and will only go up in price from now on wont they?

Why do so many people choose the gruppe m filter? I personally think the Eventuri looks a much nicer filter.

 

[tomscott]

All Z4Ms are in a bit of flux the prices have risen but nothing too crazy coupes more than roadsters but in the last 3-5 years the pricing has sat pretty steady original cars seem to command money.

Couldn't really tell you both do the same job really but I think the GrouppeM is a better bit of kit bit more expensive. If its the noise you after probably 80% at 20% the price and can be returned to stock without issue and be sold on for what you paid in most cases.

 

[MichaelK]

I think I'm going to order myself a eventuri, had one on my previous e46 m3 and they do sound great for the money.
Just started following you on Instagram mate. Love the Porsches

 

[TomK]

Market value is just that, considering us wanting to enhance our car wants to for enjoyment so what someone else wants to pay doesn’t really bother me.

Let’s put it like this, what other small focused roadster can you get for 12k + 5k which sounds and is relatively uncorrupted?

Markets change, enjoy your car and do the modification you can afford. As an owner of said modification and car I can certainly justify the cost as it adds at least a similar dose of enjoyment to the ownership.

Succinct post, very much agree.
I've had a csl airbox on an s54 for maybe 10years now (6 on the z4), wouldn't have one any other way personally.
I also have the 288/80 cams in mine, supersprint race box and x pipe (I didn't know they did rhd stepped headers?) , zero issues with driveability, makes good power.

 

[GT Spec]

Market value is just that, considering us wanting to enhance our car wants to for enjoyment so what someone else wants to pay doesn’t really bother me.

Let’s put it like this, what other small focused roadster can you get for 12k + 5k which sounds and is relatively uncorrupted?

Markets change, enjoy your car and do the modification you can afford. As an owner of said modification and car I can certainly justify the cost as it adds at least a similar dose of enjoyment to the ownership.

Succinct post, very much agree.
I've had a csl airbox on an s54 for maybe 10years now (6 on the z4), wouldn't have one any other way personally.
I also have the 288/80 cams in mine, supersprint race box and x pipe (I didn't know they did rhd stepped headers?) , zero issues with driveability, makes good power.

Thanks for the response all. Lots of food for thought.

https://www.supersprint.com/ww-en/bmw-e85--e86-z4-m/supersprint-performance-sport-exhaust-bmw-z4-m/044931-manifold-step-design-right-hand-drive.aspx#!/

@TomK who did your map?

Thanks again

 

[TomK]

@TomK who did your map?

Regal autosport in southampton

https://www.supersprint.com/ww-en/bmw-e ... ve.aspx#!/

Interesting, must be new I think. Fit well?
I've wondered about headers, most people I've seen fit them are in the states where they replace the oem headers which have cats in unlike our euro ones. Do you think there's much gain to be had?

 

[GT Spec]

@TomK who did your map?

Regal autosport in southampton

https://www.supersprint.com/ww-en/bmw-e ... ve.aspx#!/

Interesting, must be new I think. Fit well?
I've wondered about headers, most people I've seen fit them are in the states where they replace the oem headers which have cats in unlike our euro ones. Do you think there's much gain to be had?

Would you recommend Regal?

The Supersprint manifolds will undoubtedly flow better than the standard items. The OE catalytic converters are the biggest restrictors in the system so if they are staying then there is no real point upgrading the manifolds I would say.

 

[TomK]

Would you recommend Regal?

Yes, with a couple of caveats, I'll drop you a pm

The Supersprint manifolds will undoubtedly flow better than the standard items. The OE catalytic converters are the biggest restrictors in the system so if they are staying then there is no real point upgrading the manifolds I would say.

Makes sense, my cats are staying, so thanks for making me not think about spending more money.

Glad you went for a karbonius box, this is the state of some poor chaps evolve box installed on his z4m in the us

https://www.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1762921

I had one of their tunes on my e46m3 with csl box and it wasn't great (big 3rd gear low rpm WOT hesitation), I was not the only one.
Maybe they are better these days, sounds like babw is happy with his though so I guess so.

 

[GT Spec]

Would you recommend Regal?

Yes, with a couple of caveats, I'll drop you a pm

The Supersprint manifolds will undoubtedly flow better than the standard items. The OE catalytic converters are the biggest restrictors in the system so if they are staying then there is no real point upgrading the manifolds I would say.

Makes sense, my cats are staying, so thanks for making me not think about spending more money.

Glad you went for a karbonius box, this is the state of some poor chaps evolve box installed on his z4m in the us
50406272492_03a4def601_h.jpg
https://www.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1762921

I had one of their tunes on my e46m3 with csl box and it wasn't great (big 3rd gear low rpm WOT hesitation), I was not the only one.
Maybe they are better these days, sounds like babw is happy with his though so I guess so.

Oh wow! That is the second carbon airbox I have seen fail like that. Check this chaps one out > https://youtu.be/8tqNRb7X430.

Strangely enough it looks like Evolve have discontinued their airbox now after claiming late last year that they have no plans to and that it was one of their best sellers.

 

[GT Spec]

Was lucky enough to pick up a new Karbonius Race spec airbox earlier. The quality of it is simply WOW!

 

[Striven]

The trumpets in the video have been 3D printed, failed in the Z plane which is weakest plane for FDM. Looks like they were printed too thin without thinking of the process used.
The ones in the pic looked to be CF