[HTRules]

ADDED dyno results in post #36...

Just had the Dinan cold air intake installed at their shop in Morgan Hill, CA.
Previously all their CAI installs have been on the sedan only, and as I have a '08 coupe they asked if they could use it as the 'mule' for all coupe installation.

Because I let them keep the car overnight and take pictures and write install instructions I was offered a discounted price (don't ask, but WAY good!)
The intake is beautiful and Dinan's installation was 1st class, as you might expect. I have been doing business with them since 2002 and have the highest regard for their products, expertise and service.

You want dyno numbers, you say? Sorry, don't have them YET (next week) but I've seen Dinan's internal dyno graph thumb-tacked to a cork board in one engineer's office that shows 12 HP and 13 TQ when used on a Dinan Stage 2 engine (like mine) along with free-flow exhaust.

As the weather has cleared here I took it out yesterday on a deserted country road for the fabled "butt-dyno" run, and it definitely feels faster than pre-install. Wishful thinking? Maybe, but I think not. My car pulled like a train from 20 mph up to triple-digits where I ran out of cajones. Amazing acceleration.

I was watching the speedo & tach so intently that I didn't pay much attention to any difference in sound levels, but I'd say probably negligible. If it had been louder I would have noticed.

Expensive? Undoubtedly, but when you consider the number of man-hours that multiple engineers @ Dinan spent developing and testing this thing (I've been waiting for a year) the materials used, and, of course, the Dinan warranty, it's worth it.

I don't mind paying extra for quality, and that's Dinan's forte.

BTW, the price of the intake includes two new K&N filters: one in the airbox (roughly $50), as well as a 2nd K&N conical filter on the pickup tube.

Rick

[thefireant]

How does it sound?

[vase330]

Final price installed? Not yours, but public price...then again if I have to ask, maybe I can't afford it.

[cvc 22349a]

Does the front bumper and/or driver's side fender well have to be removed to access/remove the conical filter (for cleaning)?

[HTRules]

Originally Posted by cvc 22349a

Does the front bumper and/or driver's side fender well have to be removed to access/remove the conical filter (for cleaning)?

Yes to both. The installer showed me how simple it was to remove them (easy for him to say!) but at the end of the expected / recommended filter life of 30k miles I think I'll probably just take it back in.

Rick

[huyner328]

30k seems a bit high? I know how ridiculous they are with oil changes.

[cvc 22349a]

Originally Posted by HTRules

Yes to both. The installer showed me how simple it was to remove them (easy for him to say!) but at the end of the expected / recommended filter life of 30k miles I think I'll probably just take it back in.

Rick

Thx Rick. That's what'll deter me from purchasing what looks like the best conceived intake option thus far. btw-congrats; glad you got a good deal.

[M4TW]

Thanks for taking the time to write a review Rick. I look forward to the pics too. They are generally more helpful than the vender’s glossy brochure ones. Was it lower in the rev range in particular where you noticed the extra oomph? This is what I’m hoping for along with higher top end pull. Do you have before dynos?

I’m glad in a way that the secondary filter is as tucked away as it is so it’s insulated from road crud etc. I’m not sure I would go 30,000 miles before having to change the filter, but it’s nice to know it doesn’t need changing that often.

Enjoy your ride.

[Htown09]

Who cares about 12 horsepower for 1,000 buck's. If you want pretty carbon fiber get the simotta (spelling) for 510$ shipped.

I would only get this if I had Dinan software already with warranty and they would cover the warranty with this intake as well, like the OP. Cool that you got it installed and a discount.

I would like to ask for some pictures when you get a chance. Take some on the car, then take the bumper off (you remember from the install) take a few more, then slide the fender off and take a few more. Then report back to us on your findings.

[thefireant]

One more question, if you had to go to the dealer how long yould you say that it would take to take the intake off and replace it with the stock one?

[e.n335]

Any idea whether this intake will fit with Forge DV's ?

[skim7x]

really nice intake... and money aside, it is the best intake on the market and probably one of the 2 intakes I would buy as well... if I had the money haha. The Injen one is the only other one I would get...

[HTRules]

let me add a few pics to the discussion...after viewing please feel free to ask any questions you may still have.

The 5th pic with the bit of red/maroon (the filter) showing was taken through the grill just inboard of the fog lamp. Beneath the filter is the splash guard.

The picture with the visible bolt heads in the LF wheel well is the attachment point for either the splash guard or the heat shield - maybe both. Just visible behind the bolts is the brake cooling duct.
Rick

[skim7x]

^ Damn that's clean... i love that intake!!

[huyner328]

Looks like a well engineered unit. However, getting taxed pretty hard for carbon fiber is not cool.

[HTRules]

Originally Posted by thefireant

One more question, if you had to go to the dealer how long yould you say that it would take to take the intake off and replace it with the stock one?

Probably 1 - 2 hours.
Rick

[HTRules]

Originally Posted by Sparkplug

Thanks for taking the time to write a review Rick. I look forward to the pics too. They are generally more helpful than the vender’s glossy brochure ones. Was it lower in the rev range in particular where you noticed the extra oomph? This is what I’m hoping for along with higher top end pull. Do you have before dynos?

As for the dimwitted gnats that inevitably come swarming in on every Dinan thread to circle-jerk to their DINAN SUX song dance, pay them no never mind. They are just shills for other vendors or, for some reason, take great personal offense that your purchasing decisions differ from theirs.

I’m glad in a way that the secondary filter is as tucked away as it is so it’s insulated from road crud etc. I’m not sure I would go 30,000 miles before having to change the filter, but it’s nice to know it doesn’t need changing that often.



Enjoy your ride.

Sorry - missed your question!
As I'm sure you know even when stock the tq comes in gobs from about 1500 rpm up to just below 6k. It's about the same after the Dinan Stage 2, only a LOT more of it! Still very smooth and very strong all the way to 6000 rpm. No throttle lag, either.

I have a dyno after the Stage 2 was done and before the cold air intake. Now I'm trying to get hold of the same guy / machine for an updated pull.

Rick

[imperium2000]

Great pics. Eagerly awaiting the dyno results.

[M4TW]

Originally Posted by HTRules

Sorry - missed your question!
As I'm sure you know even when stock the tq comes in gobs from about 1500 rpm up to just below 6k. It's about the same after the Dinan Stage 2, only a LOT more of it! Still very smooth and very strong all the way to 6000 rpm. No throttle lag, either.

I have a dyno after the Stage 2 was done and before the cold air intake. Now I'm trying to get hold of the same guy / machine for an updated pull.

Rick

Thanks Rick! I look forward to your dyno if you can get it arranged. If possible try returning on a date where the temperature is about the same or, ideally, when the density altitude is the same. If there is a track near you, dragtimes has a DA calculator that's very helpful.

Your review and photos were very illuminating to me. For instance:

1. The intake retains the lower part of the stock intake with its clips and filter etc. Thus there would be no change to my usual fastidious K & N filter cleaning regime (they also include a new filter which is nice to know);

2. The location of the cone filter should provide good insulation from road debris and dust. The recommended filter change interval was welcomed news. With my low mileage, even being fussy shouldn’t result in a filter change more than once every odd year. So, taking off the bumper to change a filter while a PIA, shouldn’t be so bad. By then there should be a good DIY thread on it so it’s something I might try; and

3. The new cone filter intake bypasses the stock filter so that air coming from it isn't double filtered. I can see how this set-up could lower IAT as well as provide for improved flow. The CF insulation on the secondary intake should help keep temperatures down.

All in all this looks like an intelligent design.

I asked about where you've noticed the extra oomph because of what Dinan is reporting

Horsepower is increased by +14 Hp @ 6000 rpm and Torque is increased by +16ft-lbs @ 3400 rpm with Dinan Stage 3 Software, DINAN Intercooler and Free Flow Exhaust.*

Stage 2 software, Free Flow Exhaust produces 12 Hp and 13 ft-lb torque

3400 rpm is not much higher than your drop down rev when shifting at a WOT run. Boost/HP otherwise tapers fairly steeply after 6000 rpm. So adding (in your case) 12 HP (14 for Stage 3) when you're flying across the 6,000 mark and 13 FP (16 for stage 3) of torque shortly after you shift - and yeah, your butt dyno should be feeling it.

As for those winging about the cost, keep in mind that this gain is being produced without having to beat on your turbos, make you into an emissions environmental renegade or (effectively) void your warranty. Proudly show it off to your BMW SA and be prepared for complements from the BMW mechanic servicing your car. That’s the Dinan way.
Expensive, but not without its perks.

[lamia2super]

looks good

[NiVeDh]

Looks good. Do you mind taking a picture of the underside of the lid?

[Sparky66]

This should be the worlds quickest dyno comparison. Since all you need to do is swap out Dinan's top air intake lid with the factory OEM Top lid ...............just make sure you have sufficient fans blowing for both runs.