[RGRAY]

Charcoal Filter Removal

What do you guys think about this?

http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=66688

[Arkansas3]

do e90's have the same filter arrangement as the m5s?

[sully]

Originally Posted by RGRAY

Charcoal Filter Removal

What do you guys think about this?

http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=66688

Do US e90's have this charcoal filter as well ? If so i think i will remove it. Sounds like the M5 owners are really feeling a difference in power from this!

[ben1364]

RGRAY asked, "What do you guys think about this?"
###
I don't think much of the idea of diddling with airflow based on heresay.

[RGRAY]

Originally Posted by ben1364

...I don't think much of the idea of diddling with airflow based on heresay.

What else do you have to go by?

There's a lot of good hearsay here.

It's got to increase air flow and I believe the article said the filter is not on European models.

I don't know if the charcoal filter is on the E90?

I have 2 questions:

1. Would this void the warranty?

2. Do you think your BMW dealer would do this for you?

[shadye90]

I have already taken apart the airbox on my 325i (3.0l n52 motor)
and replaced the air filter with a K&N unit and I can safely claim that the built in charcoal filter is not easily removable like the M5 is..Unless I'm wrong it looks like it is actually molded into the lid and would have to be cut out..I'm just gonna wait for an intake replacement from East Coast Intake or M Motorwerks instead...

[E90Fleet]

Originally Posted by RGRAY

What else do you have to go by?

There's a lot of good hearsay here.

It's got to increase air flow and I believe the article said the filter is not on European models.

I don't know if the charcoal filter is on the E90?

I have 2 questions:

1. Would this void the warranty?

2. Do you think your BMW dealer would do this for you?

USA E90 has it

Euro E90 has a cylindrical paper filter and not a flat panel like USA one

1) Yes

2) No

[ben1364]

Originally Posted by E90Fleet

USA E90 has it

Euro E90 has a cylindrical paper filter and not a flat panel like USA one

1) Yes

2) No

####
Correct and the engines/drivetrains are subject to slightly different certifications.

[larryn]

Originally Posted by shadye90

I have already taken apart the airbox on my 325i (3.0l n52 motor)
and replaced the air filter with a K&N unit and I can safely claim that the built in charcoal filter is not easily removable like the M5 is..Unless I'm wrong it looks like it is actually molded into the lid and would have to be cut out..I'm just gonna wait for an intake replacement from East Coast Intake or M Motorwerks instead...

You are correct that it's there, and that it's not easily removable, but not impossible.

I just did mine. You need a dremel tool to make it externally unnoticable. I don't have a dremel, but used a 1/8" upcut router bit to trim awat around the charcoal element.

The charcaol element piece has markings on it, looks like the OEM part number 661 706 2. It's built in to a spacer that goes between the two halves of the airbox, and is glued to one half of the airbox shell. I removed it with a couple of putty knives/wide chisels without doing any damage to the airbox or the flange of the part itself.

To do this mod, you need a T25 torx driver, a couple of 1" chisels, a dremel, and some finishing files. Took me about 20 minutes.

[larryn]

Oh, one more thing.. I'd go out and drive it to give impressions, but I'm not missing any of the SB!

[RGRAY]

Originally Posted by lni

Oh, one more thing.. I'd go out and drive it to give impressions, but I'm not missing any of the SB!

Go drive it and let us know; NOW!

[shadye90]

Originally Posted by lni

You are correct that it's there, and that it's not easily removable, but not impossible.

I just did mine. You need a dremel tool to make it externally unnoticable. I don't have a dremel, but used a 1/8" upcut router bit to trim awat around the charcoal element.

The charcaol element piece has markings on it, looks like the OEM part number 661 706 2. It's built in to a spacer that goes between the two halves of the airbox, and is glued to one half of the airbox shell. I removed it with a couple of putty knives/wide chisels without doing any damage to the airbox or the flange of the part itself.

To do this mod, you need a T25 torx driver, a couple of 1" chisels, a dremel, and some finishing files. Took me about 20 minutes.

Hmmm..tempting...very tempting....

[shadye90]

Originally Posted by lni

Oh, one more thing.. I'd go out and drive it to give impressions, but I'm not missing any of the SB!

depending on your final impressions I just might go ahead and hack away....BTW wtf is SB?...

[RGRAY]

Would this void the warranty?


In order to void the warranty, wouldn't the dealer have to conclude that it's the cause of the problem?

Obviously, it won't hurt anything.

[larryn]

Originally Posted by RGRAY

Would this void the warranty?


In order to void the warranty, wouldn't the dealer have to conclude that it's the cause of the problem?

Obviously, it won't hurt anything.

That charcoal element's sole purpose is to not allow vapors to escape out of the intake, after you turn off the engine. I'm choosing to let ithem escape. I doubt that letting them escape will harm any piece of my car. They'd have a fun time trying to say that, if I did have catastrophic engine failure.

If anything, make sure you have a clean surface after removing the charcaol filter element, and don't leave any fuzzy plastic edges that could get sucked into the motor.. That would cause warranty problems.

[luprang]

lni have you felt any difference after removing the charcoal filter?

[Carnage]

Originally Posted by RGRAY

Charcoal Filter Removal

What do you guys think about this?

http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=66688

Here's what I think.

1st, I think is sounded good so I did it and finished it about an hour ago and it took about 20-25 minutes in all from 1st turn on bolt to closing the hood.

2nd, I think there is a definite increase in power and pull between about 1500 and 4500 RPM's. Not only that but there is now a smoothness to the power that I haven't felt in this car through the powerband all the way to redline. I did 2 very unscientific 0-60 runs with a digital chorno and pulled 6.13 and 6.09 respectively. The best I had done it the past was a 6.35. I have a step trans BTW and these runs where going M1, M2, etc and I'm hitting 60 in M2. Again, maybe just a fluke but if this truly can help drop .2-.3 seconds off of an auto, then it could take the 6-sp manual into 5.8-5.9 territory.

3rd, The hestitations I used to feel between 2-3K is gone, maybe this helped may not, but I drove for about 30-45 minutes after the job on both the highway and the city and it had stopped. I'll keep a eye on this and see if it returns.

4th, no noticable changes in sound of the car.

So to wrap it up, in the time I drove the car after doing it, I was nothing but pleased with the results. It's pretty easy to do and seems to have a good payoff. I'll give it 2 thumbs up.

[xsb00st]

E90 DIY pictures?

[luprang]

matsarge thanks for the report...yeah like xs***** said DIY pictures would be great.
I wonder what actual hp gains you might have from this free mod

[Carnage]

Originally Posted by xs*****

E90 DIY pictures?

Sorry, but no. My wife is out of town and has the digital camera with her. All I've got right now is the camera in the phone.

[David328M-Sport]

Interesting but I'm not tempted at this time. My 325 has plenty of power and torque for me.

All the best to everyone who removes the fiter.

[Carnage]

Originally Posted by luprang

matsarge thanks for the report...yeah like xs***** said DIY pictures would be great.
I wonder what actual hp gains you might have from this free mod

Good question. I see on the M5 board they're kicking around a guess at 5%. At 5% that would be an 13HP increase for a 330 from 258 to 271. Based on the feel of the car now, I would take a 2-3% gain as reasonable. That would be a jump in HP from 258 to 263-266. Only a dyno knows for sure.