[Tierfreund]

Originally Posted by ben1364

###
Though I am not an engineer, I tend to agree that removal of the charcoal filter would not likely endanger the engine, i.e. "harm the car" which is different than, "...there is no way it could be harmfull."

I also agree that the charcoal filter's purpose seems to be to keep raw gasoline vapors from escaping. I'm not sure what you mean by, "...main particle filter " That's what I have always referred to as the cabin air filter which has nothing to do with the engine. Did you mean the treated paper air filter element?

Yes. Again I was inprecise. I meant the main particle filter "for the engine". The paper filter element in the engine intake right after the charcoal filter. You´re right in noting that there is another particle filter for the cabin.

[RGRAY]

LamboPete has posted some dyno results with the M5.

Dyno results are as follows:

Max HP and Tq at stock: 417.2 HP and 291.7 Tq. at the rear.

Max HP and Tq WITHOUT filers: 426.1 HP and 296.9 Tq. at the rear.

http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/sho...t=66688&page=4

[Squawks]

That's only a 2.1% increase in HP and 1.8% increase in torque. A 330i will thus presumably only achieve 5.4 HP from approximately 255 to 260.

[ben1364]

Originally Posted by Squawks

That's only a 2.1% increase in HP and 1.8% increase in torque. A 330i will thus presumably only achieve 5.4 HP from approximately 255 to 260.

###
Not worth the risk, huh?

[WallyF]

I recently posted a US air filter replacement DYI. See
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4101.

I did not pay any attention to the inside of the rear air cleaner housing until I saw this thread. In several of the photos in my post, the charcoal filter can be seen. I may have to redo and remove the charcoal filter.

Thanks

Wallyf :rocks:

[xsb00st]

5.4hp for free is a whole lot better than 5.4hp that costs $200+ (ie. intake system)

[sdorn]

Originally Posted by RGRAY

LamboPete has posted some dyno results with the M5.

Dyno results are as follows:

Max HP and Tq at stock: 417.2 HP and 291.7 Tq. at the rear.

Max HP and Tq WITHOUT filers: 426.1 HP and 296.9 Tq. at the rear.

http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/sho...t=66688&page=4

That small of a gain can be accounted for in the variance of the dyno. In other words, they could have just taken two pulls on the same dyno without doing any mods and seen that kind of variation. It sounds to me like there is no proof at this point this mod has any benefit whatsoever.

[wu852]

i just removed the charcoal filter and took my car out for a spin. i dont think its that much faster but i can definetly feel a big difference when im reving over 4000 rpms. It seems so much easier and more responsive now. Other than that, i felt maybe a little boost but i dont think its that big of a deal. I also have the K&N filter installed. just my two cents

[lux.sh]

hmm. so gains are.. "somewhat proven".
I'll wait for full intake system by Injen.

[ben1364]

One thing about butt dynos is that they always tell us what we want to hear. Can anyone tell me why BMW would spend the money on the charcoal filter in the intake if it serves no useful purpose?

[Tierfreund]

Originally Posted by ben1364

One thing about butt dynos is that they always tell us what we want to hear.

Quite right. With a butt dyno you´ve got an ass reading out the results. I refuse to take an ass seriously though.

[RGRAY]

Originally Posted by lux.sh

hmm. so gains are.. "somewhat proven"...

Surprise!

Let's see; a little more power, smoother response, easy to do, does not void warrant.

Sounds good to me.

[poldim]

Dont have time to read, has any E90 done it?

[Carnage]

Originally Posted by poldim

Dont have time to read, has any E90 done it?

yes, I have and I've got nothing but good things to say about the results. Smoother response, better pull throughout the RPM range, etc. plus it's free.

One benefit I'm happiest about is the smoother response and the lags I noticed in the past have disappeared for now. To me that is the bigger gain then the possible increase in HP. The engines horsepower is only as good as the car's ability to deliver it. It's seems to be delivered much smoother now.

[poldim]

Looks like its going on the to-do list for good weather days...

[larryn]

Originally Posted by Tierfreund

Quite right. With a butt dyno you´ve got an ass reading out the results. I refuse to take an ass seriously though.

LOL.. You're asking us cheap asses who did a free mod to get a couple of dynos done. Nobody will do that.

I left Monday morning for Raleigh/Durham (flew in from Boston).. just getting back an hour ago. I just took out the car, and it definitely seems there is a bit more response. I doubt it's that much quicker, but throttle response is better, which is good enough for me. I wasn't expecting much of anything, to tell the truth. I'm pleasantly surprised.

I have to drive into work (vs. taking the commuter rail), and will get a better appreciation for the change. I'll let you know what I though, if you care at all.

I may take it out to show pics, but a DIY is really not needed. It's pretty self explanitory, if you equip youself with a couple wide chisels, a putty knife, a T25 torx driver, and a dremel tool. To take the airbox out, all you need is a 10mm socket, and a regular screwdriver.

[ben1364]

Originally Posted by lni

LOL.. You're asking us cheap asses who did a free mod to get a couple of dynos done. Nobody will do that.

I left Monday morning for Raleigh/Durham (flew in from Boston).. just getting back an hour ago. I just took out the car, and it definitely seems there is a bit more response. I doubt it's that much quicker, but throttle response is better, which is good enough for me. I wasn't expecting much of anything, to tell the truth. I'm pleasantly surprised.

I have to drive into work (vs. taking the commuter rail), and will get a better appreciation for the change. I'll let you know what I though, if you care at all.

I may take it out to show pics, but a DIY is really not needed. It's pretty self explanitory, if you equip youself with a couple wide chisels, a putty knife, a T25 torx driver, and a dremel tool. To take the airbox out, all you need is a 10mm socket, and a regular screwdriver.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ ZZZZZ

Huh!!!

[lux.sh]

Originally Posted by RGRAY

Surprise!

Let's see; a little more power, smoother response, easy to do, does not void warrant.

Sounds good to me.

Tell me something I don't know Mr.60minute.

Lets see,
-A little more power: NOT PROVEN. Dyno result shows 2 runs, which could vary. Consistant runs must be made under SAME EXACT condition, and try it multiple times on different days. See if everytime you take off the charcoal filter off, gains are made. If yes, then its proven. Couple runs of dyno in one day doesn't mean jack sh1t in my book.
-Smoother response: NOT PROVEN. Show me how the responses are "smoother". I smell riced out butt dyno.
-Easy to do: PROVEN!
-Does not void warranty: NOT PROVEN. Even though I honestly think its impossible for a dealership to claim that our warranty is gone because we removed the damn charcoal filter.

The good part is, its free and really won't do much harm, if any.

[poldim]

Does it come out or do you have to break/cut something to get it out?

[larryn]

Originally Posted by lux.sh

I smell riced out butt dyno.

I thought you stopped doing that

There is a bit better throttle response. I didn't think there would be, but there is. For you, who has zero personal experience with this mod, to refute any of it is bologna. Being able to suck more air in with less turbulance of the extra charcoal baffle, there will be some gains. I doubt it's much, but it is there.

Warranty issues? it does nothing to the car except for preventing gasses escape after you shut the car off. There are no warranty issues, unless go in to have your car fixed for not halting those pesky gasses after you shut your car off.

Ben1364.. I posted on the first page that I had done the mod on Sunday. Somebody hasd asked for a DIY, and I replied it's really not needed. If you have those tools, you can do it without a DIY. Good luck.

[visor]

matsarge,
Looks like you should add "charcoal filter delete" to your signature of mods!

If it's not too difficult to do, I'm planning on doing this over the next week. To those who are skeptical, just think what possible advantage there is for keeping the filter other than to reduce some gas fumes escaping thru the engine/valves. It has never been there before on the E46, and I see it's possible disadvantage as reduced air flow across an additional layer of filter material.

Anyone remember the clutch stop mod on the E46?
This charcoal filter delete looks like it'll be like that mod: very simple, cheap, but one of the most effective mods. :rocks:

[Carnage]

Originally Posted by visor

matsarge,
Looks like you should add "charcoal filter delete" to your signature of mods!

LOL. Not a bad idea. I think I will.