Free Power (charcoal filter removal) - Page 5 - BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum

ben1364 · 02-12-2006, 01:32 PM

It's (1) wishful thinking, (2) was installed for a purpose, and (3) is likely required to meet emmissions standards. You can bet that BMW didn't install it and make it difficult to replace just because they want to limit performance. Unless someone can provide proof that removal of this filter improves performance, isn't necessary and isn't required, I recommend against removing it. Having said that, I freely acknowlege that I don't know more about engines thn BMW! <g>

E90Fleet · 02-12-2006, 01:48 PM

There seems to be a bit of confusion about this

1) Only USA cars have this
2) Its there to meet a USA emmision requirement to filter gasses escaping from the engine through the intake system when the car is parked
3) The part cannot be bought alone, you need to buy a complete new filter housing to get one, which should be a couple hundred dollars

ACZakka325i · 02-12-2006, 01:50 PM

Ok so i won't be doing this then

1) because i would like my car to pass emissions
and
2) because i dont want to have to buy a whole new system

ben1364 · 02-12-2006, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E90Fleet

There seems to be a bit of confusion about this

1) Only USA cars have this
2) Its there to meet a USA emmision requirement to filter gasses escaping from the engine through the intake system when the car is parked
3) The part cannot be bought alone, you need to buy a complete new filter housing to get one, which should be a couple hundred dollars

Thanks for pointing out that the filter element is not available as a stand alone part. I'm not surprised given the way it is installed.

porscheneer · 02-13-2006, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ACZakka325i

Ok so i won't be doing this then

1) because i would like my car to pass emissions
and
2) because i dont want to have to buy a whole new system

This is for standing emmissions when the car is turned off.
When is the last time the DMV muzzled the intake on a car?

ben1364 · 02-13-2006, 11:58 AM

porscheneer wrote, "This is for standing emmissions when the car is turned off.
When is the last time the DMV muzzled the intake on a car?

I dunno. However, I don't think that is the point as has been addressed by several people.

porscheneer · 02-13-2006, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poldim

We dont have a problem with removing it. We have a problem with potentially putting it back and not making it noticible if we need warranty work done.

Im not sure if you had a chance to see the pics I posted but I have some more dirt. I went by the stealer for lunch today and I spoke with the performance guy who is supposed to be the Dinan expert.

He says that Dinan does not have an aftermarket intake for the E90 yet and he added it took a while before they had it for the E60, and yes the Dinan's do not have the Charcoal filter . All Dinan bolt on's do not void warranty and as suspected he said cutting the filter out would.

And the part number that I quoted earlier is $417 at this dealer but im sure you could get a better price from an online dealer.

So it may be worthwhile to wait for an aftermarket intake and have the stock one on the side to swap in willy nilly!

Thanx for the fuse info!

Take care

Sho · 02-13-2006, 02:58 PM

I took mine off this past weekend, and the car feels much smoother in the power band. I took off the similar filter in my wife's Toyota, and the difference was not as much as on the E90.
Emmision was not an issue when my wife's car had the check.

poldim · 02-13-2006, 11:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by porscheneer

Im not sure if you had a chance to see the pics I posted but I have some more dirt. I went by the stealer for lunch today and I spoke with the performance guy who is supposed to be the Dinan expert.

He says that Dinan does not have an aftermarket intake for the E90 yet and he added it took a while before they had it for the E60, and yes the Dinan's do not have the Charcoal filter . All Dinan bolt on's do not void warranty and as suspected he said cutting the filter out would.

And the part number that I quoted earlier is $417 at this dealer but im sure you could get a better price from an online dealer.

So it may be worthwhile to wait for an aftermarket intake and have the stock one on the side to swap in willy nilly!

Thanx for the fuse info!

Take care

Interesting. I just dont see how they would argue that you need it or anything. I mean if you go in for service, and the tech notices. He might mention it, might not. But if he does, they cant force you to buy the $417 part.

Dinan discussion was that Dinan covers warranty repairs if its remotely caused by the Dinan part. It doesnt void warranty, but they just swallow the bill.

And I agree, there is no way that the DMV would know about your charcole filter removal.

SixBanger · 02-14-2006, 01:30 AM

I live in south fla and I have a question about just replacing the air filter itself. Where I live I dont have the to go through tsupid emission policies like you guys do. However, Id just like to know if Id be kool replacing the stock filter with a K&N?

Squawks · 02-14-2006, 02:04 AM

K&N filters are no better than the regular disposal filters. They just have their fancy mechanism of cleaning with some type of solution and coating with oil for reusing it multiple times - a technology that's decades old.

Their intake system is a different story.

poldim · 02-14-2006, 02:51 AM

K&N's filters are generally less restrictive than stock ones. However, its always a toss up of viltration over performance. The K&N's lean more toward the performance.

porscheneer · 02-14-2006, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poldim

Interesting. I just dont see how they would argue that you need it or anything. I mean if you go in for service, and the tech notices. He might mention it, might not. But if he does, they cant force you to buy the $417 part.

Dinan discussion was that Dinan covers warranty repairs if its remotely caused by the Dinan part. It doesnt void warranty, but they just swallow the bill.

And I agree, there is no way that the DMV would know about your charcole filter removal.

I agree.... so will you go thru with it or wait for an aftermarket, K&N or a dinan.

I think I might wait till an after market one is available and save the stock one for a rainy day.
I swear if that MAF wasnt there I would just stick a huge round K & N filter with no housing ( totaly ricey)with a steel ring inside the hose to clamp on and bracket it in some how just for curiosity to see what I might get.

Let me know if you decide to go with it, would like to hear your post mod analysis.

porscheneer · 02-14-2006, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sho

I took mine off this past weekend, and the car feels much smoother in the power band. I took off the similar filter in my wife's Toyota, and the difference was not as much as on the E90.
Emmision was not an issue when my wife's car had the check.

good info thanx..... its great how californian requirements end up blanketing all sales to the US market.

poldim · 02-14-2006, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by porscheneer

Let me know if you decide to go with it, would like to hear your post mod analysis.

I will do it....eventually, if no one comes up with a good enough reason not to. But its about 45 degrees outside, and I dont feel like ripping apart my baby unless I can fully enjoy it.

lux.sh · 02-14-2006, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poldim

K&N's filters are generally less restrictive than stock ones. However, its always a toss up of viltration over performance. The K&N's lean more toward the performance.

Ditto.

Poldim, I say you hold on to the temptation. I know you want full intake system.

obLu · 02-14-2006, 11:43 AM

You guys bicker like a bunch of old betties at bingo.

But on another note, I went to pull my airbox apart last night to take a look ... not so much to remove the filter but we've got a lot of pine needles and I wanted to check to see how many were sitting at the bottom of my box.

Is it just me, or is thing incredibly annoying to get apart? No clips, all bolts. I saw one that looked like a complete pain in the a$$ to get to, down around some hoses. That was it, closed the hood and went back inside; more effort than it's worth.

The airboxes different on the 325 or pre-sept cars?

larryn · 02-16-2006, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by obLu

Is it just me, or is thing incredibly annoying to get apart? No clips, all bolts. I saw one that looked like a complete pain in the a$$ to get to, down around some hoses. That was it, closed the hood and went back inside; more effort than it's worth.

Hi... taking it apart is simple. You need to take the airbox out, which is done by taking the two 10mm bolts out on the right side, where it mounts to the inside of the wheel well.. and undoing the hose clamp with a regular screwdriver, by the mass airflow sensor. The entire airbox lifts right out then.

You'll only need a T25 torx driver to take the 6 torx screws out that hold the 2 halves of the airbox together.

There is no way to get at all of those screws without first removing the airbox.

porscheneer · 02-16-2006, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poldim

I will do it....eventually, if no one comes up with a good enough reason not to. But its about 45 degrees outside, and I dont feel like ripping apart my baby unless I can fully enjoy it.

Theres no Dyno yet but Fujita makes one in the $300 range.

http://www.f5air.com/applications.html

Im not sure when K & N will have one ready

Carnage · 02-16-2006, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by porscheneer

Theres no Dyno yet but Fujita makes one in the $300 range.

http://www.f5air.com/applications.html

Im not sure when K & N will have one ready

Based on the 323 dyno, there was about a 2.7% increase in HP and a 2.9% increase in torque. If those amounts held true it would mean about a 7 HP (255 to 262) and 6 ft/lb of torque (220 to 226) increase for a 330.

BTW, did anybody notice the dyno for the 2005 Acura TL? It only dyno'ed at 205 HP and 187 ft/lb of torque. This for a car rated at 270 HP. That's a 24% decrease from the stated HP.

obLu · 02-16-2006, 03:59 PM

Quote:

There is no way to get at all of those screws without first removing the airbox.

Ahhhhh, never even would've thought of pulling the whole box out. Cool, thanks.

ACZakka325i · 02-16-2006, 07:22 PM

Those Fujita intakes look like sh%t. They look too simple, if i were to buy one i would at least need some primitive kind of heat shield. Is this really all there is.

ALSO,would the 330 intake fujita makes fit on a 325?

02-12-2006, 01:48 PM	#90
E90Fleet Major General Drives: BMW Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: South Africa Posts: 7,851 iTrader: (0)	There seems to be a bit of confusion about this 1) Only USA cars have this 2) Its there to meet a USA emmision requirement to filter gasses escaping from the engine through the intake system when the car is parked 3) The part cannot be bought alone, you need to buy a complete new filter housing to get one, which should be a couple hundred dollars __________________ Nominated: Member of the Year, Most Contributing Member BMW if you are reading, I need a job

02-12-2006, 01:50 PM	#91
ACZakka325i Lieutenant Colonel Drives: X1 3.5 M-Sport Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: CT Posts: 1,755 iTrader: (2)	Ok so i won't be doing this then 1) because i would like my car to pass emissions and 2) because i dont want to have to buy a whole new system __________________ 2013 535i xdrive(Current) 2008 E92 M3 (Gone) 2006 E90 325i (Gone) 2002 E46 325xi (Gone) 1991 E30 325i (Gone)

02-13-2006, 02:58 PM	#96
Sho Lieutenant Drives: E90 325i 6-speed Join Date: May 2005 Location: WA Posts: 574 iTrader: (0)	I took mine off this past weekend, and the car feels much smoother in the power band. I took off the similar filter in my wife's Toyota, and the difference was not as much as on the E90. Emmision was not an issue when my wife's car had the check. __________________ 2006 325i Sport - SSR GT7, Euro tails, Rogue Ikon muffler/w custom 3.5" piping, Painted OEM Splitters 2005 Toyota Matrix - Commuter

02-14-2006, 02:04 AM	#99
Squawks One of my two dachshunds: Drives: B6 A4 3.0 Quattro Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Ithaca, NY Posts: 663 iTrader: (0)	K&N filters are no better than the regular disposal filters. They just have their fancy mechanism of cleaning with some type of solution and coating with oil for reusing it multiple times - a technology that's decades old. Their intake system is a different story. __________________ I'm sorry about my outlandish behavior - there's too much blood in my alcohol system.

02-14-2006, 02:51 AM	#100
poldim Vroom Vrrooooom Drives: 330i Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 3,091 iTrader: (2) Garage List 2006 330i Sedan [0.00] 2003 GSX-R 600 [0.00]	K&N's filters are generally less restrictive than stock ones. However, its always a toss up of viltration over performance. The K&N's lean more toward the performance. __________________ -Dmitriy 06' BMW 330i & 03' Suzuki GSX-R600 SG \| Beige Dakota \| Poplar \|\| iDrive w/MP3 \| PP \| SP \| CWP \| PDC \| Comfort \| Shades \|\| 40% Tint \| Rogue Engineering 12MM Spacers \| Black Line Tail Lights

02-12-2006, 01:32 PM	#89
ben1364 Captain Drives: E90 330iA Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Georgetown, TX Posts: 943 iTrader: (0)	It's (1) wishful thinking, (2) was installed for a purpose, and (3) is likely required to meet emmissions standards. You can bet that BMW didn't install it and make it difficult to replace just because they want to limit performance. Unless someone can provide proof that removal of this filter improves performance, isn't necessary and isn't required, I recommend against removing it. Having said that, I freely acknowlege that I don't know more about engines thn BMW! <g>

02-13-2006, 11:58 AM	#94
ben1364 Captain Drives: E90 330iA Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Georgetown, TX Posts: 943 iTrader: (0)	porscheneer wrote, "This is for standing emmissions when the car is turned off. When is the last time the DMV muzzled the intake on a car? I dunno. However, I don't think that is the point as has been addressed by several people.

02-14-2006, 01:30 AM	#98
SixBanger First Lieutenant Drives: 08 135i Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 353 iTrader: (0)	I live in south fla and I have a question about just replacing the air filter itself. Where I live I dont have the to go through tsupid emission policies like you guys do. However, Id just like to know if Id be kool replacing the stock filter with a K&N?

02-14-2006, 11:43 AM	#105
obLu Major Drives: 330i 6MT ZSP Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Kirkland, WA, USA Posts: 1,161 iTrader: (1)	You guys bicker like a bunch of old betties at bingo. But on another note, I went to pull my airbox apart last night to take a look ... not so much to remove the filter but we've got a lot of pine needles and I wanted to check to see how many were sitting at the bottom of my box. Is it just me, or is thing incredibly annoying to get apart? No clips, all bolts. I saw one that looked like a complete pain in the a$$ to get to, down around some hoses. That was it, closed the hood and went back inside; more effort than it's worth. The airboxes different on the 325 or pre-sept cars?

02-16-2006, 07:22 PM	#110
ACZakka325i Lieutenant Colonel Drives: X1 3.5 M-Sport Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: CT Posts: 1,755 iTrader: (2)	Those Fujita intakes look like sh%t. They look too simple, if i were to buy one i would at least need some primitive kind of heat shield. Is this really all there is. ALSO,would the 330 intake fujita makes fit on a 325? __________________ 2013 535i xdrive(Current) 2008 E92 M3 (Gone) 2006 E90 325i (Gone) 2002 E46 325xi (Gone) 1991 E30 325i (Gone)

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