[Johnny D]

Recently purchased a new air intake. I didnt really need one as I felt the stock box with the charcoal delete and a K&N filter was adequate. However, I wanted something that would give the car a bit more growl when getting on it.

Install B+
Took me about 25 minutes to install this item. The most difficult part was the boot that fits over the throttle body. This boot is then attached to the intake elbow and tightened down. The issue comes from the boot being perfectly symmetrical and the throttle body has a plate next to its intake that makes the boot unable to go on all the way. I had to trim off about 2-3mm of the boot around this location to fit it correctly.

Product B+
Just as I stated above. If the unit's boot was perfect fit it would get an A. It is well made and durable. The rest of the intakes fittings fit snug and each of the bolts easily tighten down snug.

It is a sealed box intake (except for two smaller areas). Heat soak doesn't appear to be an issue.

Sound and Performance A
aFe claims 12hp and I believe 16ft.lbs. of torque. Upon first install the only noticeable difference is the sound. After 3 days and about 300 miles I can tell that the car is breathing much better on the top end. Lower to mid range feels as though it is unchanged.

The sound is what I really enjoy about this intake. I am running a stock muffler at this time. My car is/was quiet. With this intake my car sounds very similar to an e36 s50b30 (or s52b32). The car now growls and is very throaty. I really think that this is the best part of the intake.



Over all I give this a B+ product. It is a bit pricey. You can pick one up between $400 and $500. The sound is amazing. I will be doing a dyno run next week just for fun.





I have a youtube video of its sound loading, but my slow connection will be a while.

[Amini77]

Great with review I'll be checking back when the video is up

[benzo23]

Hey man thanks a bunch for that video, finally we get one with some driving noise. I think it sounds perfect. I'm really going to consider this now. I think paired up with a PE or AA exhaust it will sound nuts. Was the install part with the hose that much of a pain in the ass?

[Johnny D]

Originally Posted by benzo23

Hey man thanks a bunch for that video, finally we get one with some driving noise. I think it sounds perfect. I'm really going to consider this now. I think paired up with a PE or AA exhaust it will sound nuts. Was the install part with the hose that much of a pain in the ass?

It isn't bad if you're somewhat mechanically inclined and now that you know the boot isn't a perfect fit it should be easier for others. I'm a nitpicker, hence the lower review.

[Amini77]

It sounds really good in the video. Where did you buy it from?

[Johnny D]

Originally Posted by e90330xiSG

It sounds really good in the video. Where did you buy it from?

I purchased it from an Ebay dealer.

[3002 Tii]

+12hp from an intake? lol

trust me, i for one am always looking to squeeze every hp out of the n52 but 12hp from an intake is just ridiculous

[Johnny D]

Originally Posted by DSC_OFF

+12hp from an intake? lol

trust me, i for one am always looking to squeeze every hp out of the n52 but 12hp from an intake is just ridiculous

Im sure their HP and Torque claims are at the crank. If you check their website they have a comparison dyno (Mustang dyno) showing around 8hp/8ft.lbs. average gain. While I know this can easily be a factor of many things not including the intake itself, I went in knowing this and expected sound over performance.

Next week I will have a dyno run to compare to. If I get close to their 8hp average I'd say what they claim to be fairly accurate.

[3002 Tii]

Originally Posted by jntar

Im sure their HP and Torque claims are at the crank. If you check their website they have a comparison dyno (Mustang dyno) showing around 8hp/8ft.lbs. average gain. While I know this can easily be a factor of many things not including the intake itself, I went in knowing this and expected sound over performance.

Next week I will have a dyno run to compare to. If I get close to their 8hp average I'd say what they claim to be fairly accurate.

I actually assumed these were crank. Even turbo cars don respond this well unless it's a true cai where it draws air from the lower grills. Either way I hope you see some gains just so I can possibly justify the purchase later lol. Be sure to do a baseline run without intake first!

[Johnny D]

Originally Posted by DSC_OFF

I actually assumed these were crank. Even turbo cars don respond this well unless it's a true cai where it draws air from the lower grills. Either way I hope you see some gains just so I can possibly justify the purchase later lol. Be sure to do a baseline run without intake first!

I already have a baseline, but will be doing another so it's back to back.

[RicheyBMW]

Sweet. Nice review and video.

[kudos]

I think this will be my next upgrade. How much do you think it costs to have this installed?

[Johnny D]

Originally Posted by kudos

I think this will be my next upgrade. How much do you think it costs to have this installed?

Shouldnt be more than an hour labor.

[flexbrah]

Just bought one from AutoAnything for $420 shipped (15% off for being a new customer). I had an AFE intake on my e46, but it was just the simple half enclosure. I'm interested to see how this fully enclosed version fares...

[benzo23]

I noticed in the picture yours doesn't have the fake carbon fiber weave pattern on the top of the box like the rest of them, also could some of this sound be due to the fact that you have the 3 stange manifold and a tune on there?

[Johnny D]

Originally Posted by benzo23

I noticed in the picture yours doesn't have the fake carbon fiber weave pattern on the top of the box like the rest of them, also could some of this sound be due to the fact that you have the 3 stange manifold and a tune on there?

You're correct. No fake carbon fiber.

I doubt the tune did anything to the sound. The manifold may play a VERY small roll, but the sound will still be there on the stock single stage manifold.

[DFW_E90_325i]

Good Review. I'm glad you didn't get the "carbon fiber" look. I made that mistake. I think I paid more for it too

I am going to repaint the cover.

The sound is awesome. Power; can't really tell.

[Johnny D]

Hey guys, I just wanted to let you that my dyno appointment has been canceled due to weather. My appointment was pushed back to next Thursday. Sorry

[andrey_gta]

Originally Posted by Johnny D

Hey guys, I just wanted to let you that my dyno appointment has been canceled due to weather. My appointment was pushed back to next Thursday. Sorry

do you think there are measurable gains beyond 5-8 hp ?

[Johnny D]

Originally Posted by andrey_gta

do you think there are measurable gains beyond 5-8 hp ?

None that my butt can feel, but it sounds amazing.

[andrey_gta]

Originally Posted by Johnny D

None that my butt can feel, but it sounds amazing.

Have you heard other intakes on the n52?
What does it compare most to?

[just4kickz]

looks good