E90 320I intake modification madness

Streaker · 04-05-2009, 10:58 AM

How many 320 drivers there have actually removed their little twin snorkels that exit by the kidneys?

The reason I ask this, is that about 10 minutes ago, I had mine off to install my laser jammer and I noticed that when you actually look up the air box that sits 'atop' the radiator, the right hand (as viewed from the front) intake is actually blanked off.

As it is getting dark here, I will have a better look tomorrow after work and then open this secondary intake by use of a dremel and then report back as to the diffrence if any.

I don't imagine any diffrence as measured as per the dyno butt, but logic says the air box intake size is doubled. I imagine BM does this so as to make the moulds for parts interchangeble between models and therefore on the bigger engines ie six cylinders this opening would be open to allow for the air the bigger engines breath.

If any of you can remember seeing this blockage or if you found it open, please state which engine you have so other users can compare.

Andrew@ET · 04-05-2009, 10:20 PM

us models are all open

edy74 · 04-06-2009, 02:53 AM

I have a 318i and I saw this a long time ago..., so I've cut the right snorkel and had to do some custom improvement to the back side of the intake, added some custom made scoops.... result- with a sport air filter, it will breathe ~30-40% betther than stock

madman · 04-06-2009, 11:36 AM

I also noticed that one was sealed on 320i's. If opening it up makes any difference, let me know.

edy74 · 04-07-2009, 04:09 AM

It does improve the air intake but you have to do what I did, scoops and the back side of the intake

madman · 04-07-2009, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edy74

It does improve the air intake but you have to do what I did, scoops and the back side of the intake

What did you do exactly?

edy74 · 04-07-2009, 05:28 PM

^ I've cut the seald part and fabricated another way for the air to go to the filter..., it was NOT easy...

madman · 04-07-2009, 05:34 PM

Do you have a diy or write up?

what difference does it make, is it just a difference in sound or can you feel any power difference at all?

Streaker · 04-10-2009, 03:38 AM

I took the air intake off to open up the blocked portions as mentioned and only then discovered exactly what EDY75 is saying. On my intake, the intake is a 'fake' chamber with only a small ie 5mm channel opening into the intake.

My thoughts are to cut holes in the respective channels and then blank of the box using a flat piece of perspex, thereby creating the opening, won.t look good (not visible when the box is in place), or to create channels out of tubing between the chambers (maybe loose a little airflow but still have a lot more then stock).

The best route I think is to find out which bigger engine models here in RSA have both sides open as standard that will just bolt into place and go and purchace it. More expensive but should look better.

edy74 · 04-10-2009, 01:29 PM

^ it's EDY74

, and yes, that's what I did, I've built another channel for the side that was fake(blanked off)

madman · 04-15-2009, 10:58 AM

Is it really worth all the hassle?....what difference does it make?

detach8 · 10-17-2011, 10:53 AM

I think on the 320i N46 156bhp engine it's not going to make any +ve difference. Letting more air in would cause the low end to suffer.

04-05-2009, 10:58 AM	#1
Streaker Always ride naked 3 Rep 8 Posts Drives: 320i Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: South Africa iTrader: (0)	E90 320I intake modification madness How many 320 drivers there have actually removed their little twin snorkels that exit by the kidneys? The reason I ask this, is that about 10 minutes ago, I had mine off to install my laser jammer and I noticed that when you actually look up the air box that sits 'atop' the radiator, the right hand (as viewed from the front) intake is actually blanked off. As it is getting dark here, I will have a better look tomorrow after work and then open this secondary intake by use of a dremel and then report back as to the diffrence if any. I don't imagine any diffrence as measured as per the dyno butt, but logic says the air box intake size is doubled. I imagine BM does this so as to make the moulds for parts interchangeble between models and therefore on the bigger engines ie six cylinders this opening would be open to allow for the air the bigger engines breath. If any of you can remember seeing this blockage or if you found it open, please state which engine you have so other users can compare.
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

04-05-2009, 10:20 PM	#2
Andrew@ET Brigadier General 181 Rep 4,038 Posts Drives: Red thing Join Date: May 2007 Location: Earth iTrader: (9)	us models are all open
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-06-2009, 02:53 AM	#3
edy74 Captain 135 Rep 767 Posts Drives: CUSTO///M E90 , 640d xdrive Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Bucharest iTrader: (2) Garage List 2006 318i [9.00]	I have a 318i and I saw this a long time ago..., so I've cut the right snorkel and had to do some custom improvement to the back side of the intake, added some custom made scoops.... result- with a sport air filter, it will breathe ~30-40% betther than stock __________________
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-06-2009, 11:36 AM	#4
madman Major 111 Rep 1,252 Posts Drives: The Above Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Lincolnshire, UK iTrader: (0)	I also noticed that one was sealed on 320i's. If opening it up makes any difference, let me know. __________________ If you're not living on the edge, you're taking up too much space.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-07-2009, 04:09 AM	#5
edy74 Captain 135 Rep 767 Posts Drives: CUSTO///M E90 , 640d xdrive Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Bucharest iTrader: (2) Garage List 2006 318i [9.00]	It does improve the air intake but you have to do what I did, scoops and the back side of the intake __________________
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-07-2009, 05:28 PM	#7
edy74 Captain 135 Rep 767 Posts Drives: CUSTO///M E90 , 640d xdrive Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Bucharest iTrader: (2) Garage List 2006 318i [9.00]	^ I've cut the seald part and fabricated another way for the air to go to the filter..., it was NOT easy... __________________
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-07-2009, 05:34 PM	#8
madman Major 111 Rep 1,252 Posts Drives: The Above Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Lincolnshire, UK iTrader: (0)	Do you have a diy or write up? what difference does it make, is it just a difference in sound or can you feel any power difference at all? __________________ If you're not living on the edge, you're taking up too much space.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-10-2009, 03:38 AM	#9
Streaker Always ride naked 3 Rep 8 Posts Drives: 320i Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: South Africa iTrader: (0)	I took the air intake off to open up the blocked portions as mentioned and only then discovered exactly what EDY75 is saying. On my intake, the intake is a 'fake' chamber with only a small ie 5mm channel opening into the intake. My thoughts are to cut holes in the respective channels and then blank of the box using a flat piece of perspex, thereby creating the opening, won.t look good (not visible when the box is in place), or to create channels out of tubing between the chambers (maybe loose a little airflow but still have a lot more then stock). The best route I think is to find out which bigger engine models here in RSA have both sides open as standard that will just bolt into place and go and purchace it. More expensive but should look better.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-10-2009, 01:29 PM	#10
edy74 Captain 135 Rep 767 Posts Drives: CUSTO///M E90 , 640d xdrive Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Bucharest iTrader: (2) Garage List 2006 318i [9.00]	^ it's EDY74 , and yes, that's what I did, I've built another channel for the side that was fake(blanked off) __________________
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-15-2009, 10:58 AM	#11
madman Major 111 Rep 1,252 Posts Drives: The Above Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Lincolnshire, UK iTrader: (0)	Is it really worth all the hassle?....what difference does it make? __________________ If you're not living on the edge, you're taking up too much space.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-17-2011, 10:53 AM	#12
detach8 New Member 5 Rep 25 Posts Drives: 2014 F25 X3 sDrive 20i Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Singapore iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 BMW X3 N20 sDr ... [0.00]	I think on the 320i N46 156bhp engine it's not going to make any +ve difference. Letting more air in would cause the low end to suffer.
	Appreciate 0 Quote