Drop in filter

Lotharn

New member
Does anyone here have a drop in air filter on a N54 (BMC or K&N)? I would like to know what is the performance difference if any, also is the sound of the engine better, more aggressive ?
 

Lotharn

New member
KSINGH said:
if you got a load exhaust you prolly wont hear it.
the performance increase may be placebo.


My car is stock, that was why I asked. Maybe someone on the forum has this "small mod" and the car sounds like a tractor or maybe there's a slight increase in engine noise that's sounds better and a bit louder. I don't know..

All the companies selling these filters say there's a power gain, I also think it's just placebo, but maybe not. Maybe the car responds quicker or better, maybe there's a 5hp gain.

Is there anyone on the forum with a drop in filter? if so, is there a difference to the car?
 

Twinz

Forum - Support
Staff member
Not much in it with just the drop in filter. The stock filter does the job well. When i started off with the x35 in 2006 I had the K&N drop-in filter and it does have a more pronounced sound compared to stock.

Its only when you ramp up the boost when an aftermarket/free-er flow filter makes a power difference.

Stick with the stock filter unless you plan to tune the car then I would say look at the dual cones or the cold air intake. Both have received good reviews from users.
 

Lotharn

New member
Thank you :thumbs:

So the DCI mod really helps, doesn't the under bonnet heat give you a decrease in performance?
 

Twinz

Forum - Support
Staff member
The DCIs are recorded to perform on the street/track and dynos. Performance in the higher rpms are improved.

This question has been asked before and a google search will give you plenty answers:

A quick and dirty reply is: Yes, they will ingest hotter air. But end result is actually cooler air entering the engine because you are reducing the huge pressure drop across the factory airbox, and there by dramatically improving the efficiency of the compressors. The DCI intake also significantly reduce impeller speed improving turbo reliability.

Take it or leave it. :thumbs:

And of course you get a great sound as well as hear the turbos spool if you dont want to listen to you car radio.
 

Lotharn

New member
Twinz said:
The DCIs are recorded to perform on the street/track and dynos. Performance in the higher rpms are improved.

This question has been asked before and a google search will give you plenty answers:

A quick and dirty reply is: Yes, they will ingest hotter air. But end result is actually cooler air entering the engine because you are reducing the huge pressure drop across the factory airbox, and there by dramatically improving the efficiency of the compressors. The DCI intake also significantly reduce impeller speed improving turbo reliability.

Take it or leave it. :thumbs:

And of course you get a great sound as well as hear the turbos spool if you dont want to listen to you car radio.

Thanx Twinz :thumbs:
 

abmi0000

///Member
KSINGH said:
if you got a load exhaust you prolly wont hear it.
the performance increase may be placebo.

Everyone says that it doesn't make a difference but theoratically it doesn't make any sense. How can added airflow into the intake via a filter that definately allows more flow compared to OEM not be beneficial to the performace of the car?
 

KSINGH

///Member
abmi0000 said:
KSINGH said:
if you got a load exhaust you prolly wont hear it.
the performance increase may be placebo.

Everyone says that it doesn't make a difference but theoratically it doesn't make any sense. How can added airflow into the intake via a filter that definately allows more flow compared to OEM not be beneficial to the performace of the car?

i think technically it should improve performance. question is by how much?
why won't OEM's be the same design? why wouldn't they want to optimise?
surely fuel efficiency would improve or maybe not with the new heavy foot that wants to hear the louder exhaust note. :=):
 

abmi0000

///Member
KSINGH said:
abmi0000 said:
KSINGH said:
if you got a load exhaust you prolly wont hear it.
the performance increase may be placebo.

Everyone says that it doesn't make a difference but theoratically it doesn't make any sense. How can added airflow into the intake via a filter that definately allows more flow compared to OEM not be beneficial to the performace of the car?

i think technically it should improve performance. question is by how much?
why won't OEM's be the same design? why wouldn't they want to optimise?
surely fuel efficiency would improve or maybe not with the new heavy foot that wants to hear the louder exhaust note. :=):

Why doesn't the design and setup of many items not coincide with aftermarket tuning? :dunno:

According to me, cars are designed over many years of testing, etc and the configuration at the end is optimum to let a car last a long long time with minimal issues. I am certain that just about any manufacturer can produce a car a load of extra power as opposed to what they put down on the showroom floor, but they need the car to be 100% reliable, smooth and last a long time. At least until the warranty/motorplan expires.

Do you want to honestly tell me that BMW can't make enough power on the X35 motors to kill the M3?

They obviously keep it the way it is for driveability and to justify their other bigger models.
 

KSINGH

///Member
abmi0000 said:
KSINGH said:
abmi0000 said:
KSINGH said:
if you got a load exhaust you prolly wont hear it.
the performance increase may be placebo.

Everyone says that it doesn't make a difference but theoratically it doesn't make any sense. How can added airflow into the intake via a filter that definately allows more flow compared to OEM not be beneficial to the performace of the car?

i think technically it should improve performance. question is by how much?
why won't OEM's be the same design? why wouldn't they want to optimise?
surely fuel efficiency would improve or maybe not with the new heavy foot that wants to hear the louder exhaust note. :=):

Why doesn't the design and setup of many items not coincide with aftermarket tuning? :dunno:

According to me, cars are designed over many years of testing, etc and the configuration at the end is optimum to let a car last a long long time with minimal issues. I am certain that just about any manufacturer can produce a car a load of extra power as opposed to what they put down on the showroom floor, but they need the car to be 100% reliable, smooth and last a long time. At least until the warranty/motorplan expires.

Do you want to honestly tell me that BMW can't make enough power on the X35 motors to kill the M3?

They obviously keep it the way it is for driveability and to justify their other bigger models.

agreed. performance is only one factor/criteria. if one looks at the fundamentals of maintenance management, environmental constraints, safety etc then the manufactures have alot more to look at/consider. its all about the life cycle etc. they also wanna sell cars, its a business right. i wouldn't wanna buy a car that lasts as long as a F1 motor :thumbdo:
 
J

Josh-ZN

Guest
drop in filter over stock i read doesnt make much difference.

dci, which i have, definitely a difference and the sound from the turbos is just :inlove:
 

KSINGH

///Member
Lotharn said:
KSINGH said:
its a small fee so maybe just get it. where you getting it from?

I don't know yet but will be asking in the forum.

Ok. Jhb has ATS and auto style. Theres another place in Raslouw, PTA. Got their number in the office. Will post. Sitting in n1 traffic :(
 
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