E39 (M54) Intake Recommendations

[BASEBALL248]

My 530i (2002 E39) needs to breath more (has stock air box). What is the best Intake System available. (My first venture into the BMW aftermarket mods).

[dinan540]

I am fan of the Dinan aftermarket intake. That said, you are paying for the name and the well engineered product.

[Storamin]

The "well engineered product" makes it sound like other intake systems aren't designed just as well...

[BASEBALL248]

Originally Posted by dinan540

I am fan of the Dinan aftermarket intake. That said, you are paying for the name and the well engineered product.

Ouch...I just checked Dinan web site prices:

S Package-Manual 530i Sedan is $2,546 (Intake, chip, exhaust) for a grand total of 14 BHP increase (224 bhp stock peak to 238 bhp modded peak). This equates to roughly 11 rwhp increase for a BIG chunk of change. It appears that the price would include labor, as the web site indicates "labor units" in the data breakdown.

http://www.dinancars.com/Series.asp?...&Model=59#1921

When I started modding my Z (granted, a turbocharged engine is easier and quicker to mod with bolt ons), $1,100 scored me a chip, intake + cat back exhaust for a quick 102 bhp. A few more mods + short money and I was at an increase of 150 bhp.

The Dinan high flow cold air intake system requires the Stage 2 chip reflash for an approximate 11 bhp increase. I am skeptical on the chip "requirement" for a slight increase in air mass ingestion. I would think that the stock injector cycle could keep up with that.

[nightdevils]

another 530!! SCHWEET! dinan540 watch out :-D baseball dude checked out turnermotorsports.com?

[BASEBALL248]

Originally Posted by ghost

another 530!! SCHWEET! dinan540 watch out :-D baseball dude checked out turnermotorsports.com?

Thanks for the web link.

I looked at the Turner Mtr Sprts Conforti CAI (on sale for $360);
The Bavarian Motorsport offering of the AFE Power Flow Intake Kit ($345);

The Dinan High Flow CAI ($549)

The Conforti brand looks interesting...

[nightdevils]

Yes, I like the non-ridiculuous prices of conforti and others, and they are equally if not better than dinan. If you get the conforti intake, it is recommended that you also get the Conforti Shark Injector (OBD-II software): http://www.turnermotorsport.com/html...BD_E46_325_330 read the benefits on the site. But then there's teh Dinan name if you want to pay for it...

PS. its cool that you had souped up cars other than BMWs before. My brother bought a RX-8 when I bought mine and I finally got to drive it when I went to MA. Its pretty freaking sweet and fast. From tracks and all, I believe it beats the M3! Anyways, so lately I have been looking at RX-7s and NSXs ... any ideas/thoughts? Thanks, Shawn

[BASEBALL248]

Originally Posted by ghost

PS. its cool that you had souped up cars other than BMWs before. My brother bought a RX-8 when I bought mine and I finally got to drive it when I went to MA. Its pretty freaking sweet and fast. From tracks and all, I believe it beats the M3! Anyways, so lately I have been looking at RX-7s and NSXs ... any ideas/thoughts? Thanks, Shawn

Not completely versed in either, except I really liked the NSX when it came out. Nice looking and great handling car. Here is a review:
http://philip.greenspun.com/materialism/cars/nsx

The RX-7 has a nice, smooth engine that is high revving and decent top end power but lacks badly in low end torque and giddyup. They are also not fuel efficient.

If these are your only two choices, I would go with the Acura NSX if it has been well maintained...

[Yatti]

...

[e39 bimmer]

Personally, i'm going to VF Engineering for the HP for the bucks verses the HP offered.

Look at what Dinan offeres for $10K compared to VF Engineering Offers for $6K. That's $3K less! Also, with Dinan, the HP stated (after talking to them on the phone) is only possible, POSSIBLE IF, you follow their recommendations and get the

Dinan Free Flow Exhaust, that cost $899.00

mind you. For a grand total of: $TOO FREAKIN' MUCH!

Dinan Supercharger Package:
Price: $9999.00
List of Included Items: Supercharger System
Special Notes: Free Fow Exhaust Recommended. Peak Horsepower Gain: 7 @ 6500 rpm
Peak Torque Gain: 6 lb/ft @ 6500 rpm

Peak Horsepower: 414 @ 5700 rpm
Peak Torque: 412 lb/ft @ 4500 rpm

Without the free flow exhaust, expect Peak HP to be: 407 HP
Without the free flow exhaust, expect Peak TQ to be: 406 LB
hmmmmm get the picture?

VF Engineerig Supercharger Package:

Stage 1 Bolt on "ready to run" 6.0 psi VF-Engineering supercharger system
6.0 PSI; 410 HP/282 Stock; 395 Torque/310 Stock; Price: $6000

That's relatively the same system for 3 Grand less. Check out their link. This is what they say about their system:

10-11 Hours fitting time, fully reversible.

VF-Engineering chose to supercharge the BMW 540 to increase throttle response and mid-to-top end power with the centrifugal Vortech supercharger. With the stock 4.4 liter motor, power and torque are already substantial. However this upgrade is for the V8 enthusiast who demands more than substantial power. The new found power makes the 540 more powerful than a stock E39 M5 in many areas of the rpm range. As a daily driver the supercharged 540 is a mild mannered beast waiting for the throttle body to to be flung open. It is easy to slide the back out under full throttle and send the 5 series V8 to rediculous speeds way above the limit in a split second. Good brakes and self control are suggested pre-requisites.

Yeah, I know. That's with the supercharger. Not everyone can dump $6000 into it like that. But their other products are the same way. The CAI - $499 - $549 (which they state needs the Engine Software for the stated gains to be realized) and Engine Software - $399 - $499 (which they state needs the CAI for the stated gains to be realized) For a grand total of: TOO FREAKIN' MUCH. Kinda sounds like a money racket to me. VF Engineering is about to launch a CAI/Software Package under $400 that will be closely compared to, but expected to exceed what Dinan offers. Look for it and its specs before buying Dinan.

Lengthly but noteworthy research if you are seriously considering performance addons for your bimmer.

[drz]

I recommend the conforti CAI. The DInan is teh goods, but if it costs $550, then foggedaboutit.

Thats weird, because I thought I had check on DInan and teh intake for a 330i M54 is $400 -- that's shady to me (if I am correct)

Originally Posted by e39 bimmer

Look at what Dinan offeres for $10K compared to VF Engineering Offers for $6K. That's $3K less!

10 - 6 =3

No child left behind my ass :

[e39 bimmer]

Yeah, It is $400 for the CAI if you have a M3. Not the case if you have a 540.

I would recheck their page if in doubt. Dinan Website

[drz]

The dude has a 530i.

I wonder why the intake for the 530i costs twice as much as the intake for the 330i, given that they have the same engine. I can see clearly from the pictures that you get something different, but it is still weird to me

[e39 bimmer]

Yeah, I see what you mean. You get something totlly different but that price differenct is unreal? Especially since they are the same engine as you said. It's why I think is all about the Money! Try VF Engineering when you want preformance upgrades. Even TMS or some of the others.

[bimmerZ5]

Forget the intake. Just save up for an ESS Tuning Twinscrew supercharger kit. You'll be much happier.

If you really want to go the CAI route, my vote goes to the Conforti or AFE intake kits.