Cold Air Intake - United Bimmer Community

**mmark31** · 12-06-2007, 11:52 AM

So its the same old story. I am looking for a cold air intake for my '97 328is and I would like to know what everyone thinks. I Have heard good things about the conforti but also the aFe. I am also interested when it comes to the design. Does it really matter if I go with an intake like Dinan with the filter behind the fog light or will I get the same results with the conforti which sits in the engine bay with a heat shield?

**peterkdenny** · 12-06-2007, 05:17 PM

i really dont think any intake setup will make that much of a power difference to be worth two to three hundred dollars (unless its forced induction). you can get one off ebay for $30 and then buy a standard k&n cone filter for 70 if you want to. that said, im going to continue battering my brain into a buttery broth trying to fathom what
phantasmagorical figures frequent my furious forebodings

**iamcreepingdeath** · 12-06-2007, 05:38 PM

dude. that is what i did. I spent like $28 on my intake system, and like $40 on a heat shield from e-bay, and it works great.

BUT, That said, maybe you should spend like $200 on a fitted K&N system and it will be more professional and less "ghetto" like mine.

**mmark31** · 12-06-2007, 05:50 PM

The conforti cold air advertises a 15hp jump which I think is a little high. Either way, I've heard it sounds really good and will give a little better throttle response as well as better pull in the higher rpms

**pswirley** · 12-10-2007, 08:38 AM

www.custombmw.net

this is a link to a local Rocky Mountain company that can help you out.

johnnybayonne · 12-10-2007, 12:08 PM

The AFE is on sale @ Bavarian Autospor> & free shipping!!!
showing products for 1997 328i.
Attachment 919

(Click for a larger image)
If you want more power out of your BMW, you need to let more air in! To keep engine noise at an "acceptable" level, BMW encases the stock air filter in a plastic housing -- a housing which restricts airflow into the engine. Installing a Bavarian Autosport Power Flow kit eliminates that housing, allowing more air to enter the engine so it can breathe as deeply as it wants. You get stepped-up performance you can both feel and hear. Installation for most kits is a simple, bolt-on procedure. Kits include reusable cone air filter, filter mount, bracket, instructions and hardware (where applicable). This kit increases power up to 31 hp and torque up to 25 ftlbs.

Part Number Description Price Qty.
54-10171 AFE Power Flow Intake Kit
ON SALE! $240.25
Reg. $266.95

**gldfshkpr** · 12-10-2007, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnnybayonne

This kit increases power up to 31 hp and torque up to 25 ftlbs.

Excellent information, but I have a hard time believing the HP and Torque gains. Do you have any way to backup those claims? If you do, that's the first performance mod I'll make.

**peterkdenny** · 12-10-2007, 08:04 PM

yea theres no way an intake will give you 31 hp. k&n's intake is a similar setup and its dyno tested at a 8.66 hp gain. the 31 hp gain is probably for something like the m6 that already has horsepower coming out its earballs in the first place

johnnybayonne · 12-10-2007, 08:58 PM

I'm not agreeing that this AFE intake is going to give you that much hp, but the key statement is UP TO 31 HP !!! Which is not likely, but if you want a good quality intake system that fits well at a fair price & free shipping. The AFE is not a bad choice!!!!

**pswirley** · 12-10-2007, 09:33 PM

First of all, for a mod that does nothing in an inline six cylinder engine except give it better throttle response and a great sound, over 200 dollars is not what I would call a fair price.

Secondly, at over 200 dollars, I am sure that shipping is included in the markup.

Dont overspend on this mod, keeping in mind that you will need to get a chip and exhaust to go with it. Save the big bucks for the important stuff like suspension and brakes.

www.custombmw.net everything on this site is free shipping, only CAI's are about $150 dollars less. I use it all of the time.

**94bmw325i** · 12-11-2007, 12:04 AM

Do get gains from an intake, you should get a full 3.5" intake and then get a better exhaust setup, and a good tune.

**pswirley** · 12-11-2007, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pswirley

Dont overspend on this mod, keeping in mind that you will need to get a chip and exhaust to go with it.

ORLY. If you add to a CAI you can get gains, but CAI alone is not the answer for your power needs. That means the gains are coming from somewhere else, not the CAI. It works in conjunction with other mods, but not alone.

**pswirley** · 12-11-2007, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 94bmw325i

Do get gains from an intake, you should get a full 3.5" intake and then get a better exhaust setup, and a good tune.

3.5" ECIS CAIw/heatshield, Dinan Chip, M3 Exhaust. Anything else I should get????

johnnybayonne · 12-11-2007, 01:33 PM

Maybe mmark31 & I are just happy with our salads, & we don't need that greasy double cheeseburger to go with it. We love to keep ourselves healthy & its worth the $240.00 bucks!!! As for the CAI, maybe we are not looking for any gains in hp, but we like the CAI vs. that stock "Hot air filter box".............................................. ......

**pswirley** · 12-11-2007, 01:51 PM

Are you reading my posts????

I am all for a CAI. In fact, I have a 3.5" CAI myself. I am not going to believe that its necessary to pay in excess of $200 to have one when I know that gains from a CAI alone will be minimal if any on an inline 6 cylinder engine. Get an off brand less expensive CAI and put your mod money to good use and get an exhaust, chip or both to go with your CAI to make it a more effective upgrade.

You go spend over 200 dollars on CAI and I will say thats a great mod and good for you.

I will spend 75 for the same piece of bent mandrel pipe and a filter without a fancy namebrand sticker, then put the other $125+ into other mods for my car.