Carbon fiber air box

[Scope951]

So the other day I got to hear the CSL carbon fiber air box on an e46 and boy was it amazing!

Is it the airbox or carbon fiber or both that make this MEAN sound?

Any suggestions on CAI or what not to achieve a similar Beastliness for an e36 and where to get it?

Thanks!

[Ant118]

Only way I know is swap in a Euro S50 and throw on the Alpha-N and Airbox

[GacAttack]

Can anyone comment (accurately) on the thermoconductivity of carbon fibre? I am wondering about its effectiveness as a CAI, since the stock M3 airbox is already, by design, a CAI.

The sound is a function of shape and material. The resonance associated with a specific application of form and material is also influenced by the medium in which the sound is created-- air, in this case. Changing one variable undoubtedly changes the resulting sound; however the resulting change may not be significant (ie, changing between a polyprop and a PVC synthetic mold is not likely to create a noticeable change in sound, but changing to metal will be HELLA noticeable).

To answer the question more directly: that sound is created by both the airbox shape and the carbon fibre material.

[Rennmeister M3]

Can anyone comment (accurately) on the thermoconductivity of carbon fibre? I am wondering about its effectiveness as a CAI, since the stock M3 airbox is already, by design, a CAI.

You would have to look up the conductivity of the resin you used to form the tube. The carbon material itself just has the conductivity of carbon, but can vary depending upon the manufacturing process involved.

Long story short, it's not aluminum, but it's not ceramic.

It's light, it's expensive, and it's brittle. So if you want a light, expensive, and brittle intake then carbon fiber is your ticket. Otherwise a simple aluminum tube and some affordable insulation will work just fine.

[GacAttack]

You would have to look up the conductivity of the resin you used to form the tube. The carbon material itself just has the conductivity of carbon, but can vary depending upon the manufacturing process involved.

Long story short, it's not aluminum, but it's not ceramic.

It's light, it's expensive, and it's brittle. So if you want a light, expensive, and brittle intake then carbon fiber is your ticket. Otherwise a simple aluminum tube and some affordable insulation will work just fine.

/slaps self in head; Duh, the resin. Thanks.

+1 on expensive and brittle. It is too often neglected that carbon fibre products demonstrate a strength due only in small part to the carbon fibre as a material. Most of its rigidity is derived from the application of its weave.