Question about an intake on OBDII

[Dahboo]

Someone told me that installing an intake (cold-air, direct air charger, etc..) on an OBDII car without reprogramming the ECU will not help power, but could hurt it because the ECU will override and try to compensate for the change in intake air volume.. or something to that effect.

If I were to install an intake on my '97 M3, would it hurt anything if i did it without upgrading the software, or would it only be a less noticable gain without reprogramming?

Thanks in advance!

[hal9000]

Won't hurt anything, but won't get a ton of gain either. Then again, a CAI w/ software isn't going to give you huge numbers anyway (roughly 10hp/12 ft/lbs). You get the software to smooth out the idle, improve throttle response and remove the top speed limiter.

[Dahboo]

Won't hurt anything, but won't get a ton of gain either. Then again, a CAI w/ software isn't going to give you huge numbers anyway (roughly 10hp/12 ft/lbs). You get the software to smooth out the idle, improve throttle response and remove the top speed limiter.
Yeah, I didn't think it would necessarily HURT anything, but maybe just be a smaller gain.

Thanks :)

[Loud_TIGER]

grab an M50 intake manifold on that 3.2, and then get software. it should help quite a bit.

[Mad Dog 20/20]

A decent CAI is a dyno-proven 10 hp gain at the wheels on an otherwise stock OBD2 car.

[CStricker]

Just put on a Cosmos Racing CAI yesterday. It's hot.