Intake Lowdown?

[SpeedTheory]

Basically, I'm looking for an E36 M3 intake that is fairly quiet at low RPMs, and sings when you really get on it, but isn't a "cop magnet". Basically, a good complement for a Stromung exhaust.

[///Mundr]

I have a conforti carbon fiber CIA and you can't hear it at all unless you really get on the gas or are at high rpm's...hope that helps a little :/

[shim]

i think all the aftermarket intakes for our cars will be like that.

when you punch the throttle, thats when you hear it roar......

[billapex]

Love my K&N FIPK. It sounds just like you're wanting--quiet at part throttle and screams at WOT.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v517/billapex/KN1.jpg

[CarbonBlkE36]

dinan CAI

[shim]

besides, the only setup that will really scream all the time is having ITB's. otherwise, you'll never be too loud unless you punch it.

[TyphoidRummage]

I've got the ECIS and it too sounds like what you've described. I don't even notice it until after 4k rpm, and the sound after that is really nice... starts at a deep growl and roars at 6k I don't know if the ECIS web site still has the special going on this intake, but I got mine back in Feb. for $199 before shipping and I'm really enjoying it. And a breeze to install.

[atizzle]

Love my K&N FIPK. It sounds just like you're wanting--quiet at part throttle and screams at WOT.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v517/billapex/KN1.jpg

where did you get it, and how much did you pay?

[M3boarder]

i cant believe no ones recommended cosmos.

$134 shipped for bfc members and its 3.5" instead of 3. if you want a carb certified one though, get an ECIS for 200ish. dinans are seriously overpriced for a simple pipe and filter.

[SpeedTheory]

Any gains at all from ECIS (I'm assuming none, just curious). I'd be pairing it with a Stromung exhaust. Anything else along with those two that its recommended to get? I'm not trying to get a ton of power, just eke out a little bit more over stock.

[atizzle]

+1
interested to know the answer to this too. probably wont help too much without a chip

[M3boarder]

Any gains at all from ECIS (I'm assuming none, just curious). I'd be pairing it with a Stromung exhaust. Anything else along with those two that its recommended to get? I'm not trying to get a ton of power, just eke out a little bit more over stock.

most intakes will get you the same gains, which is why its pointless to spend 350 on a CAI. usually they will all give you like 5hp at the crank. but ive felt more of a noticeable gain on the butt dyno from my cai than my exhaust. but, any quality intake you get paired up with the stromung will make the car sound much more lively.

[TyphoidRummage]

Yup... great sound and possibly 5 or so honest HP with your Stromung. If you know your car well you'll notice it more in throttle response more than anything. It'll have just a bit more pep.

[rcM3]

I'm happy with the CF gruppeM replica intake... it does exactly what you described. I got it from Umnitza a while back and have a write up somewhere.

Like was already said though.... your going to get pretty much what you described in the initial thread from just about any intake. Cosmos IS the best value.. Period.

If youre worried about hydrolock... than stick with a short-ram or the kind that I have.

Just make sure whatever you get has a 3.5 inch tube coming out of it as opposed to 3". Otherwise when you go to upgrade stuff later you will be SOL and need a new intake.

[SpeedTheory]

If I get a 3.5in intake, does that mean I need to swap over to the bigger HFM right away? Which would mean bigger injectors, and software, right away?

[E36M3E]

Any gains at all from ECIS (I'm assuming none, just curious). I'd be pairing it with a Stromung exhaust. Anything else along with those two that its recommended to get? I'm not trying to get a ton of power, just eke out a little bit more over stock.

why would you assume no gains from ECIS intake? they all do the same thing.

a Dinan snob once told me that unless the tube turned the corner and went down toward the ground that it wasn't really getting cold air. well, he is full of crap because I hooked up my computer with OBDII scan software, velcroed the IAT sensor to the inside of the ECIS heat shield, and the IAT was only 3-5 deg higher than ambient...and the crude temp probe I velcroed to the outside of the ECIS heat shield was 30deg above ambient and the car wasn't even up to full temp.

I got my ECIS for about 180 shipped IRRC. and they have a 3.5" CARB cert version which is kinda odd because if you change your meter or anything after the meter your going to be illegal in CA.

and no, you don't have to change your meter if you get the 3.5" CAI. you get the reducer to make the union to your 3" meter...and then when/if you decide to get the 3.5" meter you don't have to replace your CAI piping and filter.

[SpeedTheory]

Are there "reducers" for all of the intakes, and can they just be ordered from the manufacturer that way?

[E36M3E]

Are there "reducers" for all of the intakes, and can they just be ordered from the manufacturer that way?

a reducer is only required if you are putting a 3.5" intake on a car with only a 3" MAF sensor.

if you don't want the reducer in there just order a 3" CAI.

[umnitza]

we carry both ECIS and the Carbon Fiber intake.

Both have their merits depending on what you are looking for.

[SpeedTheory]

Well I'd want to get a 3.5 intake for future use, I'm just wondering if you can order them both in one fell swoop, and if it makes anything much different than just using a 3in, other than future upgradability.

[m3mobbin]

Since CAI's don't really give much power gains and they all sound similar, you might as well go with the Gruppe M style one since it looks the best.

[Casebrius]

Cosmos is 3.5" but still fits 3" HFM. Buy it, do it! I got one last week, it rocks.

[HBpredhunter]

cosmos is the best if you want a KN style air filter (which suck for filtering)

conforti foam filters a bit better, but paper is the best.

they all sound the same, short ram being a BIT louder at wide open.

id recommend umnitza though, they have cheap prices and take care of you. my laminex got lost in the mail and he sent me a set no extra charge.

[M3boarder]

i second the cosmos cai if you dont care about being carb certified. i have it and i dont have a 3.5" HFM. its the best deal in town and once you get to 5k at WOT, the thing absolutely screams :buttrock

[Theodore]

Is this for an M or your 318?

[Casebrius]

the Dinan tube type does sound a little differant than the short ram type. I had just a K&N filter on mine right off the HFM and then put a Cosmos on. The cosmos was louder.

[SpeedTheory]

For an M. The 318 is a commuter car.