350i Breathing

[richo_i]

Been having a nose around under the lid of MOH and from what I can see it looks as if she still has the origanal air filter orange thing with a chrome bit in the middle, anyone have any suggestions as to improved breathing by changing this ie K + n, bmc cda ect ? Ian

[badredwedge]

K & N about 50 beer tokens, better breathing and better induction roar

[adam quantrill]

... or wait till the wife goes out and stick it in the washing machine ;^)

Spray with WD40 before use so it picks up the dirt properly.

[richo_i]

adam quantrill said:

... or wait till the wife goes out and stick it in the washing machine ;^)

Spray with WD40 before use so it picks up the dirt properly.

So you don't think there is an improvement to be made by changing ?

[dickymint]

Richo - Unless it's foam do not put it in the washing machine! I removed the original one (foam) many years ago and fitted an extension flexi hose with a 'plastic' type filter on the end. It was zip tied and dangling down the side of the engine in an attempt to draw in cold air. I was advised against this for fear of hydraulicising (water getting into the engine from road spray). I ran it for years with no problem but made numbnuts aware of the potential problem. He probably changed this for what you have now.

[richo_i]

dickymint said:

Richo - Unless it's foam do not put it in the washing machine! I removed the original one (foam) many years ago and fitted an extension flexi hose with a 'plastic' type filter on the end. It was zip tied and dangling down the side of the engine in an attempt to draw in cold air. I was advised against this for fear of hydraulicising (water getting into the engine from road spray). I ran it for years with no problem but made numbnuts aware of the potential problem. He probably changed this for what you have now.

Looks like that it is the same filter but has been put to the top of the engine. Oh also had a look at the imob and it looks like it my be turned on (key slot points to the right) so if you get chance the blipper would be handy.

[adam quantrill]

richo_i said:

adam quantrill said:

... or wait till the wife goes out and stick it in the washing machine ;^)

Spray with WD40 before use so it picks up the dirt properly.

So you don't think there is an improvement to be made by changing ?

I have washed both the original old foam type, and the later K&N Maroon ones. I reckon they'll survive at least 2 washes, the foam ones probably 4 or 5. What have you got to lose - you'll only have to bin the old one if you replace it.

[richo_i]

Was thinking of a K&N ru 1500 mounted straight on the afm but I am a little cocerned about the lack of airflow under the unvented 350i bonnet.

[adam quantrill]

There's no problem flowing air in - after all there are a load of big gaps around the engine. Where there are problems is heat build-up - after all the hotter the air is that goes in, the less dense it is. So if the air is 30C hotter because of engine heat it's about 10% less dense - so that's 10% less power.

Some people have put a shroud around the air filter and taken a large flexible hose to the front air dam to duct in cool air. There might also be a mild ram air effect if you plumb it right.

[richo_i]

Thanks sounds like a spring time project that I can have a crack at even with my limited knowledge and tools.

[dickymint]

richo_i said:

dickymint said:

Richo - Unless it's foam do not put it in the washing machine! I removed the original one (foam) many years ago and fitted an extension flexi hose with a 'plastic' type filter on the end. It was zip tied and dangling down the side of the engine in an attempt to draw in cold air. I was advised against this for fear of hydraulicising (water getting into the engine from road spray). I ran it for years with no problem but made numbnuts aware of the potential problem. He probably changed this for what you have now.

Looks like that it is the same filter but has been put to the top of the engine. Oh also had a look at the imob and it looks like it my be turned on (key slot points to the right) so if you get chance the blipper would be handy.

Had the blipper all ready to post to you........then Sam had a tidy up Will sort when found again. Trust me though, it was and still is turned off cos the neighbours got fed up with the alarm going off. However make sure that the supply cable from the batery is always connected or She will not start.

[rev-erend]

Sounds like a rip it out - alarm job.. with the K & N be better than an old filter - Yes. Will it make heaps more power .. I'd say no. Not enough to feel. But as it's new and shiny - it will make you proud