DIY $20 Cold Air Box

[sbarton]

In my quest to find a little more HP on the cheap I insulated my stock fogged airbox from the engine heat and made it so that fogged openings on the air box only get cold air.  I added openings in the front plastic sheild to allow cold air in to the fogged holes.  I also added several more openings to the air box since it was now only getting cold air.  

Parts needed:
1 roll 16" Reflectix ($15 Home Depot)
1 roll Aluminum Foil Duct Tape ($5)



I basically removed and wrapped the stock airbox in the Reflectix usinig the aluminum duct tape to secure it.  Then added an extra peice of reflectix in the engine side for more insulation.  And finally added another peice to the front of the box to cover the hole in the front so it could only get cold air from the headlight area.  I added aluminum tape to the front edges of the flap that extends to the headlight opening so that it could be easily bent and hold its position.  





















More pics here: http://picasaweb.google.com/ScottBarton76/BMWE30ColdAirBox#

-Scott

[Andy_Casey]

Have you done any measurements to see if it reduces IATs? Could take a resistance measurement off the AFM temperature sensor? Be interesting to see how much of a difference it makes.

[sbarton]

Haven't done any testing as I just installed it and won't be able to really test until the spring.  

I did make a similar cold air box for my Grand Prix GTP and there was a noticeable difference.  .2 seconds in the quarter mile.  I'm sure an E30 will not see that much improvement though.


-Scott

[Andy_Casey]

That's a few hp then

Might have a look at my S2 as the aribox is about 5 inches from the EM, turbo, wastegate... nice work Audi LOL.

[n.wesl]

Any follow up on this? Did it work? Thinking about doing this on my low budget. Thanks.

[Balkanac]

it doent look too hard and im thinking of doing it, but id like to know if there are any gains before i butcher my airbox