Author Topic: CAI actual gains? worth the cost? (Read 4057 times)

Max55 · « **on:** January 19, 2010, 07:05:01 PM »

I have really read some conflicting information on these for our cars. Some say a few ponies can be gained, others, nothing and that the stock intake is well designed. I had to get new exhaust a while back, so i have a magnaflow thing, sounds meh, but it is almost straight through so I imagine it flows pretty good. but i have also heard the stock exhaust is good. :confused::confused::confused: I am looking to do all the non turbo mods now, see if they can tide over my hunger for more power, im coming from a firebird. Bmw out handles the bird and is awesome but needs more ooommf!!!

DesktopDave · « **Reply #1 on:** January 19, 2010, 07:29:10 PM »

Most of the mods I've seen on the site are more for longevity than sheer power. Turbos, M52 swaps, DASC and LS1's are for the HP junkies...the Downing Atlanta supercharger (DASC) is a nice bit of kit, but I think they're worth 3x more than my car. I keep an eye open for one though. Just missed on on CL about 6 months ago.

BMW did their homework with the car. They don't have the handicap of the V8's low clearance for an intake manifold. The runners are really long & flow well stock for mid-range torque. I've heard the e36 dual-resonance intake is even better. The stock tubular exhaust header is more than adequate.

Metric Mechanic offers a 200hp "2100cc Rally" M42/M44 NA engine, but $9K is a little steep for me. They also list a 300HP blown motor. That motor would be quite the handful, I expect.

I'll bet a higher ratio diff & insulation delete (I can't believe how heavy that tar stuff is) would cut 1/2 sec off 0-60...

carguy101 · « **Reply #2 on:** March 28, 2010, 02:12:19 PM »

what is this dual-resonance intake you speak of dave? sounds interesting...

deekay · « **Reply #3 on:** March 28, 2010, 03:38:51 PM »

my car's missing a headlight right now because my neighbor backed into it, and there is a noticeable difference from having the airbox exposed to ambient.

i've redone my valance so the area that held the brake duct/fog blank is just a big hole now, and i think i'm gonna find some way to duct that to the airbox inlet.

some people just remove the DS high-beam and put an inlet there... not how i'd go about it but it probably helps too.

bmwconnect · « **Reply #4 on:** March 28, 2010, 11:33:51 PM »

2-5hp max!! The AFM is just to restrictive

Ryann · « **Reply #5 on:** March 29, 2010, 09:50:23 PM »

carguy101: Dave's talking about the stock intake manifold for the e36 318i/s. to reply to the initial post: I have yet to see a before and after dyno showing real gains in either HP or torque on a stock engine. until I see this, I'm going to call bullshit on the whole CIA scene. In my experience they are substantially louder than stock and are way higher maintenance when using an exposed washable filter.

bmwconnect · « **Reply #6 on:** March 29, 2010, 10:09:04 PM »

If you delete the air box and run a elbow down to behind the bumper with a K&N cone filter you will see gains. Just don't let the air filter sit to low or you will ingest some water or gum up the filter quickly. The gains are nothing to brag about

dwtaylorpdx · « **Reply #7 on:** March 30, 2010, 12:01:29 AM »

As much as people like to dis the air flow meter, I've seen some pretty high end testing that showed the meter really has little affect on air flow. Until you hit about the absolute max air flow which is equivalent to about 7800 RPM

I don't go there very often in a street car....

CAI gains almost always have a effective RPM range, so it may give you more punch up at the top end and hurt the bottom end.

YMMV

Dave