Author Topic: Swapped a fog light for another intake (Read 5223 times)

Vorpal · « **on:** July 12, 2008, 09:13:08 PM »

The previous owner of this car removed the stock airbox (and probably tossed it in the trash) in favor of a cone filter. Despite the cool racer (ricer?) sound, this "performance improvement" has left my poor M42 sucking in hot engine bay air.

So, what to do? I don't mind the cone filter, but I need someway to get cooler air through it. I like all of my driving lights where they are, so removing one of those is not an option. I do have this spare brake vent intake... and my fog light on the opposite side is busted... and three airdam intakes does look cooler than two :rolleyes:

STEP ONE: FITTING THE VENT

The busted driver's side fog light.

Gone.

The extra passenger's side brake vent just might fit.

It required some cutting.

And a bracket (aluminum L stock with stainless hardware).

Fitted. Looks like there is a V-shaped gap between the new vent and the existing brake vent. I'll have to come up with something to fill that later.

Sprayed with flat black (found a can in a box, I thought I was out!)

Step Two will be getting this new air source to the filter (or getting the filter down to this air source). Stay tuned.

Matt-B · « **Reply #1 on:** July 15, 2008, 01:36:36 AM »

sweet deal man, some how fill that gap on the edgeor maybe play with the fog and use it as a duct?

Wizard · « **Reply #2 on:** July 15, 2008, 08:14:01 AM »

I had this same idea a while back but could never get it to look quite right...As Matt pointed out that there is a gap between the 2 vents. I may try to make a "frame" out of fiberglass that the 2 vents actually fit into.
I was planning to run some hose from the stock air box, down to the additional vent. There is enough room in front of the ABS system to drill a 3" or 4" hole for the air hose ducting.

Vorpal · « **Reply #3 on:** July 16, 2008, 09:05:51 AM »

Yeah, I'll figure out something to fill the gap. I have an idea, but it's of questionable "mod taste" and involves black caulk :rolleyes:

Quote from: Wizard;53322

There is enough room in front of the ABS system to drill a 3" or 4" hole for the air hose ducting.

Yep, that's exactly where I am planning on running the duct.

John W · « **Reply #4 on:** July 16, 2008, 01:48:50 PM »

This was pretty popular among the 318ti crowd, who referred to it as "fogging" the airbox. When I had my 97 ti, I cut a hole in the top of the brake cooling duct and ran a wide intake pipe (purchased from local autoparts store) up the factory airbox (which I cut a hole in the front of to accommodate this new intake pipe). I like your idea of installing a dedicated air source for this better. Check out http://www.318ti.org and maybe http://www.understeer.com -- both may have a few good ideas ....

Vorpal · « **Reply #5 on:** July 17, 2008, 09:31:20 AM »

Quote from: John W;53367

This was pretty popular among the 318ti crowd, who referred to it as "fogging" the airbox. When I had my 97 ti, I cut a hole in the top of the brake cooling duct and ran a wide intake pipe (purchased from local autoparts store) up the factory airbox (which I cut a hole in the front of to accommodate this new intake pipe). I like your idea of installing a dedicated air source for this better. Check out http://www.318ti.org and maybe http://www.understeer.com -- both may have a few good ideas ....

Thanks for the compliment and the tips!

I used to have an M44-powered Z3, and I Fogged the airbox on that car based on Shawn Fogg's original instructions for the Z3:

http://ackthud.com/shawnfogg/1_9airbox.htm

He mentions the changes for Fogging an E36 318i/ti at the bottom.

nomad · « **Reply #6 on:** July 17, 2008, 10:19:38 AM »

Hoe about a little fiberglass patch and some bondo? Smooth it all out and it'll look like one panel with two holes? Painted black, nobody will really be close enough to notice imperfections

Vorpal · « **Reply #7 on:** July 17, 2008, 11:46:39 AM »

Quote from: nomad;53392

Hoe about a little fiberglass patch and some bondo? Smooth it all out and it'll look like one panel with two holes? Painted black, nobody will really be close enough to notice imperfections

Good suggestion, but that's a little too permanent for my taste. I can accomplish nearly the same thing with paintable black caulk, which can easily be pulled out at any time if I need to remove the vent(s) for some reason (like if I want to return the car to stock in order to sell the car).

nomad · « **Reply #8 on:** July 17, 2008, 01:04:27 PM »

you going to do both sides so they match?
Keep posting pics, I knew it didn't fit perfectly but i like the idea of it.

Vorpal · « **Reply #9 on:** July 17, 2008, 04:39:08 PM »

Quote from: nomad;53401

you going to do both sides so they match?

No, it will be asymmetric. I might make a black blanking plate and take the other fog light out, though.

nomad · « **Reply #10 on:** July 24, 2008, 05:35:12 PM »

Ever thought about a NACA duct in a fog blank out plate? Might be just as easy.