different air boxes.. whats the main difference?

[Vanne]

Hi, I've been looking at a bunch of different air boxes that will fit the E46 M3, some CSL boxes, other Ram air boxes and some other ones again. The two main types I've come across are these


and


There is another one also, which has provisions for the MAF.



Now i am looking at the top 2 ones, pref goes to the one piece as its much, much cheaper, but lacks the inner CSL OEM filter..

wondering how probable it would be to stick the Oem maF, with a pre filter on the front of that unit. I realise, you'd have to chop and change a few bits and pieces, but in theory this should be do-able… (though have only seen one other person do it (ebay seller that sells a snorkel for the front of the intake with the Maf glued on behind that.)

I am pretty handy, so i recon id be able to furnish this, but would it work? would the Maf still function as its designed to? The only reason I want to stay away from running a tune that negates the MAF is I've heard that these tunes don't run that great with the temperature extremes that we have here in Dubai.. needless to say, it gets BLOODY hot! (freaking 44 today, and it aint even summer yet )

anyways, any input from you guys, as always, would be more than appreciated..

[inTgr8r]

Don't know much about those boxes, who makes them?

[fdagen]

I heard the reason for the MAF deleted is too much airflow for the sensor to be effective, but I am no expert. I have seen a setup with a modified sensor harness, but I forget which setup uses it. Maybe the bmw csl setup.

[Vanne]

Come on fdagen, think man, think! (Trekkie ref) where did you see it? when?

reducing the inlet from 190 to 110 is mostly what I've seen in lots of pics, and the programming in the Zed is adaptive for airflow. Just have to find a way to make the maf sit nicely. a few maf screens on ebay come to mind, but id have to have the intake in hand (currently in shipping) to have a good look.

since there will be a pre filter before the maf on my intake, hopefully things will not be all that dis similar. I might need to chase up a stock filter box that i can chop up and refurb its maf into the carbon intake.. there are also a few reducers for sale on ebay with provisions for maf built in..

I am thinking a bit of research will have to be done including a bit of brain storming..

first things first, gotta wait for the intake to get here, then dis assemble the car and see how and where what fits.. (gonna disassemble the bumper at the same time, as i have to work also on my lights, angel eye update coming

either way, id say lets come up with some ideas, ill start doodling some when i am in Amsterdam on my next layover…

any ideas you guys got, don't be shy, lets hear them

Oh, i should mention, that Yeah i bought the second type, without the filter in the middle..

[sergekal]

let me know how this eBay air box will sound and how is the fitment. thank you

[sergekal]

Which ebay user you bought airbox ?

[Vanne]

I didn't buy the box from ebay, just used one of their images. but I believe the ebay one is the same.. mine shipped from Hongkong, so no doubt it comes from over there. The one I have a guy bought from Turners a few years ago, but never used it, it was still sealed in the box.. took him a while to send though.

this is the one I have

http://www.turnermotorsport.com/imag..._plenum_lg.jpg

looking at the images, they look identical, so most probably exactly the same box as on ebay...

[pokeybritches]

I would go for alpha-n with a tuner that can datalog and remote tune. With alpha-n, every scenario has to be programmed in, so some tuners may not have accurate maps for extreme temperatures. I don't think it's anything some datalogging couldn't fix... it's that they don't have the data and have to best guess.

The MAF sensor's location is important too, though I'm not sure how much difference it makes. IIRC some members had MAF issues with Simota carbon intakes, even when retaining the majority of the stock system and MAF sensor. Retaining the MAF may cause you as many problems as an alpha-n tune. And, the MAF is a small restriction in the intake that robs a few horsepower.

[Vanne]

Yeah, the pokey, I got Randy on the case so maff less for me..
When's your car back mate? Getting any closer?

[pokeybritches]

I spoke with them Thursday, and it's looking like mid-week next week. I'll be out of town, so it may be another week and a half. At that time the baseline was done, pulley and belt in hand, meth injection 50-60% done, and tuning would start in the next few days. Getting excited

[Vanne]

sounds bloody great mate, bet your getting stoked mind if i ask you what they charge for a dyno run?