Karbonius CF reproduction of standard S54 plenum **PROTOTYPE VIDEO**

[07ImolaRot]

Originally Posted by TurboDream17

Unfortunately it’s not just a sniffer test (as it should be) - it includes a visual inspection under the hood, and anything aftermarket on the intake side that isn’t marked with a CARB sticker is a fail

Not to say it’s impossible to find a tech who doesn’t care, but in my experience most do.

I am just saying that it is silly as hell ! What about the air filter? does that have to be OEM too? Maybe an aftermarket brand should fail smog as well. Where do you draw the line lol? silly California !

[MBan]

Has anyone else installed the airbox yet?

I'll be doing mine tomorrow and it would be great to hear more tips, particularly regarding getting the plastic elbow to attach properly to the airbox.

[maupineda]

The installation is not as easy as one may think, but not terrible. If you use the stock air filter box, it is fiddly to get all in place. With the Eventuri it will be easier as there is more space.

Get anti-slip tape to prevent the elbow boot to slip off, or some epdm window sealers, the thinest one.

All plugs fit the Karbonius just as per factory.

I am running the stock air filter box with the sound generator, and it sounds good, but the growl is to deep, and not the wale sound as the CSL or when match with the eventuri.

Unfortunately my Eventuri filter is not with me and that is why I have to do with the OE air filter for now.

Last tip, use either teflon tape, or thread sealer to prevent any leak.

[MBan]

Originally Posted by maupineda

The installation is not as easy as one may think, but not terrible. If you use the stock air filter box, it is fiddly to get all in place. With the Eventuri it will be easier as there is more space.

Get anti-slip tape to prevent the elbow boot to slip off, or some epdm window sealers, the thinest one.

All plugs fit the Karbonius just as per factory.

I am running the stock air filter box with the sound generator, and it sounds good, but the growl is to deep, and not the wale sound as the CSL or when match with the eventuri.

Unfortunately my Eventuri filter is not with me and that is why I have to do with the OE air filter for now.

Last tip, use either teflon tape, or thread sealer to prevent any leak.

Attachment 3035706

Attachment 3035707

Attachment 3035708

Excellent - thank you!

Where did you use the teflon tape?

[maupineda]

Originally Posted by MBan

Excellent - thank you!

Where did you use the teflon tape?

On the screws of the underside bracket, the rubber mounts threads (2 under the box, one for the oil dipstick).

[MBan]

Originally Posted by maupineda

On the screws of the underside bracket, the rubber mounts threads (2 under the box, one for the oil dipstick).

Thanks. Hopefully I'll get it installed today.

[maupineda]

Mine is complete, as stated before, I had to use the OE air filter as my Eventuri is no on hand, but I did install the sound generator, the installation is pretty clean, the one thing I do not like is that there is very little clearance from the OE air filter to the Karb airbox

All buttoned up



Here you can see the sound generator



Sound-wise, the generator floods the cabin, and the growl is deep in tone and cannot hear the induction noise from the airbox. that shall change once I have the Eventuri on. I will try to do a sound clip.

I like the look, it is not as flashy as the CSL, but still looks pretty cool.

[MBan]

Awesome!

I think the Z4 install with the stock air filter housing looks better than in the E46. Somehow the spacing between the elbow, airbox and plenum looks better... noting that you said the airbox is a bit too close to the plenum!

[TurboDream17]

The CSL crankcase vent hoses (11157833649) seem to be back ordered until February. Anybody know of where they may be in stock? Or anybody happen to have an extra they’re willing to sell to me?

[MBan]

Originally Posted by TurboDream17

The CSL crankcase vent hoses (11157833649) seem to be back ordered until February. Anybody know of where they may be in stock? Or anybody happen to have an extra they’re willing to sell to me?

I got mine from Schmiedmann, and it looks like they still have stock:

https://www.schmiedmann.com/en/cata-ol?q=11157833649#

[TurboDream17]

Originally Posted by MBan

I got mine from Schmiedmann, and it looks like they still have stock:

https://www.schmiedmann.com/en/cata-ol?q=11157833649#

👍🏻 I have 3 irons in the fire now, so hopefully one of them comes through!

[MBan]

I got my Karbonius plenum installed yesterday but didn't get a chance to have a proper drive until today.

Notes on the installation:
- pretty straightforward, even for someone like me that isn't very experienced.
- I used silicone tape around the plenum opening. This gives a grippy surface without leaving a residue.
- I had some trouble with the location of the dipstick - it was too close to the plenum and rubbed when I was putting the plenum. In the end I used rubber washers on the mount to space the dipstick away from the plenum, which worked fine (see one of the images below).
- The hose that comes from the elbow (only Z4s have this) joins up with the electrical conduit that is mounted to the side of the dipstick. There is a mount on the standard plenum for these but not the Karbonius plenum. I zip-tied them up but it's not ideal (see photo below).
- I tried to install the stock air filter housing but it was contacting the electrical conduit on the side of the dipstick and the dipstick itself. Even if I hadn't of used the spacers, it would have been close. So, I just installed my Eventuri straight away. Bit of a bummer as I wanted to do some tests with the stock air filter housing.

Notes on Karbonius plenum performance
- After GuggagZ4M said with an Eventuri it was equivalent sound-wise to the full CSL intake, I had some pretty high expectations, and it didn't quite live up to them.
- Having said that, I had a long drive today and there is a definite change in tone and increase in volume. Particularly, the CSL 'warble' is much clearer now. Low revs (~3,000rpm) in 3rd and 4th really accentuate the sound and overall, the intake is just more present everywhere all the time.
- I did a freeway on-ramp today with concrete barriers and the sound was epic! I stuffed up the recording up of this unfortunately.
- I've never been in a car with a CSL intake and I'd be really keen to see how they compare.
- Overall, I'm happy with the plenum and knowing what I know now, I would still buy it.

I made a video, which includes the car in stock form, with Supersprint V2 headers and cat'd S-pipe, and then with headers, s-pipe, x-pipe, Powerloops and Eventuri and the current spec which is all the previous except the x-pipe (which I took off a while ago) plus the Karbonius plenum. I included the videos of the stock intake with the headers and s-pipe because when I added these it was much harder to hear the intake. So, this is probably the best baseline for the Karbonius plenum. Sorry for the funny framing in some of the videos - no one wants to see my face!







Video link:
https://youtu.be/az7Qdm6EMbo

[maupineda]

I made some videos, I logged the rev range where CSL noise is more prevalent in general

So here is the first. The Karb OE Style box and no sound generator, with OE air filter

https://youtube.com/shorts/bmSzhwQCnwM?feature=share

This is with the sound generator and the foam filter in the pipe

https://youtube.com/shorts/fNH9vhFaSO0?feature=share

This is with the sound generator and the foam filter removed

https://youtube.com/shorts/4Asysvdy3aQ?feature=share

I think I like the foam option, without it, the noise is to rich in bass, and sounds synthetic, so I will run it with it and when the Eventuri comes, it would be the perfect combo IMO

[TurboDream17]

Originally Posted by maupineda

This is with the sound generator and the foam filter in the pipe

What foam filter and pipe are you referring to?

[maupineda]

See this thread

https://www.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=63037

[GuggagZ4M]

Originally Posted by maupineda

See this thread

https://www.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=63037

I would like to briefly explain something about the sound generator here, as it could otherwise lead to confusion.


I use or sell a completely different sound generator than the one from the link in the quoted article.

It is not the sound generator from the M54 engines e.g. from the Z4 3.0i etc. or E46 Compact.


Mine is an own tested development with components from BMW and another high quality car manufacturer.

I always add a piece of normal foam as insulation (you can get it anywhere in a DIY store). This can be cut even shorter to create an individual sound.

If, for example, you find the sound too loud or annoying on longer journeys (this is also the case with the original CSL airbox...), you can use it. People who drive this in everyday life or on long journeys are sometimes annoyed by it. With the sound generator, you can simply pull the hose out of the interior in 10 seconds with a flick of the wrist and then drive absolutely standard. If you want the sound again, just put the hose back in the hole and you're done.

The sound of the sound generator is very similar to that of the CSL airbox or the Karbonius OEM airbox. However, it is a bit bassier (depending on how you use the foam). Some even find it better. I prefer it a bit brighter myself. But all in all, you can say:

The volume of the sound generator and the OEM Karbonius airbox is identical on the inside.
The sound of the sound generator is about 90% the same as that of the Karbonius airbox. Just a bit bassier. The rest is identical (speed ranges etc. are operated in exactly the same way).

The big difference is the price, as I explained above.

The Karbonius OEM style airbox, including the rubber pipes etc., costs 1985€ in Germany, including tax.
The sound generator 399€ + tax and shipping.

I personally like the sound of the Karbonius OEM airbox a bit better. But if I had to decide again, I would go for the own sound generator again because of the 1500€ extra cost.

[Kuky]

I am still waiting for my Karbonius carbon plenum, and the CSL hose won't arrive until February next year. I am not exactly sure how much louder the air intake sound will be with the Karbonius or if the intake sound will be more evident than my exhaust sound (SS V1 headers, resonated S pipes, OEM Hpipe and Strungmun mufflers).

If I find the intake induction music isn't loud enough, I'm thinking about doing the following mod. what do you think?

https://www.fosterscmods.com/collections/universal-kit

[Kuky]

have you tried other sound generators with less bassy sounds? such as the ones from Alfa Romeo, Ferrari 488, or Mini? or if there's a way to amplify the S54 induction sound without using a generator?

Would you consider making a version of your intake sound enhancer without the sound generator?

Originally Posted by GuggagZ4M

I would like to briefly explain something about the sound generator here, as it could otherwise lead to confusion.


I use or sell a completely different sound generator than the one from the link in the quoted article.

It is not the sound generator from the M54 engines e.g. from the Z4 3.0i etc. or E46 Compact.


Mine is an own tested development with components from BMW and another high quality car manufacturer.

I always add a piece of normal foam as insulation (you can get it anywhere in a DIY store). This can be cut even shorter to create an individual sound.

If, for example, you find the sound too loud or annoying on longer journeys (this is also the case with the original CSL airbox...), you can use it. People who drive this in everyday life or on long journeys are sometimes annoyed by it. With the sound generator, you can simply pull the hose out of the interior in 10 seconds with a flick of the wrist and then drive absolutely standard. If you want the sound again, just put the hose back in the hole and you're done.

The sound of the sound generator is very similar to that of the CSL airbox or the Karbonius OEM airbox. However, it is a bit bassier (depending on how you use the foam). Some even find it better. I prefer it a bit brighter myself. But all in all, you can say:

The volume of the sound generator and the OEM Karbonius airbox is identical on the inside.
The sound of the sound generator is about 90% the same as that of the Karbonius airbox. Just a bit bassier. The rest is identical (speed ranges etc. are operated in exactly the same way).

The big difference is the price, as I explained above.

The Karbonius OEM style airbox, including the rubber pipes etc., costs 1985€ in Germany, including tax.
The sound generator 399€ + tax and shipping.

I personally like the sound of the Karbonius OEM airbox a bit better. But if I had to decide again, I would go for the own sound generator again because of the 1500€ extra cost.

[GuggagZ4M]

Originally Posted by Kuky

have you tried other sound generators with less bassy sounds? such as the ones from Alfa Romeo, Ferrari 488, or Mini? or if there's a way to amplify the S54 induction sound without using a generator?

Would you consider making a version of your intake sound enhancer without the sound generator?

I have tried several sound generators. Also e.g. from the VW GTI etc. Some of them even didn't work at all (no sound came out). The Soundgenerator from 3.0si Z4 as well, but that is not nice (to much bass).
The best is now that, what I use.

It has to be a membrane. Because like the guy in the video, it's far too dangerous in the long run to drive without a proper membrane.

I can explain why directly:
The membrane prevents the wrong air from being drawn in and at the same time transmits the sound through the vibrating membrane.

It is also very important that the membrane is durable in the long run. This means not only withstanding heat and micro-vibrations, but also misfires that can return to the intake system (this happens from time to time in all sport engines).

In addition, the membrane must also be resistant to petrol, as otherwise gases and petrol backflows could dissolve the membrane in the long term.


So this is not as simple an issue as some people think.

The problem with the one in the video is clearly the danger of driving around with the wrong air and therefore too lean mixture.


And at the end it should be said again: My sound generator makes it "a little" bassier than a bright sounding airbox,... but also only a "little" bassier (approx 10% more bass than orig. CSL Sound).

[Kuky]

the kit he uses has a membrane, just without the sound generator.

Originally Posted by GuggagZ4M

I have tried several sound generators. Also e.g. from the VW GTI etc. Some of them even didn't work at all (no sound came out). The Soundgenerator from 3.0si Z4 as well, but that is not nice (to much bass).
The best is now that, what I use.

It has to be a membrane. Because like the guy in the video, it's far too dangerous in the long run to drive without a proper membrane.

I can explain why directly:
The membrane prevents the wrong air from being drawn in and at the same time transmits the sound through the vibrating membrane.

It is also very important that the membrane is durable in the long run. This means not only withstanding heat and micro-vibrations, but also misfires that can return to the intake system (this happens from time to time in all sport engines).

In addition, the membrane must also be resistant to petrol, as otherwise gases and petrol backflows could dissolve the membrane in the long term.


So this is not as simple an issue as some people think.

The problem with the one in the video is clearly the danger of driving around with the wrong air and therefore too lean mixture.


And at the end it should be said again: My sound generator makes it "a little" bassier than a bright sounding airbox,... but also only a "little" bassier (approx 10% more bass than orig. CSL Sound).

[GuggagZ4M]

Originally Posted by Kuky

the kit he uses has a membrane, just without the sound generator.

Yes. But his membrane is just a easy kind of foil.

A Soundgenerator is just a membrane. Not more

[PayamFSU]

Just got mine in. Seems like they placed a felt tape around the edge of the intake inlet from the elbow.

Also this is an in stock option in the states for the hose.

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-turner-m.../018562la02~a/