First, I removed and examined all of the parts included with the kit. Here is a picture of the main part, the Ram Air Duct, and so that some of you can see the comparable size of this part, I placed it next to my cell phone….
If I may say so, the construction of this particular piece is of excellent quality, and its fitment is a comparable to OEM. The Air Duct is much larger than what I expected.
The first task was the removal of the bumper cover, which is, and as you all know, not a big deal. After the bumper was successfully removed, Followed the mounting of the Air Duct, which was a piece of cake.
The fitment was exceptional. However, I had slightly deviated from the instructions. I did not secure the edge of the Ram Air Duct to the center brace that was provided by Dinan. I decided to place Heavy Duty All–Weather double-sided 3M tape on the top part of the Duct and secured it to the underside of the front engine bay frame, and to fasten it even more, I inserted a metal clip.
The second part of the installation that I had revised was the method to which the Dinan center brace was installed to the existing metal bumper carrier. Dinan provided an aluminum nut insert and bolt, and the instructions were to drill a hole on the inside of the bumper carrier to fasten the nut insert, then bolt on the brace. I decided to alter this procedure, because I never have liked nut inserts. LOL …Anyways, I drilled through the “entire” bumper carrier, front & back with a ½” drill bit. Then I mounted the Dinan brace onto the back of the bumper carrier with a high grade steel bolt and washer nut, and used the drilled hole in the front to hold the bolt in place while tightening the brace.
Once the Ram Air Duct was in place, I cleaned and dusted everything off (hate them latex gloves)…reattached the bumper, and the installation was complete….
The other thing that I admire about this entire kit is that you can't really visually notice it at all, unless you look up close into the grill, and there it is…
After the install, I took the car for a drive. I can honestly say that I can feel the difference in torque from stock performance. In addition, there is a deeper growl as the vehicle is at WOT.
Once again, I was not in pursuit of the monstrous HP gains, and hey, I only have a 2.5i, SMG. I just wanted a reliable and well-engineered and built CARB Exempt Intake System that suited my personal preferences….
If it is of any consolation, for anyone planning to purchase a CAI System for their Z4 and especially for those who live in California? Just to let you know, I briefly researched the Dinan Ram Air Duct, and I have to admit that this part was well engineered both in design and function. Also, and with regards to setup, the installed location of this duct for capturing the maximum amount of airflow was ideal. Not to mention that it contains a large cross sectional area for the containment of a greater volume of air mass over stock.
As an engineer, the Dinan design did also attract my curiosity in that I was able to discover a few articles from various Automotive Engineering Journals and Technical Publications regarding the design of this very specific Z4 Air Duct. I was again very impressed with the comprehensive analysis that was applied and accumulated into the final design. I also found it quite interesting in reviewing the various computer models that illustrated various scenarios of the seperation of air and water by 90% within the Air Duct. Once again, the final design solution was very ingenious at best.
The bottom line is, I know some may say that these parts may be excessively expensive, but one can be assured that much research and development, engineering and manufacturing has gone into there products, and they do work, regardless.
Now for the High Flow Intake Installation...
Once I had picked up the part form the Dealer, again I inspected all of the primary parts of the intake, and I have to admit, the build quality of this product is also quite impressive as the Ram Air Duct. In addition, the included Dinan instructions were both clear and concise.
The overall installation went quite well...
All in all, the Dinan Company had noted that it would take at least a ½ hour for the entire installation, and I know a lot of you here can do this with your eyes closed. However, as for me, I wanted to take my sweet-#$% time. So, after 3 enjoyable hours, I was finished.
While looking into the engine bay, I oooohh’ed and aaahhh’ed with joy. :rofl: The DHFCAI, truly looks OEM + more…
Here are some pics (sorry they are not clear & hi-res)…
This weekend is the installation of my Dinan Free-Flow Exhaust System...
