Quote:
Originally Posted by rockstar93
So after a long while I finally got the box installed and the car driving (hoorah for spring).
Installation was easy and as expected. Everything lined up and was affixed like an OE part. I had previously mentioned there was fitment issues between the two halves of the airbox with the filter installed. I had left the two mated with the filter in place for a few weeks and when I took it back apart it was quite apparent where the interference was because it left an impression on the orange rubber part of the filter. The fact that I was able to put the two pieces together shows how minor the interference was however, but it just created an unattractive gap where there shouldn't be one. I ended up using a dremel + sanding bit to take about 1mm off the lip of the unfiltered half (where it was interfering) and it fits like a glove and no more gaps.
I also don't have a snorkel because I wasn't keen on buying one just to hack up so it fits the Z4M - hoping somebody makes one specific for our chassis (Karb is supposedly making one but no word on development). Epic tune was loaded and holy crap she pulls. For the last 1,000km or so I've had Fabspeed catless headers installed but running the stock tune, so I'm sure a lot of the gains are from that. But that said, it's such an improvement that I'm thinking of dropping out of the Cat Cams group buy because at my level I just don't need anymore power. Going full tilt, or to redline, and I'm at 'break-the-law' speeds way too quick as it is, and I don't require any more power at the track yet.
As for sound...disappointed isn't the right word, but unfortunately my fears came true and it is drowned out by my exhaust setup (catless headers, stock catted section one, stock resonated x-pipe, and RPi "mufflers"). Only time I can hear it is at full tilt or close to redline when the exhaust starts to quiet down - but that's pushing it on the street. I'm gonna look for my silencers for the RPi (never used them before lol) but I certainly don't plan on changing my setup because I am happy with the exhaust note as is. Haven't had the chance to hear it from outside the car to know if the airbox is audible over the exhaust from a bystander but I suspect it is from the front of the car.
 |
SO awesome!
Did you install the BMW MPower decal, or did it ship w/it?
Love your 1st world problem....you can't hear the visceral sound of the massive air being pulled into your intake over the massive scream of your after-market performance exhaust....
Nicely done!