Y33 factory intake is just fine.

[Q_SHIP]

Y33 guys, I just wanted to fill you in on some info. I hooked a scan tool up to my car the other day. I just wanted to messure my intake air temps. I let the car warm up to operating temp. First test was on the freeway. Doing 70 mph on a 65-70 degree day, IAT temps were the same as AMB temps. That was 67 degrees. I got this reading after the heat soak disapated from the intake.

2nd test was doing 35 MPH through town IAT was 1 degree higher than AMB temps . Not bad at all.

This is just proof that the Y33 would see probably no gains with an aftermarket intake setup. I know this has probably been tlaked about and prooven before. I just wanted to let you know about my results. CHEERS!

[Jeff Williams]

That is good news.

Of course, air temp is only part of the equation. Air volume is very important when you are trying to make more power.

[Q_SHIP]

The Y33 intake really does not look to restrictive.

[Chansen]

Thats cool,I didn't have any ideas to replace mine cause I thought it came with a good 1.Thx for the info!

[qsiguy]

Performance increase or not.......it sounds awesome under acceleration above 5K rpm! That's enough for me to do it. I found a flange that was actually for a J30 MAF (I think) but it's close enough so I made it fit. Have a K&N style cone air cleaner on it now and I like it. If anyone's interested I'll snap a photo of it.
Modified by qsiguy at 9:23 AM 11/11/2005

[Falkdesigns]

So your cone filter under the hood is actually sucking HOTTER air than the factory COLD AIR system. When you look at the factory system, it's obviously VERY well thought out. Air comes cold and fresh directly from the center, front of the car, through large piping, and a large filter.

Given the funds, I'd get headers, and a cat-back, but I would always leave the stock air intake. Unless I went turbo or SC.

[Radioaktiv]

dont understand how you can say the stock box(es) arent very restrictive

the air has to make quite a few turns before even making it into the manifold

[Q_SHIP]

dont understand how you can say the stock box(es) arent very restrictive

the air has to make quite a few turns before even making it into the manifold

So what is restrictive about it? I highly doubt the Q runs that factory setup to capacity. Do you think the air is heating up or do you think it's running out of breath?

[Falkdesigns]

An air inlet such as stock, is essentially a "ram air" intake. It takes air that being pushed in from the front, center, and at speeds should in theory become compressed and forced into the air box.

In any case, a few turns are no big deal, and it's cold air, not hot engine-bay air.

[ScottJackson]

I'll take cold air any day over air in a straight path (assuming there's not a huge pressure drop by excessive 90* bends). Sidenote: K&N style filters are BAD and I'll never buy a car that has a K&N or similar cotton gauze air filter installed. Well.... I take that back. I did buy a Euro 635CSi BMW with K&N because it was too incredibly cheap to pass up. And I'll agree that the sound is good with those filter setups.

[qsiguy]

You all make good points and I'm sure that the stock one is as good or better, but I just love that roar from under the hood! Simple to reinstall the stock airbox should the need arise.

[bmwkiller]

K&N style filters are BAD and I'll never buy a car that has a K&N...

OK, I'll bite.....why don't you like K&N?

[elwesso]

if you want the roar, dont waste money on a K/N just take your airbox out and bunjee cord your airfilter to te top of the airbox... thats all mine was when i tried it

[Radioaktiv]

OK, I'll bite.....why don't you like K&N?

im sure its the oil

that's the main arguement i hear

[bmwkiller]

Coating sensors and stuff?

[maxnix]

MAF wires in particular, intake passages secondarily. Unoiled air is always better than oiled.