A thought about N63 possible intake modification by a noob

[zibo.rao]

I am driving a X5 50i. Since an intake upgrade for N63 (except from Dinan which only available for the F10) still didn't appear, I am thinking if the following might be a possible modification to do.

What if I install a set scoops (either AFE or RPI) in front of the intake tube? Does the scoop kind of make it become a ram intake and increase the air flow? All I need to do is just drill some holes to make the screws go though, and the scoops are not that expensive especially compare to Dinan.

One downside I can think of right now is due to fact that the air filters are so far in the back and can not be replaced easily. Small rock chips or bugs might get in and damage the filter easier than the OEM intake.

What do you guys think?

[Sticky]

In theory the scoops should increase flow that is how they function on basically everything else tehy are used on.

I never had any issues with bugs or rock chips or anything like that all that stuff would still have to go through your grill and nobody else with scoops has had any serious problems like that. You still have your filters in place.

[alextremo]

I wonder if there would be any measurable benefit on the N63, as when the car is under load the turbos are sucking air into the engine with more force than an increased 'ram air' effect would have from scoops.

[Sticky]

I wonder if there would be any measurable benefit on the N63, as when the car is under load the turbos are sucking air into the engine with more force than an increased 'ram air' effect would have from scoops.

Intake modifications can have an appreciable affect on turbo cars of course but I have no idea how efficient the N63 setup is.

Only way to really find out is to try.

[zibo.rao]

I wonder if there would be any measurable benefit on the N63, as when the car is under load the turbos are sucking air into the engine with more force than an increased 'ram air' effect would have from scoops.

IMO, it should help increase the amount of air flow especially when you are on the highway. By just looking at the flat angle of the intake tube's entry point, it should be better when the air was both "push" and "pull" into the engine.

[zibo.rao]

Intake modifications can have an appreciable affect on turbo cars of course but I have no idea how efficient the N63 setup is.

Only way to really find out is to try.

I agree. And also it is not that easy to test if there is any increase in air flow after install. I am also wondering how hard it could be to swap the OEM air filter to something else since the OEM filter is attached to the top part of the airbox as one element.

[rborgia]

I just received items 15 & 16 from the image below.

The shop that works on my car is going to work up some CAD drawings and see what they come up with to improve airflow going into the engine. I'm sure it will be minimal, but it will be something...

Once we remove the intakes we plan to look at how things are setup and see if there is additional room for improvement in there... the only other change we plan to make is some form of front facing duct that will connect to part numbers 17 & 18 to direct air into the intake pipes. Right now they are just holes on the sides, just in front of the radiator.

[Sticky]

I just received items 15 & 16 from the image below.

The shop that works on my car is going to work up some CAD drawings and see what they come up with to improve airflow going into the engine. I'm sure it will be minimal, but it will be something...

Once we remove the intakes we plan to look at how things are setup and see if there is additional room for improvement in there... the only other change we plan to make is some form of front facing duct that will connect to part numbers 17 & 18 to direct air into the intake pipes. Right now they are just holes on the sides, just in front of the radiator.

I think scoops would be the easiest and most cost effective solution to routing more air.

[rawad1017]

@rborgia any updates? how'd your scoop project thingie go

@zibo.rao how about you