[Simple5]

Installed my ARM intake last night and I have to say, WOW! This thing is awesome!

They say that the install is 2 out of 5 difficulty. That is true. I was about 8 beers deep so my buddy helped me out cause I was buzzing hard. We started at the passenger side and holy cow it was a nightmare but here is the thing with this intake, it has to be perfectly aligned. The filter sits right behind the air snorkel so it's getting blasts of fresh air. I can see how BadBlack's intake is easy to install because you're not working with a limited space for the filter to fit in. Badblack has flex tubing that runs to the front of the car behind the kidney grills. The plus side to this filter is that it is not open to the elements.

The passenger side took about 30 min. The driver side, once we perfected the passenger side, took about 5 min. Total install time was 45 min-1 hour... that is with the removal of the stock air box, taking our sweet time, and making sure everything lined up.

The drive: My buddy drove for obvious reasons because I was now a 12pk deep but Wow, I can say I picked up some power. The car feels like breathes better and pulls like a raped ape (I haven't sat in my passenger seat for a long, long time!). The best part? The sound.. I miss that intoxicating sound of the turbos spooling up like when I had my Injen n54 intake. You won't really hear it while you are at speed (maybe because of road noise) but from a stop, if you mash the accelerator, you will hear it for sure and damn does it sound good.

My buddy drives a v6 Honda Accord and my car scared the crap out of him by pure acceleration alone.

This is a preliminary review. I'm on beer #14 and I cant wait to drive her tomorrow. I will report back later but to those looking for an intake and don't want to break the bank and don't care about carbon fiber? ARM is the way to go!

I will add more to this later once I take a drive tomorrow.

My mods:
BMS Stage 1
M5 Exhaust
ARM Intake
Fuel Additive: Aces IV (This sh!t is Legit)

PICS!!!!

[badblack550xi]

Interesting

[Lowkey F10]

Awesome! Thanks for the review. Definitely next on my list then

[abhaxus]

Did you use the k&n filters that came with the kit? Someone posted in the original thread that they were going to use something else that wasn't oiled, don't remember who.

Given the 180 degree bend I don't see how the oil could make it all the way to the MAF but who knows...

[doughboy650gc]

now we just need a video clip of how it sounds!!

[535_BiTurbo]

video clip?

[Simple5]

Small update. I took these off. When I went WOT I got a CEL. I ran the codes and had some misfires. I pulled over, cleared the codes, and drove around. In comfort mode I felt a shudder and idle was rough. FML.. I have owned my 550i for 3 years and it never once threw a code even with a JB Stage 1 and driving like a fucking maniac.

Got home, took the intake off, and installed the stock airbox. Power was back and no codes but I still had the shudder at idle. I replaced the spark plugs and now the car is running smooth again.

With the intake I will try to put it back on soon. When my buddy and I were installing for the 1st time I tore my rubber intake boot and put a nasty gash in it (don't install intakes when u drunk).

SO long story short, I don't know if it was the intakes or the intake, when installed, pushed the car to show the problems I already had. Quite frankly I miss the sound cause its intoxicating. I will report back soon.

I have the rubber boot on order and also going to change out my coils and order a fresh set of MAF sensors. Sorry no video clips guys.. I am anal about codes cause I dealt with all that crap with my old n54 and it was a PTSD moment.

[Lowkey F10]

Originally Posted by Simple3

Small update. I took these off. When I went WOT I got a CEL. I ran the codes and had some misfires. I pulled over, cleared the codes, and drove around. In comfort mode I felt a shudder and idle was rough. FML.. I have owned my 550i for 3 years and it never once threw a code even with a JB Stage 1 and driving like a fucking maniac.

Got home, took the intake off, and installed the stock airbox. Power was back and no codes but I still had the shudder at idle. I replaced the spark plugs and now the car is running smooth again.

With the intake I will try to put it back on soon. When my buddy and I were installing for the 1st time I tore my rubber intake boot and put a nasty gash in it (don't install intakes when u drunk).

SO long story short, I don't know if it was the intakes or the intake, when installed, pushed the car to show the problems I already had. Quite frankly I miss the sound cause its intoxicating. I will report back soon.

I have the rubber boot on order and also going to change out my coils and order a fresh set of MAF sensors. Sorry no video clips guys.. I am anal about codes cause I dealt with all that crap with my old n54 and it was a PTSD moment.

Dang haha. Keep us updated

[535_BiTurbo]

dang this is unfortunate. Seems like badblack intake is the only route to go.

[Simple5]

These are sensitive cars electronically when it comes to metering etc. The intake will work on some cars, not all. This is the same concept as badblacks.

These intakes or any intake I think will bring out any problem you already have to the forefront. I just hope the g30 550ix will get us a good intake system.

We'll see.

[badblack550xi]

Originally Posted by Simple3

These are sensitive cars electronically when it comes to metering etc. The intake will work on some cars, not all. This is the same concept as badblacks.

These intakes or any intake I think will bring out any problem you already have to the forefront. I just hope the g30 550ix will get us a good intake system.

We'll see.

i already got a unit on a g30 in testing

[535_BiTurbo]

Originally Posted by Simple3

These are sensitive cars electronically when it comes to metering etc. The intake will work on some cars, not all. This is the same concept as badblacks.

These intakes or any intake I think will bring out any problem you already have to the forefront. I just hope the g30 550ix will get us a good intake system.

We'll see.

Hopefully you can get your intake to work properly

[Simple5]

Originally Posted by 535_BiTurbo

Hopefully you can get your intake to work properly

I am in the process of getting an RMA and returning it. I am not abandoning an intake project through. Taking apart the air boxes and seeing where everything goes gave me a great idea. I'm hooked on the sound and don't want to give up on it.

I will post in the DIY section. I expect this project to be around/under $150 dollars and from what I have seen so far it wont throw any codes and will keep the MAF where they are. I've ordered all the parts already, just need to get them here and put together.

Stay tuned!

[535_BiTurbo]

Originally Posted by Simple3

I am in the process of getting an RMA and returning it. I am not abandoning an intake project through. Taking apart the air boxes and seeing where everything goes gave me a great idea. I'm hooked on the sound and don't want to give up on it.

I will post in the DIY section. I expect this project to be around/under $150 dollars and from what I have seen so far it wont throw any codes and will keep the MAF where they are. I've ordered all the parts already, just need to get them here and put together.

Stay tuned!

I cant wait to see....

[badblack550xi]

What is the material the piping made from ?

[Creynolds]

Originally Posted by Simple3

I am in the process of getting an RMA and returning it. I am not abandoning an intake project through. Taking apart the air boxes and seeing where everything goes gave me a great idea. I'm hooked on the sound and don't want to give up on it.

I will post in the DIY section. I expect this project to be around/under $150 dollars and from what I have seen so far it wont throw any codes and will keep the MAF where they are. I've ordered all the parts already, just need to get them here and put together.

Stay tuned!

Wow it's like you either are quoting my post or literally blind.

Made the point last week long before that I was able to remove stock filter . Keep box, and switch to flex pipe and cones in front. Seal the intake box and was able to leave the maf sensors in same location.

Pretty sure my post even says "for under 200$"

And did it with no codes and great sound

[Simple5]

Bro, my intent is to try it and post a DIY with tube sizes, filter sizes, pics of the process, etc.. it is cool what you have achieved though so good stuff. Not only will I try the tubing you have done but also make a DIY solution for those that want a high performance panel filter. The thing is I am going to combine the two. That's the idea anyways.

[Creynolds]

Originally Posted by Simple3

Bro, my intent is to try it and post a DIY with tube sizes, filter sizes, pics of the process, etc.. it is cool what you have achieved though so good stuff. Not only will I try the tubing you have done but also make a DIY solution for those that want a high performance panel filter. The thing is I am going to combine the two. That's the idea anyways.

Il post a complete breakdown and build before 1 this afternoon. Not sure what you mean by panel filter though

[535_BiTurbo]

Originally Posted by Creynolds

Il post a complete breakdown and build before 1 this afternoon. Not sure what you mean by panel filter though

alll eyes and ears here. very interested in this build. awaiting details

[535_BiTurbo]

Originally Posted by Creynolds

Wow it's like you either are quoting my post or literally blind.

Made the point last week long before that I was able to remove stock filter . Keep box, and switch to flex pipe and cones in front. Seal the intake box and was able to leave the maf sensors in same location.

Pretty sure my post even says "for under 200$"

And did it with no codes and great sound

Which filters did you use in the front?
Where did you get the flex pipe?
How did you open the top of the filter area in front of the car?
What is that yellow piece below?

[Simple5]

CReynolds has written up a DIY on his intake and I stayed a DIY on my high flow panel filters... all in the DIY section!

[535_BiTurbo]

Originally Posted by Simple3

CReynolds has written up a DIY on his intake and I stayed a DIY on my high flow panel filters... all in the DIY section!

Thanks I just saw them and following both....