[jdfish06]

Has anybody seen this or planning on buying it? Thry claim gains of +32 hp and +60 lb-ft torque, but they are asking $729 ($695 on Mod Bargains). I'm very curious to see if those numbers are accurate...but I don't want to buy it until someone verifies.

PS
I'm fairly new to the fourm, and just got a 2011 535i for Christmas (combined birthday + Christmas + Graduation gift). I am planning to buy both this intake and a RaceChip Ultimate (not a JB4– don't try to convince me otherwise), but can currently only afford one (they are roughly the same price). I am leaning toward getting the chip, but if ANOTHER member wants to set up a group buy, count me in!

aFe Dyno Chart (from their website):

[Ben2k9]

I'd go with the chip first. most bang for the buck. That being said I don't know anything about Racechip, and furthermore am curious to hear whether an intake can generate even close to the gains that AFE is claiming.

[gre8tw8LL]

Bump

[mko9]

TMS has it on sale for $590 with free shipping. Still pretty steep though. I can't imagine how you would get the claimed gains with just a retooled intake. Someone should buy one and do a before and after dyno.

[omer]

That's just BS!!!

[goldguilexx]

I called afe about the intake and they seem to stand by the gains but the tech I spoke with made it pretty clear the gains were mainly near the low rpm band of 2-4k if I remember correctly (a chart is available on their web site). I would mainly get it because it looks better than the BMS one (IMHO) but the price is just too high for me. The jb4 would be your best bet.

[mko9]

Yes, the dyno chart they have posted shows it underperforms the stock setup by a few horsepower until about 2000rpm, then you get a big slug of hp and torque between 2-4k, then it runs about even or slightly below the stock setup up to the redline.

[kpmunchkin28]

Yah, same boat as you man. It sounds pretty nice from the clip on youtube.

[BigDeep1]

I can't believe anyone really thinks a bolt-on intake will give any true gains in HP, especially the ridiculous gains aFe is claiming. Those HP claims makes me loose more respect for the product and company. At least BMS is relatively honest and says it is a mod that will give primarily a sound difference. In fact, the dyno shows a loss in HP in the lower part of the curve. I talked to a BMS intake owner he said he had a noticeable loss in power after the BMS intake. Finally a map 5 came out for the JB4 that helped correct the loss in power from the intake.

[mko9]

FWIW, they have a second version without the blingtastic carbon fiber accents that is over $200 bucks cheaper:

http://afepower.com/shop/details_new...0L&&brandID=56

[omer]

Have to see stock car with just there intake on dyno before and after. It's very hard to believe the gain of power with just an intake.

[mko9]

I may very well buy this, not like I can't afford it. My car is completely bone stock right now. If I were to do a before and after dyno, how does one go about getting a valid comparison? Do I need to drive the car for a few days to let things settle in before dyno, or can I just do it right there, drive around the block a couple times?

[BigDeep1]

Originally Posted by mko9

I may very well buy this, not like I can't afford it. My car is completely bone stock right now. If I were to do a before and after dyno, how does one go about getting a valid comparison? Do I need to drive the car for a few days to let things settle in before dyno, or can I just do it right there, drive around the block a couple times?

Thanks for volunteering.

Many people just do a back to back comparison. I agree that the computers are smart enough where it may be tuned to adapt to the original filter. I bet emailing Terry at burger motorsports would yield the best answer. He sells CAIs too, and you can maybe just ask him as if you would be dynoing his unit.

The neatest thing about this intake is the "DRY" filter option. I personally would not use an oil based filter again.

[mko9]

Actually, it is the aFe intake not the Burger intake. But yes, I figure I should give them a call and tell them I plan to do a before and after, and see what they recommend for a procedure. I ordered it a few days ago, but no shipping notice in my e-mail yet. With luck, it will arrive before the 4th of July weekend, so I can get at it.

[omer]

Anything with this?

[mko9]

There has been some confusion as to whether not aFe has them in stock. It should have been shipped yesterday, but I didn't get a confirmation e-mail. I'll call them on Monday.

[gragi]

Originally Posted by mko9

There has been some confusion as to whether not aFe has them in stock. It should have been shipped yesterday, but I didn't get a confirmation e-mail. I'll call them on Monday.

Did you get it installed? Yet?

[mko9]

Coincidentally, it was delivered to my doorstep this evening by UPS (shipped Jul 8). If they had got it to me before the 4th of July weekend I could have easily done the dyno, as my wife took the kids out of town to her parents. Now with three little ones in the house, I am not sure when I will get to it.

Came well boxed up and padded. The installation instructions look to be pretty comprehensive. I kind of expected to see some vanes or guides inside for the airflow, but it is just basic, albeit very smooth and shiny. I'm sure installation can be done in 20-30min, but I really do want to do a before and after dyno so I'll have to wait a bit.

I'll post up some pics and try to get this done before the end of the month. Does anyone have any thoughts or recommendations on what type dyno to use? Is there a dyno thread on here somewhere?

EDIT: Disregard about dyno types, looks like both places here in San Antonio use Mustang Dynos.

[mko9]

I spoke with a tech at aFe, and he said they recommend running the intake for about 500mi to make sure it is well integrated by the computer before going on the dyno. Given my daily commute, that should take about two weeks. Now I just need to get dyno time scheduled. He also said to make sure to disconnect the negative battery terminal before the install.

In the mean time, I took some pictures so you can see what you get. The unit is essentially a 2-piece unit. It comes with very detailed instructions, in case you are completely mechanically inept. I figure this is about a 10-15 minute job. The air box is a single piece with no seams. It uses the stock intake tube from the front of the car. There is a second intake port on the driver's side that has a rubber plug. I think it is unfortunate that they didn't just use a round hole. Then you could more easily use brake duct tubing to run a second line into the fender well, or something. As it is, you will essentially be sucking hot engine compartment air into the box. The inside of the air box is shiny and has a slightly rubbery feel to it.

If anyone has any questions or wants other pictures, sound off. But the whole thing is pretty simple.

[BigDeep1]

Great write up so far mko9. What are your thoughts as far as performance is concerned?

[mko9]

I haven't installed it, yet. I want to do a baseline dyno first.

[omer]

Originally Posted by mko9

I haven't installed it, yet. I want to do a baseline dyno first.

Looks great! Is just hard to believe that an intake will give you 50 hp more. I don't know that's just my opinion. But will see I guess I could be wrong.