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2010 2011 BMW 5 Series Forum F10 F10 Technical Topics Engine, Transmission, Exhaust, Drivetrain, ECU Software Modifications My n63 intake build from stock to complete front facing CAI
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      03-21-2021, 07:20 PM   #1
AnotherM
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My n63 intake build from stock to complete front facing CAI

Accidentally posted in the wrong section before.

I'll make this short and to the point. I, like many other n63 owners paid a good amount for the ARM intake. Now, the intake is great quality and I'm not saying anything negative about it.

But........I decided to try something i haven't seen done and it worked perfectly. I ordered the intake ducts from an x5m which point forward and installed them with an maf housing from a chevy cruz and a cone air filter. It sounds much better than the ARM intake, definitely has smoother throttle response, and only cost half the price.

X5m intake ducts on amazon-$165 for both
13717638569
13717638568
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00XKU78CU...p_mob_ap_share
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00XKU78CU...p_mob_ap_share

Maf 3" housing from Chevy cruz- $80 for both
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07T9FQVJN...p_mob_ap_share

Cone air filter-$60 for both
Total- $305

Pics below. I am planning to extend them into the front grills later. One of the biggest advantages Is I can now change sparkplugs and coils without removing anything.

I know my filters look a little beat up and they are going to be replaced shortly.
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Last edited by AnotherM; 04-10-2021 at 02:41 PM..
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      03-21-2021, 10:36 PM   #2
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Do you have a link or p/N to the x5m intake duct and MAF pipe
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      03-22-2021, 08:30 AM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by IS500 View Post
Do you have a link or p/N to the x5m intake duct and MAF pipe
I added the part numbers for the intake ducts. The maf housings are easy to find on amazon. Just look for 76mm chevy cruz maf housing..
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      03-25-2021, 07:39 PM   #4
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Updated original post with amazon links and part numbers
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      03-29-2021, 02:44 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by F10c550i View Post
Updated original post with amazon links and part numbers
Thank you!

What year is your 550i? Is in an N63TU? Just making sure this would work on my 2015...from the pics it appears slightly different than mine, just making sure.
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      03-29-2021, 05:14 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Buddys550 View Post
Thank you!

What year is your 550i? Is in an N63TU? Just making sure this would work on my 2015...from the pics it appears slightly different than mine, just making sure.
I have a 2012. I wouldnt imagine you would have any fitment issues. The intake ducts would fit no problem and you may actually have more space for the filters than i do becuase my coolant reservoir is in the fron while yours was moved to the back.
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      04-02-2021, 10:20 AM   #7
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Update:

Depending on how restrictive of an air filter i used, i started getting random bank rich codes. What it appears was causing this is actually how high the cruz maf housing positions the MAF.

To fix this, i cut about 1/2" off of the cruz flanges, tapped new bolt holes, and than for fun painted them white to match the car. Overall, pretty simple project, but tedious.
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      04-02-2021, 10:50 AM   #8
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I like it, I've been wondering if there was an easy way to get rid of that looping back intake tracts, seems unnecessary. But I'm wondering, why place the filters under the hood? Seems like they would be taking in a lot of hot air right there.
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      04-02-2021, 10:57 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 1Kurgan1 View Post
I like it, I've been wondering if there was an easy way to get rid of that looping back intake tracts, seems unnecessary. But I'm wondering, why place the filters under the hood? Seems like they would be taking in a lot of hot air right there.
Definitely, i plan to extend them into the grilles eventually. Im waiting until its hot out to see what my IAT are. Right now they are actually lower than they were with stock piping. It has bern pretty cool out until now so i plan to watch the IAT this weekend
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      04-03-2021, 03:59 PM   #10
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All of the modifications i did to the MAF housing worked perfectly. Car is running as strong and smooth as ever.

It has been mid 90s today so i decided to feel the intakes after some driving and the filters were so hot i couldnt keep my hand on them. Obviously going to have to extend the filters into the grilles ASAP! Pulled great though.....
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      04-03-2021, 11:10 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Buddys550 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by F10c550i View Post
Updated original post with amazon links and part numbers
Thank you!

What year is your 550i? Is in an N63TU? Just making sure this would work on my 2015...from the pics it appears slightly different than mine, just making sure.
From what I understand or was told, the TU does not need the MAF's connected. I could be wrong but you should look into it.

Can any of you TU guys answer to this???
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      04-06-2021, 06:47 PM   #12
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Tu doesn't need the mafs
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      04-06-2021, 07:59 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Wht550jersey View Post
Tu doesn't need the mafs
Really? So why are they there? I know the S63 doesn't run them. What effect will unplugging them have?
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      04-06-2021, 09:41 PM   #14
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Cleaned up the o2 wiring amd vacuum lines
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      04-09-2021, 07:25 PM   #15
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Extended the intake into the grille

4-3" 45
2- aluminum 45
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Last edited by AnotherM; 04-09-2021 at 08:46 PM..
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      04-10-2021, 01:33 PM   #16
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I drove around today with the new intake set up and it feels very smooth. I do feel like the throttle response may be a little less aggressive and the sound is definitely not as pronounced, but i measured the IAT and it was significantly less than before. I have to wait until it is really hot to compare apples to apples and will post actual numbers if anyone is interested.
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      04-10-2021, 11:08 PM   #17
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Are you tracking LTFTs and STFTs to see where your fueling is at? The MAF sensors are typically calibrated for a specific diameter MAF housing as they measure airflow and then calculate it based on diameter. If you got a rich code, youre already at least 30% off or more.
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      04-11-2021, 08:35 AM   #18
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I dont have any issues with running rich anymore. The problem was the MAF was positioned higher than it was designed so only half of the sensor was exposed to the air coming in. It was not able to get correct readings. All good now though.

I periodically watch maf, o2, and all fuel trims. I am now also monitoring IAT.

Last edited by AnotherM; 04-11-2021 at 10:43 AM..
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      04-15-2021, 11:53 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by F10c550i View Post
I drove around today with the new intake set up and it feels very smooth. I do feel like the throttle response may be a little less aggressive and the sound is definitely not as pronounced, but i measured the IAT and it was significantly less than before. I have to wait until it is really hot to compare apples to apples and will post actual numbers if anyone is interested.
If you want more sound I recommend the TurboSmart Diverter Valves. Here a quick one only at about 4000rpm. I can pull some more videos tomorrow, but way better sounding after I upgraded them.

Edit: sorry, didn't know video didn't work, here's a link

https://youtube.com/shorts/XnrrxpVo7-o?feature=share
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      04-16-2021, 09:48 AM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 550bye View Post
If you want more sound I recommend the TurboSmart Diverter Valves. Here a quick one only at about 4000rpm. I can pull some more videos tomorrow, but way better sounding after I upgraded them.
[IMG]https://youtube.com/shorts/XnrrxpVo7-o?feature=share[/IMG]
Ive been contemplating upgrading to these. Can you feel a more consistent boost?
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      04-16-2021, 04:32 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by F10c550i View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by 550bye View Post
If you want more sound I recommend the TurboSmart Diverter Valves. Here a quick one only at about 4000rpm. I can pull some more videos tomorrow, but way better sounding after I upgraded them.
[IMG]https://youtube.com/shorts/XnrrxpVo7-o?feature=share[/IMG]
Ive been contemplating upgrading to these. Can you feel a more consistent boost?
Since my install I think personally I have less lag when I turned up my boost. I think it was b/c my OEM DV's we're leaking due to damage and causing a spike between shifts. I think they react 50something times faster than a blink of an eye and they prevent boost leaks,". It's far better of a design then the OEM DV's.

I would order them before you pull your stocks ones off (if you have never before that is) because chances are that you won't be able to put them back together. My OEM DV's fell apart into pieces so definitely worth the purchase. Don't quote me on this, but I believe if you don't like them within the 30 days of purchasing them then you can return them minus the shipping and taxes.

The sound is 10 times louder then the stock ones though. Far better design and construction though, I would it's a must for all N63's and really all BMW models.
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      04-29-2021, 11:01 AM   #22
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It looks great! I was wondering, from what I'm seeing, you must have attached the filter right to a silicone hose. Did you happen to cut a small strip of 3" tubing to slide inside the silicone hose then have both the hose and the filter attach to that?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Wht550jersey View Post
Tu doesn't need the mafs
I haven't seen anyone address this. And this is something I have also seen in other posts, but no one ever goes into detail on how or why? Can we just unplug the MAFs? Does tuning need to be done?

I mean I can unplug the MAF on my LS Chevy and it'll drive fine, but it just goes to stock fuel maps when you do that. But that is a very simple engine.
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