induction kit vs panel filter

[fritz the cat]

just a thought but wondered what peoples oppinions are on induction kits.my friend has fitted a k&n 57i kit to his bmw(he drives a 316 so suppose he needs all the extra bhp he can get!)i havnt noticed any power gains from it just a raspy boy racer style noise(not helped by the 5 inch backbox yuck!).i fitted a k&n panel filter to my previous 318is and noticed better throttle response plus no sound difference.ive spoken to 2 different mechanics i know and both said that a upgraded panel filter is the better way to go.what do you think?

[VMZ]

IMHO any filter upgrade is a good thing. Then it just comes down to if you want the extra induction noise or not.

I have a custom intake similar to the 57i. Only problem with the design is you're sucking in hot air so it's better if you build a box for the filter and route cold air in... at which point you're nearly back where you started, just with a little less restriction.

I have 3" silicone from the cone to the TB with the ASC TB deleted and I'm perfectly happy with the increased response(as small as it may be) and the little extra noise that come with it.

I'm not sure where you are but some places require you to have the filter boxed and use a dry filter as opposed to an oiled K&N type.

[fritz the cat]

im in the uk ive been looking at different kits and a custom cold air feed similar to your system seems to be a popular choice

[Garry]

I have been lookin at this K&N kit, comes with a heat shield..

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll ... 0301095984

why did u get rid of ASC?

[VMZ]

I liked the look at that kit and would have been happy with it but no one round here had it and by the time I bought it then got it shipped here it was very expensive compared to the AUD$100 it cost me to build mine. I don't know about you Fritz, but Garry would know the Aussie dollar isn't exactly worth much at the moment.

@Garry.
I'm not sure how much you know about the ASC system, so just in case. When it detects wheel slip/spin is trys to stop this... it can stop it by applying brakes and/or closing it's TB to reduce power from the engine.
I'm happy if it plays with my brakes to save my a$$ but I don't wont it cutting my power(can be bad in certain situations) or starving my engine(i'm sure BMW wouldn't do it if it would lead to engine damage but still)... It's also got a smaller ID than the actual TB which was a big chunk of my dislike for it.

[Garry]

yeah, the aussie dollar is rubbish, wish I ordered it when it as at like .98 damn it!!! oh well, there are a few more things I want from over seas, but its all money.

yeah I know what ASC does, but still cant c y u removed it :p got it on mine, dont c a problem with it at all.

[VMZ]

Yeah. It would have been nice to buy a few grand of stuff while the dollar was up and then sell it for a tidy profit once the US crashed.


I can't remember the exact dimensions but I'm running 76mm(3") silicone from the filter the the TB. The opening of the TB is a bit under 76mm but the ASC TB is a lot smaller. I did try with the filter and ASC but it was noticeably better with it removed as far as throttle response and acceleration go.

It bothers me, for instance that if I start to aquaplane(the bimmer seems pretty resistant to it but still) that it will notice the wheels aren't turning as they should and try to correct it... when the worst thing you can do is lift you foot off, or in this case have the car do it by itself.

[fritz the cat]

my asc is broken but to be honest i dont need it.my car puts out 170 bhp which isnt a huge output.i can twitch the back out easily but ive never really had any scary moments.the muscle cars of the 70,s were pumping out up to 350 bhp and they didnt have asc.most didnt even have disc brakes!!!

[VMZ]

I don't think I need it either but I'd rather not wreck the car and be looking back and thinking "Damn, ASC would have saved my a$$" Otherwise I would just pull the whole ASC system out(to save weight )

[fritz the cat]

haha true.im happy to admit that im an average driver and there are times when it does come in handy.i wrote off my 318is (bought a month b4 ouch!)on a wet road after twitching the back just a bit to far.maybe asc would have saved me,maybe not.