Drop in air filters. Read before changing...important

wrfam · 04-11-2012, 09:47 PM

I replaced the original drop in air filter on my N54 engine to K&N. After testing the car several times I noticed there was no improvement but also that the pleats on the original and the K&N have different orientation so the airflow is not the same. Seems to me they got it wrong.
I went ahead and purchased a BMC air filter with the same orientation as the original and the car runs much better.

SSSnakeman · 04-11-2012, 10:00 PM

I have a K&N. Didn't notice anything when I installed it. I don't see how the direction of those pleats could make any difference to be honest.

ansch · 04-12-2012, 01:29 AM

how do you think the orientation of the pleats is going to translate to the air flow by the time it goes up and under the airbox, through the turbos and FMIC, and finally into the intake via the TB..

Derek8819 · 04-12-2012, 01:36 AM

^ lol.

Adam135 · 04-12-2012, 01:39 AM

You noticed no improvement when you went to K&N, then you got a BMC filter and the car runs "much better"?

Eddie135 · 04-12-2012, 01:56 AM

I got the K&N drop-in, slight throttle response when I drive but don't think the orientation is going to affect much on the flow.

RimasRS · 04-12-2012, 02:26 AM

Like I noticed that installing DCI's and facing them NORTH engine sucks in much colder air

ansch · 04-12-2012, 04:59 AM

I suppose people still buy these things along with the magnet thing that you crimp onto the fuel line to align the fuel molecules.

http://www.hicloneqld.com/products.html

Quote:

Originally Posted by RimasRS

Like I noticed that installing DCI's and facing them NORTH engine sucks in much colder air

but in Australia, we have to make sure they are faced SOUTH because we get the Antarctic breeze instead of the Arctic north wind

Otaku · 04-12-2012, 07:11 AM

Lol magnets and the arctic breeze, can these two elements be combined?

Mark16q · 04-12-2012, 12:16 PM

my guess would be too much oil on the K&N caused problems. doesn't take much to do the job.

Indo Rider · 04-12-2012, 06:16 PM

I had to create an account just so I could LOL at this!

MilehighM3 · 04-12-2012, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark16q

my guess would be too much oil on the K&N caused problems. doesn't take much to do the job.

There's nothing to mess up on an N54 since it doesn't use a MAF.

I give this thread subject an epic ranking, in the fail department haha

PA135i · 04-12-2012, 10:16 PM

ansch is right. That K&N is made for Australia. Toilets flush in the opposite direction there. that proves it.
I bought an AFE Pro Dry just for this reason.

ken1137 · 04-12-2012, 10:25 PM

Common...give the OP a break.

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Focusedintntions · 04-13-2012, 06:59 AM

allanak · 04-13-2012, 12:03 PM

Everfly · 04-13-2012, 12:08 PM

Arrrr I just order K&N drop in to replace my Injen CAI ;(

BimmerE82 · 04-13-2012, 12:15 PM

Damn......you guys are ruthless! But funny!

Exite · 04-14-2012, 12:41 AM

lulz potato

NickyC · 04-14-2012, 01:56 AM

No power in an intake for these cars. Nology Hotwires are where it's at. I gained 35rwhp over stock. True story.

MilehighM3 · 04-14-2012, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NickyC

No power in an intake for these cars. Nology Hotwires are where it's at. I gained 35rwhp over stock. True story.

Additional ground cables and chassis seam welding are next for me. That should do it. Always works on Gran Turismo...

wrfam · 05-26-2012, 12:52 PM

The difference also is at low rpm . Air induction works better and even gives better mpg !!checked many times in the car computer ! Sow it works better that was the reason of the desing in the first place!!!

04-11-2012, 09:47 PM	#1
wrfam WR-FAM 18 Rep 86 Posts Drives: bmw 135i Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	Drop in air filters. Read before changing...important I replaced the original drop in air filter on my N54 engine to K&N. After testing the car several times I noticed there was no improvement but also that the pleats on the original and the K&N have different orientation so the airflow is not the same. Seems to me they got it wrong. I went ahead and purchased a BMC air filter with the same orientation as the original and the car runs much better. Attached Images
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04-11-2012, 10:00 PM	#2
SSSnakeman Private First Class 15 Rep 187 Posts Drives: 330 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: PA iTrader: (3)	I have a K&N. Didn't notice anything when I installed it. I don't see how the direction of those pleats could make any difference to be honest.
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04-12-2012, 01:29 AM	#3
ansch Captain 33 Rep 645 Posts Drives: SGM 135i Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Brisbane, Australia iTrader: (1)	how do you think the orientation of the pleats is going to translate to the air flow by the time it goes up and under the airbox, through the turbos and FMIC, and finally into the intake via the TB..
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04-12-2012, 01:36 AM	#4
Derek8819 First Lieutenant 35 Rep 358 Posts Drives: 2015 F80 M3 Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: New Orleans, LA iTrader: (4)	^ lol.
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04-12-2012, 01:39 AM	#5
Adam135 Captain 75 Rep 961 Posts Drives: 2014 435i Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: USA iTrader: (2)	You noticed no improvement when you went to K&N, then you got a BMC filter and the car runs "much better"?
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04-12-2012, 01:56 AM	#6
Eddie135 N55 Commando 55 Rep 797 Posts Drives: 135i - DCT - N55 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Melbourne iTrader: (0)	I got the K&N drop-in, slight throttle response when I drive but don't think the orientation is going to affect much on the flow.
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04-12-2012, 02:26 AM	#7
RimasRS Colonel 85 Rep 2,438 Posts Drives: BMW X3 SD Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Europe iTrader: (0)	Like I noticed that installing DCI's and facing them NORTH engine sucks in much colder air
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04-12-2012, 07:11 AM	#9
Otaku Private First Class 1 Rep 122 Posts Drives: Lemon Chicken Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Australia iTrader: (0)	Lol magnets and the arctic breeze, can these two elements be combined?
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04-12-2012, 12:16 PM	#10
Mark16q Second Lieutenant 10 Rep 223 Posts Drives: 2010 135i convertible AW 6MT Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Agoura Hills iTrader: (2)	my guess would be too much oil on the K&N caused problems. doesn't take much to do the job. __________________ '13 Miata Gt 6MT, '10 135i AW 'vert 6MT, PE and PPK1 sold. Sold '09 A4 Cabriolet, a couple of Miata's, 2005 Elise, 2004 S2000....
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04-12-2012, 06:16 PM	#11
Indo Rider Captain 555 Rep 735 Posts Drives: 135 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: United States iTrader: (0)	I had to create an account just so I could LOL at this!
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04-12-2012, 10:16 PM	#13
PA135i Brigadier General 968 Rep 3,323 Posts Drives: 08 135i 08 CR-V Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Pennsylvania iTrader: (0)	ansch is right. That K&N is made for Australia. Toilets flush in the opposite direction there. that proves it. I bought an AFE Pro Dry just for this reason.
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04-12-2012, 10:25 PM	#14
ken1137 Brigadier General 89 Rep 3,732 Posts Drives: BMW S1000XR Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Gilbert, AZ iTrader: (7) Garage List 2009 e90 335i [6.40]	Common...give the OP a break. __________________ BMWCCA member
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04-13-2012, 06:59 AM	#15
Focusedintntions Colonel 105 Rep 2,696 Posts Drives: 2011 135i M-Sport :D Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: NoVA iTrader: (1)	__________________ Faster, faster, faster, until the thrill of speed overcomes the fear of death… – Hunter Thompson
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04-13-2012, 12:03 PM	#16
allanak Private First Class 1 Rep 132 Posts Drives: 2011 135i 6MT Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Las Vegas, NV iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 BMW 135i [2.00]	__________________ 2011 Alpine White/Coral Red 135i 6MT ///M-Sport/Premium/Nav/HK ED 4/2/11 Go: JB4, BMS Downpipe, BMS Meth Kit, BMS Intake, ER Chargepipe, Berk Full Race Exhaust, clutch stop, CDV delete Show: 35% Tint, 19" Alufelgen SF-71, SleK CF M Sport Front Lip, Scopione CF rear diffuser, CravenSpeed Platypus Plate Mount
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04-13-2012, 12:08 PM	#17
Everfly Brigadier General 154 Rep 3,143 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Indianapolis iTrader: (51)	Arrrr I just order K&N drop in to replace my Injen CAI ;(
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04-13-2012, 12:15 PM	#18
BimmerE82 Captain 105 Rep 837 Posts Drives: 2009 BMW 135i Sport package Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Tucson, Arizona iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 BMW 135i [7.00]	Damn......you guys are ruthless! But funny! __________________
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04-14-2012, 12:41 AM	#19
Exite Private 4 Rep 64 Posts Drives: 08 135i Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: socal iTrader: (0)	lulz potato
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04-14-2012, 01:56 AM	#20
NickyC Lieutenant General 17485 Rep 10,663 Posts Drives: M4 CS. Former G82, x2 F82, F80 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Jacked out of my mind iTrader: (23)	No power in an intake for these cars. Nology Hotwires are where it's at. I gained 35rwhp over stock. True story.
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05-26-2012, 12:52 PM	#22
wrfam WR-FAM 18 Rep 86 Posts Drives: bmw 135i Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	The difference also is at low rpm . Air induction works better and even gives better mpg !!checked many times in the car computer ! Sow it works better that was the reason of the desing in the first place!!!
	Appreciate 0