Get more fresh cold air into a Z4 e85 3.0L

[Rha]

Just done this today even though the standard air path is really surprisingly very very good. Now on the 3.0L m54 they've given us a 4inch+ induction path from just inside the left hand kidney grill but to my mind the initial opening faces upward, if facing forward would actually grab more air. Here's some pics to show you what I've discovered and how I believe have made it more efficient. Note I haven't said it'll make more HP but I believe the less restrictions will help the motor breath easier.

The air path has to accumulate inside the LH kidney grill before finding its way up and over the the weird bell mouth which points upward.

Saw path once bellmouth is out.

Fixings location.

Bellmouth out.

The air path entrance bell houseing after prying it off its 3 plastic mounting plugs, broke the one underneath but only made a small gap in the plastic which was fixed with gorilla tape.

This is what you'll get if you do this Mod??? The air path can now be seen to have unobstructed path straight to the air box, got to be better than paying loads of cash go a direct air feed kit, that's if they make one???. Cost nil, time 1hr with stopping to take pics and thinking the whole thing out.

Not road tested yet but don't expect any neg performance only pos in a tiny bit more pep.
Standard air box with K&N filter will still be very quiet, might have to make heat shield for a really noisy cone filter next.

 

[Rha]

Some of you maybe thinking what's he doing if he's going to sell it. Well it looks like it's gonna stay for the next couple of years untill the energy prices come down and it looks like I've over priced it as the zBMW mag says this month that you can get a good twenty yr old for £4000. So to get my money's worth out of it the boss and I have decided we'll need to get some use out of it which has led me to get some bits done to it whilst I can. Thinking of the back box delete,noisy cone filter, and maybe full body kit with huge aero spoiler. LMAO.

 

[t-tony]

Stuart @Bigwinn at Waddington has a body kit in Sterling Grey Roy if you want one?

Tony.

 

[Rha]

Sounds interesting Tony, I'll need to find out which one it is, thanks.

 

[t-tony]

It’s on here in the for sale section I think mate.

SOLD - BREAKING Sterling Grey Z4 3.0 aero kit

Hi all A quick post- I'm breaking a Z4 It has an aero rear bumper, rear spoiler and sideskirts Most body panels in good order Drop me a note for any parts you may need Cheers Stuart

zroadster.org

Tony.

 

[lucky jim]

HI its got to be a good idea removing bell mouth also that lip which to my mind will add to slowing air flow the only thing is water ingress into air box but i suppose its got to be very heavy rain or a deep puddle notwithstanding got to try to see if removal will make a difference let us know if there is a difference ...i think I will remove mine when I get time.

 

[lucky jim]

thinking more about this this is a ram air mod. not like the kits available which seem to use a cone filter some using hot air around engine also a high rate of airflow of cone filters do they remove enough particulates from the air flow ?

 

[Jam03]

Does the stock arrangement prevent water and other debris getting in?

 

[lucky jim]

i think it must do why make such a strange shape the curved lip ( is the same shape as used on a u boat conning tower ) .have you had water in your air box you can soon tell if paper filter fitted all i get in mine is dead flies & the odd leaf without the cover only the paper filter to stop water. if water got past that big problems not least hydrolocking.

 

[Z Victor 1]

Nobody is going to find a 3.0 E85 with only 50k miles in the same condition plus full documented history as that car for £4000. However, with the mods you are planning @Rha, I would think for many buyers it's value will drop.

 

[Rha]

Nobody is going to find a 3.0 E85 with only 50k miles in the same condition plus full documented history as that car for £4000. However, with the mods you are planning @Rha, I would think for many buyers it's value will drop.

Agreed but need to make it mine even though I will part with it at some time in the future, always put my own stamp on all cars owned even if a lot of people don't like them. Most if not all mods can be put back. To me it's all part of ownership seeing if I can make it look or go better, that's why I spend a lot of time in my lockup, if I didn't I would probably find myself redecorating or gardening, so no contest there lol. Never bought a car that didn't lose any value over even the first year so am prepared for any de-value when selling.

 

[Rha]

To answer some of the other comments, the shape of the bellmouth is to help accommodate the piped air from the new kidney grill bellmouth. Ram effect is probably what is gained over the upward air passage of original and agreed the new shape isn't ideal but with the pipe trunking now in position the air will be forced past. I feel it's an improvement to getting the air as far as the filter ( original air box + K&N oiled filter) when the air is at the filter it should be back to original filtering so don't expect any extra dirt etc getting any further. Water (rain) shouldn't be a problem as the orig air box has a drain hole but deep water the level of what might be a problem should not be entered, common sense really in any car without a snorkel. I'll try and put some more pics up to show what it's like plus can probably improve trunking over time. The car certainly goes really well but proving the improvements (if any) is impossible without a rolling road assessment. I'm happy that the car can now enjoy air temps from outside the vehicle plus maybe a little ram effect. Who else is there to please ???? Yes I'm pleased. Bit like wearing racing shoes, not absolutely necessary but some will benefit, think Ill try driving in my slippers, watch this space. Lol

 

[Z Victor 1]

Quite right @Rha,it's your car and you should do whatever you like with it. It's a very desirable car with it's history and I was just commenting on 'value'. The trouble with selling 'fun' cars at the moment probably has a lot to do with the current rise in the cost of living. There are a lot of Z4 s for sale.

 

[Rha]

Here's the pics of completed trunking of new fresh air passage to the original air box with K&N filter. Only thing I'd like to change is the bright silver trunking from the kidney grill bell mouth. (Looking for some black plastic pipe.)

 

[t-tony]

I know a bloke who has some Satin black Roy.

Tony.

ps. That looks a neat job, one that I never got around to.

 

[Rha]

Thanks Tony, hope he doesn't want too much for it.