What type of intake

**eurofan425** · 01-16-2005, 11:24 PM

I have a 1993 325i and I have only put a AC schnitzer chip in it, I was wondering if I could get some help finding the most benificial intake for a reasonable price, I have looked at a good amount of them just can't decide.
Thanks

**BimmerDude18** · 01-16-2005, 11:39 PM

A CAI comprises of 2 parts. A good high flow filter with associated ducting, and a good heat shield. Some intakes avoid a heat shield by dipping into a semi secluded sector of the engine bay, but its not necessarily better.

Jim conforti has a good intake with a good foam filter (I myself like foam better). I have heard a lot of good stuff about K&N's new FIPK intake kits for our cars (E46's too). Cosmos Racing has a pretty good Dinan style intake for the money. eCIS has a good intake like the conforti but with a K&N filter. You could make one yourself with $15 worth of sheet metal, tin snips, and some weather stripping form autozone or pepboys. Buy a piece of mandrel bent pipe and strap a filter on....

Depends what you want, some are more show/sound with performance, some are cheap but not good for show...etc. etc.

-Tyler

**hellrot325** · 01-17-2005, 12:04 AM

Cosmos CAI. $122 plus shipping, the most bang for the buck.

**jonjon0nline** · 01-17-2005, 12:11 AM

Originally Posted by hellrot325

Cosmos CAI. $122 plus shipping, the most bang for the buck.

Only reason I'd go with ECIS or DINAN is because they're CARB legal in CA.

The Cosmos intake actually blends in with the engine bay nicely- almost looks stock.

**krayon** · 01-17-2005, 02:34 AM

I got a Cosmos CAI and I am very satisfied. Best bang for your buck IMO.

**Serious** · 01-17-2005, 02:47 AM

cosmos seems to be the best option.

**eurofan425** · 01-17-2005, 11:28 AM

This might be a stupid question but won't water be sucked up into the intake when you hit a puddle with these cosmos intakes?

**beatniks325** · 01-17-2005, 11:33 AM

Originally Posted by eurofan425

This might be a stupid question but won't water be sucked up into the intake when you hit a puddle with these cosmos intakes?

it is a possibility yes. hydrolock is the term for that. If you are super worried about hydrolock then you could always get one of the shorter intakes such as the ECIS with a headshield.

do some searching on this topic..."CAI"....."intake"....etc. limited to the E36 forum. there is a ton of info on this subject.

**jonjon0nline** · 01-17-2005, 11:34 AM

I've driven in a storm on the hwy with no problems. I was scared as hell though.

If I was to hydrolock that would've meant s52 for me.

**hellrot325** · 01-17-2005, 11:37 AM

Originally Posted by eurofan425

This might be a stupid question but won't water be sucked up into the intake when you hit a puddle with these cosmos intakes?

Very unlikely unless you're up to the fogs in water...from a puddle, no. That being said, as a precaution I installed the JT Design Underpanel.

**Jimmie Jazz** · 01-17-2005, 12:06 PM

Originally Posted by hellrot325

Very unlikely unless you're up to the fogs in water...from a puddle, no. That being said, as a precaution I installed the JT Design Underpanel.

That's what I'm planning on doing too, but I'm not sure that the underpanel will save me from water coming in the front. I haven't come up with a scenario where water COULD come in the front however, without dropping into a ditch or attempting one of those flood crossings you see on TV all the time in TX, so maybe I'm fretting over nothing.

**hellrot325** · 01-17-2005, 12:09 PM

Originally Posted by Jimmie Jazz

so maybe I'm fretting over nothing.

You are, but then so was I...that's why the JT Design underpanel...you have to ingest huge amounts of water to hydrolock...moisture is not enough. Buy, install, and use with confidence. It's a great CAI...and low price!

**guinness325i** · 01-17-2005, 01:04 PM

Cosmos, you won't be disappointed.

**RacermeX** · 01-17-2005, 03:50 PM

I have a cone-filter, not a "complete" CAI.
I like the sound etc, the car even "feels" better/faster.

From what I've read though there isn't much HP improvement. So my question is what criterion do you guys use in order to call this mod "the best bang for the buck?"

**rcnano** · 01-17-2005, 04:00 PM

Yea I got the Cosmos too, but never directly compared it with any of the other intakes out there.
I would think it's pretty hard to hydrolock, unless you decide to drive through puddles that are like 3 feet deep. Anyhow, I don't have an underpanel on my car, and have done fine through almost 2 full Northeast weather years.

Doesn't like Apexi or something sell that "intake sponge" or something like that? Some spongelike material that sits in the intake tube w/o restricting air flow much, supposedly catching water, should it make it through your filter.

**adams** · 01-17-2005, 04:24 PM

whats the cosmos web site???
can someone post a link??

**shiggarfraggar** · 01-17-2005, 04:29 PM

Not to hate on ECIS or anything but I had there intake and was some what dissatisfied with it. The heat shield does not fully enclose the filter as the TMS or eurosport does. The heatshield on those kits look to be of much high standard than the ECIS kit, just my opinion though. I then went with the dinan airbox and the cosmos. for 120 can't be beat, and I trust that intake more than a heatshield in the engine bay.

**krayon** · 01-17-2005, 04:53 PM

Originally Posted by blackrack

whats the cosmos web site???
can someone post a link??

Here is the website.
Cosmos Racing

**hellrot325** · 01-17-2005, 05:03 PM

Originally Posted by RacermeX

From what I've read though there isn't much HP improvement. So my question is what criterion do you guys use in order to call this mod "the best bang for the buck?"

My comment was in regard to the Cosmos CAI v. others. I would seriously doubt that there would be marked performance improvement from other intakes at double, triple, or more the cost of the Cosmos. As far as improvement from the Cosmos v. stock, the car pulls harder through redline, and throttle repsonse is improved. Just "seat of the pants" dyno results...

**rcnano** · 01-17-2005, 06:28 PM

yea..but the sound you'd get would be different. Personally, I think the cosmos one sounds pretty good...
try a search too if you really want more opinions...I think there were a lot of threads on this.

**donoman** · 04-22-2005, 03:18 AM

Does anyone know of a dyno database with a whole bunch of different brands of CAI and exhausts?

Also, has anyone here ever had any reliability issues due to CAI and using an aftermarket filter? I am not sure if I trust the aftermarket filter standards, although I use them on my motorcycle and everything seems really clean.

**morganbressler** · 07-26-2005, 11:54 AM

Hey guys. This is a wonderful thread, but i do have one question to add.

Im looking at my stock intake, and other then the filtration system, it is very similar to a CAI. So, if you get a CAI, what do you do with that small little rubber passageway that goes from the air box in to the kidney grille area? Is that where the Cosmos intake goes to? Thanks!

My dad broke the lid off of my airbox, kinda, and he says he owes me. BMRparts.com priced 100$ for the whole airbox, so giggity giggity.

**beatniks325** · 07-26-2005, 12:24 PM

the filter on the cosmos sits much lower than the little plastic piece you are talking about. I took that piece out after installing the cosmos.

**apertura2002** · 03-30-2006, 12:03 AM

i'm reading that the ECIS and Dinan are C carb legal in Calif.,but the K@N is so similar to the Ecis,does anyone know if it is legal also?

**tomt30273** · 03-30-2006, 01:24 AM

The K&N is CARB legal. It should state that on their website. www.knfilter.com.

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