X5M Intake

[9vapors]

I picked up some piping for pretty cheap. Not sure I'll have some time, but I'm looking forward to making a cheaper intake setup, but on par with the others... I'll be doing some fitting and measurements this weekend!

[boneca]

great, good luck and let us know how it went

[9vapors]

Originally Posted by boneca

great, good luck and let us know how it went

Looks like I'm going to need a couple elbows, silicone 90 degrees. Only thing is my piping is 3.5, and so is the inlet. Would a 4" elbow work? How much can the silicone piping stretch? I'd rather not use the stock rubber tubes.

[m5james]

Looks like the beginning of mine...you've got a ways to go though.

[9vapors]

Originally Posted by m5james

Looks like the beginning of mine...you've got a ways to go though.

What size piping is yours?

[greddy91]

Interested in replicating... where did you get your oval bends?

[9vapors]

Originally Posted by greddy91

Interested in replicating... where did you get your oval bends?

CXracing... if you want to wait a week for me to get mine done so I can tell you the supporting pieces you'll need.

[greddy91]

No rush... waiting on my motor rebuild to complete.

I do think this looks like a better option than the overpriced K&N Typhoon tubes.

I was thinking it seems like it would be super easy to use some silicone tubing from frozenboost to connect the round to oval changes.

What's the diameter for the OEM boots on the TBs?

[9vapors]

Originally Posted by greddy91

No rush... waiting on my motor rebuild to complete.

I do think this looks like a better option than the overpriced K&N Typhoon tubes.

I was thinking it seems like it would be super easy to use some silicone tubing from frozenboost to connect the round to oval changes.

What's the diameter for the OEM boots on the TBs?

3.5" ID, but my piping is 3.5 OD, so I went with a reduced from 3.5-4" silicone coupler. I will have the piping run to that on the TB, I ordered 2 90 degree 3.5 stainless elbows. I also ordered 2 3.5"-4" 90 degree silicone elbows to try them as well.

[philly42]

So my plan is to make a composite intake. It will be easier to manipulate. I will start off by making a mold of the hard tube that connects the intake to the boot.

[0-60Motorsports]

Looks good. Keep us updated please.

[9vapors]

Originally Posted by 0-60Motorsports

Looks good. Keep us updated please.

Well first update, the elbows I ordered, 3.5" - 4" reducer 90 degree elbows were too big. They needed to be 3" - 3.5", not sure what I was thinking after trying to fit them. I ordered the correct ones earlier today. I also ordered more stainless... 90 degree elbows which should be here mid week. The silicone couplers and everything to get it done will be here mid week as well, so I'll take it all over to the shop and have them weld it together. I'll them have them coated or paint them.

Once I've got all the parts together and know exactly what is needed, I'll post a parts list, take tons of pics and share everything with you guys. I need to source some k&n filters because the ones I ordered have an oval flange, but it's 4 inches and my piping is 3.5", so I think I will get 3.5" round flange and see if it can be manipulated to fit the oval piping.

The filters themselves have to be oval to fit in the front opening behind the grilles. The ones I bought are K&N rf-1019... if anyone has any suggestions there, let me know. I'm going to take a piece of the oval piping tomorrow to a couple auto parts stores and see if I can make it work with a round inlet/flange...

[ncbimma]

Burger intakes?
http://www.burgertuning.com/f10_535i_640i_BMW_Performance_intake.html

[9vapors]

It would be perfect if the flange is 3.5" wide, but it looks wider. I cant seem to find the opening dimensions. If anyone has one and is willing to measure, that would be great!

[greddy91]

K&N RC-5000 or RC-5050 work?

https://www.knfilters.com/universal/unique.htm

[9vapors]

Those seem to be 4.5 in openings... I think I have a solution though... I bought a couple of extra silicone couplers, if I cut one side off, it gives me the amount of space I need for the filters to fit... the first pic is with the 3.5" coupler on, the sencond is with it fitted into the 4" opening, nice and snug. Should work fine!

[greddy91]

I see light around the outer edge of your tubing... not good IMO as that would be allowing unfiltered air into the intake path.

Maybe take the pipes to a muffler shop and have them hit the middle of the oval with a widener to remove the narrowing in the middle of the narrowest radius?

[Dieselunlimited]

Originally Posted by greddy91

I see light around the outer edge of your tubing... not good IMO as that would be allowing unfiltered air into the intake path.

Maybe take the pipes to a muffler shop and have them hit the middle of the oval with a widener to remove the narrowing in the middle of the narrowest radius?

He d oesnt have any clamps on, anything like that will seal!

[9vapors]

Yeah, I didn't have a clamp on it or anything, but I won't be going that route anyway it seems. The bad news is the K&N RF-1019 didn't come close to fitting... Opening wise or in the grille area. I'm limited to about a 6" length. Good news is that I took my 3.5" piping to an autozone and asked if I could try it on a 3.5" round inlet filter. It actually went in and fit snugly with plenty of surface to clamp. So with this info I ordered 2 K&N RC-5040s. K&N RC-5040 Universal Clamp-On Air Filter: Oval Straight; 3.5 in (89 mm) Flange ID; 5.5 in (140 mm) Height; 8.5 in x 5.25 in (216 mm x 133 mm) Base; 6.25 in x 4 in (159 mm x 102 mm) Top https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00029WZ16..._WK5pBb84GG77H

They will be perfect for the grill as they are 6" including the flange. My piping has all gotten here, waiting for a couple 3"-3.5" silicone couplers to get here, then it's ready to get fitted and welded! Getting closer! Once I have everything that fits after all of this, I'll post a parts list if you guys want to replicate it.

[9vapors]

Alright, since I bought a couple extra couplers etc to try some different things, here are some options... use your imagination please, nothing is welded, clamped etc. just for fitting purposes. Silicone 90degree 3"-3.5" elbow option...

[9vapors]

This is the 3"- 3.5" coupler to 90 degree 3.5" round piping to oval piping option. Will require some imagination and cutting/welding... both lengths of piping have plenty of extra to hack off and lend to pie cuts or other options.

[9vapors]

And finally, just for your situation awareness, here is a picture of the right and left intake opening... notice they're not perfectly round or oval, kind of odd shaped... This is where the silicone couplers help. If you wanted to use the stock rubber couplers, they are a bit over 3", but under 3.5", so again, an odd shape to work with without some engineering. That's it for now, my filters get here Sunday, I will test fit them as well and post some pics. I also plan to head to the shop on Monday to discuss what they can do.