BQ Tuning N54 Intake Conversion

[BQTuning]

Just an update on this. The conversion is already done just need to get inlets made

I have had some set backs. Locally no one wants to touch a BMW car, or unless its an official M car or its not worth their time to get involved. I keep getting asked the question "is it worth it" well of course or else I wouldn't have gone this far in buying parts and getting things installed.

So, Im going to get my hands dirty. Since there will be no middle man involved anymore I have decided to go the Carbon Fiber route for inlets. I have made some room in one of my garages to bring in some cutting equipment to put me more in control of the project. Things are going to progress on a slower pace than I had anticipated, but it will get done.

 

[terryd5150]

Perhaps I'm missing something, but couldn't you just use aluminum tubing and silicone connectors & elbows to construct the inlets from this point?

Perhaps have the aluminum tubing ceramic coated.

I would think, at the very least, that would get you a workable prototype to take to a fab shop.

Regardless, please keep us posted; I'm very interested in this project.

 

[The Convert]

Perhaps I'm missing something, but couldn't you just use aluminum tubing and silicone connectors & elbows to construct the inlets from this point?

Perhaps have the aluminum tubing ceramic coated.

I would think, at the very least, that would get you a workable prototype to take to a fab shop.

Regardless, please keep us posted; I'm very interested in this project.

Bare aluminum has a higher emissivity than ceramic coatings. Polished aluminum will shed the heat once heat soaked faster than a ceramic coated piece, which would insulate the pipe, causing it to stay heat soaked longer. The ceramic coating MAY keep the pipe from heat soaking a little longer, but it will stay soaked longer and we're all heat soaking every pipe in the engine bay while running around.

 

[terryd5150]

I don't dismiss your point, but I was referring to visual appearance only - it would be a waste to put some "hack job"-looking inlets on such a well thought-out system.

However, you're applying the concept incorrectly.

On the exhaust side, thermal coating exists to keep heat in; on the intake side it exists to keep heat out.

You would n't want radiant heat from the turbos heating up the inlet piping, and thus the intake charge air.

Regardless, it would provide a working model that could then be taken to a fab shop - and at that point I wouldn't think anyone would care "M-car or not".

 

[BQTuning]

I don't dismiss your point, but I was referring to visual appearance only - it would be a waste to put some "hack job"-looking inlets on such a well thought-out system.

I assure you 100% it wont be a hack job. When I get my hands dirty I do make sure to keep this also clean

This is just test fitment. There was an error made on the silicone reducer elbow which was a tad smaller than 2.5"

 

[terryd5150]

I assure you 100% it wont be a hack job. When I get my hands dirty I do make sure to keep this also clean

This is just test fitment. There was an error made on the silicone reducer elbow which was a tad smaller than 2.5"

Hahaha!

I wasn't intending to imply you'd make a hack-job; merely that I wasn't sure of your ability to hand-form/mold a raw carbon fiber substrate (which you obviously have).

Very nice piece; very well executed.

 

[DennisKing]

Well played.
This isn't the first inlet set to go over the valve cover like the N55 and S55 does that I've seen but I love the idea of using factory supplied parts. Especially on a car that has so few options for it.
So now, just send me your airbox lid for my MR5 setup. Thanks

 

[Jeffman]

Can you get a strut tower brace on your setup with the bank 2 intake going over the engine?

 

[DennisKing]

Can you get a strut tower brace on your setup with the bank 2 intake going over the engine?

Not my setup. Saw it on another car and really dug the work. Thats all metal tubing.
The strut towers are tied to the firewall so I doubt a strut bar is going to increase rigidity noticeably.

 

[BMWE92_Harry]

Ecs sells their version of carbon fiber DCI and closed air intake box for 500 plus. If it's around the same price range, I don't see why it wouldn't be reasonable.

 

[R.G.]

Not my setup. Saw it on another car and really dug the work. Thats all metal tubing.
The strut towers are tied to the firewall so I doubt a strut bar is going to increase rigidity noticeably.

It does. I noticed an immediate difference after removing mine (still having the OEM brace installed). Really it comes down to driving style but the e92 chassis needs all the help it can from my perspective.

 

[BQTuning]

Just a lil update. Currently I have parts of the CF tubing and silicone installed to see how well it does with the engine bay heat and to determine if there is anything I need to be concerned about. The CF has a heat rated tolerance of 302°f . I applied no hose clamps also as I want to see if the silicone will dilute. I live here in south Florida and we can see triple digits temps sometimes. The silicone coupler and and bends are "Genuine 4-Ply construction - that's 5 layers of silicone plus 4 layers of reinforcement for 9 total layers: Heat tolerance: -40° to 392° Fahrenheit" per manufacture specs.

This Monday 8/14 Ill be going down to the shop to setup some planing on relocation of the coolant reservoir. I am planning on having the inlets installed the same time during the relocation of the coolant reservoir along with the install of a new OCC and PCV upgrade, but will be working along the shop tech.

The samples in the pics will need cutting during the install so i can get exact measurements when things are off the car. Many of you may have caught on, where is vent port on the inlet for the PCV vent hose ? There is none . There is a bypass built into the intake box that will be used for the PCV venting to both turbos instead of one. More details on this will be shown later on.

 

[doublespaces]

Hopefully it holds up well, looks good/interesting.

 

[BQTuning]

Whats up everyone, just a quick update. The CF inlets design has changed some and has been finalized. I have moved away from using silicone bends or elbows in place of CF bends instead. Wanted to eliminated as much silicone as possible. Did a lil video awhile back of progress

 

[AntoanS4]

Looks good Dimitri

 

[doublespaces]

Is this the end of current inlet options? Can't see how this would be nearly as difficult to install as that rear inlet.

 

[BQTuning]

Is this the end of current inlet options? Can't see how this would be nearly as difficult to install as that rear inlet.

They will be a lot easier to install than the silicone factory location inlet option provided the coolant tank is relocated to the other side of the engine bay and you do the vacuum canister conversion.

Will it be the end of the current inlets options ? As for stock turbos and stock location turbo upgrades, idk.

 

[TEC]

How close are you to putting out a commercial product? Also, would it be possible to get the inlets in 2"?
I need this.
Good stuff.

 

[BQTuning]

How close are you to putting out a commercial product? Also, would it be possible to get the inlets in 2"?
I need this.
Good stuff.

Its going to be a while as they are going through rigorous testing, looking for the slightest flaw, and if flaws were to be exposed how I would handle them. Im critiquing it in every way possible, even threw them into an oven for baking process with various coatings for the inside of the inlets. I am still waiting for more parts to come in for the conversion setup part of all this. Then I have to collect data before and after. Its just me, its all being manual hand prepped, cutting, coating, baking, and sanding.

The first release will be for the E89 Z4 . Then I have couple of 3 series cars and a 1 series car lined for fitments and testing also. Hopefully within the next month it will be up and running on the my Z4 provided we survive this Hurricane

Yes it would be possible to request 2" inlets. I have actually settled with 2.5" instead though.

 

[R.G.]

Nice job putting this together BQ. Without the couplers this thing will be cherry. My F02 has the holder for the conduits just behind the intake above cylinder 6. I think having that included would make for the cleanest set up. It can be held in place with one screw and connects to the intake tubes via one of those push in grommet things. Helps minimize movement of the tubing as well. Just some food for thought.