Short Ram vs Stock Airbox

[ATF]

Heh don't worry guys, this isn't another one of those which is better threads.

I picked up a ISO USB Scan tool from ScanTool.net and decided to play with it. So I hopped in my car with my laptop, hooked it up to my OBD and did two test runs. Also I could probably install the Cosmo Short Ram Intake blind folded now.

Just a note, I should have done this before rush hour traffic started to pile onto the parkway.

The setup:
Stock - 100% Stock, no fogging, typical M44 airbox with insulated air feed running over radiator, foam removed from inside the airbox on both clean and dirty sides and resonator is still attached. OEM BMW Paper Air Filter.
Short Ram - Comso (not Cosmos) Short Ram Intake with their air filter (also oiled), no Heatshield, insulated air feed running over radiator left in place (don't know if this helps or hurts.)

My findings, Stock air box keeps the air temperature consistent regardless of speed. Meaning it's more insulated than the Short Ram Intake (SRI). SRI absorbs the engine heat at low speeds, but once you've reached a higher speed, air temperature is about the same. Maybe a few degrees difference.

I'm no scientist or engineer so don't quote me on my hypothesis So make your own conclusions.

[DustenT]

Excellent post. Just as I would have expected.

[HuGo]

Try it now with the Intake running to the ground.

[ATF]

Originally Posted by HuGo

Try it now with the Intake running to the ground.

I didn't get the CAI, I picked up the SRI.

I made a template out of some poster board for a heatshield, now it's time to bug my neighbor for some free sheet metal

[HuGo]

Originally Posted by ATF

I didn't get the CAI, I picked up the SRI.

I made a template out of some poster board for a heatshield, now it's time to bug my neighbor for some free sheet metal

You should have gotten the CAI and you could have easily convert it to a SRI by using only the smaller tube.

[ATF]

Originally Posted by HuGo

You should have gotten the CAI and you could have easily convert it to a SRI by using only the smaller tube.

I considered that but then I weighed my options.
I could have paid more $ for the CAI ($ I don't have), I could have done the modified Cosmo CAI too. I didn't want to cut my brake duct and relocate my horn. With the performance differences between the CAI and SRI being minimal and I was doing it mainly for looks and sound, I ended up going with the cheaper of the two. Also with the CAI you run the risk of hydro-locking the engine, and well I just don't have deep enough pockets to run that risk. I live in an area where flash flooding is like the haze in downtown LA.

[HuGo]

Originally Posted by ATF

Also with the CAI you run the risk of hydro-locking the engine, and well I just don't have deep enough pockets to run that risk.

Been there, done that LoL!

Well at the time i didnt know about that stuff, plus i didnt have the shield that goes right in the corners right underneath the brake ducts to atleast splash the water down.

Im considering running the pipe to the ground again. I guess i dont learn. But i bought that plastic piece now, and now i know to be careful through puddles.

[ATF]

It's been a while since I made any progress. Earlier today I picked up some aluminum sheet metal and started fabricating. Of course I chose to do this at night so there wasn't much light. I snapped two pics quickly on my awesome camera phone, one of the images decided to corrupt so I've only got one angle

Anyways. I plan on putting a bottom to the heatshield, and possibly even a top. Maybe even a cold air feed.

edit: I just noticed how poor the picture came out. To narrate you through, the obvious piece of the heatshield is between the air intake and the belts area, this extends to the radiator reservoir. Directly below the MAF is the continuation of the heatshield (still all one piece) that extends to the wheel well.

[ATF]

Since rush hour isn't really the ideal time to tryout the new heatshield, I'll just post pics of it now and do a test run tomorrow morning.

I got some aluminum rivets and some re-usable plastic rivets. There's a top sheet of aluminum, a bottom sheet of aluminum and a L shaped piece of aluminum. It's mounted to the power steering res. mount. I'm planning on picking up some of that fancy aluminum/metal tape to do all the joints and probably getting a can of plasti-dip and running some of that over the edges.

Any questions or comments? Fire away.

[DocDuvi]

good work man!! I like it!!

How much did you spend in that HomeDepot Heat Shield

[mohaughn]

If you want to make it even better cover that sheet metal with some thermal insulation. Something like dynmat thermal wrap. You should be able to get a small square of it at any good car stereo shop. That will completely insulate it.

[ATF]

Originally Posted by mohaughn

If you want to make it even better cover that sheet metal with some thermal insulation. Something like dynmat thermal wrap. You should be able to get a small square of it at any good car stereo shop. That will completely insulate it.

Hmmm good call, I thought about that but couldn't think of anywhere to buy it besides the net. Do you think Wal-Mart, AutoZone or BestBuy would carry it? There aren't any (to my knowledge) car stereo/alarm places around here to check out

[momorugger]

Now I'm interested in an intake! nice job man

[ATF]

Originally Posted by momorugger

Now I'm interested in an intake! nice job man

Thanks! My only screw up was not making my own CAI. I want to make something like the Cosmos intake, where it dips to where the horn is. Just like the modified Cosmo intake. That would solve the problem of the cold air feed and most likely wouldn't need heat insulation on the heat shield.

[ATF]

Originally Posted by DocDuvi

good work man!! I like it!!

How much did you spend in that HomeDepot Heat Shield

The Aluminum was ~ $12.
The 5 plastic rivets were ~ $.38 each
The 25 Pack of aluminum rivets was ~ $3

That's it for materials.
I opted for posterboard to make a template.
Duct tape to hold the template together.
Scissors..
Tin snips to cut the sheet metal.
A workbench helps out too. You get the picture