DASC Preperation

[DustenT]

Originally Posted by marko

hello all,

I ran into some trouble while trying to instal my DASC last night.. broke of the $14.17 'CONNECTOR' by accident... but was wondering what is the significance of replacing the $7.81 connector (even though I'll get it anyway just to be on the safe side)? will it fail due to increased boost or should I excpect to 'accidentally' brak eit off as I did with the other one??

Replace both of them, they WILL fail. For some reason the plastic coolant pieces on the 3 series don't hold up well. I'd recommend replacing any plastic part that see coolant, including the radiator.

[saintly]

Hi,
Those parts don't fail due to the DASC, they fail due to being plastic and heat and old age. It's best to replace them as a general 'do it while your there' item as they are a PITA to get to normaly.

[marko]

yes, indeed.. I'll be ordering today both + o-rings as well... sort of strange BMW is using plastic for this high temp/stress parts... would you happen to know if anyone makes them out of aluminium??

Originally Posted by DustenT

Replace both of them, they WILL fail. For some reason the plastic coolant pieces on the 3 series don't hold up well. I'd recommend replacing any plastic part that see coolant, including the radiator.

[DustenT]

Originally Posted by marko

yes, indeed.. I'll be ordering today both + o-rings as well... sort of strange BMW is using plastic for this high temp/stress parts... would you happen to know if anyone makes them out of aluminium??

I don't think anyone makes them from aluminum. The problem is that this plastic just can't hold up to the heat cycles, and fails after 100k miles. If you have to replace them every 100k miles, it's not that bad.

[marko]

I hear you... It isn't a big deal I guess. Just kinda heartbreaking when making GREAT progress on the DASC install @ 10PM on a Sat night, and then you snapp the F-ing thing right off (knowing tomorow is Sunday so every dealer is closed - and you may have to order the thing - so you wonder, as you are punching a hole throught your garage wall - why is it made out of plastic? )! But hey, whatever...

Originally Posted by DustenT

I don't think anyone makes them from aluminum. The problem is that this plastic just can't hold up to the heat cycles, and fails after 100k miles. If you have to replace them every 100k miles, it's not that bad.

[saintly]

serenity now
serenity now
SERENITY NOW!

[marko]

hello again Dusten... it seems you are a fountain of knowledge in terms of a DASC, so I hope you dont mind me picking your brain & asking you some more stupid questions...

Is there any way, shape, or form I could RETAIN my OEM airbox, upon installing the DASC (already have K&N filter inside of it)??

I dislike the idea of the cone K&N thing so much, I actualy CRINGED when I saw it in the DASC box!

Is it impossible to retain the box, and why (maybe not enough space in the eng compartment)? Do I really need need to be 'sucking in' all that extra hot air into the motor? Would the DASC work without it & has anyone done it??

Again, I mentioned this at some point to someone on this site before, but I had nothing but a bad experince with one of those set ups on my 91 GTI.
Filter was getting wet every time it rained, it got ripped at one point and was allowing stuff to go into the snorkel (before I realized it & fixed it), and the car actualy LOST power (not to mention it sounded like ASS).

in short, any chance of NOT using the open air filter business with DASC??

Thanks!

Originally Posted by DustenT

I don't think anyone makes them from aluminum. The problem is that this plastic just can't hold up to the heat cycles, and fails after 100k miles. If you have to replace them every 100k miles, it's not that bad.

[saintly]

There should be enough space to retain the stock air box. it would just be a matter of getting the pipes to connect. Also, you may need to increase the air flow into the air box. from memory there was someone here who added a second intake pipe.

[DustenT]

Originally Posted by saintly

There should be enough space to retain the stock air box. it would just be a matter of getting the pipes to connect. Also, you may need to increase the air flow into the air box. from memory there was someone here who added a second intake pipe.

I agree 100%, the factory box should work, but you might need to fabricate a way to connect the two. I'm running a paper filter instead of the K&N filter. Here is a link to more info on that: http://www.318ti.org/forum/showthread.php?t=11154

If you are able to get the factory box to work, post your results and pictures, I love pictures!

[DustenT]

Originally Posted by marko

hello again Dusten... it seems you are a fountain of knowledge in terms of a DASC, so I hope you dont mind me picking your brain & asking you some more stupid questions...

Is there any way, shape, or form I could RETAIN my OEM airbox, upon installing the DASC (already have K&N filter inside of it)??

I dislike the idea of the cone K&N thing so much, I actualy CRINGED when I saw it in the DASC box!

Is it impossible to retain the box, and why (maybe not enough space in the eng compartment)? Do I really need need to be 'sucking in' all that extra hot air into the motor? Would the DASC work without it & has anyone done it??

Again, I mentioned this at some point to someone on this site before, but I had nothing but a bad experince with one of those set ups on my 91 GTI.
Filter was getting wet every time it rained, it got ripped at one point and was allowing stuff to go into the snorkel (before I realized it & fixed it), and the car actualy LOST power (not to mention it sounded like ASS).

in short, any chance of NOT using the open air filter business with DASC??

Thanks!

Take a look here: http://ackthud.com/shawnfogg/performance.htm

Shawn Fogg's DASC with factory airbox:

[marko]

thank you... also, you seem to mention increased air flow in a neccesity, and therefore, should 'fogging' the box be sufficient (and not feeding the second air line to the current box configuration)?
I believe the photo Dusten provided below is indeed with a 'fogged' box...

Originally Posted by saintly

There should be enough space to retain the stock air box. it would just be a matter of getting the pipes to connect. Also, you may need to increase the air flow into the air box. from memory there was someone here who added a second intake pipe.

[marko]

Thank you! Excellent!! thats exaclty I was hoping for!

I'll try and shoot for that exact set up in my car... Will ultimately post pictures when its all said and done.

again, thanks for sharing!

Originally Posted by DustenT

Take a look here: http://ackthud.com/shawnfogg/performance.htm

Shawn Fogg's DASC with factory airbox:

[DustenT]

I tried putting the factory airbox on last night. It doesn't work with the m44 and traction control (not even close), but it might work if you remove the traction control butterfly. Pics:



Airbox without MAF or Traction Control:


Besides being the wrong diameter, the MAF and the TB boot don't line up very well:


While it might be possible to make this work, I really like having traction control so to me it's not worth removing it.

Additional, larger pics are located here: http://180customs.net/v-web/gallery/Supercharger-Pics

[marko]

well, that changes things slightly, don't it? LOL specially since I'd like to keep my TC as well...
I guess, I'll go with the 'cone' thing, for now at least. You seem not to have any troubles with it, so it may ultimately just work out as is.

In the other thread you attached earlier, you suggested a paper filter vs. K&N included with DASC kit... Was that do due to better protection from paper? Any reason you did not go with the air intake from the 'custom DASC install' thread (from photo below)?

again, THANKS!

Originally Posted by DustenT

I tried putting the factory airbox on last night. It doesn't work with the m44 and traction control (not even close), but it might work if you remove the traction control butterfly. Pics:



Airbox without MAF or Traction Control:


Besides being the wrong diameter, the MAF and the TB boot don't line up very well:


While it might be possible to make this work, I really like having traction control so to me it's not worth removing it.

Additional, larger pics are located here: http://180customs.net/v-web/gallery/Supercharger-Pics

[DustenT]

Originally Posted by marko

well, that changes things slightly, don't it? LOL specially since I'd like to keep my TC as well...
I guess, I'll go with the 'cone' thing, for now at least. You seem not to have any troubles with it, so it may ultimately just work out as is.

In the other thread you attached earlier, you suggested a paper filter vs. K&N included with DASC kit... Was that do due to better protection from paper? Any reason you did not go with the air intake from the 'custom DASC install' thread (from photo below)?

again, THANKS!

The picture you attached is using NickG's stage 3 tuning package which includes the ITG filter, heatshield and uses the 3" MAF sensor. I'm using the paper filter because it filters better.