Carbon Fiber intake installation to BMW M3 E30

NOTE: This installation is not a typical M3 installation and your installation will most likely be different due to 50mm throttle bodies etc…

Finally got my 50mm intake from John s14power.com.  It was very well packed and didn’t have any sort of damage. The kit I bought contained the following items:
-    50mm airbox
-    Installation kit
-    Snorkel and air filter assembly
-    Brake fluid reservoir relocation kit.

Any work consists of relocating the brake fluid reservoir, installing the snorkel and air filter assembly and airbox itself.

Installation:
-    remove the old airbox
-    Remove the lower airbox support. This is not needed anymore.
-    Remove the brake fluid reservoir. Be careful not to spill brake fluid on any painted surfaces. Replace the gaskets with the ones with the relocation kit and insert the tubes.
-    Remove the throttle body studs since existing studs are too short.
-    Install the airbox temporarily
-    Cut the ICV hose going to the airbox close to the T-junction. Leave enough space for a clamp.
-    Cut the hose delivered in installation kit into length.
-    Do the same for the oil separator hose
-    Check that the throttle cable is correct lenght and install it temporarily to make sure.
-    Locate a good location for the brake fluid reservoir. I installed it next to the fuse box and brake booster. Since installation bracket wasn’t delivered, I had to make one. It turned out really nice, see the picture below.

Brake reservoir installation and bracket

-    Remove the left side and middle front grill pieces.
-    Place the air filter assembly in it’s place and mark the locations for the right side mounting holes
-    Drill the 6mm holes to the radiator support.
-    Place the snorkel in place  and mark the holes to it.
-    Drill the holes to the snorkel
-    Mount the snorkel to the airfilter assembly with the 2 bolts and mark remaining 3 holes to the other side of the snorkel
-    Use the snorkel to create a gasket which is installed between the snorkel and air filter housing.
-    Install the air filter into the air filter housing. It can be installed when assembly is in place but it is easier to do it now.
-    Install the air filter housing  and snorkel
-    Remove the airbox
-    Install the brake fluid reservoir permanently now, cut the hoses to length and install the hoses.
-    Install the clutch hose into 3rd output
-    Install the airbox now, this time permanently.
-    Install the large hose into the snorkel and then to airbox. Secure with the clamps or tape.
-    Install the throttle cable and verify the operation
-    Install the intake air temperature sensor

Results:
-    Intake air temperature is significantly lower. This was the main reason why I purchased the unit. See the Intake Air study here
-    Heatsoak is reduced a lot since the old, massive piece of aluminium is missing
-    What comes to power, it looks like it works better through the rev range. Based on MAP sensor readings, it is actually worse compared to old one, but better at higher RPM’s

Performance gain

-    Intake noise: Not a big difference compared to old one.

Finished installation