Dual Front-Mounted Air Intakes

[Alextv200]

Hey everyone,
I've slowly been planning out and putting together resources and parts for my F82 "Milk M4n" build, but I've come across a bit of an issue. For the longest time, I've wanted to install a dual front-mounted air intakes from either VRSF (https://www.vr-speed.com/vrsf-front-...0-f82-s55.html) or from RK Tunes (https://www.rktunes.com/products/f8x...r-intakes-2014) or from where ever else, and I've seen tons of Bimmers running around with these things installed. I've also heard some critics say that it's the easiest way to hydro lock your engine since it would suck in rainwater or whatever else into the engine. Is this true? And if so, is there a way around this? I currently live in California, but we've been getting rain for quite some time here in LA.

Any and all help would be greatly appreciated!!

[aBMWfan]

Originally Posted by Alextv200

Hey everyone,
I've slowly been planning out and putting together resources and parts for my F82 "Milk M4n" build, but I've come across a bit of an issue. For the longest time, I've wanted to install a dual front-mounted air intakes from either VRSF (https://www.vr-speed.com/vrsf-front-...0-f82-s55.html) or from RK Tunes (https://www.rktunes.com/products/f8x...r-intakes-2014) or from where ever else, and I've seen tons of Bimmers running around with these things installed. I've also heard some critics say that it's the easiest way to hydro lock your engine since it would suck in rainwater or whatever else into the engine. Is this true? And if so, is there a way around this? I currently live in California, but we've been getting rain for quite some time here in LA.

Any and all help would be greatly appreciated!!

Stay away from the VRSF front mount intakes I don’t care what anyone says. They have fitment issues and require a lot of modifying.

RK Tunes, Max PSI, RK Autowerke, or MSR for Front mounts

[ntg44]

I took mine off for the reason you stated. Just didn't want to risk it.

I bought SSR intakes with wire mesh filters. They sounded great, fitment was fine, and no CEL or other issues besides a jumpy cold start idle. I took them off because I was paranoid driving in the rain or through dust. The other style filters where you need to lubricate do a better job filtering, but other owners have had issues with the oil getting on MAF sensor and throwing CEL.

Neither situation is worth compromising for me, so I just went back to stock and get on it all the time now

[M3anPower]

Eventuri intakes

[4everkidd]

Originally Posted by ntgarage44

I took mine off for the reason you stated. Just didn't want to risk it.

I bought SSR intakes with wire mesh filters. They sounded great, fitment was fine, and no CEL or other issues besides a jumpy cold start idle. I took them off because I was paranoid driving in the rain or through dust. The other style filters where you need to lubricate do a better job filtering, but other owners have had issues with the oil getting on MAF sensor and throwing CEL.

Neither situation is worth compromising for me, so I just went back to stock and get on it all the time now

SSR are no good in a Northern climate... multiply that "jumpy" cold start to the point where the car stalls out 3 or 4 times before being able to start at freezing temps.

The sound in the summer tho

[jpy1980]

Originally Posted by 4everkidd

SSR are no good in a Northern climate... multiply that "jumpy" cold start to the point where the car stalls out 3 or 4 times before being able to start at freezing temps.

The sound in the summer tho

Is this with all intakes? This jumpy cold start? I’m looking for a set but now im second guessing myself.

[4everkidd]

Originally Posted by jpy1980

Is this with all intakes? This jumpy cold start? I’m looking for a set but now im second guessing myself.

There are several threads discussing intake shortfalls.

It seems like all aluminum intakes have the same issues.

K&N and other oiled filters don't play nice with the MAF.

Dual front intakes don't seem to fit without modification.

Eventuri and Dinan are both beautiful but gains are questionable.

End of the day the SSR I can remove and reinstall in less than half an hour twice a year.

For the sound it makes it's worth it for me.

[conquistador714]

I have the Agency Power Front mount intakes. I enjoy the sound of them. I have driven the car in torrential rain, warm weather, and 40 degree weather with no issues. The only "issue" I experience with cold starts is the RPM is about 100RPM higher for maybe 30 seconds then lowers to the regular idle speed. No lumpy idle, no stalling, none of that. I would recommend them, no regrets here.

[JayKno]

Originally Posted by conquistador714

I have the Agency Power Front mount intakes. I enjoy the sound of them. I have driven the car in torrential rain, warm weather, and 40 degree weather with no issues. The only "issue" I experience with cold starts is the RPM is about 100RPM higher for maybe 30 seconds then lowers to the regular idle speed. No lumpy idle, no stalling, none of that. I would recommend them, no regrets here.

Do the filters get wet in heavy rain?

[Shadow2]

Yes they do get wet. I'm running the VRSF front mounts, and generally love them, but I do get paranoid as shit whenever it rains, drive slow, put car into comfort so turbos don't spool as much. etc... Plus they get crazy dirty, mine have been on the car for 2 months, DD, they were bright blue, now they are dark grayish black, nasty.

[Fuel-It!]

The problem with the front mount intakes is those longer tubes add more intake restriction so while you might get a little more sound in the front of the car there is a performance trade off with them. They are also harder to install but I think the water intake risks are over hyped.

For full disclosure we carry the Phoenix Race and BMS Elite S55 intakes.

[aBMWfan]

Originally Posted by Fuel-It!

The problem with the front mount intakes is those longer tubes add more intake restriction so while you might get a little more sound in the front of the car there is a performance trade off with them. They are also harder to install but I think the water intake risks are over hyped.

For full disclosure we carry the Phoenix Race and BMS Elite S55 intakes.

I don’t buy this. Any data proving a restriction vs. OEM ducting?

[Mandi90TT]

I've got the Max PSI front mounts. Water concerns are overhyped; you would have to more or less submerse the front end to pull sufficient water in. Don't be an idiot, and do max speed runs when it's raining hard (for peace of mind), but seriously, these water concerns are overhyped.

That said, there is little data that shows that front mounts increase HP/torque. If I had to do it over again, I wouldn't have bothered.

[TideMD]

Originally Posted by aBMWfan

I don’t buy this. Any data proving a restriction vs. OEM ducting?

While the length/application for this situation may not be sufficiently impacted, the flow rate is inversely related to length. So, it is at least plausible.

For a practical exercise to prove the point, walk around all day breathing through a snorkel (in effect creating a longer trachea) and see if it is any more difficult.
Or, you could look up and trust the Hagen-Poiseuille Law that proves it.

[jpy1980]

Originally Posted by TideMD

While the length/application for this situation may not be sufficiently impacted, the flow rate is inversely related to length. So, it is at least plausible.

For a practical exercise to prove the point, walk around all day breathing through a snorkel (in effect creating a longer trachea) and see if it is any more difficult.
Or, you could look up and trust the Hagen-Poiseuille Law that proves it.

In that case, wouldn’t the oem intake be the snorkel and the front mounts be extra tubing to the original snorkel?

For those worried about water, when you see those 4x4s with those snorkels, wouldn’t those be more prone to water than the front mount?

[Alextv200]

Originally Posted by 4everkidd

There are several threads discussing intake shortfalls.

It seems like all aluminum intakes have the same issues.

K&N and other oiled filters don't play nice with the MAF.

Dual front intakes don't seem to fit without modification.

Eventuri and Dinan are both beautiful but gains are questionable.

End of the day the SSR I can remove and reinstall in less than half an hour twice a year.

For the sound it makes it's worth it for me.

I knew there was a little bit of cutting on plastic (found that out through Kies Motorsports install of the VSRF dual front-mount air intakes on his F80;

). I'm not sure if BMW would throw a fit about that little bit of plastic being cut, but I couldn't care less, honestly. I've also seen some other threads were intakes don't really give you gains (most of the time), but I really love the aggressive look of the dual cones popping out from behind the grill ;p. If anything, is there such a thing as a company that has waterproof cones?? Someone threw that idea out and I thought I might as well ask the community now!

[jpy1980]

Originally Posted by Alextv200

I knew there was a little bit of cutting on plastic (found that out through Kies Motorsports install of the VSRF dual front-mount air intakes on his F80;

). I'm not sure if BMW would throw a fit about that little bit of plastic being cut, but I couldn't care less, honestly. I've also seen some other threads were intakes don't really give you gains (most of the time), but I really love the aggressive look of the dual cones popping out from behind the grill ;p. If anything, is there such a thing as a company that has waterproof cones?? Someone threw that idea out and I thought I might as well ask the community now!

These look super cool but wouldn’t these block air to the radiator?

[Mandi90TT]

Originally Posted by jpy1980

These look super cool but wouldn’t these block air to the radiator?

Maybe, but I have dual front mounts, and I track my M pretty heavily and have no overheating problems.

[TideMD]

Originally Posted by jpy1980

In that case, wouldn’t the OEM intake be the snorkel and the front mounts be extra tubing to the original snorkel?

That is correct - the OEM intake tubes produce an inherent baseline restriction (although, they do actually flow very well). Adding additional length to the OEM baseline adds restriction, in accordance with the mentioned equation.

Again, it may not be (probably isn't) of any real-world significance given the relatively short distance added.

[jpy1980]

Originally Posted by Dave 90TT

Maybe, but I have dual front mounts, and I track my M pretty heavily and have no overheating problems.

Sweet. You are the man to talk to then. What brand do you have installed? Also cotton or mesh filter?

[Fuel-It!]

Originally Posted by aBMWfan

I don’t buy this. Any data proving a restriction vs. OEM ducting?

No I'm not in the intake business so don't have data to post but I know the testing has been done. To relocate to the front and maintain a similar flow to say BMS' design that retains the factory airboxes you'd have to go up to 3.5" piping which doesn't fit very well.

[Mandi90TT]

Originally Posted by jpy1980

Sweet. You are the man to talk to then. What brand do you have installed? Also cotton or mesh filter?

Max PSI, oiled K&N style filter.

As I said in another post, it hasn't been a problem, but I doubt there are any gains. Probably wouldn't do it again, if I was starting from scratch.

The benefits are that the dual filters in front look semi cool, and the engine bay is a lot more open.