Automotive Specialist Cold Air Intakes :) Thumbs up - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

M5Phil · 8th September 2003, 03:50

WOW WHAT A GREAT UPGRADE !!! After a few hours of installation
I started up my beast, took it for a test drive and WOW

So
heres the initial impression,

1. Before when pulling from down low say 1000 RPM in 4th the
engine would bog a bit but NOT ANYMORE ... it's WAYYY
SMOOTHER

2. In 3rd gear when gunning it, it is quicker, I notice the revs
use to kinda slow down when I reached about 5000 this is
not the case anymore.

3. On the highway in 6th there is less hesitation it just goes
better

4. Better throttle response especcialy at higher speeds

5. The engine runs cooler I notice my engine use to stay at
the middle of the oil gauge now it runs slightly lower which is
a good thing the same for the engine temperature

5. It looks great

Nice and shiny

Overall the best bang for the buck upgrade I have done

The service once again very professional, full marks to the
Matsons. AS for concerns over water etc looking at the design
it's hard for water or anything to get past the filters. In
addition I think the Matsons are working on another level
of security although they are still thinking about it there are
tons of ideas. So for those in Boston I highly recommend it
I almost dont want to tell people about it so I can keep this
little mod to myself it's so good

01M5 · 8th September 2003, 05:29

What's their website so we can learn more?

M5Phil · 8th September 2003, 06:05

Speak to TCM for details it's his shop that did it, it's almost
impossible to post HP results without dynoing in the wind
tunnel, it just feels better it's hard to explain, is it better then
AA's CAI I cant say. All I know is that this is the best mod I
have done .... he'll give the details

TCM · 8th September 2003, 06:40

Wow, thanks for the kind remarks Phil. As of yet, we have no dyno results. The only two cars with the Automotive Specialist CAI are Phil's and my own.

In honesty there is nothing that special about the CAI. We use the stock air box and run a flexible smooth bore 3' hose down to the front bumper where we connect them to Nowack rings in the mesh. The install can be quite complex though as BMW seems to like packing the front bumper cavity full of electronic goodies (VANOS, fog lights, wires, etc.)

. As Phil stated, I found that the throttle resonse increased in my M5, as well as cooler engine temp, and more pull at high speeds.

greg · 8th September 2003, 07:06

Does anyone have pre- and post-CAI install measurements of ambient air temps in the engine compartment?

How about thermostat open/closed times? (and for that matter, does anyone know how much HP a water pump takes thermo open v. thermo closed?)

This data would either support or blow holes in my supposition that you'll get less airflow through the radiator and warmer ambient temps in the engine compartment when (because of CAI) the engine isn't sucking all that hot air outa there.

TCM · 8th September 2003, 07:30

Sorry Greg, I do not have any tempature readings at the moment. I will try to get some on our next client who wants a CAI.

M5Phil · 8th September 2003, 07:37

Pre CAI Install it use to run always at the center now it's almost
always below middle ... I know it's rough but good enough for
me. BostonRocket asked if it's really that good my response is
this, DRIVE MY CAR .... all I got to say .... there are no words to
describe it. No it wont make your car an enzo, it may not add
power but it just simply feels better, it feels quicker as well.
It's simply smoother and feels better ...

gra8fuldd ed · 8th September 2003, 10:28

T.C.:

Does your CAI include relocating the Air Intake Sensor?

If it doesn't ... My guess is ... It Should ... and you'll probably

want to remove that overfilled bumper again and stuff that

Intake Sensor somewhere behind it!

Congrats on your new Mod without having to spend $thousands!

Are you making ALL the parts available (Sort of a Kit) ... along with detailed installation instructions ... for those of us that live on the Left Coast?? If so ... PLease forward me an email with all of the specifics.

Again ... Congrats!

ColinM · 8th September 2003, 11:23

Have you got any pics ?

TriflowM5+M3 · 8th September 2003, 13:24

HMMMMMM

Thanks for the reply to some of my PM's Phil