I am considering getting the Active Autowerke's Cold Air Intake set up. I have seen a few threads about the AA CAI, but, is it possible to really get 25 WHP by just using the AA CAI? Comments from actual users would be helpful. See their website claims below...
[IMG]file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/Owner/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot.jpg[/IMG]--------------------------
M5 Cold Air Intake and Brake Cooling Duct System
This is a Cold Air Intake System that will raise your M5 performance up 25whp and 39.18 ft/lbs at the rear wheels when measured on a dyno. It is a new level of innovative engineering, maintaining a factory like appearance. The low restriction K&N air filters are easy to service just like the factory.
The additional front opening has a ram air effect delivering a constant flow of cool air to the intakes. The increased air flow is also attributed to larger and longer air intake tracts.
Operational ducts for front brake cooling are now achieved with the system installed. Cool air is now delivered to the front brakes, a complementing brake upgrade for the new found vigor.
This package includes:
+25 WHP at the rear wheels as measured on a dyno
Ram air intake system
Center grill cover with 2 ram air funnels
Factory like appearance
Full, functional Brake cooling ducts
2 for 1 deal (Performance + Improved Braking)
2 low restriction K&N air filters
Instructions
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I have the SS "x" pipe and SS race exhaust, but wanted to add some power without spending the $$$ on the headers yet. Fyi...living in Houston, it is usually warm (and hot as heck in the summer).
My opinion is thats a little extreme, 25hp/39tq at the wheels? Thats about 30hp/45tq @ crank, from a filter/cai...
My guess is its a trick of dyno runs, not a before/after run... Looking at their site I see a few different runs listed.
1. 00 Stock M5: 318hp/314tq
2. 00 M5 Stock: 303hp/300tq
3. 02 M5: 316hp/320tq
4. 00 AA/CAI M5: 344hp/345tq
5. 01 AA/Sw & K&N: 328hp/335tq
6. 00 Dinan CAI, exhaust, S2 sw: 309hp/315tq
Not saying its not a good unit, I have no idea any info about it, but I wouldn't expect those claims to be accurate... Just my opinion though.. I am sure others will chime in.
Chuckc - I have run alot of searches and read alot about the "gut feel" of CAI, etc. I was just wondering if more than a few can confirm via actual dyno results that the CAI adds that power. I have read that the car "breathes" better, and feels better, helps the brake cooling, but not that it actually adds power (like headers). A few folks posted a few years back that it added only "a few horsepower." Before dropping $1k, thought I'd make a final check of the people currently using it. Also, AA's system uses hoses from the grill, via the brakes, but other systems just use modded boxes and filters. I already have AFE filters, and with the exhaust set up, it really "feels better." But, I would like a tad more raw power. Thanks.
I just purchased one myself. I can email you back as to what my opinion is their system. I won't being doing a dyno until next year so I would be able to provide any hard numbers until then.
I just purchased one myself. I can email you back as to what my opinion is their system. I won't being doing a dyno until next year so I would be able to provide any hard numbers until then.
It is a generally accepted fact that ALL true CAIs add little in the way of HP, bit if you add software, headers, exhaust (maybe throttle bodies) you can wring out more HP. On their own, single digits.
Dyno runs are easily manipulated- check out the K&N thread in the E60 forum- 26.17HP with just air filters!
Also keep in mind that after spending money on upgrades, people rationalize the value based on how the purchase makes them FEEL.
i just installed the AA intake as well as the temperature re-location kit and honestly the difference is very minimal if at all....i actually prefer the visual aspect more then the performance aspect of the kit ! im sure its helping out but iv only had it for a day so far and just driving around town i can't really tell a huge difference....? but it looks cool !!! i didnt do the software with it so im sure that makes a difference. i held off on the software due to the fact that im putting headers next month and the software would have to be re-done with the headers so i figured id do both at the same time> now with the headers and the software- im sure ill see a difference !
The twenty five horsepower gain is measured in MHP (marketing horsepower), not the traditional BHP (braking horsepower). To convert MHP to BHP you need to use the BS conversion factor, which is generally agreed upon to have a value of zero.
So, BHP(gain) = MHP(gain) x BS
Do the math.
Steve
00 M5
Last edited by TurboCarrera; 19th November 2006 at 15:54.
Linear Mode
