Dinan CAI for BMW E46 330

[jjcools]

Very tempting!!

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=805966

[zhp43867]

I'm too scared of hydrolock. I had the box cai and it wasn't worth it.

[3ZHP]

Not even close, Brand new in the box $299.00. I did the install myself in about 4 hours being very careful.

http://www.dinancars.com/shop/D760-0002-High-Flow-Intake-System.aspx#page=1

http://www.dinancars.com/webresources/images/oldimages/t/E46_High%20Flow%20Intake.jpg

http://i591.photobucket.com/albums/ss351/3zhpguy/ZHP/Show%20Detail/IMG_5346.jpg

[Marcus-SanDiego]

I'm happy with the BMW Performance intake.

[zhp43867]

I'd go BMW performance or just add an intake brake duct tube to the stock airbox like dinan.

The original Dinan CAI is much more desirable to some people than the one you have. How did it take you four hours to install?

[Marcus-SanDiego]

How did it take you four hours to install?

I'm going to guess he meant 4 minutes. My BMW Performance intake was installed in two minutes. Maybe three minutes.

[jjcools]

Yeah, the BMW performance is the way I should probably go.

[3ZHP]

In order to drill the 2-1/4" hole in the brake duct you have to remove complete OEM air box and the entire left headlight assembly. I have all the time in the world and would rather use that time to make sure I don't damage anything in the process. The tube in the middle goes from the bottom of the OEM air box to the dict that the left fog light is in. There is barley enough room for the tube behind the headlight assembly once installed, and only one spot large enough and accessible to drill the hole in the OEM box base that is reused for the other end of the tube.

[Marcus-SanDiego]

In order to drill the 2-1/4" hole in the brake duct you have to remove the entire left headlight assembly. I have all the time in the world and would rather use that time to make sure I don't damage anything in the process.

Ahh. Did not realize that. I guess it wasn't four minutes. :)

[zhp43867]

In order to drill the 2-1/4" hole in the brake duct you have to remove complete OEM air box and the entire left headlight assembly. I have all the time in the world and would rather use that time to make sure I don't damage anything in the process. The tube in the middle goes from the bottom of the OEM air box to the dict that the left fog light is in. There is barley enough room for the tube behind the headlight assembly once installed, and only one spot large enough and accessible to drill the hole in the OEM box base that is reused for the other end of the tube.

I jacked the car up, unbolted part of the fender liner and unscrewed the brake duct. I'd say it took me 40 minutes to install the intake. (Not trying to be a douche)

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=688699&highlight=

I sold the Dinan intake and found my own brake duct tube, using the stock- dry air filter. Yes I sleep better at night not having oil on my maf. :)

[3ZHP]

Taking out the vent is a different way of looking at it and something I didn't even think of. All I know is when I read the directions my thought was "you want me to do what?????". What would have worked the best would have been a long a....s extension on the hole saw. I probably didn't take four hours, when it was done it was done.

What are you talking about the oil on your maf?

[zhp43867]

Exactly my thoughts. I wasn't about to take the headlight out even if it meant it would take longer for me, but it turned out to be much shorter apparently.

Well, the Dinan CAI uses an oiled filter, and oiled filters can contaminate your MAF with oil and the fact that they don't filter air as well. The upside is that they flow better.

The stock airbox has a dry, better filtering filter that does not flow as well as the oiled filters. I sold my Dinan CAI and found a bigger brake duct tube (hardly possible given the size of the opening) and used the panel filter, best of both worlds for me.

[Washburn]

Hmmm...i am concerned now.

Mine has a dinan intake (came with it when i got it). Should I get rid of it due to the oil contaminating the MAF and just go with the stock box/filter? I know that a Dinan chip was also installed, and would I need to remove that, too? or can they be used independently?
Or can i just have an indie shop change the filter to stock while keeping the Dinan airbox?

[danewilson77]

If its there....I would just leave it..

[zhp43867]

Hmmm...i am concerned now.

Mine has a dinan intake (came with it when i got it). Should I get rid of it due to the oil contaminating the MAF and just go with the stock box/filter? I know that a Dinan chip was also installed, and would I need to remove that, too? or can they be used independently?
Or can i just have an indie shop change the filter to stock while keeping the Dinan airbox?

You can't put the stock filter in the Dinan box, however the Dinan box uses the bottom of the stock airbox. So- you can take the top piece off and replace it with your panel filter and top of the stock airbox. You will retain the brake duct tube from the dinan, your dry filter and your stock airbox. I have been running my car this way with no issues, however I once through an SES code for basically too much air (with my half dinan/half stock intake)- I don't have a chip. Therefore, I think that the Dinan chip will still complement your intake if you take the Dinan top off, and use the stock air filter and top.

I know it is confusing. Cliffs: The top piece in your airbox now is Dinan, and the oiled filter is attached to the Dinan piece. If you put your stock airbox top on, you can put the panel filter back in the car.

[Washburn]

Thanks - I will address this in the near future, and decide exactly what to do/not to do.
What was your remedy to eliminate the SES?

BTW, Is the MAF easily accessible in these cars? do people routinely clean them?

[danewilson77]

MAF sensor is very easily accessible. It will take you 3 mintues to have full access.

Its right there...just downstream of the filter housing..

http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/nicee46/Maintenance%20and%20Misc/fig110.jpg

By his right hand.....

http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/nicee46/Maintenance%20and%20Misc/fig43.jpg

Good familiarization video here...


http://blog.bavauto.com/bmw-e46/bmw-diy-video-micro-filter-and-under-hood-maintenance-item-locations-e46-3-series-microfilter

[3ZHP]

my Dinan (the one I showed above) is dry, so I don't have any of the oil issues

[3ZHP]

FYI, if you are using a stock filter with the modified OEM bottom for the Dinan, that air isn't getting filtered. The stock setup filters dirt on the top of the filter only.

[Washburn]

Ok - it's the little box-like thing, right? can one unplug the MAF wire harness (I assume yes) and take that box like part off and clean the actual sensor wires ? ( I didn't see any screws on the little box..)

[3ZHP]

there should be 2 screws holding it on, I believe Philips head

[danewilson77]

I would be very careful cleaning it....as many have failed. If it ain't broke...don't fix it.

[zhp43867]

Sorry Washburn, didn't see your question. I just cleared the code and cleaned the MAF, it hasn't come back. It was at 83% load in 5th gear, ~45 degrees Fahrenheit when it threw the code, according to AutoEnginuity.

[zhp43867]

Spray CRC MAF cleaner on it through the mesh, and let it sit in the sun for thirty minutes. As long as you don't go crazy with the spray, you'll be fine.