Gordo_GT
09-12-2011, 08:09 PM
Hello everyone,
I finally got around to installing my Dinan intake. I must say that the install is not very difficult, this coming from someone that does not change their own oil. The main difficulties in the install of the intake are 1) removing the driver headlight and 2) drilling a hole into the bottom of the airbox and into the brake duct of the vehicle. I must apologize in advance for not taking that many pictures.
Here are the specs on the intake: http://www.dinancars.com/shop/D760-0002-High-Flow-Intake-System.aspx#page=1
Attached are the official installation instructions: 1992
I followed this guide in removing the driver headlight: http://www.unitedbimmer.com/forums/lighting-diys/15484-e46-headlight-removal.html
Here's the beginning:
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb328/Gordo_GT/2011-08-31_12-06-31_851.jpg
The gist of the install consist of removing the stock airbox, just remove the 2 screws on the right and unclip the 5/6 clips. You also need to remove the mass airflow sensor assembly. That's pretty self explanatory and is covered in the install instructions.
The next step is to remove the driver's headlight. On my car, there were only 4 screws that needed to be removed to get the headlight out (a bit different than the guide I followed even though that car looks like a zhp as well). The following 2 pictures are borrowed from member habbie from unitedbimmer.com (link to his DIY is above):
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb328/Gordo_GT/HeadlightRemoval1.jpg
Ignore the third white circle at the top, I only had to remove the bottom left and bottom right screw from that image
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb328/Gordo_GT/HeadlightRemoval2.jpg
Once the bottom clip is removed, there are 2 screws below the headlight and are only visible once the bottom clip is removed.
Make sure to unclip the light connectors, I believe there 5 of them. This is what it looks like once the airbox and headlight have been removed:
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb328/Gordo_GT/2011-09-06_11-52-03_389.jpg
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb328/Gordo_GT/2011-09-06_11-51-55_198.jpg
The next step involves drilling a hole into the lower part of the airbox and into the brake duct as well. You will need a 2.25 inch drill bit, make sure to get one that has many small teeth (I bought one from Home Depot that was made for cutting wood and only had 2 big teeth, it was a bit harder to make an accurate hole than previously anticipated).
You install the bottom part of the airbox and you measure the length of the hose and cut the excess. This is what it looks like once the hose is installed:
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb328/Gordo_GT/2011-09-06_12-35-18_800.jpg
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb328/Gordo_GT/2011-09-06_12-35-12_62.jpg
Make sure the hose is clamped down on both sides and add the the top half on the intake. Also make sure to clamp the Dinan air filter from the inside of the airbox (took me a while to figure this out lol). Put the MAF assembly back in and make sure you put back the 2 screws to the right of the intake.
At this time, put the headlight back into place and reinsert the 4 screws. be careful in putting the bottom headlight trim back. This is what the finished product looks like:
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb328/Gordo_GT/2011-09-06_14-12-38_407.jpg
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb328/Gordo_GT/2011-09-06_14-12-48_72.jpg
This is my first DIY and I welcome your feedback and criticism.
Here is my impression of the intake.
*At idle, it is very hard to notice a difference from stock.
*The sound is indeed throatier from 3000+ RPM (The way the ZHP is meant to sound IMH)
*Acceleration is indeed lighter, the car is a bit more responsive
*0-60mph performance is probably almost identical to stock
I got the intake mainly for the sound and hopefully increased MPG. Paid about 58% of full retail if you include tax and shipping and for that price I must say this mod is worth it.
I finally got around to installing my Dinan intake. I must say that the install is not very difficult, this coming from someone that does not change their own oil. The main difficulties in the install of the intake are 1) removing the driver headlight and 2) drilling a hole into the bottom of the airbox and into the brake duct of the vehicle. I must apologize in advance for not taking that many pictures.
Here are the specs on the intake: http://www.dinancars.com/shop/D760-0002-High-Flow-Intake-System.aspx#page=1
Attached are the official installation instructions: 1992
I followed this guide in removing the driver headlight: http://www.unitedbimmer.com/forums/lighting-diys/15484-e46-headlight-removal.html
Here's the beginning:
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb328/Gordo_GT/2011-08-31_12-06-31_851.jpg
The gist of the install consist of removing the stock airbox, just remove the 2 screws on the right and unclip the 5/6 clips. You also need to remove the mass airflow sensor assembly. That's pretty self explanatory and is covered in the install instructions.
The next step is to remove the driver's headlight. On my car, there were only 4 screws that needed to be removed to get the headlight out (a bit different than the guide I followed even though that car looks like a zhp as well). The following 2 pictures are borrowed from member habbie from unitedbimmer.com (link to his DIY is above):
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb328/Gordo_GT/HeadlightRemoval1.jpg
Ignore the third white circle at the top, I only had to remove the bottom left and bottom right screw from that image
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb328/Gordo_GT/HeadlightRemoval2.jpg
Once the bottom clip is removed, there are 2 screws below the headlight and are only visible once the bottom clip is removed.
Make sure to unclip the light connectors, I believe there 5 of them. This is what it looks like once the airbox and headlight have been removed:
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb328/Gordo_GT/2011-09-06_11-52-03_389.jpg
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb328/Gordo_GT/2011-09-06_11-51-55_198.jpg
The next step involves drilling a hole into the lower part of the airbox and into the brake duct as well. You will need a 2.25 inch drill bit, make sure to get one that has many small teeth (I bought one from Home Depot that was made for cutting wood and only had 2 big teeth, it was a bit harder to make an accurate hole than previously anticipated).
You install the bottom part of the airbox and you measure the length of the hose and cut the excess. This is what it looks like once the hose is installed:
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb328/Gordo_GT/2011-09-06_12-35-18_800.jpg
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb328/Gordo_GT/2011-09-06_12-35-12_62.jpg
Make sure the hose is clamped down on both sides and add the the top half on the intake. Also make sure to clamp the Dinan air filter from the inside of the airbox (took me a while to figure this out lol). Put the MAF assembly back in and make sure you put back the 2 screws to the right of the intake.
At this time, put the headlight back into place and reinsert the 4 screws. be careful in putting the bottom headlight trim back. This is what the finished product looks like:
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb328/Gordo_GT/2011-09-06_14-12-38_407.jpg
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb328/Gordo_GT/2011-09-06_14-12-48_72.jpg
This is my first DIY and I welcome your feedback and criticism.
Here is my impression of the intake.
*At idle, it is very hard to notice a difference from stock.
*The sound is indeed throatier from 3000+ RPM (The way the ZHP is meant to sound IMH)
*Acceleration is indeed lighter, the car is a bit more responsive
*0-60mph performance is probably almost identical to stock
I got the intake mainly for the sound and hopefully increased MPG. Paid about 58% of full retail if you include tax and shipping and for that price I must say this mod is worth it.