Hello, its me again. A silk green R50 owner from Asia Hong Kong

Thanks to members (especially Eleo) , i have successfully installed a DDMworks intake (CAI?) to my car.

Recent mods:
Ultra racing strut bar
low the car (1/2 inch gap now) and camber adjustment
DDMworks intake
Screamin Deamon Ignition+NGK irridium plugs
coming - Eibach rear sway bar

Previously i used k&N panel filter with stock air box. after installed the DDM, my observations are:-

1. very obvious - smoother and faster throttle response
2. very aggressive sounds at mid-high rpm
3. a little bit weakened torque at low rpm (still under testing)
4. so far, acceleration speed not big different comparing with K&N panel+stock airbox

I have read many posts on forums about R50 enhancement. Yes, it is understood that R50 can never be a speed monster but there are still many ways to make it as a ride with lots of funs and stylish. My R50 silk green is the first car in my life. I love it and wanna to make it by my own style

at this stage i wanna to cut the highlighted to make more fresh and cold air to the DDM and throttle.



Any comment?

Also, i want to replace the stock intake pipe with a soft pipe extend to behind the front grille. (make reference of a members who made it for his R50 too)

 

What i said about a replacement soft intake pipe. Does it really help performance and throttle response?

(pic by member NickBMW)

 

I noticed the same mild torque loss with my aFe intake, but it seems to pull harder in the higher end, so it's a trade off. Since I still have the stock airbox I might get a drop in filter and swap it out, just to see.

I'm afraid I can't give any input on the intake hose, mine is all stock.

 

I can't imagine it would

 

As for cutting a hole in yellow highlighted area, I did something similar but cut it up to the rubber part. My intake is homemade but sane concept. The intake seemed to gain a little of that torque back and didn't get as heat soaked a slow rolling traffic once I cut out that piece

 

Thanks Buckwilly.

I met a car tuning specialist from Germany yesterday. What is his comment is to restore the stock air box for more performance. He claims that the original BMW design is the BEST instead of any aftermarket stuff. ECU tune with stock design could get the best result on performance.

in their mind, all aftermarket intake is just TOYS and can provide some strange sound only. haha, i dont know how to judge

 

True enough, the stock box from mini is well engineered. However, when I dynoed my R50 before my aFe intake (oem box eith ITG Drop-in) and after, the mid range torque and high end hp gains were significant over oem. Thee DDM gains even a bit more torque. Coupled with an ECU tune from Way at Eay Motor Works, my car has hit the sweet spot for power.

Recently acquired a R56 as well and I can honestly say, I feel the potential with that motor to make a faster car.

 

Turbo charged R56? Yes it's always much higher potential for a turbo car to gain extra hp and torque.

for a r50, it is understood that it can never be a speed monster. however it has its way of performance mod especially on handling and smoother acceleration. its funny when seeing ur r50 NA (which is usually be looked down) could beat some r53 or r56 on roads. its all about ur mod and driving techniques. this is my way with my r50

 

I'm definitely sold on the intake vs stock airbox. I think throttle response is better. I also think there is a little more power up top. I also don't like how I need to special order a air filter from online or spend $25 on a paper filter at dealer. I'll stick with a universal velocity stack filter design that I can clean and reuse.

Only time I noticed a lack of power is sitting in traffic as there is a little more heat soak but it's gone soon after I start moving.

 

today I have bought a long soft pipe. I have tried to replace the stock intake pipe with that. However I cannot close the bonnet.

One more lesson to me that the original BMW design is good enough.

The next DIY is to cut / drill the yellow highlighted part to make more fresh air. I will post the result here

 

Last weekend, i made an additional "hole" to create a more opened air intake system for my r50 (touch up work of the "hole" is needed )



To be honest, I didn't expected any big difference by this modification. However, finally it is a little bit surprised to me that:
1. gas pedal becomes "easier" - a little bit more sensitive of the throttle response
2. a bit louder sound of the intake system (DDMworks) during 4000+ rpm.

Of course, I don't think (or could feel it exactly) any acceleration speed improvement. For who wants to try it, please don't expect very big performance enhancement.
Nevertheless, i feel happy of this "creative" mod and its result actually.

 

Interesting idea...

 

Hi Eleo,

Let's try

 

Cool. Thanks for taking the time to document your process. I can see better from these newpictures that the stock fresh air pipe supplies fresh air to the DDM box. That was never really clear to be before.

It makes sense that your new mod would make for more sound. You've removed part of the wall that was containing it!

This could be why my Injen unit is quite loud; no airbox.

I've been enjoying your posts. Keep them coming!

 

Thanks Mynett

although DDMworks intake has its heat shield, but its not a 100% (but nearly) CAI. You can see the picture the heat shield is open on its left hand side even the bonnet closed. What i have done this time is to open one more "entry point" from the car front side which let more fresh air meet the filter but not from the engine compartment.

The difference is there especially at mid-high rpm, but it is little. Anyway, i enjoy this DIY. it's usually funny from creating some ideas > try > observe the result > adjust.... Let's share more DIY mod experience for our R50s