So a little while ago, I did a lot of research and read through a lot of threads about intakes, air boxes, hot air intakes, short ram intakes and such... So I decided to look at some performance cars and see what they did for their intakes and air boxes. So I looked at some BMWs and came up with an idea on how I could create a RAM air intake for the R53. Take a look at these pictures:

Here is the new air box I made, completely sealed away from the engine heat. Made from ABS plastic and not steel so it does not retain too much heat:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/36752113@N07/6107016153/
This is the new duct for the ram air scoop:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/36752113@N07/6107014937/
This is the ram air duct (top view):
http://www.flickr.com/photos/36752113@N07/6107562092/
Side view:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/36752113@N07/6107562288/
With the hood closed (might be difficult to see):
http://www.flickr.com/photos/36752113@N07/6107571442/
I added a piece to the duct that would reach further down from the hood grille. This way it can direct the air better. But this can ram in quite a bit of air from the front grille directly to the intake air box. My air box is completely sealed with rubber weather seal as well as the box itself. This definitely increases the sound of the the intake so you can hear the SC whine!


Any questions? Simple dremel operation required

nice work!

Nice, But the real question is how has it improved your performance, Hp, etc etc.

I definitely agree. It definitely "feels" and sounds different but that could be completely bias. lol And I don't really have before and after dyno comparisons. So lets just agree that the air the system is getting is technically more than before?

Yup and most likely cooler. It's the seat of the pants dyno that counts anyway right?

Looks great. I do have one question. Does the CAI go back into the firewall and draw air from the cowl? If so the ram air is not going to work properly. Ram air only draws from one air source, the scoop. Not ******* your efforts at all but a small design change may benefit you more

Only a little bit is drawn from the firewall (the hole at the bottom air box) . But it is sealed above the m7 filter. So I would say 95% of the air is ram air! I wish could've dynoed it right before I put the ram air scoop in!

Do you have pictures or drawings of how you did this airbox?

Nice work PierreLeona. Thanks for sharing!

Cool project. Here's one I did on a track R50 way back when...



That's the air filter sitting in the light socket...

Nice Eric!

Looks legit. They have "hood scoops" for the driver side cowl/firewall area vent. I bet that will help you a lot if you're looking to get max cool air.

http://www.mini2.com/forum/attachmen...3&d=1102106926

You think you can fab one of these?

That's awesome! I always wanted to do just that!
Tell us, did you cut into the plastic radiator holder? And, what kind of plastic did you use for the scoop? Er, where'd you get it from?
Any creation pics from along the way?

So, can you do a write up for this? Or maybe grace us with additional pics, maybe take that thing apart to show how it's made? I'd love to do one!