I have had an Alta CAI on both of my R56's and have always run the hood scoop without the grill insert as recommended by Alta. I have heard a rumor lately that running an open hood scoop can over-pressurize the engine compartment at speed and limit airflow through the radiator and intercooler. I'm not sure I believe it 100% considering the surface area of the scoop is relatively small compared to that of the front grills, but the rumor persists and thus I am curious.

I'd like to do some testing to compare coolant and intake air temps with and without the scoop insert in place, but I will need a way to at least monitor (and ideally log) those data. Is there an inexpensive way to do this on an N18 motor/ECU without a laptop (or an android phone)?

 

Elm obd2 and a smartphone with dashcommand

 

The only cheap way is with a smartphone but don't bother, you won't be able to tell a difference in IAT and for coolant temp the fan will turn on to maintain a specific temperature as dictated by the ECU.

FWIW my 2013 came with a semi open scoop from the factory.

 

Ultra gauge

 

Scan Gauge 2 will monitor those parameters, as well as oil temp (N14 for sure, not positive on N18), boost, block temp, voltage etc.

I doubt the open scoop would make a difference, my friends 08 S had OE holes in the scoop, my car did not so I drilled some in to be cool too. If anything it just allows more heat to escape the hood when air flow is low or non-existent.
The coolant is controlled by computer, variable thermostat, and electric fan...the ECU wants it to run as hot as possible to maintain peak combustion efficiency, that is until you activate sport mode, have the AC on etc. Then it will open up more coolant flow under certain circumstances (WOT, long load at mid throttle like accelerating up a hill or passing, MAX ac etc). It might help with your CAI to have the holes open, but it still isn't a great test. The IAT sensor is post intercooler so your results are mainly just going to tell you how well your intercooler is working in comparison to ambient and the boost conditions will have a large effect on IAT than anything else.

 

The air from the hood scoop goes into your air box, not the engine bay. By installing this intake you have REDUCED the amount of air entering the engine bay through the hood scoop to ZERO!

 

Install a DDM race intake and you'll seal everything. If you need to know get a Scangauge 11 from Autozone online (great discounts if you buy this way).


ISAMIN

 

My understanding is that the DDM intake won't work with a front strut-tower bar, correct? I was considering the M7 AGS-R to accomplish the same thing, but $700 is insane for an intake IMO.

 

If you want something that mounts on the interior that mounts intergrated and looks good, little more of an investment, but reads and clears codes also. P3 Cars VIDI gauge. Its another option.


http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/ES2718716/




Also we have the ECS CF Intake here which is a closed CAI. The ECS CF intake works on the Factory JCW brace and the Factory GP2 with the Factory GP2 JCW Brace.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...er-intake.html




https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...egistry-6.html

 

I installed a GTSPEC brace on my JCW with the race version DDM intake. It works well and looks hi-tech good. Shiny, too.


ISAMIN

 

It appears that the ELM obd2 only works with Android; true?

 

No just need the wifi version with iPhone