@u238, thanks for the great review! You actually brought something to my attention that no one else has - the vacuum adapter that I make is meant to accept a standard male 1.25" US light-to-medium-duty vacuum hose, but your setup is using it as a female with duct tape. Is that a US vacuum or a German vacuum...lol @two250: Do you agree that the wand is about 2" too long? Or anyone else agree that has used the BMW wand? I'll make the change to production units if I can get everyone to agree that the change should be made.

 

The wand could be shortened. I didn't notice any trouble reaching the top of the valve but on cylinder 1 I had to insert the wand into the adapter before I insert the adapter into the port. Otherwise I couldn't get the wand in. Shortening definitely won't hurt so I'm all for it!

 

With all the BMW equipment I have, I had to insert the wand first as well.

 

valves don't look that bad, atleast compared to N14 , I bet you can get to 100K before you start getting into real problems. Good to know the N18 actually is improved in this matter.

 

I think it is a German vacuum. Funny enough, not a single step of the BMW adapter fit properly.

It wouldn't hurt to shorten the wand. Then again, it's easily cut down if necessary.

 

@e90man, will you mind to share the dimensions of the adapter (even the oem one) for the N14 intake port?
I can design and print one myself and try to do the walnut blasting on my own...

Did you use abs or nylon/taulman for your prototype?

 

The intake port is an oval with 12.7mm radii, 21.2mm center-to-center.

Keep in mind these are measured from the OEM adapter, not the actual port, but should be very close if not exact.

I use ABS for everything.

 

Thanks! I'll design my own adapter... is it ok if I share it here? will you share yours?

 

This baby works like a champ. I did not have to use any duct tape, the end of my shop vac nozzle plugged right in. I have a 3 HP shop vac and one of the hoses is smaller in diameter but has a big adapter to plug into the shop vac. I just ran the hose through the headlight opening and then straight down to the adapter. Leave the vac running when you pull the adapter out and you won't get any dribble back down onto the motor like I did the first few times.

 

Thanks for the comment!

What wand are you using, if you don't mind my asking?

 

Mine is "shared" on my website, not sure what is meant by that.

You'll probably want to start your own thread for showing off your shiny new designed adapter though...it's a little off-topic for this particular thread.

I'm going to look into becoming an official vendor here as to keep good with the community.

 

That is a blackcreek industries 3/8 brake pipe that I bent to fit a harbor freight spot blaster. Had the pipe in the garage it's just a standard NAPA universal that you bend to fit various jobs. I did not want to muck up your thread so I went here https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...leaning-5.html

I just let the vacuum run and would pop the adapter off the port take a quick peek to check progress then pop it back in and blast away. Great time saver and good design on the adapter e90man.

 

Sorry, just checked your site and seen that you are selling a kit with it, I wasn't aware of it.

I am just interested in doing the blasting by myself and designed the adapter to be printed by shapeways or any fdm printer with some modifications, but need to test it.
I was about to ask for some more dimensions, wall tickness, hole diameter, etc... but not so sure if you are willing to share them.

Don't want to affect your business, but in the interest of the community I think it will be nice to have a free "adapter" anyone can print. Is it ok with you? (In another thread, of course)