debaffling airbox? M42 engine..

[LondonE30-318iS]

Guys.. what do people mean by "debaffling an airbox"? is it something that can be done at home? and is a K&N airfilter really better than a standard one?

Cheers

M

[Kevin325i]

The debaffling is just taking a little tube out of the airbox that's there to take some noise out. It's not really restrictive or anything, but you basically get a little more noise. On the m50s airbox it just pops out, then i had to cut it so it would fit out the slot.

K&N is much better than stock, flows more air and reusable.

Kevin

[LondonE30-318iS]

I see... sorry if this sounds stupid.. but where is this tube that restricts the noise? is it on the airbox? or do i have to add a tube to the box?

Thanks

M<

[Kevin325i]

Not stupid. It's up inside the airbox. If you take your airbox out look inside it and you'll see the tube. Should just pop out if you wiggle it a little. Then just put the air box back in without the baffle.

Kevin

[El Presidente]

the baffle restricts flow at wot, and combined with a drop in yeilds about 5 hp.

[bitcore]

Not stupid, we all have to start somwehere Even i was asking questions like this.

I had to cut my baffel out of my airbox. (m50 or m52 engine, forgot) The box was glueed together so you can't open it in half, and there is NO WAY you are getting that thing out of the two holes. So I just dremmeled it in half and bent the bastard in half. There was another sort of baffel in there and I cut the sides off that too while trying to make it so the airflow wont get all swirrlly once it hits the MAF (which is very important if you want accurate ignition timings, which you do)

[Autotechnica]

On the M42 it just pops out. Use a screw driver to pry it off. It's located on the top cover of the airbox, it may be a little difficult to remove it without taking the cover off compeltely and removing it from the MAF unit.

I'm interested to know how removing this will increase HP? This little "duct" or tube looks as if it's tapered and could actually improve airflow. Perhaps I'm speaking about something completely different. Maybe M42's don't have these baffles?

[dutchbmw]

The whole intake unit of any car is one big restriction. If you really want to tune up your engine, start here!

[LondonE30-318iS]

Yo.. that was easy enough, on the M42 its just a case of takin the airbox lid off.. and the baffle can just be pulled out... and than i swapped the pipe comin out of the airbox with some flexi pipe thing which i shoved behind the lights on the grill... sound is much nicer.. and it does seem to pull better at high speeds... and after sticking that pipe right behind the grill its responding even better.... btw guys.. sorry just realised... ive been posting this in a E36 room... i only have a little E30 ... well im looking for a nice E36 325i coupe... than ill be proper legit../.

[camnipotent]

You're still here.

[dutchbmw]

Yep!

[El Presidente]

Originally posted by Autotechnica@May 17 2004, 11:56 AM
On the M42 it just pops out. Use a screw driver to pry it off. It's located on the top cover of the airbox, it may be a little difficult to remove it without taking the cover off compeltely and removing it from the MAF unit.

I'm interested to know how removing this will increase HP? This little "duct" or tube looks as if it's tapered and could actually improve airflow. Perhaps I'm speaking about something completely different. Maybe M42's don't have these baffles?

The tapered thing is the snorkel. It is restrictive at higher RPMs because of the tapering. It also is removeable from the baffle from the inside of the airbox, and could be reattached without. The idea behind it is to reduce noise and bring in cooler air.

[528man]

anyone know if the tube is the same in my 97 528i. sorry i know this is a 3 series forum, but im interested in doing this.

[528man]

hey cisco do you know the exact process?

[chowder]

can we get some pics? and maybe diy instructions with? since i'm still a little fuzzy on this