Carbon fiber intake, air filter?

[Lerby__]

Hi everyone!

I'm a new member to this forum. Proud owner of an E30 M3 for about 5 years now.

I've ran into a problem my S14 last weekend.
A race company did a complete engine rebuild for the previous owner, the owner itself did the general car.
The air filter was mounted in between the snorkel and carbon airbox. For some reason it was ripped off and almost went inside throttle body number 3.

Lucky the engine did not sustain any damage.

The problem is I do not seem to find any air filter that looks similar. Some people told me it ahs been custom made, but it's kind of hard to believe since a lot of S14 are fitted with carbon intake manifolds.

Anyone has any idea on what to fit best as an air filter?
I'm not quite sure if I should put back the same filter, as the same problem could rise again in the future.

Also, does anyone have experience on the snorkel listed on this forum?

https://s14net.vbulletin.net/forum/s14/classifieds-e30-m3-only/parts/1219785-fs-special-snorkel-with-integrated-airfilter-for-the-bmw-m3-e30-carbon-dtm-airbox

I fail to upload a picture of the current filter, I'll try again tomorrow.


Thanks in advance!

[Mick]

I have that filter and it's the perfect solution for a street car. Unfortunately it's no longer in production.

This is a cut and paste of a post I made a while ago, it might help.

1 - The most widely used is the filter that goes next to the radiator, behind the bumper. I have this on my track car. It flows well and sounds good. The only minor downside is that you have to remove the bumper and grill service it. Not a big deal when your bumper is gutted and comes off easily with the 2 nuts.
https://www.vinkmotorsport.com/shop/...intake-m3-e30/
In order to use the Vink part you'll also need the part that goes on the engine bay side and connects to the hose. For this option you might be better off contacting Markus to see if he can get you the complete assembly.



** NOTE this is no longer in production **
2 - Markus has a friend who made one where the filter is integrated into the forward part of the snorkel. I have one in my street car and it's great because I don't have to remove the bumper for service - which is a bitch with the EVO II splitter and under tray. The downside is that the exposed filter area is restricted because of the angle it intersects with the round tube. It also muffles the sound slightly more.
https://s14net.vbulletin.net/forum/s...e7#post1300048



** NOTE I believe this K&N filter is no longer in production **
3 - People sometimes wedge a cone K&N filter into the snorkel. The filter is just friction fit into the snorkel. The trouble I've had is getting the filter to stay in place. It can be done but I've never seen a clean solution. I guess upside is that it might flow better than a panel filter because it has a lot of surface area. See the last few pics:
https://s14net.vbulletin.net/forum/s...729#post701729

5 - I've seen some DIY filters that sandwich motorcycle style foam in front of the forward snorkel.

https://s12.directupload.net/images/200506/wnesgps8.jpg

5 - There is this snorkel that routes up behind the grill. It would require some sort of DIY foam filter and I suspect it would be very loud - probably too loud for most tracks.
https://racecarsdirect.com/content/U...755/610149.jpg
https://racecarsdirect.com/content/U...755/610148.jpg

[Lerby__]

Hi Mick!

Thank you for the quick response, I guess the first option is currently the best and most reliable one.
Too bad the second one (the one you have) is not in production anymore.

I'll contact Vink for the parts and filter.

Have a good weekend!

[jimmy p.]

On another completely left field note I have been making filters for mine since I got my first carbon intake (I think the first one Markus sold to the USA) out of HVAC filter material sandwiched between two pieces of metal mesh and taped to the front of my inlet scoop.
That filter plan has been in action for almost two decades and has never even come close to failing.
One large HVAC filter lasts years of replacements.
I have been using this material forever, but there are probably many like it : https://www.webproducts.com/web-high...y-filters.html

Back when I got my CF airbox long before there were the fancy filtered inlets Markus told me all the German guys were just using HVAC filter material over their inlets. I never looked back.

[evommm]

That’s great info jimmy

[evanboyle]

I have one of the carbon snorkels, Vink filter plate, and K&N filter ready to go if you want it.

pics here: https://imgur.com/a/8Tn44Gq

[jimmy p.]

That’s great info jimmy

Happy to help, I have some rudimentary pics of mine on my hard drive way back when I made the first one, I tried to upload here but no go.
PM me your email addy if you want me to email you I gladly will.

[evommm]

Mudballz @aol.com
thank you