[tee228]

Hi yall, wanted to get some thought on this since I am relatively new to modding (first car I own (f22 228i), others were leases):

Is a CAI or a tune (or both) worth it for the N20? I know it is not the best engine to mod but I was looking to do some rather easy bolt ons to improve sound and performance. Not too worried about "maximizing" power gain per dollar, more interested in making the car a little peppier and sound better. Been looking around it seems people are split on the intake and what tune to go with, some saying to scrap that altogether.

Thanks in advance!

[owenscj21]

CAI won't do anything other than provide a nicer turbo sound. It's your money. I personally love mine. I'm not a piggyback tune fan. I had my ECU flashed by a reputable tuner shop. I'm also FBO minus exhaust.

I personally wouldn't tune without doing the DP/CP, but it can be done without.

[tee228]

Ahh thanks for that! I want a better sounding turbo so might go with it. What intake do you run? Also, how is reliability being FBO? I drive a considerable amount so I also have to consider that

[owenscj21]

I've only been FBO since March (6000KM), so I can't comment much on reliability. I'm not hard on it, so I'm not worried. I've got a CTS intake. (see signature)

[ngl]

tune, yes, CAI ... depends.

It is usually metal so the radiator fan will blow searing heat on it and you will get higher IAT than before, unless you wrap in in heat reflective foil. So, just installing a CAI is basically a downgrade, it does more harm than good, since higher IAT + tune without a upgraded intercooler will lead to knock.

If you only care about under the hood bling and sound, then sure, it is worth it.

[oremag2014]

I own a N20 with DP, Jb4 and CTS intake, since I installed the intakes revs on cold start tend to dance around until it reaches normal temperature, Talking with Mike from X-PH to get the FMIC, CP, BP sent asap oh and the Ignition coils with a 1 step colder plug

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by tee228

Hi yall, wanted to get some thought on this since I am relatively new to modding (first car I own (f22 228i), others were leases):

Is a CAI or a tune (or both) worth it for the N20? I know it is not the best engine to mod but I was looking to do some rather easy bolt ons to improve sound and performance. Not too worried about "maximizing" power gain per dollar, more interested in making the car a little peppier and sound better. Been looking around it seems people are split on the intake and what tune to go with, some saying to scrap that altogether.

Thanks in advance!

the intake will provide ~10 whp and noticeably increase sound and looks.

Pair it with a bootmod3, a charge pipe and intercooler and you are all set

[oremag2014]

That’s as far as N20 engine goes shame I didn’t read this before! My target was 300 whp but my tuners says 280 is pushing limits without ethanol

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

the intake will provide ~10 whp and noticeably increase sound and looks.

Pair it with a bootmod3, a charge pipe and intercooler and you are all set

[tee228]

So since this post I’ve figured out I have an n26 ( sorry new to bmw and modding). I’ve done a bm3 stage 1 93, charge pipe, plugs and drop in. Looking to go axle back or catted downpipe (can only afford one of them right now) and fmic eventually.

What’re y’all thoughts on this? For context too my car is only on about 35k miles.

[Info@mad-us.com]

Originally Posted by tee228

Hi yall, wanted to get some thought on this since I am relatively new to modding (first car I own (f22 228i), others were leases):

Is a CAI or a tune (or both) worth it for the N20? I know it is not the best engine to mod but I was looking to do some rather easy bolt ons to improve sound and performance. Not too worried about "maximizing" power gain per dollar, more interested in making the car a little peppier and sound better. Been looking around it seems people are split on the intake and what tune to go with, some saying to scrap that altogether.

Thanks in advance!

It's worth it for the sound alone in my opinion. It's one of the only reasons I ever add an intake to every car I own. You will gain a few hp just by removing all the emissions intake stuff bmw is usually forced to include along with their paper filters.

Check out our intake it's pretty cost efficient.
https://mad-us.com/mad-bmw-f3x-n20-n...w-heat-shield/