Review Dinan CF intake kit

[FogCityM3]

Technically yes it can be reused like any other oiled cotton gauze filter, but Dinan recommends changing the filter (to avoid over-oiling, not cleaning thoroughly, or to be a complete skeptic, making more money!).

Originally Posted by Sully1Time

So its re-useable correct?

[Sully1Time]

Originally Posted by mhabs

Technically yes it can be reused like any other oiled cotton gauze filter, but Dinan recommends changing the filter (to avoid over-oiling, not cleaning thoroughly, or to be a complete skeptic, making more money!).

I think the later is the reason as K&N filters are completely re-useable.

I've been cleaning and re-oiling their filters in everything from dirt bikes, sport bikes, & my tahoe for years.

I have 2 Dinan filters so i can clean & oil 1 of them then let sit til its time for a swap.

[FogCityM3]

Yeah, although having an intake with a readily available/replaceable filter does have its appeal...I know I would rather just order a new one vs doing the whole cleaning/re oiling thing, but that does add up cost wise.

Originally Posted by Sully1Time

I think the later is the reason as K&N filters are completely re-useable.

I've been cleaning and re-oiling their filters in everything from dirt bikes, sport bikes, & my tahoe for years.

I have 2 Dinan filters so i can clean & oil 1 of them then let sit til its time for a swap.

[yoelev]

just as an fyi the intake is 10% off this month only per the Dinan site. was enough to push me over the edge

[rngrjag]

Forgive my ignorance, but does the airbox cover go back on after installing the new Dinan elbow/air filter or is that left off? I assume the cover goes back on, just curious.

[aussiem3]

Originally Posted by Leonardo629

I noticed a slight a power gain right after the install of my Dinan intake. If Dinan claims 8hp on a dyno, actual street gain is gotta be more than that. I have a MS air filter by the way.

How can a piece of CF make such a difference from a factory set up which is plastic. I have a BMC filter in an otherwise stock enclosure, and at first install you could hear the difference but no more ... it all becomes part of everything that's going under the hood. I am sure build quality and fitment are all top notch but it is a waste of money. Also it doesn't complement the rest of the black under the hood. I rather feed pigeons with that kind of money.

[W///]

Originally Posted by aussiem3

How can a piece of CF make such a difference from a factory set up which is plastic. I have a BMC filter in an otherwise stock enclosure, and at first install you could hear the difference but no more ... it all becomes part of everything that's going under the hood. I am sure build quality and fitment are all top notch but it is a waste of money. Also it doesn't complement the rest of the black under the hood. I rather feed pigeons with that kind of money.

Expensive pigeons you got there.

I think the inner diameter of the intake elbow is slightly larger than OEM. Either way, I don't believe in it, especially not for $900. Besides, my exhaust setup would overpower the sound of the intake anyway.

Having said that, if you can justify it, then good for you

[BLACK OPS]

Originally Posted by rngrjag

Forgive my ignorance, but does the airbox cover go back on after installing the new Dinan elbow/air filter or is that left off? I assume the cover goes back on, just curious.

Cover gets placed back on. Dinan states it keeps the air temps a bit lower.

[Leonardo629]

CF or not, the inner diameter is larger than the stock elbow. Bigger volume air being fed into the motor means more power.

If you can't afford the Dinan piece, go for the MS Stage 2.

I got the Dinan intake because CF is cool, and the quality of the whole system is just top notch. It's also a plus that I didn't pay $900 for a brand new kit.

[Leonardo629]

You want the cover on

Originally Posted by rngrjag

Forgive my ignorance, but does the airbox cover go back on after installing the new Dinan elbow/air filter or is that left off? I assume the cover goes back on, just curious.

[lsmkr01]

Originally Posted by rngrjag

Forgive my ignorance, but does the airbox cover go back on after installing the new Dinan elbow/air filter or is that left off? I assume the cover goes back on, just curious.

100% the cover goes back on. You don't want it sucking up hot air and debris from the engine bay. They have pictures with it of to show the filter and connecting elbow inside.

[aussiem3]

Originally Posted by W///

Expensive pigeons you got there.

I think the inner diameter of the intake elbow is slightly larger than OEM. Either way, I don't believe in it, especially not for $900. Besides, my exhaust setup would overpower the sound of the intake anyway.

Having said that, if you can justify it, then good for you

What I meant was feed stray pigeons ... it's I think a cosmetic mod without justifiable gains that's hidden away under the hood. Although I have a drop-in BMC filter, I am shit scared of the horror stories you hear with failed filters due to poor construction. I don't really know whether this particular mod is worth a cent. This is my take.

[Leonardo629]

There's a lot of dyno charts available for the ms Stg 2, Dinan intake will provide similar gains. This mod is definitely performance first cosmetic distant second.

If you don't do anything else for power, Dinan intake and a tune would be my top two mods that won't break your bank. A catless pipe third if you can live with it.

[aussiem3]

Originally Posted by Leonardo629

There's a lot of dyno charts available for the ms Stg 2, Dinan intake will provide similar gains. This mod is definitely performance first cosmetic distant second.

If you don't do anything else for power, Dinan intake and a tune would be my top two mods that won't break your bank. A catless pipe third if you can live with it.

[bigjae1976]

I might have to cave and pollute my car with carbon fiber...the sound seems to be very worth it.

[lsmkr01]

Originally Posted by bigjae1976

I might have to cave and pollute my car with carbon fiber...the sound seems to be very worth it.

I just picked this up and will write my full review in the coming days. Don't read it it you want to NOT buy it.

[Longwong]

Originally Posted by Leonardo629

There's a lot of dyno charts available for the ms Stg 2, Dinan intake will provide similar gains. This mod is definitely performance first cosmetic distant second.

If you don't do anything else for power, Dinan intake and a tune would be my top two mods that won't break your bank. A catless pipe third if you can live with it.

Dinan tune and intake as your top mods? The tune has never been shown to make any hp on a dyno, nor has the intake and this is your top two?

[rjd598]

i never understood the dinan intake praise by some until i picked up my e36. it came with alot of dinan goodies with one being the intake. the sound alone is totally worth it and of course it looks good under the hood. i would seriously consider picking one up for the e90 if i can find a good enough deal in the used section

[FogCityM3]

Rather surprising that more people don't log data while driving using the BT tool to test things like intakes, filters, scoops etc. Static dynos are not not a great way to gauge whether an intake works or not. With the BT tool you can see exactly how much airflow goes into the engine, how it affect A/F and whether timing targets are met, ie does it make the whole system run better in real world conditions. Thing is you need pretty consistent temperatures, but something that's relatively easy to achieve in certain locales at sea level. I haven't done a before/after with various mods for my car, but I have compared my own data driving logs with some posted on static dynos for various intakes and I've been very pleased with my A/F ratios and timing compared to the data I've seen on some dynos using regular 91 octane.

[Longwong]

Problem is that just because you may see changes in certain parameters such as airflow, timing or whatever, it does not mean more power is being made. Sometimes engines just do not like more of something or less of something and it does not always translate into more power.

Best thing is a dyno plus bt tool to make sure the comparison dynos are consistent across the board with the same timing and parameters.

[BPMSport]

Originally Posted by Team Plutonium

Holy cow! You criticize a tune without praising BPM?!

We have not tuned his car so i don't think he can praise BPM for anything first hand.

I installed my Dinan intake last week. Happy with the quality it it. Sound has changed a bit too. Sounds great. Will post pics once i have the time to install the CF braces sitting in the trunk so there is double carbon love

[mdosu]

Originally Posted by Longwong

Dinan tune and intake as your top mods? The tune has never been shown to make any hp on a dyno, nor has the intake and this is your top two?

really? I always suspected Dinan was scamming us with defective products. Thanks for the insight!