Intake elbow options...Silicone?

[714gt3cup]

I’m looking for any options for intake elbows . I have seen the carbon ones for 300$ but I can’t justify that because I’m going to be covering it in heat reflective tape anyway. Does anybody make a silicone intake elbow?

[chocstraw]

I’m not entirely sure there’s anything wrong with the stock elbow

If you do want another, the Macht Schnell comes with a hard rubber / plastic elbow and an oiled filter, which is where you will see the most gains.

All elbows will have fitment issues if you have worn engine mounts, as the engine will rock and potentially loosen more rigid elbows. Happened with my MS elbow prior to fixing the mounts.

Keep in mind that the stock intake design is already fantastic and there is generally enough cool air flowing to keep temps down. K&N style oiled filter is a better value.

[8500RPM]

Yeah what you want is a MS intake elbow. That's what I bought to replace the previous stock elbow and aftermarket filter. Felt no difference but it's easy to see the MS intake has less obstructions for airflow than the stocker.

[drrust]

AFE also makes a plastic version that has smoother transitions than stock.

[8500RPM]

Originally Posted by drrust

AFE also makes a plastic version that has smoother transitions than stock.

That's the only reason for getting an elbow. CF is for the bling.

[714gt3cup]

Originally Posted by chocstraw

I’m not entirely sure there’s anything wrong with the stock elbow

If you do want another, the Macht Schnell comes with a hard rubber / plastic elbow and an oiled filter, which is where you will see the most gains.

All elbows will have fitment issues if you have worn engine mounts, as the engine will rock and potentially loosen more rigid elbows. Happened with my MS elbow prior to fixing the mounts.

Keep in mind that the stock intake design is already fantastic and there is generally enough cool air flowing to keep temps down. K&N style oiled filter is a better value.

I agree with you in saying that an elbow won’t do anything much, I was just wondering about alternatives. I already have a box filter and I do have new bimmer world motormounts so I’m not worried about movement , just something that a little cleaner and may flow just a bit better .

[GORDON.M3]

The Dinan elbow... honestly, its one of the best. And the eventuri systems is also really damn good.

[roastbeef]

i have an AFE and it is good quality. best bang for the buck.
https://afepower.com/afe-power-54-31...-intake-system

the generic plastic one is slightly cheaper, but might as well go for carbon... i think it might be a better insulator.
https://afepower.com/afe-power-52-31...-intake-system

[GORDON.M3]

Originally Posted by roastbeef

i have an AFE and it is good quality. best bang for the buck.
https://afepower.com/afe-power-54-31...-intake-system

the generic plastic one is slightly cheaper, but might as well go for carbon... i think it might be a better insulator.
https://afepower.com/afe-power-52-31...-intake-system

If I recall the AFE carbon isn't really carbon it was like hydrodipped on some plastic?

[DavidZ]

I've had both the aFe and MS and prefer the MS for the following reasons:

• MS has two flex joints (aFe has one)
• MS has a much bigger filter (aFe filter is pathetically small - smaller than a K&N drop in)
• MS filter is held inside of airbox like the OEM filter (the aFe filter just attaches to the elbow)
• MS filter comes with air scoops (I doubt they do anything, but aFe sells them separately)

I doubt the MS performs any better than the aFe (or even stock elbow with K&N drop in) but I like the MS design much better.

[Dave07997S]

Originally Posted by DavidZ

I've had both the aFe and MS and prefer the MS for the following reasons:

• MS has two flex joints (aFe has one)
• MS has a much bigger filter (aFe filter is pathetically small - smaller than a K&N drop in)
• MS filter is held inside of airbox like the OEM filter (the aFe filter just attaches to the elbow)
• MS filter comes with air scoops (I doubt they do anything, but aFe sells them separately)

I doubt the MS performs any better than the aFe (or even stock elbow with K&N drop in) but I like the MS design much better.

The newer AFE Filters are as large and has a cone shape vectoring opening at the front.

[Dave07997S]

Originally Posted by GORDON.M3

If I recall the AFE carbon isn't really carbon it was like hydrodipped on some plastic?

No it's C/F. Very thin I might add.

[roastbeef]

Originally Posted by GORDON.M3

If I recall the AFE carbon isn't really carbon it was like hydrodipped on some plastic?

The one I posted is definitely carbon. They just came out with a bunch of vacuum formed plastic shit for a whole bunch of cars (fast and easy to make) and they are hydro dipping it.

[GORDON.M3]

Originally Posted by roastbeef

The one I posted is definitely carbon. They just came out with a bunch of vacuum formed plastic shit for a whole bunch of cars (fast and easy to make) and they are hydro dipping it.

Ah, true.. I had some afe stuff back in the E9x non-m days and it was all that hydrodipped trash...

[pbonsalb]

I have not seen any silicone elbows. Not sure what you would need if you wanted to try one. Maybe 6.00" or 6.25" or 6.5" or 6.75" in a 45 degree or 90 degree angle? A good 4 ply would be expensive in that size and if it did not work, you would be out the money. I would just buy a used Macht Schnell or Dinan or other one. I bought a used MS about 5 years ago. Recently, I replaced the rubber couplers, which were cracking -- MS sells them.

Dinan is probably the best, but twice the price or more compared to the MS.

[DavidZ]

Originally Posted by Dave07997S

The newer AFE Filters are as large and has a cone shape vectoring opening at the front.

I see, but it looks like that filter is for the carbon elbows. The plastic elbow (which I had, purchased new direct from aFe just a couple months ago) seems to stick to the smaller filter.

[Bartledoo]

+1 for a used MS (~$250), and a new spare filter and cleaning/oiling kit.

[chocstraw]

Originally Posted by Bartledoo

+1 for a used MS (~$250), and a new spare filter and cleaning/oiling kit.

I paid $130 for a used kit, which was a steal, and I was really surprised by how well the cleaning kit worked. I've owned... 2...? K&N filters from new, and a cleaned filter looked pretty close.

[Bartledoo]

Originally Posted by chocstraw

I paid $130 for a used kit, which was a steal, and I was really surprised by how well the cleaning kit worked. I've owned... 2...? K&N filters from new, and a cleaned filter looked pretty close.

Can't beat that price. Yea the cleaning kit works great, and you can leave a nice surprise in the kitchen sink for your sig. other!