AFe DCI makes more power than their sealed intake? Why?

///Mikey F80 · 07-15-2013, 12:30 AM

Hey everyone,

As anticipated by my friends and I (a couple of them actually had a bet going on how long it would take me

) I now want to mod my 09 335i and I was looking for intakes and came across something that has me a bit confused...

These are the two intakes I am considering:

aFe Dual Cone:
http://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-16...e-2-pro5r.aspx

aFe Sealed:
http://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-18...ake-pro5r.aspx

I also have a 2005 MINI Cooper S, and when modifying it, I got some sizeable gains going from an intake that was partially open to hot engine air, to one that is completely sealed to the engine... So that's why I'm confused that it's not the same way here. I would have thought that one that is bringing in only cool, outside air, would make more horsepower than one that is partially open to the engine bay, but it doesn't, in fact it only makes half as much horsepower (if I'm reading that correctly).

Why is this? Is it because one is dual cone, and the sealed unit is single cone? I guess it just seems kind of stupid to pay nearly twice as much for an intake that only creates half as much power... But I'm only a finance major, so maybe I'm seeing the entire picture

Also, are there better intakes out there? I don't really mind the price, I'm just looking for the best quality and power...

Thanks in advance!

Mikey

e92oholic · 07-15-2013, 12:39 AM

Dont mind price? Dinan hands down

135Hoser · 07-15-2013, 12:44 AM

aFe's claims of 'gains' are absolute horseshit.

Most everyone runs a $100 DCI. Look into a mr 5 intake if you want a CAI.

Or stay with the stock airbox, and put in a K&N panel filter.

#Tee · 07-15-2013, 12:47 AM

k&n and plastic home depot plumbing diy is the best bang for the buck. anything else youre just paying for pretty hardware.

Jeff@TopGearSolutions · 07-15-2013, 10:40 AM

The gains have been beaten to death. It's just marketing numbers from AFE.

The gains are negligible although some recent theories suggest the sealed are a better performer and I tend to agree as it has good flow and cooler air coming into them then open element DCI.

We can certainly help you out on intakes if you are interested with much better pricing too.

Wedge1967 · 07-15-2013, 02:56 PM

I just bought the Stage II Pro from Jeff @ TopGearSolutions and I couldn't be happier. Installation is simple, looks great, box seals to the hood and keeps the cones from pulling a lot of hot air. Scoops in the grill are stupid cool. I painted mine Chevy Orange to match my caliper/rotors. Yeah, they don't make any more power than my $100 DCI from Vishnu or BMS, but the AFE looks better, and now I can see my CP and FORGE DVs which always pissed me off about my DCI and the lack of space. Do you're self a favor, call Jeff. Order the Stage II Pro cones with scoops.

BQTuning · 07-15-2013, 04:10 PM

I can only confirm the Sealed Intake Kit

14 hp and 27 lbs ft torque is at the crank not at the wheel. Their numbers never claim whp or wtq

Here is my before with stock intake and after with the aFe Stage 2 Elite sealed intake

I gained 13 whp and 17 wtq over the stock intake.

Wedge1967 · 07-15-2013, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BuraQ

I gained 13 whp and 17 wtq over the stock intake.

Which I would assume is about the same as what you would get with DCI or AFE Stage II Pro which I have ran both and I honestly like the AFE Stage II Pro because you have more room with the cones over the manifold.

C ///M · 07-15-2013, 04:55 PM

To address your initial question about sealed intake vs non - as it pertains to this application, the issue with any intake on the 335 is the heat from the turbo. Even though i'm still a firm believer in a sealed intake, it seems reasonable to think that whether using a DCI or a high-end sealed intake, the intake air may be heated to roughly the same temperature at the turbo, and then it just comes down to your intercooler and possibly meth setup.

BQTuning · 07-15-2013, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wedge1967

Which I would assume is about the same as what you would get with DCI or AFE Stage II Pro which I have ran both and I honestly like the AFE Stage II Pro because you have more room with the cones over the manifold.

Lets say they are, however with the sealed intake your getting more dense air to the turbos ie they don't have to work as hard to produce target boost

Wedge1967 · 07-15-2013, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BuraQ

Lets say they are, however with the sealed intake your getting more dense air to the turbos ie they don't have to work as hard to produce target boost

I agree, and that's why I went with the AFE Stage II Pro. I really like the fact I have more room with this intake. Don't look at my oil cap. I had a creative moment just to see how it looked and I'm just not dig'n it. Really thinking about doing the engine cover though.

Now, hopefully my new Black Anodized ER CP will arrive tomorrow so I can finish my Aquamist install and put my FORGE DVs back in. Gotta love new toys.

07-15-2013, 12:30 AM	#1
///Mikey F80 Aspiring Hoonigan... 200 Rep 326 Posts Drives: 2018 ///M3 [MW\|CB] Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: In the driver's seat... iTrader: (1) Garage List 2018 BMW M3 ZCP [0.00] 2005 MINI Cooper S [0.00] 2015 BMW X5 xDrive 35d [0.00]	AFe DCI makes more power than their sealed intake? Why? Hey everyone, As anticipated by my friends and I (a couple of them actually had a bet going on how long it would take me ) I now want to mod my 09 335i and I was looking for intakes and came across something that has me a bit confused... These are the two intakes I am considering: aFe Dual Cone: http://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-16...e-2-pro5r.aspx aFe Sealed: http://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-18...ake-pro5r.aspx I also have a 2005 MINI Cooper S, and when modifying it, I got some sizeable gains going from an intake that was partially open to hot engine air, to one that is completely sealed to the engine... So that's why I'm confused that it's not the same way here. I would have thought that one that is bringing in only cool, outside air, would make more horsepower than one that is partially open to the engine bay, but it doesn't, in fact it only makes half as much horsepower (if I'm reading that correctly). Why is this? Is it because one is dual cone, and the sealed unit is single cone? I guess it just seems kind of stupid to pay nearly twice as much for an intake that only creates half as much power... But I'm only a finance major, so maybe I'm seeing the entire picture Also, are there better intakes out there? I don't really mind the price, I'm just looking for the best quality and power... Thanks in advance! Mikey
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07-15-2013, 12:39 AM	#2
e92oholic Banned 66 Rep 850 Posts Drives: 2013 MINI JCW GP Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Buffalo NY iTrader: (6)	Dont mind price? Dinan hands down
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07-15-2013, 12:44 AM	#3
135Hoser Banned 39 Rep 315 Posts Drives: '16 m4 zcp Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Canada, Eh iTrader: (0)	aFe's claims of 'gains' are absolute horseshit. Most everyone runs a $100 DCI. Look into a mr 5 intake if you want a CAI. Or stay with the stock airbox, and put in a K&N panel filter.
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07-15-2013, 12:47 AM	#4
#Tee Major General 557 Rep 5,367 Posts Drives: yes Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Socal iTrader: (2)	k&n and plastic home depot plumbing diy is the best bang for the buck. anything else youre just paying for pretty hardware. __________________ You can follow my builds on IG: Tee212
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07-15-2013, 10:40 AM	#5
Jeff@TopGearSolutions 3441 Rep 79,211 Posts Drives: C6 Z06, 09 335i, 10 335xi Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: www.TopGearSolutions.com iTrader: (37)	The gains have been beaten to death. It's just marketing numbers from AFE. The gains are negligible although some recent theories suggest the sealed are a better performer and I tend to agree as it has good flow and cooler air coming into them then open element DCI. We can certainly help you out on intakes if you are interested with much better pricing too.
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07-15-2013, 02:56 PM	#6
Wedge1967 Banned 125 Rep 2,172 Posts Drives: '07 e92 AT Sport Montego Blue Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Portland, OR iTrader: (3)	I just bought the Stage II Pro from Jeff @ TopGearSolutions and I couldn't be happier. Installation is simple, looks great, box seals to the hood and keeps the cones from pulling a lot of hot air. Scoops in the grill are stupid cool. I painted mine Chevy Orange to match my caliper/rotors. Yeah, they don't make any more power than my $100 DCI from Vishnu or BMS, but the AFE looks better, and now I can see my CP and FORGE DVs which always pissed me off about my DCI and the lack of space. Do you're self a favor, call Jeff. Order the Stage II Pro cones with scoops.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-15-2013, 04:10 PM	#7
BQTuning Banned 469 Rep 4,392 Posts Drives: 2012 Z4 sDrive35i M Sport 6MT Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: bq@bqtuning.com iTrader: (0)	I can only confirm the Sealed Intake Kit 14 hp and 27 lbs ft torque is at the crank not at the wheel. Their numbers never claim whp or wtq Here is my before with stock intake and after with the aFe Stage 2 Elite sealed intake I gained 13 whp and 17 wtq over the stock intake. Last edited by BQTuning; 07-15-2013 at 05:05 PM..
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07-15-2013, 04:55 PM	#9
C ///M Lieutenant 53 Rep 494 Posts Drives: '04 M3 & '07 X3 M-Sport Join Date: May 2010 Location: Chicago iTrader: (2) Garage List 2007 BMW X3M Prototype [10.00]	To address your initial question about sealed intake vs non - as it pertains to this application, the issue with any intake on the 335 is the heat from the turbo. Even though i'm still a firm believer in a sealed intake, it seems reasonable to think that whether using a DCI or a high-end sealed intake, the intake air may be heated to roughly the same temperature at the turbo, and then it just comes down to your intercooler and possibly meth setup.
	Appreciate 0 Quote