Ultra-lightweight Carbon Fiber Infused high-flow, high-volume intake for the E46 M3 (CSL-like sound)
With Heat Shield (Powercoated matte black)
Note: Currently 2-3 week lead time.
Utilizing a near-exponential horn shape to transition from the MAF diameter to the 6" intake pod, this intake maximizes the amplification of engine sound. This setup is louder than a Borla exhaust from within the cabin.
The OEM intake box is heavy and silences the awesome intake sounds of the S54. Aftermarket intakes like the Eventuri and Gruppe M that are lightweight are prohibitively expensive for many, and compromise filter area compared to other intakes. They also aren't as loud.
Why:
I was unsatisfied with how the K&N intake ran on my E46 M3. It had a small filter, was bulky, and (as many people know) ran poorly. In late fall of 2022, I set out to make something lighter than any other MAF-based intake system available. This intake went through over 16 different designs, each tested for changes in sound and airflow.
Features:
- Carbon Fiber Infused Polycarbonate, tough AND light
- Shaped for maximum sound amplification
- Flow monitored for consistent MAF readings, benchmarked against OEM over many iterations (>50 monitoring sessions over the span of 3 months with over a dozen variants)
- Smooth gradual transition of intake diameter to eliminate turbulence from the pod filter
- Maximized space usage inside engine bay, bringing the inlet as close to cold air as possible
- 6" high flow filter with low replacement cost (with AFE upgrade option)
- Option for buyers with silicone intake elbows with a smoother transition to the silicone elbow
- Aluminum heat shield (matte black powerdercoat) - Pictures coming in October
Price includes filter and hardware (no MAF sensor).
Note: Do not overtighten screws! Finger tight is sufficient.
AFE vs Spectre Intake:
The Spectre intake is a very effective, affordable filter. It has roughly 2x the surface area of the OEM E46 M3 filter from BMW, and is only 3/4 lb in weight.
I've gotten feedback that some people want a fancier filter, so I'm now also offering an inverted filter from AFE, which has about 1/3 more surface area than the Spectre, and still comes in under 1 lb.
Left: Spectre
Right: AFE