Airbox debaffle (inlet only) yay or nay?

[m3f_Synenergy52]

This weekend, I de-baffled the inlet side of my airbox while replacing my CCV with a new Meyle unit and cleaning my ICV.



Process: On the inlet side of the airbox, there's a tube that is held on by a single clip inside the airbox. Pretty minimal effort required to pull it out



Impressions: I'm still not sure if I like it. It does sound kind of cool, but on the other hand it kind of sounds like my debaffled Hondas back in the day. Slightly ricey maybe? I'm not so sure. I notice the increase in sound mainly at WOT. 75% throttle or even 85% throttle you don't really notice it. As soon as the gas pedal is pinned, you hear a deep roar. Although AA says it's good for another 4hp/4tq, I don't feel it to be honest. Anyone debaffle and feel the same way I do? Kind of on the fence about the sound?



By the way after 125k on the original CCV, there was absolutely no sludge buildup in the CCV or associated plumbing.

[m3f_Highneiken]

N00b question...what's ccv and icv??

[m3f_hencini]

I didn't vote, because none of the options summed up how I feel.



IIRC, I saw a dyno on the interwebs once that actually showed a 2-3hp LOSS from the de-baffle. The hypothesis was something about more turbulent air robbing a small amount of power from the engine.



When I had mine dyno'd, I wanted to do one run with and one without the baffle to try and settle the debate about whether it added (or deleted) power-- the guy that owned the shop just laughed. He said that something like that would make no appreciable difference.



Personally, I don't like the sound with it removed-- I think it sounds more refined with the baffle in place and the exhaust note is more evident.



YMMV...

[m3f_salty]

drive it for a few weeks then put it back in. I think you will notice crisper part throttle response with it stock.

[m3f_Synenergy52]

Crankcase vent valve is for oil recirculation and idle control valve helps smooth out idle. both should be looked at and/or replaced/serviced periodically.

N00b question...what's ccv and icv??

Yeah I might be putting it back in. I do like the exhaust sound more (stock exhaust) haha

I didn't vote, because none of the options summed up how I feel.



IIRC, I saw a dyno on the interwebs once that actually showed a 2-3hp LOSS from the de-baffle. The hypothesis was something about more turbulent air robbing a small amount of power from the engine.



When I had mine dyno'd, I wanted to do one run with and one without the baffle to try and settle the debate about whether it added (or deleted) power-- the guy that owned the shop just laughed. He said that something like that would make no appreciable difference.



Personally, I don't like the sound with it removed-- I think it sounds more refined with the baffle in place and the exhaust note is more evident.



YMMV...

[m3f_slickfast]

The dyno guy laughed at you because the variance in the dyno/engine runs are bigger than the apparent loss/gain in power. I took mine off... I love the way it sounds.

[m3f_hencini]

The dyno guy laughed at you because the variance in the dyno/engine runs are bigger than the apparent loss/gain in power.

This is also correct...

[m3f_fiveightandten]

It sounds more throaty and louder overall. The snorkel makes just as much of a difference, if not more...though, i'd swear the butt dyno detected a slight decrease in power (could just be throttle response).


To me, the sound is worth whatever minimal amount of performance i'm loosing.


Here's thread with a vid, my car and Numik's car. Both have Supersprint catbacks. Mine has the snorkel and the baffle removed. His has the baffle removed.


http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=308736

[m3f_epj3]

Mine is not in there either.

[m3f_Synenergy52]

What's the purpose of the snorkel removal? Is this the piece that sits directly behind the headlight? too bad i can't view youtube at work

[m3f_BleedsBlue]

De-baffling doesn't do crap for sound. De-snorkeling will give you a nice roar. You are thinking about it way too much. Remove the snorkel, see if you like the sound, then either replace it or keep it off.



The intake noise with it out is 10x better than my silent stock exhaust

[m3f_slickfast]

De-baffling doesn't do crap for sound. De-snorkeling will give you a nice roar. You are thinking about it way too much. Remove the snorkel, see if you like the sound, then either replace it or keep it off.



The intake noise with it out is 10x better than my silent stock exhaust

It takes a little while for the computer to reset, but once it does, the baffle does make a difference.



The snorkel on the other hand makes a TON more sound... though you're losing power as a consequence. I can dig it though, and I'll just reattach it come autox time

[m3f_M3n00b]

What's wrong with a CAI?

[m3f_BleedsBlue]

It takes a little while for the computer to reset, but once it does, the baffle does make a difference.

Can you elaborate C? Difference of sound or power? I noticed neither.

What's wrong with a CAI?

De-snorkeling gives me most of the sound of a CAI without changing the power delivery characteristics. And it costs nothing compared to at least $300 for a CAI. For someone like me, committed to spending no money on non-maintenance related parts for this engine, de-snorkeling is perfect.

[m3f_Synenergy52]

Crap. Okay so what I did may have been a de-snorkel? Or was it a de-baffle? I took out the little trumpet looking piece at the very entrance of the intake. Is removing that piece a de-baffle or a de-snorkel?