Quick question: Mass Air Meter

[m3f_pugliellidude]

Hey guys,

Since I'm currently a student and don't really have all the cash in the world, I'm looking to save some cash in the long run for when I upgrade to a CAIS and larger diameter HFM and I was wondering if anyone knew what the difference is between the Euro M3 HFM and the 540i HFM or if there is no difference? I like doing things right, but if I don't have to spend $400 on a freakin' HFM then I don't wanna :hmm:



-Eric

[m3f_o8OneLight8o]

From what I've read there is no difference. People sell the 540i intake **edit**HFM on Bf.com for ~$140, but then you'll have to spend at least $350 on s/w for it. Hope that helps!!

[m3f_03E36M3_956a950a08]

my understanding is that functionally, they are identical. However, the Euro HFM has mounting tabs for the euro air box while the 540 does not. That said... it shouldn't be an issue, because you are most likely going with a cai.



Brandon

I just found one mylself on ebay... hopefully I will get it... anyway, I have some questions too, and while this thread is active I thought I would ask them. I have my intake on the car (3.5"), injectors in the box, and if I get this MAF... all I would need is software and...? where do I get the elbow? anything else? this is getting to be a bit pricey... but hopefully worth it.

[m3f_pugliellidude]

From what I've read there is no difference. People sell the 540i intake **edit**HFM on Bf.com for ~$140, but then you'll have to spend at least $350 on s/w for it. Hope that helps!!



Thanks! Yes, that does help! By "s/w" do you mean software? I am aware I'll need software (was already planning on it), but I won't need any different software if I were to purchase the 540i HFM as opposed to the Euro M3 HFM right?



eace:

[m3f_pugliellidude]

my understanding is that functionally, they are identical. However, the Euro HFM has mounting tabs for the euro air box while the 540 does not. That said... it shouldn't be an issue, because you are most likely going with a cai.



Right, I figured the Euro M3 HFM had the adapter for the Euro air box, but I wasn't planning on going that route anyways. So, that's cool :thumbsup: , I should be all set if i go the CAIS route with the 540i HFM. They are both 3.5'' diameters, correct?



-Eric

[m3f_03E36M3_956a950a08]

Right, I figured the Euro M3 HFM had the adapter for the Euro air box, but I wasn't planning on going that route anyways. So, that's cool :thumbsup: , I should be all set if i go the CAIS route with the 540i HFM. They are both 3.5'' diameters, correct?



-Eric

some cold air intakes are 3.5" some are 3"... do your research. I just got a cosmos engineering 3.5" cai. I would probably recommend... price is reasonable, around $130, but you have to do some things on your own (which even at $130 I would have liked to see in the kit)... i.e. you have to move your horn(s)... It would have taken $2 worth of steel to fab a bracket to hold them, 2 nuts/bolts for where your airbox used to be etc... all in all a decent intake, but if you have the skills to make one yourself (which shouldn't be too hard) I would give it a try.



Brandon

[m3f_pugliellidude]

I just found one mylself on ebay... hopefully I will get it... anyway, I have some questions too, and while this thread is active I thought I would ask them. I have my intake on the car (3.5"), injectors in the box, and if I get this MAF... all I would need is software and...? where do I get the elbow? anything else? this is getting to be a bit pricey... but hopefully worth it.



some cold air intakes are 3.5" some are 3"... do your research. I just got a cosmos engineering 3.5" cai. I would probably recommend... price is reasonable, around $130, but you have to do some things on your own (which even at $130 I would have liked to see in the kit)... i.e. you have to move your horn(s)... It would have taken $2 worth of steel to fab a bracket to hold them, 2 nuts/bolts for where your airbox used to be etc... all in all a decent intake, but if you have the skills to make one yourself (which shouldn't be too hard) I would give it a try.



Brandon



I think all you need is the HFM adapter (http://www.turnermotorsport.com/html/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=adapr)? As for the intake elbow, AA has some on their website. Check it out, here's the link; click me (http://www.aatuning.com/turbo/parts/default.cfm). I think they might be reinforced for their turbo cars, but they are still the same diameter and measurements.



Yea, it definately is pretty pricey going the whole intake route. I was lookin' to do the MAF, CAIS, and larger diameter throttle body, before I do the software to save some money in the long run. Although, I might end up doing all of that plus the Schrick cams and save even more in the long run. Geez, soo much money for power gains that are fairly minimal compared to the costs!! I miss the days where a chip for $350 was worth 60bhp on my 300ZX TT! I still love my ///M though! :halm:



Thanks for the inputs!



-Eric

[m3f_03E36M3_956a950a08]

hey man, question (that I haven't gotten a definative answer to)... I can do my TB after software and it shouldn't matter correct? That should just be an air/fuel thing that wont require software right? Also, dont both those pieces kind of defeat the purpose of going to a 3.5" intake setup (by stepping to 3")? Is there a 3.5" elbow out there or doesn't it matter?



I'm going the same thing, and have everything but my HFM (which I hope to have in a couple days), and then it is time for software.



Anyone have specs for the best setup to bore your TB to?



BRandon

[m3f_pugliellidude]

hey man, question (that I haven't gotten a definative answer to)... I can do my TB after software and it shouldn't matter correct? That should just be an air/fuel thing that wont require software right?



I'm going the same thing, and have everything but my HFM (which I hope to have in a couple days), and then it is time for software.



Anyone have specs for the best setup to bore your TB to?



BRandon



I don't know how much larger in diameter the TB is. As far as software goes, I did talk with Dinan awhile back and they told me I needed software if I was going to do the TB, but I think if you did software for the 3.5'' MAF and intake, etc., you would probably be find to get the TB after that. That's what I was going to do anyways. Haha, I know that still isn't really a definitive answer, sorry. I will say that I have found Dinan to be fairly conservative when it comes to modifications (basically telling me I need new software for anything I do, such as even for a new exhaust which I have sans software and the car runs excellent). So, I think you would be fine, and yes I believe all it is is an air/fuel thing. I think you would be fine if you had software before installing the TB. I hope that helps! If I sound like an utter moron someone please correct me! :chair:



Also, dont both those pieces kind of defeat the purpose of going to a 3.5" intake setup (by stepping to 3")? Is there a 3.5" elbow out there or doesn't it matter?



I'm sorry, yea lol, I guess if you did have the larger TB and 3.5'' MAF you wouldn't need the HFM adapter assuming you had a larger elbow. Wow, and then in which case I don't know what you do! So confusing... !! :banghead: Maybe I'll just go on faith and see what happens when i get a full 3.5'' MAF sensor and intake kit lol. I hope someone has some input for us!





-Eric

[m3f_03E36M3_956a950a08]

no doubt someone help us...



would this work? This would be a good "meantime" fix for me until I got my TB done, then what do I do?



Brandon



oops...



http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=7945118449&catego ry=38634

[m3f_mazur_fc5757570e]

Save yourself some money and get a reducer from Turbohoses.com (http://www.turbohoses.com), it's only $36+shipping, and the HFM from this guy (http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=274549&highlight=%24155+hfm) on bf.c - . . As for the intake, I'm sure most will agree it's best to get (money wise and overall performance) is the cosmos intake from cosmosracing.com (http://www.cosmosracing.com), which is only $134 shipped (if registered to bf.c).

[m3f_mazur_fc5757570e]

Edit:





WTF is going on with this thread...it has a glitch or something.

[m3f_pugliellidude]

Save yourself some money and get a reducer from Turbohoses.com (http://www.turbohoses.com), it's only $36+shipping, and the HFM from this guy (http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=274549&highlight=%24155+hfm) on bf.c - . . As for the intake, I'm sure most will agree it's best to get (money wise and overall performance) is the cosmos intake from cosmosracing.com (http://www.cosmosracing.com), which is only $134 shipped (if registered to bf.c).



Thanks! Just one more thing, would the "reducer" you are referring to be the same as the HFM Adapter on Turner Motorsports' website? Here is the link... click me (http://www.turnermotorsport.com/html/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=adapr) It says it is to adapt the 3.5'' HFM to the stock 3'' intake boot and acts as a "smooth step down" or what you refer to as a "reducer," correct?



-Eric

[m3f_mazur_fc5757570e]

Thanks! Just one more thing, would the "reducer" you are referring to be the same as the HFM Adapter on Turner Motorsports' website? Here is the link... click me (http://www.turnermotorsport.com/html/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=adapr) It says it is to adapt the 3.5'' HFM to the stock 3'' intake boot and acts as a "smooth step down" or what you refer to as a "reducer," correct?



-Eric



They both do the same function...take it from the 3.5'' HFM down to the 3'' intake boot. Just one isn't a total rip-off.



Plus, the damn thing is used in turbo setups, so I'm sure it will work perfectly fine. Many others have used this product, and I'll be using it too very soon.



http://www.turbohoses.com/Transtion2.JPG eace:

[m3f_mazur_fc5757570e]

Holy Sh*t!!!! That pic aint that big on ther website....lol :rofl2: