Karbonius - Variations

[JeremyJames]

I have a starter on the way, since I will be removing the air box to replace the starter, now is a good time to slap a Karbonius air box in there 😁

I am trying to understand the differences between all of the boxes offered. I have reached out to Karbonius directly and they did not really give much more detail than what’s already on their website.

From what I can find, the following are offered for the E46 S54

-CSL RACE AIRBOX
-CSL V2 RACE AIRBOX
-CSL “Style” full carbon air box.
-CSL “Style” air box.

Any addition info / knowledge on the actual difference would be greatly appreciated!

Based on the box options, I will most likely not be running the flap because I do not want to hack into the wiring harness anymore than I have too.

I plan on keeping this M N/A. Airbox, headers, full exhaust and a tune.

[sina]

The race boxes have the built-in snorkel and I believe no flap. Not sure what changed to V2. Full carbon just means the trumpets are also made out of carbon, which even on the OEM box isn't the case.

[jet_dogg]

The csl style airbox with plastic trumpets is no longer available so you can cross that one off the list.

I'm guessing it's probably because of some sort of legal restriction from BMW so they changed it just enough to be ok but I could be wrong.

[JeremyJames]

The race boxes have the built-in snorkel and I believe no flap. Not sure what changed to V2. Full carbon just means the trumpets are also made out of carbon, which even on the OEM box isn't the case.

Is there an advantage to the race box without snorkel compared to the other boxes with a snorkel?

I can see the physical differences between the plastic trumpets, carbon trumpets, snorkel or no snorkel, but I am more trying to understand the specification differences. Advantages / disadvantages between all of the boxes.

[IND-Distribution]

Right now, Karbonius really only offers 2 versions. Their "Full Carbon" airbox is the latest version of their CSL Airbox that includes full carbon construction, including carbon trumpets. It includes the flange meant to attach via 4 bolts to either the OE CSL Snorkel with flap or one of their own CSL carbon snorkels (without flap).

The other option is their Race Airbox which is also full carbon construction including trumpets, but it does not include the flange to attach to the OE CSL snorkel. It comes with a built-in "generic" snorkel that does not feature attachments to the OE CSL bumper air inlet.

They used to offer their standard "CSL Style Airbox" which just featured the OE plastic trumpets instead of their redesigned carbon trumpets, but it's been unavailable for some time now.

[Epsilon]

Looking at photos from ECS, it looks like the Race Airbox only has 4 trumpets:

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-karbonius-composites-parts/csl-air-box-race/e46ad03~krc/

Also, it does look like it has a snorkel attachment to the CSL bumper.

[heinzboehmer]

Looking at photos from ECS, it looks like the Race Airbox only has 4 trumpets:

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-karbonius-composites-parts/csl-air-box-race/e46ad03~krc/

Also, it does look like it has a snorkel attachment to the CSL bumper.

The other two trumpets are hidden behind the cf from that angle:

[JeremyJames]

Appreciate you guys!

[Cronenberged]

Also the race snorkel should be more egg shaped at the opening