Hey all,

Installed a BMC filter a few weeks ago, put everything back together made sure the intake hose was tight all screws down properly.

Went for a drive and I have to say the filter make the car feel less responsive down low. Felt like it was suffocated or stifled. It did feel smoother at the top end though.

Only had it in the car for around 10 minutes before I went home and put the paper one back in! When I took it out all I could smell was a strong smell of the filter itself??

My question is, does the ECU need to learn what to do with the additional "air flow" if there actually is any? Should I have given it more of a chance? Anyone else experience this?

Car has the following bits: Cargraphic exhaust, LWFW, ECU flash and an IPD Plenum

P.S I did a search and no one really reported any negative effects of a BMC filter! Though the intake noise was louder, dont know if I liked it though.

Im about to buy the cleaning kit and give it another shot as maybe it was too dry to perform properly? Not holding my breath though.

Thanks!

 

Yes, the ECU does need to learn about the extra air flow.

 

Damn, maybe I dismissed it too quickly I could have sworn it actually felt like there was less power down low. How long until the ECU adapts to the new amount of airflow roughly? Should there be no loss compared to the paper unit? It just felt less responsive throttle wise.

 

Well, that depends on how you drive. I have the K&N and really like it. I'd give it a few days.


Also, be very careful with the cleaning and oiling, do not over oil, and only oil the intake side not the side where the air enters the filter not the exit side where the air leaves the filter and goes to the engine. You should not have to clean or oil a new filter.

 

Interesting, what exactly do you like about it? Better throttle response, smoother, intake noise?

The filter was second hand so ill invest in the BMC washing kit and re-oil it. In this BMC cleaning video they use quite a fair amount of oil though (3:06 mark):

 

You need to drive it around for awhile so that ecu can have a chance to adjust both long and short term fuel trims. You also need to get it warmed up enough to get out of closed loop fuel mode and also do some WOT runs. Take it on a 20 mile trip with both highway and city driving.

When I first put on my Evoms, I lost to a Audi A5 to 60mph while the ecu was trying to learn. Lol.

 

Haha Ahhh guess that confirms why it felt so different! Guess I'll give it another chance what do dealerships think about reusable filters? I'm guessing it's on me to keep it clean with the cleaning kit? Thanks for the info btw. Also will a dry/un-oiled filter flow less air or just be detrimental to its filtration ability?

 

My dealership installed mine and they have no problems. An un-oiled filter won't filter as much, you need a light coat of the oil.


As mentioned, do not over oil and only oil the intake side, regardless of what the video says. If you over oil you are going to foul up or destroy you MAF sensor.

 

Thanks guys I would have preferred the bmc spray oil kit but I can't find it here in Australia.

 

K&N oil is the same thing. Just put a very light coat and do not use any kind of pressure hose to clean it. Let the filter element dry overnight and do not let it dry in the sun. Make sure it's fully dry before spraying it with oil. One pass is enough just so that you can see a light pink tint. If you're really paranoid, wrap the filter in newspaper for an hour or so, to give it a chance to soak up any additional oil.

 

Thanks guys, I'm actually really torn on this one. Previous owner went with an IPD plenum wondering why they didn't go an AM filter. Did read someone's experience that they lost some low end power with the BMC...

 

This thread was very interesting to me, first time I have heard someone not be satisfied with the BMC, I am looking forward to hear your thoughts after a re-do. All the posts regarding the car learning are completely correct, we do sell a lot of BMC's and we do recommend letting the car get used to them. In addition to the BMC we offer a Cold Air upgrade kit which will gain you some more power as well, check it out!

Cold Air Upgrade Kit

Please contact me directly or your local Fabspeed Motorsport dealer for more information!

 

do you happen to sell the caps separately? I have the hose but would like a solid cap. Looks like CF as well.

 

PM sent!

 

Im interested in that cap as well. Are we talking about the one that that blocks the helmholtz resonator in the airbox?

As for the filter I could try it again on the weekend. Would an incorrectly cleaned/dry filter adversely effect performance?