intake

205

Asked by David Nov 30, 2012 at 08:11 AM about the 1996 BMW 3 Series 318i Sedan RWD

Question type: Car Customization

So I wanted to put a CAI on my 318is, but no one seems to make a CAI for it. So what I'm doing is removing the stock airbox and attatching the cone from a CAI. My issue is that there is a air sensor in the stock airbox that I won't be able to use anymore. Can I cut the wire to this sensor without getting a warning light on the dash, or should I just tuck the sensor away somewhere. I started up the car with the sensor taken out and there were no warning lights so i know I should be fine if I just tuck the sensor away, but I'd rather cut it if it wouldn't give a warning light.

7 Answers

9,655

The sensor in question is an air temp sensor that is used by the fuel injection system. I sincerely doubt you want to do away with that, it will most likely adversely impact your fuel economy. Not sure whether it would cause a warning light though.

Best Answer Mark helpful
5,915

I agree with Lars. DO NOT DELETE IT. You can make a small port for it in the side of the feeder tube, in a similar location to it's OEM position. Mounting it will be the fun part. Epoxy is good, but is fairly permanent.

1 people found this helpful.

BMW 318i Cold Air Intake - Performance Air Intakes www.knfilters.com/cold_air_intake/bmw_318i.aspx

9,655

You can always epoxy a nut over the hole in the position you want. That way you can replace the sensor if it dies on you.

1 people found this helpful.
5,915

Good call. I was going to suggest scabbing the ABS fitment from the original air box, which is not always practical, especially if you ever convert it back.

1 people found this helpful.
9,655

Yeah, I'd keep the original airbox, you might need it if they ever change the rules on smog testing so that everything potentially affecting the emissions needs to be original.

205

i know that K&N does one but from all of the pictures that i've found the intake tubing has two round ends but the manifold of the 318 has a oval shaped ending. is this just bc of the pictures being generic?

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