3.3T AEM intake install + more

[Toddasaurus]

Had enough time to finally install my AEM intake today. I'll go through some of the basic steps it takes to install, along with some custom modifications I did.

Upon receiving the kit, I decided to add some heat reflective tape to both the heat shields and the intake tubing. Starting with the intake pipes, I wiped them down really well with alcohol, then got to work, cutting sections of tape and applying them, one at a time. Soon, each pipe went from like this....





....to this!





After this, I did a similar treatment on the heatshields. Wiped down with alcohol, and applied the tape to the outside of the shield.




Although I'm sure whatever difference the heat tape makes will be negligible, I've always followed the performance car rule of 'every little bit helps'. Plus, I think it looks cool and unique.

Prior to the install I also ordered some extra replacement diverter valve hose, as I've heard the stock pipe can link when installing this kit. For reference, this is what I got...

Amazon.com: HPS HTHH-100-BLK Silicone High Temperature Reinforced Heater Hose, 200 PSI Maximum Pressure,1' Length, 1" ID, Black: Industrial & Scientific

And this is how it looks...





The install is straightforward and relatively simple; but, it took more time than I anticipated because of the adjustments needed to make everything fit properly. Since you're replacing the stock, flexible rubber intake pipes with rigid plastic tubes, you must make small adjustments here and there. Either way, onto the install.

Start by removing the strut tower braces...





Next, remove both intake air boxes by first loosening the intake elbow clamps...





...then remove the 3 bolts that attach the box to the frame.





And remove both airboxes.




Next, you must unplug the vacuum hoses that are attached to each intake elbow. The passenger side only has the one diverter valve hose. The driver's side has a total of 3 vacuum hoses attached.

Continued....

 

[Toddasaurus]

Diverter valve hose removal on the passenger side....





Vacuum hoses unclamped on the driver's side...






Now, loosen the clamp that attaches each intake elbow to their respective turbo...







Now you transfer over the vacuum tubes to the driver's side elbow, use the silicone coupling to attach it to the turbo.




Attach your vacuum hoses. This nipple, I found, was a little too small in diameter. The kit includes a different clamp to put on to make it tighter, but I wanted to adjust things by simply adding some duct tape to make it thicker, then installed the clamp..





Continued...

 

[Toddasaurus]

Both intake elbows installed, have not attached diverter valve hoses yet...




Now for the driver's side elbow has only one hose attachment; but, the factory diverter hose is too long and will kink. You can either trim the stock hose, or use a replacement hose to not ruin your stock hose (OEM hose costs around $50!). I chose the latter. Here are both hoses installed. OEM for the driver's side, aftermarket silicone for the passenger side. Not too bad!




Now we are ready to install the heat shields. This got a little tricky, it takes some adjusting to get them in there, but it's not too bad - just be patient and take your time, don't force anything. Also, you may have to unbolt the driver's side OBD-II diagnostics plug to make room. Once the heat shields are in place, put in your velocity stacks, and attach them to the intake eblows with the supplied hardware and couplings. Once done, you'll end up with something like this...




Finally, install your cone filters, and put the strut braces back on....






This engine bay is starting to look pretty good! Anyway, before calling it a night I had to listen to the induction sound. I was not disappointed.

 

[Toddasaurus]

Next, I'll see if I can install larger filters. It will be a tight fit if it all works out as planned! I should probably throw in my carbon fiber strut tower bars as well.

Anyway, stay tuned for an IAT comparison between stock and this intake. Hope everyone enjoyed the read!

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[danygenesis]

Awesome write up. Should we talk to moderators to create a sticky thread of DIY and Mods to include all these threads.

 

[joschneider]

Awesome write up. Should we talk to moderators to create a sticky thread of DIY and Mods to include all these threads.

Do mods even exist on this forum? They don’t seem very active like I see on the stinger forum. Maybe they all have G80s or 90s and only hang in those forums

 

[Husky]

Looks great! Does the outside air still get directed into the air box? Are the air boxes effectively sealed once the hood is closed?

 

[Toddasaurus]

Looks great! Does the outside air still get directed into the air box? Are the air boxes effectively sealed once the hood is closed?

They seal pretty well, you can feel the rubber edges press against the hood when you close it, but it's not a perfect, airtight seal. Some engine bay heat could certainly get in there, but it looks like it will pull most air from the factory snorkels, also around the headlight and the gaps around the hood.

We will see how it looks when we compare IATs.

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[Toddasaurus]

Got to drive it today. DEFINITELY feel an improvement in power and throttle response.

Also, when you're just driving it normally, you don't hear any difference in induction noise. But, when you get more aggressive on the throttle, the intake starts sounding mean! Those diverter valves give a nice big blast when you redline it! And the woosh of the turbos pulling in air is so awesome. I love the sound!!

 

[rkar]

Got to drive it today. DEFINITELY feel an improvement in power and throttle response.

Also, when you're just driving it normally, you don't hear any difference in induction noise. But, when you get more aggressive on the throttle, the intake starts sounding mean! Those diverter valves give a nice big blast when you redline it! And the woosh of the turbos pulling in air is so awesome. I love the sound!!

Nice Todd! I'm leaning towards the BMS intakes for whatever reason, seem easier to install and look kinda nicer. I think they are cheaper as well. But great review, glad you feel an improvement in power and throttle response. I feel like these cars really need that compared to factory throttle response. Did you put your JB4 back in? How's it feel all together?

 

[Toddasaurus]

Nice Todd! I'm leaning towards the BMS intakes for whatever reason, seem easier to install and look kinda nicer. I think they are cheaper as well. But great review, glad you feel an improvement in power and throttle response. I feel like these cars really need that compared to factory throttle response. Did you put your JB4 back in? How's it feel all together?

Yup, JB4 is back in. And I agree, the BMS intake looks like it will be pretty dang easy to install.

Altogether my car is feeling very nice. It pulls strong, and I have fantastic throttle response. I'm excited for my other upgrades (intercooler, exhaust, gonna install the midpipes again). And if all that isn't as strong as I want, then I'll try out WMI.

 

[rkar]

Yup, JB4 is back in. And I agree, the BMS intake looks like it will be pretty dang easy to install.

Altogether my car is feeling very nice. It pulls strong, and I have fantastic throttle response. I'm excited for my other upgrades (intercooler, exhaust, gonna install the midpipes again). And if all that isn't as strong as I want, then I'll try out WMI.

Awesome. Enjoy it.

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[Toddasaurus]

Okay, had some time to test fit the new, larger filters after I came home from work. Guess what? They fit. Check it out!

I don't want to share this with the Stinger forum. I mean, I'm sure they'll find out sooner or later; but, as of right now they only know about the K&N custom filter upgrade. I found these filters from aFe that have even more filter surface area than the custom K&N upgraded filters, plus, arguably, it has better filter media w/out the need to be oiled.

The aFe part number is: 21-91054

Here are some places you can buy it, just try to find the lowest price (i think i got mine around $60 for each, i must've caught a sale price or something)
aFe: Magnum FLOW Pro DRY S Air Filter
Autozone: AFE POWER Universal air filter
Amazon: Amazon.com: AfE Power 21-91054 Air Filter: Automotive
SummitRacing: https://www.summitracing.com/parts/afe-21-91054

Here is the comparison from the the AEM filters to the new aFe filters...







Much more surface area for greater airflow, and more dirt catching capacity.

Install was very easy, though the driver's side required a small amount of persuasion (though less than I anticipated!). Here are some pics.

Passenger side installed (super easy), even had some room to spare...

/






Driver's side installed (some minor persuasion req'd), you can see that the end is ever so gently touching the frame, but not bad at all!!!






Oh, and while the strut tower bars were off......





That's real carbon fiber. It's so pretty!
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And the final result.....
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Give it a second....
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Are you salivating? Because you should be....
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BEHOLD!






That G70 is so hot right now! Haha

 

[Beefer]

^ looks awesome!!

But to be clear...you bought the kit which came with the filters...than you disregarded those and got the bigger filters. How much money did all this cost?

How do these bigger filters compare to the BMS kit which I believe uses K&N?

 

[danygenesis]

Awesome work. Now your car is healthier, it weights less and breath better.

Joking aside, I have a question. Will those bigger filters work on the BMS intake?

 

[Toddasaurus]

No clue about the BMS intake. No clue on how big the BMS filters are either.

And yup, paid a bit extra to satisfy my OCD. Also, makes my car unique, which is something I really like as well.

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[Terdbath]

Beautiful engine bay!

 

[trdehmer]

Todd, how are the temps when datalogging now? Mine is off to the dealer tomorrow for my 2nd oil change (I'm at about 4400mi now). So, it will be stock for that

Once I get it back, I plan on installing the same heat shields - think I can use the OEM intake tubes with the AEM heat shields? That is my goal. I was going to use the DEI heat reflective tape as well, those AEM heat shields are gonna soak up a lot of heat and retain it I believe - I wish they were plastic.

What is the I.D. of the Afe filter opening where it attaches to the intake tube?

 

[OMG70]

 

[Toddasaurus]

Todd, how are the temps when datalogging now? Mine is off to the dealer tomorrow for my 2nd oil change (I'm at about 4400mi now). So, it will be stock for that

Once I get it back, I plan on installing the same heat shields - think I can use the OEM intake tubes with the AEM heat shields? That is my goal. I was going to use the DEI heat reflective tape as well, those AEM heat shields are gonna soak up a lot of heat and retain it I believe - I wish they were plastic.

What is the I.D. of the Afe filter opening where it attaches to the intake tube?

ID of the aFe filters are the same as the AEM filters, which are huge... I can't remember the diameter off the top of my head. I'm sorry! But yes, the AEM heat shields should fit with the OEM intake elbows. Also, I completely agree. I was hoping the AEM heat shields were plastic, but alas, they're steel.

Anyway, the AEM/aFe filters have a very large flange diameter due to the velocity stacks that are part of the AEM kit. That said, you should still be able to find a large cone filter that will fit the OEM intake elbows without too much difficulty.

If you'd like, I can take some measurements of the room within the AEM heatshields so you can get an estimate for the filter sizes you could use!