Charcoal Filters

Blue2 · 04-05-2020, 01:41 PM

Is there any actual benefit to removing the charcoal filters from the air boxes (keeping the air OEM filters)? Any downside?

Bored at home during quarantine and looking for things to tinker with!

m20e3087 · 04-05-2020, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blue2

Is there any actual benefit to removing the charcoal filters from the air boxes (keeping the air OEM filters)? Any downside?

Bored at home during quarantine and looking for things to tinker with!

You can here the turbo spool at hard pulls, and better airflow. Throw in BMC filter and call it a day. OE filters are good also if you want to keep them.

TrentMeister · 04-05-2020, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blue2

Is there any actual benefit to removing the charcoal filters from the air boxes (keeping the air OEM filters)? Any downside?

Bored at home during quarantine and looking for things to tinker with!

Surprisingly more spool sound. Open exhaust valves permanent as well and the car sounds completely different. Makes driving in efficient actually nice.

Anthony1s · 04-05-2020, 11:42 PM

The engine intake air filter has charcoal?? I've only ever heard of activated charcoal filters for air and water purification.

Detoxified · 04-06-2020, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anthony1s

The engine intake air filter has charcoal?? I've only ever heard of activated charcoal filters for air and water purification.

I think only NA cars have the charcoal filter but yes it's in there. I removed mine the other month and it's very easy.

McLaren720s · 04-06-2020, 08:26 PM

Can the charcoal filter be removed without taking off the strut brace? It looks like there might be enough room to just lift the covers enough to pry the filter out but not sure...

Thescout13 · 04-06-2020, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by McLaren720s

Can the charcoal filter be removed without taking off the strut brace? It looks like there might be enough room to just lift the covers enough to pry the filter out but not sure...

Yes, but it's hard as hell (and I have scars to prove it). You'll need to remove all the screws for each air box (super easy except for some of the ones close to the engine). Then with a good set of needle nose pliers and a health/strong grip on the lid of the air box, grab the charcoal filter with the pliers, and pull up on the air box lid and out with the pliers with the strength of ~10 men and they will slide/pop out. You'll have some mean scars on your hand and on the charcoal filter's plastic surround, but it will be out without having to remove the strut brace.

But in all honestly, the time it took me to figure this out and do it, I should have just taken off the strut brace. But I'm all about working harder not smarter.

McLaren720s · 04-07-2020, 03:49 PM

I just got it done and, of course, I can’t tell any difference. No difference in sound or anything. Meh!

AZ-Wildcat · 04-07-2020, 04:15 PM

I had BMC filters installed, minimal noise but not sure if the charcoal ones were removed. Going to just bite the bullet and order a torque wrench and rivet tool so I can DIY.

Thescout13 · 04-07-2020, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by McLaren720s

I just got it done and, of course, I can't tell any difference. No difference in sound or anything. Meh!

I can only tell the difference (very minor) in Sport Plus and windows down.

Megator · 04-08-2020, 06:45 AM

Turning of ASD will increase the spool sound. I think ASD is a bit too loud or has a noise canceling function as I did not hear spool sounds till I turned ASD off.

2PUTT · 04-08-2020, 11:00 AM

mike@x-ph.com · 04-08-2020, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AZ-Wildcat

I had BMC filters installed, minimal noise but not sure if the charcoal ones were removed. Going to just bite the bullet and order a torque wrench and rivet tool so I can DIY.

+1 for BMC

StackedM2C · 04-08-2020, 02:18 PM

intake noise is much more pronounced, free mod , +1 have it done and love it.

MTWO · 04-08-2020, 03:32 PM

First thing I did was ditch the charcoal filter. Much more noticeable intake sound and defo picks up power you can feel.

AZ-Wildcat · 04-09-2020, 08:12 PM

Well my assumptions were correct, the charcoal filters were not removed when the BMC was being installed. Went on a mission to Harbor Freight and bought myself a torque wrench and trim removal tools. Not really a DIY guy but this was stupid easy (and fun!). Things were going smoothly until I realized the Mishimoto Catch Can is now in the way of one of the torx screws on the intake box. Had to run out and buy a beastly T45 to loosen the catch can so I can access the last screw. Other than that this project was a slam dunk.

More noise? Yes, wooshing under load is more noticeable but most of the sound gets drowned out by the Remus Sport and AA mid

chmura · 04-10-2020, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AZ-Wildcat

Well my assumptions were correct, the charcoal filters were not removed when the BMC was being installed. Went on a mission to Harbor Freight and bought myself a torque wrench and trim removal tools. Not really a DIY guy but this was stupid easy (and fun!). Things were going smoothly until I realized the Mishimoto Catch Can is now in the way of one of the torx screws on the intake box. Had to run out and buy a beastly T45 to loosen the catch can so I can access the last screw. Other than that this project was a slam dunk.

More noise? Yes, wooshing under load is more noticeable but most of the sound gets drowned out by the Remus Sport and AA mid

Torque wrench is not really needed for this. You can use it not necessary.

M-Pilot · 04-10-2020, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chmura

Quote:

Originally Posted by AZ-Wildcat

Well my assumptions were correct, the charcoal filters were not removed when the BMC was being installed. Went on a mission to Harbor Freight and bought myself a torque wrench and trim removal tools. Not really a DIY guy but this was stupid easy (and fun!). Things were going smoothly until I realized the Mishimoto Catch Can is now in the way of one of the torx screws on the intake box. Had to run out and buy a beastly T45 to loosen the catch can so I can access the last screw. Other than that this project was a slam dunk.

More noise? Yes, wooshing under load is more noticeable but most of the sound gets drowned out by the Remus Sport and AA mid

Torque wrench is not really needed for this. You can use it not necessary.

Bolts for the CF strut brace need to be torqued.

https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/f...ody/1VnXmkTyGM

TrentMeister · 04-12-2020, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by McLaren720s

I just got it done and, of course, I can't tell any difference. No difference in sound or anything. Meh!

Really? Are you kind of old lol? It's subtle but there is definitely more low rpm spool noise in s+

tropicatango · 04-13-2020, 01:52 PM

It's useless, just remove them, it remove some intake restriction so it's better and you save weight lol

I removed them on my f80 m3 and my m2c, never had any problem

tom @ eas · 04-13-2020, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blue2

Is there any actual benefit to removing the charcoal filters from the air boxes (keeping the air OEM filters)? Any downside?

Bored at home during quarantine and looking for things to tinker with!

We have a DIY here for the M3/M4, same steps apply to M2C:

▀▄ eas | DIY: S55 M3/M4 BMC Filter Installation
https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1014235

AZ-Wildcat · 04-13-2020, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tom @ eas

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blue2

Is there any actual benefit to removing the charcoal filters from the air boxes (keeping the air OEM filters)? Any downside?

Bored at home during quarantine and looking for things to tinker with!

We have a DIY here for the M3/M4, same steps apply to M2C:

▀▄ eas | DIY: S55 M3/M4 BMC Filter Installation
https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1014235

This is what I used as a guide! Thanks for making the instructions. It's beyond easy

04-05-2020, 01:41 PM	#1
Blue2 Second Lieutenant 174 Rep 247 Posts Drives: 2024 M240i Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: South Florida iTrader: (0)	Charcoal Filters Is there any actual benefit to removing the charcoal filters from the air boxes (keeping the air OEM filters)? Any downside? Bored at home during quarantine and looking for things to tinker with!
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04-05-2020, 11:42 PM	#4
Anthony1s Banned 756 Rep 2,149 Posts Drives: 2018 Mineral Grey M2 Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Pennsylvania iTrader: (0)	The engine intake air filter has charcoal?? I've only ever heard of activated charcoal filters for air and water purification.
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04-06-2020, 08:26 PM	#6
McLaren720s Major 1475 Rep 1,286 Posts Drives: 2024 M4 Competition X Join Date: Jun 2019 Location: Seattle iTrader: (0)	Can the charcoal filter be removed without taking off the strut brace? It looks like there might be enough room to just lift the covers enough to pry the filter out but not sure... __________________ 2024 BMW M4 Competition XDrive - Tanzanite Blue/Kyalami Orange - AST HAS - RaceChip
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04-07-2020, 03:49 PM	#8
McLaren720s Major 1475 Rep 1,286 Posts Drives: 2024 M4 Competition X Join Date: Jun 2019 Location: Seattle iTrader: (0)	I just got it done and, of course, I can’t tell any difference. No difference in sound or anything. Meh! __________________ 2024 BMW M4 Competition XDrive - Tanzanite Blue/Kyalami Orange - AST HAS - RaceChip
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04-07-2020, 04:15 PM	#9
AZ-Wildcat Lieutenant 620 Rep 439 Posts Drives: BMW HS M2C DCT Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (0)	I had BMC filters installed, minimal noise but not sure if the charcoal ones were removed. Going to just bite the bullet and order a torque wrench and rivet tool so I can DIY.
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04-08-2020, 06:45 AM	#11
Megator Captain 518 Rep 744 Posts Drives: M2 Competition Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: NL iTrader: (0)	Turning of ASD will increase the spool sound. I think ASD is a bit too loud or has a noise canceling function as I did not hear spool sounds till I turned ASD off. __________________ AX 1.1 --> AX GTI --> NA Roadster 1.8 --> E39 528i --> Xsara VTS --> Volvo 940 LPT --> Focus RS MK3 --> M2C + NA Miata 1.8
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04-08-2020, 11:00 AM	#12
2PUTT Captain 512 Rep 943 Posts Drives: F87 Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Ubiquitous iTrader: (5)	__________________ >> M2C Build Thread << >> M2C IG Delivery + Detail <<
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04-08-2020, 02:18 PM	#14
StackedM2C Private First Class 34 Rep 108 Posts Drives: 2020 m2c Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: Vancouver iTrader: (0)	intake noise is much more pronounced, free mod , +1 have it done and love it. __________________ IG: Stacked911 604 M2C/M2/E46M3 Exhaust Videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0o...R6EYk-oIdduslA 04 330CI / 18 440I MPE / 18 M2 N55 / 02 M3 / 20 M2C
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04-08-2020, 03:32 PM	#15
MTWO Captain 473 Rep 931 Posts Drives: M2 Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Innisfil iTrader: (0)	First thing I did was ditch the charcoal filter. Much more noticeable intake sound and defo picks up power you can feel.
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04-09-2020, 08:12 PM	#16
AZ-Wildcat Lieutenant 620 Rep 439 Posts Drives: BMW HS M2C DCT Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (0)	Well my assumptions were correct, the charcoal filters were not removed when the BMC was being installed. Went on a mission to Harbor Freight and bought myself a torque wrench and trim removal tools. Not really a DIY guy but this was stupid easy (and fun!). Things were going smoothly until I realized the Mishimoto Catch Can is now in the way of one of the torx screws on the intake box. Had to run out and buy a beastly T45 to loosen the catch can so I can access the last screw. Other than that this project was a slam dunk. More noise? Yes, wooshing under load is more noticeable but most of the sound gets drowned out by the Remus Sport and AA mid Attached Images
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04-13-2020, 01:52 PM	#20
tropicatango Captain 436 Rep 916 Posts Drives: Bmw f87 M2c hockenheim silver Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Montreal iTrader: (2)	It's useless, just remove them, it remove some intake restriction so it's better and you save weight lol I removed them on my f80 m3 and my m2c, never had any problem
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