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Page 2 - 2001-2006 (E46)

  1. BMW E46 3-Series Silicone Intake Boot Development!

    BMW E46 3-Series Silicone Intake Boot Development!

    During the development of our new intake system for the 1999-2005 BMW 3-series, we identified yet another component that would be a vital upgrade as the E46 chassis begins to age (gracefully though, right?). With a lack of support in offerings for a silicone E46 intake boot set, we decided to design a set that would replace the failure-prone stock rubber units. If you've ever owned a BMW (E30, E36, E46, etc.) that utilizes such rubber intake elbows and hoses, you may have experienced failure at some point. Typically the area of flex begins to develop cracks and tears over time. The unmonitored air entry results in a rough running straight-six " not exactly ideal. So let's get to the project!

    Stock Intake Boots

    First, check out the factory-equipped boots!

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  2. BMW E46 3-Series Intake System R&D, Part 3: Final Prototype

    BMW E46 3-Series Intake System R&D, Part 3: Final Prototype

    Interested in picking up our E46 intake system? Check out our product page for more information!

    Mishimoto BMW E46 Performance Air Intake

    Final Intake Images

    With successful testing data acquired from our first prototype, it was time to make a final prototype and perform our last test fit before producing a batch of final intake systems. Check out a shot of the shroud, intake hose, and filter!

    Mishimoto E46 air intake shroud, intake hose, and air filter
    Mishimoto E46 air intake shroud, intake hose, and air filter

    The airbox is constructed of powder-coated steel, and we line the

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  3. BMW E46 3-Series Intake System R&D, Part 2: Power and Sound Testing

    BMW E46 3-Series Intake System R&D, Part 2: Power and Sound Testing

    Interested in picking up our E46 intake system? Check out our product page for more information!

    Mishimoto BMW E46 Performance Air Intake

    After completing our initial prototype it was time to strap this E46 to the dyno and make a few pulls. We would be evaluating power output, monitoring vital engine sensors such as AFR, and collecting sound clips for comparison against the stock intake system.

    Dyno Testing

    E46 on dyno for intake testing
    E46 on dyno for intake testing

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  4. E46 3-Series Aluminum Expansion Tank, Part 2: 3D Tank Design

    E46 3-Series Aluminum Expansion Tank, Part 2: 3D Tank Design

    Quick project update! As noted in our last post, we had finished collecting data points and dimensional information for the stock tank and were setting our sights on creating a tank of our own.

    After pulling our engineers out from under shop vehicles, we set them behind the computer to get this project moving. Check out some of our initial 3D models!

    Mishimoto expansion tank, 3D model
    Mishimoto expansion tank, 3D model

    Mishimoto expansion tank, 3D model
    Mishimoto expansion tank, 3D model

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  5. BMW E46 3-Series Intake System R&D, Part 1: Initial Design

    BMW E46 3-Series Intake System R&D, Part 1: Initial Design

    Interested in picking up our E46 intake system? Check out our product page for more information!

    Mishimoto BMW E46 Performance Air Intake

    Stock E46 intake system
    Stock E46 intake system


    Stock E46 intake system
    Stock E46 intake system

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  6. Mishimoto E46 3-Series Aluminum Radiator R&D, Part 2: 3D Models

    Mishimoto E46 3-Series Aluminum Radiator R&D, Part 2: 3D Models

    Interested in purchasing our E46 aluminum radiator? Check out our product page linked below!

    Mishimoto BMW E46 Non-M Performance Aluminum Radiator!

    3D Modeling

    After some serious 3D modeling work in Solidworks, our first prototype unit is complete. Let's check out a few of the renders!

    Mishimoto E46 3-series aluminum radiator 3D model
    Mishimoto E46 3-series aluminum radiator 3D model

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  7. E46 3-Series Aluminum Expansion Tank, Part 1: Stock Tank Evaluation

    E46 3-Series Aluminum Expansion Tank, Part 1: Stock Tank Evaluation

    Enthusiast groups' feedback plays a massive role in our product development process. Not only is it a great way to bounce ideas off our potential customers, but it also allows us to see exactly what our customers want and need for their vehicles. This project is no different. Due to a substantial amount of demand via forums and social media, we decided it was time to get the ball rolling on this coolant expansion project.

    Stock Expansion Tank

    In typical BMW fashion, this tank was quite unique and featured some very interesting components, both internally and externally. First, a look at the exterior of the tank. Many of you are very familiar with this, based on the rate of failure reported for this plastic tank.

    Stock E46 3-series coolant expansion tank
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  8. Mishimoto E46 Non-M Aluminum Radiator R&D, Part 1: Stock Radiator Evaluation

    Mishimoto E46 Non-M Aluminum Radiator R&D, Part 1: Stock Radiator Evaluation

    Interested in purchasing our E46 aluminum radiator? Check out our product page linked below!

    Mishimoto BMW E46 Non-M Performance Aluminum Radiator!

    E46 325ci test vehicle
    E46 325ci test vehicle


    A peek under the hood reveals a clean and entirely stock engine bay. This would be helpful because we know what components we will need to incorporate into the design of our radiator. It will also help provide clearance information in regard to how much we can increase the size of our radiator.

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