PIPERCROSS direct intake kit for BMW M135i/M235i/335i/435i/M2 Non-Comp (N55 3.0T)

The Pipercross induction system has been designed and developed to directly replace the original air cleaner housing and integrated intake piping on BMW FXX M135i, M235i, 335i, 435i, and F87 M2 (non-competition) vehicles equipped with the N55 3.0T engine.

KEY FEATURES

• Large heat shield for filter
• Custom-made PIPERCROSS conical air cleaner
• Single-piece aluminium intake pipe, powder-coated and CNC mandrel-bent
• Thick-walled silicone coupling for long-term durability
• Designed, prototyped and iteratively refined using the latest 3D scanning and CAD technologies
• Maximum horsepower gain of up to +25 bhp/+28.0 ft-lbs. TQ

EVALUATION OF THE ORIGINAL INTAKE

The original intake system for the BMW N55 3.0T engine (found in various FXX bodywork vehicles and non-racing F87 M2 vehicles) has several performance-oriented aspects that are indicative of BMW OE M-level performance engineering. This engineering allows the stock intake components to adequately support the N55 engine in most scenarios when the engine is running with the stock ECU programming. However, aftermarket engine tuning (even conservative tuning) increases boost pressure (and the resulting turbocharger air demand) enough that the original intake components begin to limit rated engine power, even in typical driving scenarios.

The Pipercross engineering team identified the original intake filter media type, total surface area, original intake box, and the header us manifold integrated into the intake box as areas with potential for improving system performance. In contrast, the original lower fresh air ducts and turbocharger intake pipe were deemed adequate to meet the significant increase in boost/airflow demand, based on M-level technical aspects, the specific size/functionality of the parts and the experience of Pipercross engineers in designing high-performance intakes for a wide range of chassis/engines.

CONICAL AIR CLEANER

The heart of the Pipercross intake kit is the Pipercross conical air cleaner. This filter benefits from Pipercross's proven manufacturing methods, which achieve the targeted airflow performance of the kit while maintaining the necessary margin to support significant future component/material upgrades. The custom-compounded Pipercross foam filter media provides the perfect balance between increased flow and air filtration, while the coated steel support and formed and trimmed aluminium base are based on decades of successful in-house Pipercross filter manufacturing. The use of a conical filter increases the filtration area by 10.14% compared to a conventional foam filter and includes a filter with an external diameter of 180 mm with a spun aluminium outlet with a diameter of 90 mm. This filter serves as the basis for the performance increase offered by the Pipercross intake kit.

HEAT SHIELD

The Pipercross heat shield has been meticulously designed to maximise the protected volume in FXX/F87 engine compartments, while optimising the use of the original fresh air ducts, thereby maximising air cleaner performance. The part completely protects the filter from the ambient heat of the engine thanks to a solid three-panel design towards the engine, completely acting as an insulator for the cavity from the hot air intake. The lower part of this three-panel design is adapted to the original fresh air ducts, with out-of-plane bends designed to shape the fresh air flow from the original ducts throughout the enclosed space. The Pipercross heat shield is CNC laser cut from 2mm corrosion-resistant aluminium sheet and powder coated for added corrosion resistance and aesthetic appeal. The heat shield also utilises the original vibration-springing bodywork mounts, in addition to several fixed mounting points to ensure the long-term stability and durability of the kit. To further ensure the long-term durability of Pipercross parts, a hybrid EPDM border is used to insulate the heat shield from direct contact with other components, preventing vibration-related part failure.

STIFF PIPE

The Pipercross N55 3.0T stiff pipe assembly complements the benefits offered by the air cleaner and heat shield, optimising the overall performance of the Pipercross kit. The set consists of a single-piece aluminium pipe with an external diameter of 90 mm, CNC mandrel bent for a consistent internal cross-section along the entire length of the pipe (unlike welded sections which can create internal burrs that destabilise the flow and reduce the cross-section). The end of the Pipercross rigid pipe assembly features an 80 mm outer diameter reducer fitting to connect correctly to the original turbocharger intake pipe while maintaining the one-piece construction of the pipe. The location of the MAF pick-up has also been carefully considered, with a CNC-machined sensor boss seated in almost the same location as the original header us manifold. The pipe assembly also includes integrated mounting brackets designed to accept insulator fasteners for vibration isolation, eliminating the risk of part failure due to prolonged stress from weld/pipe vibration. Finally, each set is finished with a powder trim to strict specifications for added corrosion resistance and aesthetic appeal, with no internal trim of the bore/boss.

DETAILS

The subtle details of the Pipercross intake kit are what set it apart from the competition. The silicone coupling features a smooth internal bore and 5-ply construction, ensuring long-term durability without any destabilisation of airflow associated with conventional corrugated couplings. All Pipercross brackets are CNC laser cut from sheet steel and finished with a matching powder coat for improved long-term fatigue/failure resistance and corrosion resistance. All stainless steel components are supplied to ensure that corrosion, oil and other adverse environmental factors in the engine bay have no effect on the operation or appearance of the Pipercross kit, regardless of how the vehicle is driven.

Application:

BMW 1 (F20) M 135 i 03.2015 - 06.2016 326hp 2979cc

BMW 1 (F20) M 135 i 07.2012 - 02.2015 320hp 2979cc

BMW 1 (F20) M 135 i xDrive 03.2015 - 06.2016 326hp 2979cc

BMW 1 (F20) M 135 i xDrive 11.2012 - 02.2015 320hp 2979cc

BMW 1 (F21) M 135 i 03.2015 - 06.2016 326hp 2979cc

BMW 1 (F21) M 135 i 12.2011 - 06.2016 320hp 2979cc

BMW 1 (F21) M 135 i xDrive 03.2015 - 06.2016 326hp 2979cc

BMW 1 (F21) M 135 i xDrive 02.2012 - 06.2016 320hp 2979cc

BMW 2 Convertible (F23) M 235 i 11.2014 - 06.2016 326hp 2979cc

BMW 2 Convertible (F23) M 235 i xDrive 07.2015 - 06.2016 326hp 2979cc

BMW 2 Coupe (F22, F87) M 235 i 10.2013 - 06.2016 326hp 2979cc

BMW 2 Coupe (F22, F87) M 235 i xDrive 07.2014 - 06.2016 326hp 2979cc

BMW 2 Coupe (F22, F87) M2 11.2015 - 06.2018 370hp 2979cc

BMW 3 (F30, F80) 335 i 07.2013 - 07.2015 340hp 2979cc

BMW 3 (F30, F80) 335 i 11.2011 - 07.2015 306hp 2979cc

BMW 3 (F30, F80) 335 i 11.2011 - 06.2013 326hp 2979cc

BMW 3 (F30, F80) 335 i xDrive 07.2012 - 07.2015 340hp 2979cc

BMW 3 (F30, F80) 335 i xDrive 07.2012 - 07.2015 306hp 2979cc

BMW 3 (F30, F80) 335 i xDrive 07.2012 - 06.2013 326hp 2979cc

BMW 3 Touring (F31) 335 i 03.2013 - 06.2013 326hp 2979cc

BMW 3 Touring (F31) 335 i 07.2013 - 06.2015 340hp 2979cc

BMW 3 Touring (F31) 335 i 03.2013 - 06.2015 306hp 2979cc

BMW 3 Touring (F31) 335 i xDrive 03.2013 - 06.2013 326hp 2979cc

BMW 3 Touring (F31) 335 i xDrive 07.2013 - 06.2015 340hp 2979cc

BMW 3 Touring (F31) 335 i xDrive 03.2013 - 06.2015 306hp 2979cc

BMW 4 Convertible (F33, F83) 435 i 11.2013 - 02.2016 340hp 2979cc

BMW 4 Convertible (F33, F83) 435 i 11.2013 - 02.2016 306hp 2979cc

BMW 4 Convertible (F33, F83) 435 i xDrive 07.2014 - 02.2016 340hp 2979cc

BMW 4 Convertible (F33, F83) 435 i xDrive 07.2014 - 02.2016 306hp 2979cc

BMW 4 Coupe (F32, F82) 435 i 07.2013 - 02.2016 340hp 2979cc

BMW 4 Coupe (F32, F82) 435 i 07.2013 - 02.2016 306hp 2979cc

BMW 4 Coupe (F32, F82) 435 i xDrive 07.2013 - 02.2016 340hp 2979cc

BMW 4 Coupe (F32, F82) 435 i xDrive 07.2013 - 02.2016 306hp 2979cc

BMW 4 Gran Coupe (F36) 435 i 03.2014 - 02.2016 340hp 2979cc

BMW 4 Gran Coupe (F36) 435 i 03.2014 - 02.2016 306hp 2979cc

BMW 4 Gran Coupe (F36) 435 i xDrive 07.2014 - 02.2016 340hp 2979cc

BMW 4 Gran Coupe (F36) 435 i xDrive 07.2014 - 02.2016 306hp 2979cc