Hey everyone, this is actually my first tiume posting here, though I have been monitoring the forums for a while. If this has already been asked, i apologize, and please point me towards the thread... anyway, on to what I was wondering:

I have been looking to get a Cobb air intake for my new X, though I have been reading that some intakes require a tune, or they may damage your engine over time.

What i wanted to know was is this true for this intake? And if it is, how expensive is a tune? Also, does tuning the ECU void any sort of warranty? ( I realize the intake would void it if I did not take it off before taking it to the dealer, but I figured the tuned ECu would be a little harder to hide, haha.)

Any sort of help is greatly appreciated! thanks!

 

When modifiying the intake I would get a tune... Once you get a tune the warranty is bye bye if the dealer finds out. So the best bet is to flash the car back to stock and put back the stock intake when going to the dealer.

 

If I didn't get a tune, would I risk damaging the engine? I wouldnt switch the inlet pipe or anything, just replace the air box and filter with a cone filter on the end of the stock inlet.

 

Yes you would

 

Cobb's intake and inlet tube should both be safe on the stock turbo, but you will be leaving potential gains on the table. A tune really is the best mod you can do.

 

Im not really looking for a huge gain or any more than just hearing the turbo spool and BOV a bit better. Wasn't looking to do much modding until I learn the car better, I mostly just wanted to make sure that doing this wouldn't screw up my engine later. If there's a real risk of that happening, then I don't see it as really worth the hassle. But your saying that the Cobb filter should be safe without a tune?

 

Cobb did a good job of designing their MAF sensor housing adapter to not alter MAF readings due to turbulence.

 

Also, it isn't bad to just put the cone filter onto the stock inlet right?

 

i have the whole setup from Cobb. intake, Inlet, and Intercooler Pipes. i have no issues exept for the location of the cone filter when the radiator fans start.
i had to buy a intake shield from AMS to divert the air from the radiator, and build also a custom air shield around my cone filter.
If you are not going for the Cobb AP route to tune your car i would think in a larger CAI option. i think that Injen has a largerone, so you don't have to build an air deflector.

 

Always been a little weary of CAIs just because where I live it gets pretty wet and water tends to pool in the road very easily. Mainly I wanted an easy transition back and forth between stock and having the intake on for now just so i have no issues if I ever need to take it to the dealer for any reason.

That being said, is it bad to just have the Cobb intake attached to the stock inlet? Or would i need to get a cobb inlet with it? I had a friend who did the cobb on the stock inlet and no tune, and he seemed fine, but I didn't know if he fudged it together, or that will actually fit flush with no issues.

As for the air deflector I wouldn't mind making one.

 

i have no experience with other air filters instaled in our car without a tune.
you would need to contact a professional tuner.
My personal advice, it's not a good idea. it's a 40 grands car, it's all depends of your bank account.
lol

 

Eh I've been getting mixed reviews, some people say it's dangerous, some are saying Cobb made them well enough that it wouldn't be dangerous.

Well if I were to decide to tune it,how much would that cost, anyhow difficult would it be to flash back to stock if i needed to?

 

Anyone?

 

I'm far from an expert, but IMO you should tune if replacing the air intake. If you go the AP route it is very simple to switch maps quickly, and Cobb makes OTS maps for different intakes. The fact that they make specific maps for specific intakes lends weight to the argument that you should re-tune.

 

yea, personally, i think you should get the ap first, or get it along with the intake and inlet. thats what i have set up on mine and it all that combined really opens the car up, even though its still just a stage 1 tune. the car sounds great and u really hear the turbo spool up, cobb makes high quality parts, get the ap and youll be able to get pro-tunes later down the road when u get more goodies!! and its also really easy to just switch back and forth to the stock map