Air cool my front brakes? Is it possible?
05-30-2006, 01:43 PM
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Hey guys, i have finally become aware after 2 and a bit years ownership that the front brakes are not air cooled via ducts in the front air dam unlike 530 and upward models.
I know that some folks here have done M bumper installs and wondered if you knew how i can open the above openings in the air dam. It seems like i could loose out on some air cooling having these ducts closed.
any help in the way of description or picture would be appreicated.
I know that some folks here have done M bumper installs and wondered if you knew how i can open the above openings in the air dam. It seems like i could loose out on some air cooling having these ducts closed.
any help in the way of description or picture would be appreicated.
05-30-2006, 02:34 PM
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Originally Posted by ScottishBimmer' post='289975' date='May 30 2006, 02:43 PM
Hey guys, i have finally become aware after 2 and a bit years ownership that the front brakes are not air cooled via ducts in the front air dam unlike 530 and upward models.
Attachment 19810
I know that some folks here have done M bumper installs and wondered if you knew how i can open the above openings in the air dam. It seems like i could loose out on some air cooling having these ducts closed.
any help in the way of description or picture would be appreicated.
Attachment 19810
I know that some folks here have done M bumper installs and wondered if you knew how i can open the above openings in the air dam. It seems like i could loose out on some air cooling having these ducts closed.
any help in the way of description or picture would be appreicated.
So, without pulling mine apart, I think you would only need two snorkels and two grills to provide the brake cooling.
The grill is just clipped into the bumper. Push down on the bumper right in front of the grill while pulling/rotating the bottom of the grill up towards yourself. There are about 3-4 catches at the bottom.
I am sure you will find that there is a place for the snorkel to clip into.
FYI: when I installed by Dinan CAI, BMW designed the car for a second air intake - problaby for the M5. The bracket exists on the car with a coverplate. I would assume the brake cooling has been designed the same way.
05-30-2006, 03:38 PM
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Why would you want to add cooling? One of the features is a "Fade Compensation" for the brakes.
My Porsche has air that is directed to the brakes only after they have passed through the very very hot radiators. But the brakes are also cross drilled and huge as heck for a very small car.
My Porsche has air that is directed to the brakes only after they have passed through the very very hot radiators. But the brakes are also cross drilled and huge as heck for a very small car.
05-30-2006, 03:42 PM
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My Ride: '04 545iS 6 spd, bought new via eBay, 11/05; Blk/Gry, Cold, L7, PDC, BMW Rear seatcover for pets.
First "Bumwa" was a new 1971 2002. High performance 5s since 1987. Beamer motorcycles too, currently on an 07 BMW K1200 GT; also a Moto Guzzi 1000 SP III.
If, after two-plus years, you haven't noticed any brake fade, then, I'd suspect that you don't need to worry. Considering BMW's engineering, your 520-spec'd brakes must do just fine as is.
Indeed, I'd bet that 9/10 of those of us with the huge 545/550 sport brakes never really need that added "breath of fresh air." After all, that's why they made the rotors the size of silver tea trays (on the back too!)
Cheers,
Ray Hull
Indeed, I'd bet that 9/10 of those of us with the huge 545/550 sport brakes never really need that added "breath of fresh air." After all, that's why they made the rotors the size of silver tea trays (on the back too!)
Cheers,
Ray Hull
05-30-2006, 03:58 PM
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Originally Posted by nickolas_g' post='290046' date='May 30 2006, 07:38 PM
Why would you want to add cooling? One of the features is a "Fade Compensation" for the brakes.
My Porsche has air that is directed to the brakes only after they have passed through the very very hot radiators. But the brakes are also cross drilled and huge as heck for a very small car.
My Porsche has air that is directed to the brakes only after they have passed through the very very hot radiators. But the brakes are also cross drilled and huge as heck for a very small car.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brake_fade
05-30-2006, 04:03 PM
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My Ride: On Order as of May 6- 2007 530i Titanium Grey and Grey Leather, with Sport Package, Premium Pkg, Cold Pkg.
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Originally Posted by ImolaRedM' post='290057' date='May 30 2006, 07:58 PM
Unless your Porsche has ceramic rotors you don't want them to heat up. That's one reason to cross drill them. I didn't think the ceramic rotors were an option for the Boxster.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brake_fade
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brake_fade
And you get the lovely yellow brakes!
05-31-2006, 02:32 AM
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this is a standart..... 520 have this black out air vent. also your centre lower grill is half way closed as well.....
bmw knows what are they doing. you are fine.... smaller engine, smaller brakes = less air cooling needed
but I guess you can't go wrong if you take this piece out
bmw knows what are they doing. you are fine.... smaller engine, smaller brakes = less air cooling needed
but I guess you can't go wrong if you take this piece out
05-31-2006, 05:07 AM
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Thanks folks, i get your point that bmw know what they are doing, and it seems to complicated to do anyway as the pipes that direct the air are not in their! only the vent in the wheel arch and the air dam cut out are present. So i guess its not happening. I did however remove the blocked out half of the middle air dam with a dremel saw tool, so mabey i will have better radiator cooling now! you never know.
05-31-2006, 05:12 AM
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my get air from ducts bulit for that 
05-31-2006, 07:15 AM
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Originally Posted by ScottishBimmer' post='290315' date='May 31 2006, 06:07 AM
Thanks folks, i get your point that bmw know what they are doing, and it seems to complicated to do anyway as the pipes that direct the air are not in their! only the vent in the wheel arch and the air dam cut out are present. So i guess its not happening. I did however remove the blocked out half of the middle air dam with a dremel saw tool, so mabey i will have better radiator cooling now! you never know.