This is robbing your BMW i8 of power - How To Mod the airbox flap

UPDATE: NewTIS has been closed. Service Manual data is no longer free. DIY maintain your BMW at your own risk. • BMW shut down NewTIS. ...
I was reading the technical training manual for the BMW i8 and came across something very startling. The BMW i8 has an electro-mechanical flap installed on the side of the air cleaner box which shuts off 60% of the air coming into the air cleaner. In addition, the duct connected to this flap was installed as a performance duct, taking ram air in under the car and sending it on it's way to the engine. The flap shuts off air at 3000 RPM and opens at 4500 RPM in order to reduce an annoying noise. However, after making this modification, I noted no annoying noise. Looking at the graphs from dyno tuners, it appears that this flap impedes performance. I wonder how much more power the car now makes after removing this restriction.
Wheel alignment tool:
amzn.to/2uKjC4s
Palm ratchet:
amzn.to/36Eiqg2
------------------------------
If you'd like to donate towards helping me maintain and grow my channel, please use one of the links, below:
www.paypal.me/patsgarageonline
www.venmo.com/patsgarageonline
Visit patsgarageonline.com for more of my videos and information.
#ad The equipment I use to shoot my videos:
GoPro Hero 7 Black: amzn.to/32Nzi2W
Hero 7 Mic Adapter: amzn.to/31KVA41
Forevercam GoPro housing: amzn.to/2JneF5Y
Wireless Mic: amzn.to/36sL6s9
Mini Tripod with Ball Head: amzn.to/2urG7uG
On-Camera LED light: amzn.to/2NUyVxY
------------------------------
Disclaimer: Pat's Garage Online assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. Use this information at your own risk.
------------------------------
End Screen Music:
Copyright free music from:
Song: Dreamer
Artist: Ikson
/ dreamer-free-download
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

[@negritorican]

Maybe someone will do a dyno with the mod on and off. Would love to know whats happens in terms of numbers. BMW engines are funny when it comes to mods. Sometimes something that might seem like it should help performance wise actually lowers performs. Those Germans know their engines and fine tune it so well.

[@PatsGarageOnline]

I agree. I was curious if my 0-60 performance would be impacted but it appears normal. I would assume that the engine coding might already function in a way that it thinks there will be less less air available between 3k and 4.5k, so this mod may be confusing the computer module.

[@AvianaAircraft]

@@PatsGarageOnline with the massive torque fill from the front motor, it would be hard to see a difference. I think airflow might be more so a limiting factor at the high end of the RPM scale. That said, it is still a tiny engine so it probably doesn't need that much airflow to make things happen?

[@PatsGarageOnline]

@@AvianaAircraft I can't say for sure without seeing dyno results but that plan fell through. However, that mass air flow meter will definitely be seeing a change when that flap closes and opens and adjusts the valvetronic variable lift system. I just wish I had the ability to prove it.

[@kashmir883]

i loved watching this video, i want an i8 so bad, what the hell great detail and filming, keep it up pat

[@stevemain9582]

love it Pat thanks, i pick my roadster up on the 1st august..i guess ill be getting the socket set out

[@lyheangchau8540]

Just took the flap today, now I love my i8 even more 👌🔥 paired with K&N air filter. It’s sound very nice now!

[@grahamtricker4103]

That's about the worse thing you can do as you will weaken the fuelling. Best to keep the standard paper air filters as the fuelling was mapped around them. K&N's allow more air to flow but you need to compensate for this by adding more fuel to keep the fuel/air mixture correct. K&N filters also allow small amounts of oil to pass into the induction system and this can damage the sensors in the induction system over a period of time. Introducing a K&N filter without adjusting the fuelling will almost certainly mean the torque from the petrol engine will be reduced in the lower RPM range due to the weaker mixture.

[@stevemain9582]

I just wanted to say thanks for all the I8 tips, i am considering buying the roadster, and it was good to see some interesting videos, well done sir

[@PatsGarageOnline]

Glad I could help!

[@ActiYT]

Solid walkthrough pat!

[@edgarbonilla6120]

Pat- you're the best. I enjoy every video you post.!!

[@PatsGarageOnline]

Thank you!

[@petercarey6883]

I found this upload to be one of your most fascinating ones, although all of them are in the "fascinating" category. Love that palm held/operated ratchet. Thank you for posting the link for same. In summary, I think you're going to create quite a FLAP with this upload. Okay, okay, pun intended, but it's just a little one.🤦‍♂️😉 Save the Wave.🙋‍♂️

[@PatsGarageOnline]

Thanks Peter! I truly like that little palm ratchet. I've wanted one for a while an I get a lot of use out of it since I purchased it a few months ago. A full size ratchet sometimes get in the way and a screwdriver is sometimes too long. I'm happy with it. I hope the video goes viral because this is a piece of information that is relatively new to i8 owners. I've known about it for a few months but needed to decide how to do the mod, test the results and post my findings. I hope someone does a dyno run with the flap removed to see if it affects the charts.

[@HeidiandFranny]

That was really cool Pat! Great explanation. I'd be interested in the secondary input path and where that goes. I'll look that up. Thanks! F

[@PatsGarageOnline]

Thank you! That secondary input, which is called the acoustic path, dead ends just inside the rear half of the wheel arch that I didn't remove from the car. It's just an open round tube. But it's smaller than the diameter of the performance path.

[@amypowis3536]

Nice video Pat!!

[@AtomicZ06]

Enjoyed watching - i8 now breathes a bit easier!

[@PatsGarageOnline]

Thanks! I'm learning as I'm going and hope to find a way to squeeze some more power out of the i8.

[@TheKianaRoe]

Once I get my BMW i8 I’m definitely wanting to drive to you so you can mod my car like this. Hopefully I don’t get in trouble with the dealership

[@BryanToder]

Totally amazing that you know how to do this! 😲 So funny apologizing that the sun sets early now. 😆

[@PatsGarageOnline]

I like to tinker with things. It was always a weird obsession, even as a kid, to disassemble things such as transistor radios in order to see how they worked. I love to learn why engineers make certain decisions. It's all bolts and nuts, so taking it apart is pretty easy, and as long as you know how to put it back together, no worries. 😂 This video has created a controversy on BMW i8 forums and it's getting a lot of views because of it. One thing is true, no other car that I know of has a flap to prevent air from going into the engine, like this one. Manufacturers typically want to have the right amount of air entering an engine in order to produce good power. More air means you can add more fuel and have more power output. So, why they'd put this flap on here, that will intentionally reduce power, is baffling. There's actually an entire industry of aftermarket part suppliers that offer replacement parts that make your engine breath better by replacing restriction with parts that flow more air to the engine. These typically add about 1 to 2 Horsepower to the car, so it's very negligible and likely doesn't give a boost in the seat of the pants. But, people spend hundreds of dollars for these aftermarket parts, buying into the thought that the manufacturer got it wrong. In this case, it's so strange to have a manufacturer do this for the purpose of reducing noise. Then again, it is BMW and luxury sound deadening is of the upmost importance. I was hoping to get the work done before sunset, so I ended up apologizing for poor lighting because I ran behind. But, I wanted to get the video out, so viewers had to deal with it. 😉

[@RobertCiampa9112]

Yup, I have a co-worker who apologizes for everything. Nicest guy in the world.

[@tadsheffield6457]

Pretty cool I’m getting a bmw i8 soon

[@Evapors]

You will love it!! i love mines!! fun times!

[@mgrmln]

Thanks Pat. I’ll be doing this mod over this weekend. I already have a K&N filter in the stock air box too.

[@PatsGarageOnline]

Thanks! I also have the K&N filter and found that I can hear the turbo a bit more. So much more that I could hear when that flap closed at 3000 RPM, very easily. I hope this helps squeeze a bit more power out of the i8.

[@Alex-sb5io]

@@PatsGarageOnline hope all is well with you Pat. Just wondering if you've ever gotten an engine check light after installing the k&n air filter. I just got one today after driving it in sport mode and pushing it a little bit on the freeway (p0172). I resetted, but I'm trying to figure out if it's related to the intake.

[@PatsGarageOnline]

@@Alex-sb5io Sorry to hear you had a trouble code. I never did but it's possible that the oil from the K&N filter dispersed into the MAF sensor. I googled this code and indeed, others have stated: "The use of "oiled" air filters can cause the MAF to become dirty if the filter is over-oiled." If this goes away, then the oil evaporated off of the MAF. But, if it doesn't go away, you may need to research how to clean the MAF of the oil. I'm not sure of the safest way to clean it.

[@Alex-sb5io]

@@PatsGarageOnline thanks for the quick response. I actually just decided to clean the MAF as well. Not hard at all. Take off the sensor, spray/clean it with the MAF cleaner, let it dry and reinstall. We'll see if that works. It originally took about 2 months for the engine light to come on. Crossing my fingers this process works. If not, I may just have to go with a non-oil filter. Thanks again Pat.

[@drummerdoingstuff5020]

The Ram Cummings has something similar in the air box, I took mine off so it would pull more air. Or at least in theory. Didn’t really notice any difference

[@manuelbenitez1402]

Hello, I picked up my i8 with 12992 miles a 2014. I am interested in making some mod’s, this will be one of those. Thank you.

[@chrisroberts1440]

A bit of a late response to this. What rpm does the car sit at on a cruise at 70mph? I'm thinking this is to damp the sound at that sort of rpm and the flap may only close at lower throttle openings to quieten down the noise at cruise. Just looked it up 2000rpm @ 70mph, so not that then.

[@Evapors]

hmmmmmmmmmm you are the man!!!!!! Thanks so much.

[@Evapors]

this was a great how to!

[@PatsGarageOnline]

Thank you! I had a few months to prepare after reading about this restrictive flap. I did disassemble this part of the car and do some testing before I put it all back together to shoot this video. Definitely a lot of prep work compared to most of my other vids.

[@jonathanfernandez7649]

Hey Pat, Thank you for the upload, great video! I want to make this mod on my i8. However I wonder, now after all. Does it improve the performance or not at all? I want to know if it is worth doing 👍🏽 Thanks in advance mate!

[@PatsGarageOnline]

Thank you. I didn't have any equipment to test before/after the modification at the time of this video. However, anytime you restrict 60% of the airflow to an engine, you're going to have less performance during that time period. I have noticed more intake sounds from the turbo, but only slightly more. The car still produces significant horsepower and torque from the power plants despite the flap being operations. Some owners may be OK with that. But, any engineer will tell you, a blocking restriction is definitely going to result in a performance loss.

[@user-bq1ef9su3w]

I always enjoy watching. I will study with very interesting contents. Regarding this airbox flap, can I keep the ignition timing etc. (fuel control) unchanged? Then I want to do it. Also looking forward to the future.

[@PatsGarageOnline]

Thank you for the kind words. If you modify the airbox flap, nothing else needs to change. Having the car tuned would give more power but by removing 60% of the restiction, the Mass Airflow Sensor should see more air mass and the ECU should adjust the fuel automatically.

[@user-bq1ef9su3w]

@@PatsGarageOnline Thank you for the quick answer. I'll try it on the next sunny holiday. I will continue to support you. Your useful KZbin is great. I'm not good at English, so I'm sorry for strange sentences.

[@PatsGarageOnline]

@@user-bq1ef9su3w Thank you! I appreciate the support. Your English is very good. I can understand you very well. Thanks!

[@maximusbrisbane17nov]

Hola . I am watching your videos. You are amazing . I’m about to buy second hand i8 . It’s done almost 30000 km . I know we have to change few things after every 30000 km . Please send me a link If you have a video to explain about service part of bmw i8 Thanks again for sharing .

[@PatsGarageOnline]

Here is the service schedule for the BMW i8. Disregard the section about replacing the alternator/drive belt. This was a requirement but no longer the case. www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/i12-i8-cou/repair-manuals/00-maintenance-general-note/00-00-maintenance/1VnY1XX7AY

[@rs3800]

if I look at the first shown baseline (stock) dyno run, it shows there is an *in*crease in torque in that rpm range, not a decrease! also if you have a dragy or vbox it would be nice to also do a baseline in that range in a higher gear and empty battery, that would show the best diff if any.

[@PatsGarageOnline]

It's hard to see it on the graphs I screenshot for this video. Take a look at the actual full size graphs. The dip is not as dramatic, pre-tune, but there is some dipping in there. I also don't know what the tuners did in order to show that much of a HP/Torque gain. Some folks who have had the tune done don't feel any difference, and track times don't show any change at all. www.vrtuned.com/blog/bmw-i8-hybrid-ecu-tuning-and-dyno-test-with-video/ www.vividracing.com/tuned-ecu-flash-tune-bmw-p-151449513.html I agree, trying to take the battery out of the equation would be helpful for testing. Primary gains would be noticeable between 60-100mph as well.

[@PatsGarageOnline]

Between 3k and 4.5k there is a dip in HP and Torque. I busted out the line tool on Photoshop and it crossed below it. So it's there but it's mild. In the tune it is much worse.

[@grahamtricker4103]

Unfortunately, allowing more air to enter the engine won't improve performance unless you add more fuel. I suspect BMW weaken the mixture in that RPM zone to take account of the flap. To take advantage of the flap removal you should get the fuelling checked in that zone to make sure the engine isn't running weak. It could be that BMW add this flap to get the car through emission and noise limits for different countries. It might also be there to reduce or prevent any harmonic disturbances in the induction system. Removing the flap may well upset the fuelling so I would get it checked on a dyno measuring the fuel to air ratio across the rev range. Also, couldn't help but notice the closeness of the induction entry to the ground. Just don't go near any floods or fords or you might get water sucked into the engine and that would be catastrophic engine wise.

[@antster7]

I noticed that your boot cover inside your spring is torn... Its also similar to my i3. Any chance you'd do a walk-through on how to replace them?

[@PatsGarageOnline]

Unfortunately, there is no way to replace them without taking off the entire strut. However, I'm working on a way to protect the struts. I'm not sure how it will hold up over time, but I want to develop a way so folks can replace the BMW strut covers with something that actually doesn't fall apart.

[@enriqueaburto7360]

Hello my friend do u hear something about the maxhaust soundbooster

[@PatsGarageOnline]

Hello! Yes, I've heard of the Maxhaust module and I've read many opinions on it. On the bimmerpost.com forum, people who have installed it were either very happy with it or disappointed. Some purchased the Maserati module for it, so it was a better sound. But, from what I've heard, many say that the Maxhaust puts out a different tone than what the exhaust/BMW module puts out. It's out of sync with the transmission gear changes. It would frustrate me to hear that. So, I modified the exhaust valve to stay open all the time. I have another video on that in my channel. I think it sounds great.

[@floydthangwane5763]

Pat wouldn't the mass airflow sensor signal the ecu that your intake is abnormally high considering the system still thinks the flap is on?

[@PatsGarageOnline]

That hasn't happened for me. The car has performed well without any trouble codes from the ECU regarding MAF.

[@ghostinthenutshell3207]

Hi! 3 yrs late here, but did you fix that damper? I see that the flexible part is broken and exposes the interior of it. I’ve seen the same thing on my i3 and I got new dampers around the car on new-car warranty. BMW said that this could cause the damper to fail over time. Is this a weakness on the i8 as well. Looking to buy an i8 soon. Thank you for your videos they are very good 👌😁

[@PatsGarageOnline]

Yes, check out this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/pYa3m2WmjZaipbssi

[@pauldhillon8994]

also any exhaust you recommend? or plan on putting on your i8? thanks

[@PatsGarageOnline]

I won't be changing the exhaust on my i8. I think the exhaust options out there make the car sound like a Duramax Diesel. LOL. That said, please check this video out where several different mufflers were temporarily placed on the i8: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZnmUfXiBfraph5Y

[@pauldhillon8994]

great content! you think it will be same for my 2014?

[@PatsGarageOnline]

Yes! Thanks!

[@pauldhillon8994]

@@PatsGarageOnline Hey Pat one more question. Does BMW offer extended warranty to bmws that were not purchase at the BMW dealership? i just got mine with 10k miles on it. just wanted to be cautious. Thanks!

[@Jurgonkitfok]

Idk why I’m watching this. I have a Porsche...

[@stephanzechmair1481]

Hi Pat, did you ever try to to do the same trick here as you did with the exhaust flap? (the one where you pulled the fuse when the flap is open?) Thanks

[@PatsGarageOnline]

This flap doesn't have a fuse inline for some reason. It gets its power directly from a module. That module has a fuse on the battery side but if I pulled that I would break a lot more things. I wish it did have a fuse. It took me a few months to figure out how I could pull this off.

[@stephanzechmair1481]

Wow, you are amazing. Never met anybody so resourceful and competent. I love your straight forward informative and ‘never boring’ videos ... With all this staying home orders I will do the intake flap removal soon… In case you ever have someone asking about the BMW connected app not able to send remote codes to car (lock unlock, clima control). Even after removing vehicle from account and re-installing app. … It took me 2 month ( BMW could not fix and told me to bring the car in for repair)

[@PeterRoos]

Just to be sure, does a modification like this affect or even void warranty (dealer or extended)? That would be a big no no.

[@PatsGarageOnline]

In the US, it doesn't void any warranty. The vehicle still performs the turning of the post that would hold the plastic valve, but the valve is no longer there. This will not results in any adverse conditions other than slightly more noise / turbo spool being audible outside the car.

[@001468]

I need help on the warning message for washer fluid low! It no longer comes on! You seem to be the person in the know in the i8! Hope you can help?

[@PatsGarageOnline]

It sounds like the sensor inside the windshield washer reservoir is having an issue. I haven't encountered this particular issue, nor read about it, but it is possible that the sensor is failing, the wiring to the sensor is having an issue, or the computer module that receives data from the sensor is having a problem. Unfortunately, I have no troubleshooting information. However, I did find the service manual page for the reservoir: www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/i12-i8-cou/repair-manuals/61-general-vehicle-electrical-system/61-71-windscreen-washer-system/1VnXnXFewf

[@001468]

Pat's Garage Online thats great thank you so much for your insight! Lastly whats that cracking phone holder you got in one of your videos that hangs over the centre console? I want one! Keep those vids coming!

[@PatsGarageOnline]

@@001468 Sure thing. I plan to do a video on the phone mount some day. The phone mount is the ProClipUSA mount available here: www.proclipusa.com/product/835174-proclip-console-mount Once that is installed on the center console, you can mount any other cell phone holder to it. I chose the Squish charging mount here: amzn.to/36AHk00 I had to purchase a ball mount to connect between the ProClip and the Squish, here: amzn.to/2vuGPYx Some phone mounts just have the plate that you can screw to the ProClip mount but I wanted mine to be a holder that also charges any phone wirelessly.

[@criticaluplink]

How about deleting those speakers that make those simulating performance sound? Can you make a video on that

[@PatsGarageOnline]

The external speaker has a quick disconnect on it. If you remove the left rear wheel and wheel arch (8mm screws) you can get access to the speaker. After opening the exhaust valve on my i8, I can't hear the speaker's fake exhaust sounds so I don't want to bother disconnecting it. I've defeated the speaker by amplifying the exhaust. However, the internal exhaust noise can't be defeated. It's integrated into the sound system. With the exhaust valve open, it matches the amplification of the exhaust. It actually sounds correct for what the sounds the exhaust produces. I'm amazed. An exhaust replacement video will be in the works for me, in the future. That will overpower all the sound augmentation.

[@criticaluplink]

@@PatsGarageOnline What your experiencing is the placebo effect, just like fake muffler they put on to fake exhaust note, at lower rpm, the exhaust exit out the left pipe, at higher rpm, with greater volume of air the flap open for efficiency, so the flap normally open at or close to wide open throttle you didn’t change a thing. You just proof that the 10lbs weight is more than enough to pull a fuse out under the glove box

[@aviklein5247]

Does the 2019 also have this intake actuator?

[@PatsGarageOnline]

I don't have a 2019 to check, but I am assuming it does because BMW wants to decrease the amount of noise coming from the engine, and it's the same engine used in earlier years.

[@pankajpandit7360]

Measure the milage it's gona increase

[@mrh6577]

Are you sure it’s not designed as a helmholtz resonator? Porsche employ the same system using a flap and actuator. It operates at the same RPM range. The Helmholtz Resonator was introduced to meet German sound emission by cancelling out sound waves. Porsche also fit this to there air box. A lot of Porsche 911 driver block off the resonator for better induction sound. A helmholtz resonator is normally a chamber with a neck. As the air travels across the neck sound waves enter the closed chamber. The sound waves come back out the chamber and cancels out the desired frequency at the desired air speed. Without seeing the whole air system it hard to confirm. If it is a helmholtz resonator then it will have no impact on performance, only sound. Helmholtz Resonators can be used for lots of things. I designed one for my Porsche exhaust system to reduce drone at 125hz

[@PatsGarageOnline]

Sadly, this flap actually closes off the entire tube where ram air enters from near the bottom of the car. This is called the performance intake. When this flap shuts no air can enter that way. There is a second tube in the back of the air box that does not have a flap. It is smaller in diameter. 60% of the air enters through the flapped entrance and 40% through the smaller entrance. So, you're actually choking off 60% of the air flow. I can see how a resonator would help reduce sound better than this design.

[@mrh6577]

That’s a really poorly executed idea by BMW. They could have had the same effect using a helmholtz resonator without impacting performance. There’s normally some logical thinking behind someone’s madness so I can only assume they have employed this method due to the car being 3 cylinder? Or hybrid and the change from IC to EV? You may find by opening up the air flow you would have to tune the engine to compensate. However it may impact lower torque levels or the overall power curve. Having said that it only works between 3000 and 4000 rpm?? Which takes it back to sound. Very strange idea but there must be a technical reason if BMW are prepared to compromise power.

[@pauldhillon8994]

do you think this mod will help make exhaust louder?

[@PatsGarageOnline]

It won't make the exhaust louder but you will hear the turbo intake throughout the entire RPM range. I have modified my stock exhaust and plan on uploading that info soon

[@NeMeSis7PT]

If you want your exhaust louder you can simply put a straight pipe on the car the sound will be loud. I know a guy who did it to his i8 and now the car sounds almost like a M4 😂

[@alirezahamidifayegh]

👍🍯

[@scottboelke4391]

Is your shock absorber rubber protector thingie ripped?

[@PatsGarageOnline]

Yes. Sadly, they all deteriorate on their own in time. Mine are 4 years old. I'm validating an idea to replace them without having to take the suspension apart.

[@scottboelke4391]

@@PatsGarageOnline black duct tape

[@PatsGarageOnline]

@@scottboelke4391 That'll do it!

[@Progamer8012]

Will you Dino your i8? I’m thinking of doing mine since their is one available

[@PatsGarageOnline]

I have not considered doing that yet. Restricting 60% of the air entering the box should result in less Mass Air detected and modify the air/fuel mixture as necessary. BMW wanted this car to be quiet and fuel efficient. So, I can see why they didn't mind doing this. If it resulted in less than 10HP, they probably didn't mind at all since you wouldn't feel it, honestly, in the seat of the pants. I also just modded the exhaust valve to be open all the time. I'm actually feeling a difference now. Video coming soon

[@pauldhillon8994]

@@PatsGarageOnline what kind of difference ?

[@PatsGarageOnline]

@@pauldhillon8994 It feels more powerful, but I haven't measured it yet with my Dragy.

[@AvianaAircraft]

So the curious thing is that the same technical training manual has a dyno chart with a bump up in torque between 3000-4000rpm, with peak torque at 3700.

[@PatsGarageOnline]

I have a feeling that the dyno chart in the manual isn't accurate, or they are controlling the engine with software to compensate for this. Closing off 60% of the intake airflow will have an impact on engine performance, but drive-by-wire can make it do anything.

[@AvianaAircraft]

@@PatsGarageOnline is it possible to dyno the car without electric assist? What if you put in on a RWD dyno (and we will take the litte rear electric motor's output and consider it negligible)

[@PatsGarageOnline]

@@AvianaAircraft I tried to get some time with a local performance shop that has hub dynos, so that I could see how each wheel performs, but due to Covid they weren't scheduling for baseline dyno runs.

[@FinnishCarGuys]

Is that all that BMW manual says about the flap? "Annoying noise", nothing else? That's interesting...

[@PatsGarageOnline]

That's correct, annoying noise. I took a screen shot of that paragraph in the technical training manual and displayed that in this video. After talking to people in the EU, I've learned that noise regulations are more strict than in the US. If noise regulations are more important than performance, then installing a flap to quiet this noise would make perfect sense.

[@FinnishCarGuys]

@@PatsGarageOnline I doubt that it has something to do with noise regulations in the EU, but no way for me to know for sure... It seems like it has some other function that only a boardroomful of people in Münich are aware of. Funny.

[@PatsGarageOnline]

@@FinnishCarGuys Correct, it was a corporate decision to make the car fuel efficient and quiet, first, and add performance later. The original design was to implement a 3 cylinder diesel motor. I've asked those close to BMW to explain why being quiet was important and was told that "noise levels are important to get the European MVA / TÜV approval."

[@PatsGarageOnline]

@@FinnishCarGuys Another example of noise reduction are the 10 acoustic covers that surround the engine and transmission. From the tech training manual: "The B38 Top engine in the I12 is completely enclosed by acoustic covers. They reduce engine and transmission noises. The acoustic covers are manufactured from lightweight foam and have nonwoven fleece on both sides. Their form is adapted to the respective installation location. They also have aluminum covering in specific locations subject to high temperatures." Also, the flap in the exhaust was measured to reduce noise by 8dB and is normally closed (I've been testing trying to keep it open at all times and this requires manual, physical intervention). The flap only opens when demand is presented to the ECU for more power and will close based on a formula of load, rpm and vehicle speed. Simply putting the car in Sport Mode will not open the flap.

[@supersaiyanmafiabossson8789]

Can you turbo upgrade the bmw i8?

[@PatsGarageOnline]

Right now Edo Motorsport would be the company to contact for the turbo upgrade

[@supersaiyanmafiabossson8789]

Pat's Garage Online will a new turbo upgrade work on the i8?

[@PatsGarageOnline]

@@supersaiyanmafiabossson8789 Edo Motorsport puts this turbo in the i8 Pro Car and races around Blisterberg track in Germany.

[@YYTwice]

Hi Pat is there a way i can have the front camera or all around camera always on when i drive? Thanks!

[@PatsGarageOnline]

Thanks for the question. The built-in cameras on the i8 are designed to turn off at a certain speed, or a certain distance after stopping. For example, the rear camera will turn off when travelling forwards after approximately 65 feet (20 meters), or speeds over 12mph (20kph). You won't be able to turn the cameras on unless you are moving very slow.

[@YYTwice]

Pat's Garage Online ok thanks for the information !

[@NeMeSis7PT]

Probably you can customize that feature with bimmerCode and a OBD adapter. You can delete the coding to automatic shutdown the camera after 20kmh. I know we can customize alot of things on the BMW cars with this program.

[@christiansmalley7138]

You realize they had to restrict the air flow and used other methods to make it economical and reduce emissions

[@PatsGarageOnline]

The service manual indicates that this flap was installed in quiet noise from exiting that particular intake port. It's not listed as an emission or fuel economy part, but purely as a noise quieting part. The i8 has a lot of weird parts that makes it quieter, but making a car quieter also results in trade offs in performance.

[@huggybeargh]

Great way to suck water right into the engine... Don't drive through any puddles with this mod.

[@PatsGarageOnline]

There is no change in water ingest risk by leaving the car stock or removing this flap.

[@aaroncurtin9762]

talk about over engineered

[@deeerickson1099]

Dry, dry ,dry. Common sense info with absolutely no entertainment value. Personality? Or bot vlog?

[@PatsGarageOnline]

I don't do this to entertain people. The video is based on questions I receive from owners. So this is a tutorial.

[@lyheangchau8540]

Just took the flap out today, now I love my i8 even more 👌🔥 paired with K&N air filter. It’s sound very nice now!

[@PatsGarageOnline]

Glad to hear it! Awesome!