The all new M157 A2D Performance/Modalworks intake system. I had the opportunity to install and test this kit against blackboost intakes. Anyone that knows the basics of motors can just look at the A2D intakes and realize that it flows better than Blackboost, but I wanted to see by how much.

Included in this post are timestamps and pictures showing exactly when I put the blackboost intakes on, did multiple 60-130 runs, and then put the A2D intakes back on and did multiple 60-130 runs once again. This is irrefutable data. With logs and dragy runs to back it up. It was done in the same span of a few hours with every variable staying the same except the intakes.

My car is a 2015 E63 Wagon with the only modifications being the intakes, exhaust and a standard stage 2 tune. Keep in mind it’s a wagon weighing approximately 400lbs heavier than the sedan counterpart. So if you have a sedan expect to see even better times.

The blackboost intakes I used were the original first design with welded metal boxes which is actually better than the cheap plastic boxes that are prone to cracking that they switched to now in order to increase profits.

As proven the BB intakes provided gains but only to an extent. The BB intakes are a simple filter and box replacement, keeping the factory turbo pipes which are HIGHLY restrictive. The new 6ply silicone A2D turbo-to-filter pipes are so big in diameter that the factory pipes can literally be put inside of them while still having room to wiggle around as shown in the pictures.

I will be posting 3 logs of each intake. The logs don’t show everything, they are to be used as a quick comparison. I’ll show timeframes at 98mph, 115mph, and 120mph. So 6 pictures, 3 for each intake. Note how much more fuel the A2D intakes use. The ecu has to throw more fuel to compensate for the added air flow as indicated on the logs. Additionally, take a look at the dramatic difference in intake air temperatures. Temps don’t peak as high as BB and they also recover quicker with the A2D system.

As you may have noticed I keep referring to the A2D intakes as a system and that’s because it truly is. The BB intakes are simply an air filter and box replacement. A2D/MW intakes are comprised of 22 pieces.

Now onto the numbers.

The best time I could pull out of the BB intakes after attempting multiple runs was 7.43 seconds. I did 5 different runs and this was the best I could get.

I noticed that it took almost 2 miles of regular driving to recover the IAT back down to the optimal temp for a run. The A2D system recovered the temps in a much shorter distance.

I then returned to home base and slapped the A2D system back on. Shockingly I managed to get a 7.29s 60-130 on the first adaptation run which was still faster than blackboost. The next run was 7.16s. Keep in mind that’s only after 2 runs. Blackboost was only able to squeeze 7.43 at best out of 5 runs. The third run I did was a staggering 7.09s 60-130.

There is not much to say. Just by looking at the A2D system you can see that it’s going to flow better than BB. It managed to go from 7.43s with BB, to 7.09 with A2D

This isn't a post to rag on BB. The kit was good for what it was, and we all enjoyed them. This is just a comparison that I was asked to do by many.

If anyone has any questions or would like to see more data please feel free to reply

This was an independent test conducted without any bias. I had blackboost intakes on my car and now I truly know how much power I was missing out on.

 

Nice write up and numbers

what's the install like for A2D.... specifically the turbo pipes

thx

 

The install of the turbo pipes themselves are DIY friendly. It was made to be easy although it’s still recommended you get the system initially installed by a professional since the oil cooler lines must be re routed for clearance.

 

Where do the intake sensors mount too? I don't see a connection hookup on either of those pipes?

 

Glad you mentioned that because i forgot to include it in the post lol. The sensors and the crank case ventilation hoses are located directly between the turbo and the intake on the included 3” CNC’d hose adapter, which they found out is the best location for it providing the strongest signal to the ECU. They managed to find the correct location to optimize map sensor signals, unlike blackboost where they just throw the sensors anywhere. Those map sensors send the ecu intake flow data which helps your normal driving fuel economy. Once you go WOT the map sensors in the intake get priority. I currently have no codes whatsoever and I have driven her HARD. When i had my blackboost intakes I would get the notorious P1CE8 crank case ventilation code. A2D also increased the size of the crank case ventilation hose bringing it closer to the compressor allowing much more crank case pressure evacuation. Very very well thought out kit. I'm actually disappointed that all these big companies couldn't think outside the box like this.

 

Amazing! Is this custom or can knuckleheads like me buy one?

 

No it’s not custom at all! It’s available for pre-order on the Modalworks website. https://modalwork.com/collections/m1...ltimate-intake

 

@eobol
What exhaust mod(s) do you have?

 

Do you know how long it's going to have the discounted pre-order price?

 

Price should be in the $1499 mark to be honest. 2k is kinda pushing it

 

I’m unsure. Try contacting MW support

 

Blackboost wants $1600 for a filter and a box and another $400 for inlet tubes. Renntech and AMS both sell fancy carbon intakes for around the $5,000 mark.

Neither of which flow as good as the MW intakes. I’d say $2,000 is very fairly priced

 

Weistec midpipes

 

ofcouse the customer would want the cheapest price, 😅. but unfortunately it doesn't work that way .designing a kit with over 22 pieces for under 2500 and actually turn a fair profit is harder then most think. 2500 is the price 1900 is the pre release price . . The kit had oil line adapters, cnc 3"
joiners, pcv bungs and fittings, wire extension. There's no way to match an intake that's 1400 that comes with 4 pieces. That once sold for 2k. I think once people start buying and seeing how well
these work , and see how many parts it has they will actually say it's great for the price . . We spent months trying to find different manufacturers that would give us good prices without committing to 100 plus kits . We are small we don't have 100k to lay out just to get products at a super low price . Unfortunately. We are in AMGs so using cheap materials isn't an option. So everything had to be custom made basically.

 

How many hours should an Indy typically take to take care of the oil lines? I have to figure that into the cost of implementing this product

 

I am curious to know what pricing strategy was used in setting the price?

I agree that there will be a point between $1499 and $2666.09 that will yield higher profit than $2666.09 depending on how many units they expect to sell.

The pricing (full MSRP and discounted pricing) shows that very little pricing strategy was used.

There is the reality of needing to buy 'two' intake systems for the dual intake system for this engine (similar to buying to intercoolers for a twin turbo charged setup), so the costs will be higher but a market analysis would yield information helping to position their product more effectively. Clearly this is a well designed product, but they could flip the market quite quickly if they put a fraction of the effort into strategy as they did for the R&D.

Humans are fickle and emotional. This does need to be factored into pricing. Too cheap and the product seem low quality. Too high, and you are selling to an elite market. Wait too long at too high a price for a product that can be copied and you will fall victim to copy cats. At the right price you will be able to flood the market with your product, make your profit, and then put every other competitor and copy cat on the back foot. Once you become the 'standard', even a great product will struggle to gain traction until they have the right influencer / tester etc to push their product.

Glad to see that people are still producing great products for this platform.

 

Do you know what involved in the re-routing of the oil cooler lines? I’m pretty DIY when it comes to most things cars but would like to know ahead of time.

 

100% dead on.. its a matter of time when somone will copy it and sell it for alot less

 

In fact I won't bother explaining . I'll let the product and customer do all the explaining lol

 

Anyone know how many hours a competent Indy would charge to move those oil lines for install?

@eobol @Cifdig

thanks

 

time frame id say a few hours. As far as the lines it's not difficult . You have to remote lower shied which gives you access to the oil line section that's removable. You literally just drain the small amount of oil from lines and cooler which will drop perfectly in a pan . After a few minutes you replace the adapters, fittings and hoses. This is a complete system. It's definitely a diy Saturday morning project that you can have done by the afternoon taking your time cleaning up.

 

eobol,

Your positive results experience is really impressive, especially for us who are OEM stock, and planning to modify.

The fault-less performance - no CEL - and the completeness of the kit- are really important factors in a nice vehicle like our E63s.

May I ask you please what TUNE do you run, STAGE 2 you mentioned, that could be many different things. What fuel, what octane, what supplier/tuner, how much boost?
My assumption is, you likely run 93 octane pump fuel, Stage 2 may be with downpipe - vs Stage 1 with OEM exhaust?

Did you have the TUNE fine-tuned for intake, or just ran it without any optimization?

Do you still have any catalyst in your exhaust? Which location?

Would be also wonderful to someday see a dyno. Reason, I wish that our cars would have more progressive power curve all the way to 6000rpm peak, rather then peak power being generated low-down about 4500-5000rpm. Low down torque -swell is hard on rods, and side loads pistons. But no real complains, just an observation.


Looking forward to your comments, and thank you very much for generous feedback, data presentation, and overall encouraging facts.

 

Any idea when this is going to be released? Website says early August. I emailed them and have not got a response in the last 5 days.

 

Just imagine how responsive they will be when they do get your money.

 

I received an update, they revised the turbo coupler to make the install easier. They said they’re about 2 weeks out from shipping with the revised part. They did offer that if I wanted it now, I could get one sent out.