Foam tape on airbox - Info

NZ_M3 · 30-06-2015, 01:11 AM

Okay some will probably consider this post a little obsessive but that's what I am

I've been hunting high and low to find out what this little band of foam tape seal is on our carbon airbox - as you all know, there's a strip on the main box and another on the unfiltered section. The width of this foam is 5mm and the thickness is 2mm which is not a standard sizing apparently (most are 6mm x 3mm).

Through my research and ordering all types of different materials off the internet and basically trawling through every single foam tape supplier here in good old New Zealand I have finally narrowed down the material of this elusive foam tape (yes it was bloody hard here in NZ as it is apparently an odd sizing that no one uses here).

Anyway, through my learning I've found you can get these in various types of materials but not all are suitable, property or density wise. Quick run down:

PE foam tape - not suitable as it is too soft and does not have very good memory property - also not very heat resistant.

PVC foam tape - close but no cigar. In closed cell form these usually have a 'skin' on the exposed side (non sticky side) thus giving the incorrect finish or look when placed on the airbox. In open cell type it is not water resistant. Also it lacks the foam 'memory' needed for our application.

Neoprene/EPDM foam tape - this is the product used on our airbox. It has great memory property and is oil, water dust ect resistant, but most importantly it is heat resistant up to 160 Degrees C. In closed cell form it also has the correct look to it. Medium density is what we need here.

Unfortunately here in NZ I can only get these in 3mm x 6mm so I've decided to replace one on an old spare airbox I had just to see how it looked and whether it affected the two parts when screwed together. Turns out it looks okay being 1mm thicker and wider and doesn't really affect the two parts coming together (little tight at first, but after a while the memory of the foam settles and it is no different to what it used to be.

Now you can order these from Germany it turns out in this sizing - I haven't yet found anyone in the UK that do them in 2 x 5mm - only Germany (strange) - I have asked a few sellers if this could be cut to this width and many have said "no" as apparently Neoprene is quite hard to cut into thin tape form. But anyway here's a link to the German seller on ebay (I can't order this from them as their shipping is absolutely ridiculous to New Zealand - 70 euros for one roll!!!!! So if any German member can help out, please PM me : )

http://www.ebay.com/itm/5-M-NEOPRENE...item4ae6775f64

Here are some photos (3x6mm next to the OEM foam)

Old airbox replaced with 3x6mm

30-06-2015, 01:11 AM	#1
NZ_M3 S5, Sport On, DSC M-track Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Auckland, New Zealand Posts: 1,434 Casino cash: $13579	Foam tape on airbox - Info Okay some will probably consider this post a little obsessive but that's what I am I've been hunting high and low to find out what this little band of foam tape seal is on our carbon airbox - as you all know, there's a strip on the main box and another on the unfiltered section. The width of this foam is 5mm and the thickness is 2mm which is not a standard sizing apparently (most are 6mm x 3mm). Through my research and ordering all types of different materials off the internet and basically trawling through every single foam tape supplier here in good old New Zealand I have finally narrowed down the material of this elusive foam tape (yes it was bloody hard here in NZ as it is apparently an odd sizing that no one uses here). Anyway, through my learning I've found you can get these in various types of materials but not all are suitable, property or density wise. Quick run down: PE foam tape - not suitable as it is too soft and does not have very good memory property - also not very heat resistant. PVC foam tape - close but no cigar. In closed cell form these usually have a 'skin' on the exposed side (non sticky side) thus giving the incorrect finish or look when placed on the airbox. In open cell type it is not water resistant. Also it lacks the foam 'memory' needed for our application. Neoprene/EPDM foam tape - this is the product used on our airbox. It has great memory property and is oil, water dust ect resistant, but most importantly it is heat resistant up to 160 Degrees C. In closed cell form it also has the correct look to it. Medium density is what we need here. Unfortunately here in NZ I can only get these in 3mm x 6mm so I've decided to replace one on an old spare airbox I had just to see how it looked and whether it affected the two parts when screwed together. Turns out it looks okay being 1mm thicker and wider and doesn't really affect the two parts coming together (little tight at first, but after a while the memory of the foam settles and it is no different to what it used to be. Now you can order these from Germany it turns out in this sizing - I haven't yet found anyone in the UK that do them in 2 x 5mm - only Germany (strange) - I have asked a few sellers if this could be cut to this width and many have said "no" as apparently Neoprene is quite hard to cut into thin tape form. But anyway here's a link to the German seller on ebay (I can't order this from them as their shipping is absolutely ridiculous to New Zealand - 70 euros for one roll!!!!! So if any German member can help out, please PM me : ) http://www.ebay.com/itm/5-M-NEOPRENE...item4ae6775f64 Here are some photos (3x6mm next to the OEM foam) Old airbox replaced with 3x6mm