"In this Special Series, I document my CSL airbox experience. These CSL airboxes are complex - the engineering & design expertise is not only for performance, sound but most importantly: reliability. 

I take you into my unboxing of the Haimus Racing CSL airbox, the hardware checklist, the tuning dilemma, installation notes and my driving impressions with proper sound clips.

In this entry, I weight the pros and cons of the Alpha N v MAP tuning dilemma, and my decision."
-Matt

The airbox tuning dilemma. 

When installing a CSL airbox, you remove the OEM Mass Air Flow (MAF) and fit an Intake Air Temperature (IAT) sensor. 

This basic configuration will allow you to tune your OEM ECU (DME) of any production year of the S54 using Alpha N. 

Understanding the OEM DME. 

There are 2 types of ECU that are in the E46 M3:

1. MSS54 (2001- October 2002)
2. MSS54HP, (September 2003 - 2005)
3. MSS54HP CSL (CSL only)

The HP comes with with bigger storage capacity, and a few small changes. The HP is required to run the MAP Conversion tuning option. 

You can either buy a HP DME or use an upgrade service. Tuners can modified the hardware and firmware of the 2001-2002 DME to HP spec and CSL firmware.

The CSL spec DME has a few more firmware modifications to perfectly run with a MAP sensor. 

MSS54 & Alpha N

Alpha-N tuning relies on two variables: throttle position and RPM.. 

Alpha N setup does not have an actual way of measuring since the MAF has been removed, it is guessing the load, and is less accurate and that shows slightly while driving.

Alpha N can be a little lumpy on part throttle acceleration, top end remains very responsive. This has been a comment from many members I chatted with. After some time, you can adapt to the car and find your way around it.

In the specific case of the MSS54, AlphaN is considered a fail safe engine map. 

Yet many still wear by it! It can work if your tuner is competent.These tunes should be customized per car and configured on dynos. 

MAP Conversion.

The OEM BMW CSL software uses a MAP sensor to measure airflow and make dynamic adjustments to engine mapping. It was fitted to the OEM CSL air rail that was specifically made to accept the MAP sensor. 

These OEM CSL air rails are expensive, and many tuners and enthusiasts developed solutions to integrate the MAP sensor without the expensive air rail. 

I chose to go with an enthusiast developed solution. I curated it here. 

Up next: we go over the entire hardware checklist.