Could use a little insight...Mods

[joelcn91]

Ok so I am new the site as well as my 08 135i Auto. I have done quite a bit of research on my own but I like to hear others opinions.

First Mods: Already purchased to be installed next week.

1.) JB4
2.) BMS DCI
3.) VRSF downpipes
4.) H&R Sport Springs

What should be next?

Meth Injection or FMIC?

How crucial is it for a oil cooler or catch can?.

Not a power hungry kid or anything Just would like a little insight to aid in my decision.

I would like a solid 400's DAILY DRIVER with some weekend track time.

[BMWX1-35i]

FMIC

[ShocknAwe]

I'm going to blow your mind here, wait for it, wait for it, wait for it...


DAMPERS AND REAR SUBFRAME BUSHINGS (at least inserts).

This car really suffers in the suspension department. Trust me. Pick up a JB4 as well and you'll have a fairly well rounded car. I would recommend working through more suspension mods before adding more power than the tune. Then do DPs and FMIC, then intake whenever you feel like it. Springs would be the last thing on my mind, unless you really want to lower the car. I put swift springs on when I did my dampers. Check out the build thread link in my signature line for pictures. I would highly advise not to change the springs if you keep the stock dampers. You will ruin your cars already poor handling.

[joelcn91]

I have been looking into dampers any suggestions? I was hoping not to have to do bushings. I did them on my STI an it was the most annoying install. However worth it.

I ordered JB4, DPs, DCi, just deciding between Meth w/CP or a FMIC. Leaning towards FMIC but would love the extra ponies from meth.

[ShocknAwe]

I have Bilstein dampers, but Koni Yellow are great as well. No bias, check em both out and choose the one that is right for your application.

I did the bushing inserts for now. $50 and less than an hour of labor. I can tell though that I need full replacements. Can't beat the value of the inserts for a temporary solution though. If you do dampers without addressing the bushings at least in part you will end up with a pogo-stick rear end.

[Kgolf31]

Call me stupid, but I'd work on the suspension and handling dynamics of the car before I ever touch power.

[swagon]

Why do people always start working on the engine and not the horrible suspension? Especially if they want to go to track on the weekends?

Get some quality dampers and bushings, man. Then touch the engine if you really want to. Don't foget tires, too.

[edisapimp]

Originally Posted by joelcn91

Meth Injection or FMIC?

How crucial is it for a oil cooler or catch can?.

If your decision right now is between Meth and FMIC, then my vote goes toward an FMIC.

An OCC is not what I would define as "crucial" but the cars do spit oil and it's never a bad thing to protect against that. Your car probably already has an oil cooler from the factory (I think almost every 135 does), but if it's going to see heavy track time, cooling will become an issue, and you may want to upgrade to the hardware from the BMW PPK2 (do a search here and you'll find a ton of threads with the part #s).

But if you just want to be better at the track - what KGolf31 and swagon said, get suspension work done first, and you will be enjoying the power in a usable way more than just having it available.

[whitebimmer09]

I am in the same boat right now. I am about to pull the trigger on some performance but not spend the money on suspension. I live in a city where it is all straight line driving, but I always thing about doing some suspension work.

I am ordering JB4, charge pipe, DCI, DP's, OCC, and a FMIC. I found a local guy that will do this for cheap and give me the tranny flash too. I'm getting it all done in one swing.

The suspension does sit in my mind and will be my next step when my stock one starts to take a dump.

I would LOVE a diff but $$$

I don't track it, I just want a straight line monster that looks stock!

[mike@x-ph.com]

I would add a VRSF or AA FMIC to that list

[joelcn91]

I totally agree with doing suspension before power. Im just ordering everything at once. I just pulled the trigger on some bilsteins, h&r sway bars and Whiteline bushings.

I was just wondering about meth vs FMIC?

[joelcn91]

I think I'm leaning towards the FMIC.

[ilikebmxbikes]

Originally Posted by Kgolf31

Call me stupid, but I'd work on the suspension and handling dynamics of the car before I ever touch power.

I agree - Our cars out of the box lack more in chassis than they do in power.

But if you were contempt with the suspension than I would add a FMIC to that list.


How many miles are on your car? it is likely needs an intake valve cleaning

[joelcn91]

It has 60k miles on it. I just ordered all new suspension components. Think I'm going to get the vrsf fmic but now to decide if I'm go with the 5 or 7 in. ???? So many options.