Aftermarket Engine upgrade

reo5001 · 02-26-2008, 07:03 PM

I am going to admit that I am a complete novice in terms of all these ECU "re-flash" and "piggy-backs" but I had a question concerning which of these upgrades are the easiest to install, cheap, and provide good improvement in acceleration. This is not meant to be a tunner war or whatever you call them , just a summery of whats out there for cheap and easy to install (as i have no idea how to work around an engine and the Dinan 2k price tagl is too much for me at the moment) :smile:

larryn · 02-26-2008, 07:07 PM

reo, check out this thread on e90post, which somebody took the time to make a great, simplified compilation of the available tunes, difficulty factors, price, etc.... Major kudos to that person.

Pretty much all of those tunes apply to the 135i.

reo5001 · 02-26-2008, 07:11 PM

Thanks!! just what i was looking for!

hellrotm · 02-26-2008, 07:11 PM

Turbo Tuner (SSTT) by Eurobahn/Split Second Technology

Definitely the easiest to install, true plug and play technology. Not the biggest hp gains, but version 2 is in the works.

PA135i · 02-26-2008, 07:21 PM

If your getting a 135i, your getting some serious HP already. I know this is not what you were asking but, my current car is a 184 HP 325 and the Dinan software was an upgrade I enjoyed along with a drop in High performance AF.

I would recommend you wait and get the Dinan ECU flash and oil cooler upgrade when you can afford it. By then you may not feel you need it. JMHO

reo5001 · 02-26-2008, 08:15 PM

Good point, 300hp alone is too much haha.

TunedM2C · 02-26-2008, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reo5001

Good point, 300hp alone is too much haha.

There's always room for more!

J-Sud · 02-26-2008, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tuned1

There's always room for more!

agreed

MVF4Rrider · 02-27-2008, 01:57 AM

I just (mainly) want the speed limiter removed. Can that be done by a BMW dealer?

sethchan · 02-27-2008, 02:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Balls

I just (mainly) want the speed limiter removed. Can that be done by a BMW dealer?

I'm not seeing why you'd want to go faster than 155 mph. Most people don't have the vision, let alone the reflexes, to drive faster than that.

blacknbean · 02-27-2008, 03:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Balls

I just (mainly) want the speed limiter removed. Can that be done by a BMW dealer?

the dinan flash for the 335 removes the speed limiter but i dont think you can remove this by itself

MVF4Rrider · 02-27-2008, 04:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sethchan

I'm not seeing why you'd want to go faster than 155 mph. Most people don't have the vision, let alone the reflexes, to drive faster than that.

I think US spec cars are limited to 150 mph. I don't need to go faster than that often, but knowing I can is a plus. Not to mention, I'll do a track day at Hockenheim now and again and I don't want to bounce off the speed limiter on the long lefthand sweeper.

As long as I'm in Germany speeds over 150 mph are legal! I usually set the cruise at 130 mph on unlimited sections of the Autobahn. 130 mph is my comfy normal.

MZWIE · 02-27-2008, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J-Sud

agreed

You can't have too much HP or too much money.:thumbup:

Dave · 02-27-2008, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by e34m5

You can't have too much HP or too much money.:thumbup:

yes you can

Coming from an sti which i dumped lots of $ into and had sponsered... i want this 1er to stay nice and tight and not develop all the little rattles and leaks that come with modding. i am sure some other jdm owners can agree with me

Even with Dinan there is always a risk.

Wheels and tints for me.....Maybe...maybeeee some spring after i ride in someone elses to make sure it isnt too harsh

great link thou!

MZWIE · 02-27-2008, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by izzodesh

yes you can

Coming from an sti which i dumped lots of $ into and had sponsered... i want this 1er to stay nice and tight and not develop all the little rattles and leaks that come with modding. i am sure some other jdm owners can agree with me

Even with Dinan there is always a risk.

Wheels and tints for me.....Maybe...maybeeee some spring after i ride in someone elses to make sure it isnt too harsh

great link thou!

You do make a good point as I have expereinced that. However, most cars, for me anyways, are too spongy in OEM form. Even BMW's (except maybe M cars).

I will be looking for stiff suspension set up as soon as they are developed.

Dave · 02-27-2008, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by e34m5

You do make a good point as I have expereinced that. However, most cars, for me anyways, are too spongy in OEM form. Even BMW's (except maybe M cars).

I will be looking for stiff suspension set up as soon as they are developed.

true...the ml55 was super spongy...benz's are horrible stock...they ride like caddies

btw nice color choices!
good to see something different

MZWIE · 02-27-2008, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by izzodesh

true...the ml55 was super spongy...benz's are horrible stock...they ride like caddies

btw nice color choices!
good to see something different

tx....

john970 · 02-27-2008, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Balls

I just (mainly) want the speed limiter removed. Can that be done by a BMW dealer?

I thought the limiter was in place for the tires, but they are rated to 168mph when properly inflated so not sure why bmw didn't just let the wind take car of it. (W rated)

I don't think the 135 will go over 168 anyway. Which brings up a question - what is the theoretical gearing max speed with stock tires? Anyone?

curtdragon · 02-27-2008, 04:48 PM

another good link is this one as it has links to actual dynos and more specific product info for all the engine mods, of course some dont apply such as the exhaust mods etc

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=90706

Italteen3 · 02-27-2008, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by izzodesh

true...the ml55 was super spongy...benz's are horrible stock...they ride like caddies

btw nice color choices!
good to see something different

I plan on doing some "things" to my car. When there are meets I can always give you a ride to see if you like it or not!

E82tt6 · 02-27-2008, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Balls

I think US spec cars are limited to 150 mph. I don't need to go faster than that often, but knowing I can is a plus. Not to mention, I'll do a track day at Hockenheim now and again and I don't want to bounce off the speed limiter on the long lefthand sweeper.

As long as I'm in Germany speeds over 150 mph are legal! I usually set the cruise at 130 mph on unlimited sections of the Autobahn. 130 mph is my comfy normal.

I'm pretty sure most German BMW dealers will do it for a small charge. GOOD luck in the US. Way to litigious over here.

As for mods, from most to least expensive
Dinan: Reflash. Easy to install. Moderate power gains. Warranty. $2k, another $2k for oil cooler if you don't have sport package.
Procede: Piggyback. Difficult to install without prior electrical experience. Small degree of user tunability, 2nd highest power tune, atm. $1600
Activeautowerke: Piggyback. Slightly easier than Procede to install. Similar power to Dinan flash. Maps for individual modifications available.$1200
Helix Atache: Piggyback. Similar install to Procede. Highest power gains (78whp on Mustang dyno, on an otherwise un-modded car)but relatively untested, though the tuner has a good reputation. Maps for individual modifications available. Custom tuning available. Will run two maps, which can be changed with a switch, that can be mounted anywhere. $800
Juice Box: Piggyback. Easier to install than the above, but don't try it blindfolded. Slightly less peak power than Procede. Current record holder for the quickest 335i, with a 11.8 second 1/4th mile from the inventor. $400-700, depending on exact setup.
SSTT: Simple to install if you have any mechanical expertice. Minimal power gains (20-30whp on a dynojet, on average. More for some, less for some). Bulletproof reliability. $599, thanks for the correction.

JOe335i · 02-27-2008, 08:22 PM

sounds like the SSTT is perfect for you.

btw AA has made a speed limiter remover for around $210. it goes into the ecu and will remove the speed limiter. doesnt need any tune at all to work. its a stand alone unit.

02-26-2008, 07:03 PM	#1
reo5001 Private First Class 5 Rep 127 Posts Drives: Join Date: Feb 2008 iTrader: (0)	Aftermarket Engine upgrade I am going to admit that I am a complete novice in terms of all these ECU "re-flash" and "piggy-backs" but I had a question concerning which of these upgrades are the easiest to install, cheap, and provide good improvement in acceleration. This is not meant to be a tunner war or whatever you call them , just a summery of whats out there for cheap and easy to install (as i have no idea how to work around an engine and the Dinan 2k price tagl is too much for me at the moment) :smile:
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02-26-2008, 07:07 PM	#2
larryn Lieutenant General 2146 Rep 10,176 Posts Drives: '97 332ti, '21 X5 45e, '16 GT4 Join Date: May 2005 Location: Seattle iTrader: (2)	reo, check out this thread on e90post, which somebody took the time to make a great, simplified compilation of the available tunes, difficulty factors, price, etc.... Major kudos to that person. Pretty much all of those tunes apply to the 135i.
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02-26-2008, 07:11 PM	#3
reo5001 Private First Class 5 Rep 127 Posts Drives: Join Date: Feb 2008 iTrader: (0)	Thanks!! just what i was looking for!
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02-26-2008, 07:11 PM	#4
hellrotm Banned 4143 Rep 6,926 Posts Drives: F80 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: ...Location...Location iTrader: (0)	Turbo Tuner (SSTT) by Eurobahn/Split Second Technology Definitely the easiest to install, true plug and play technology. Not the biggest hp gains, but version 2 is in the works.
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02-26-2008, 07:21 PM	#5
PA135i Brigadier General 968 Rep 3,323 Posts Drives: 08 135i 08 CR-V Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Pennsylvania iTrader: (0)	If your getting a 135i, your getting some serious HP already. I know this is not what you were asking but, my current car is a 184 HP 325 and the Dinan software was an upgrade I enjoyed along with a drop in High performance AF. I would recommend you wait and get the Dinan ECU flash and oil cooler upgrade when you can afford it. By then you may not feel you need it. JMHO
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02-26-2008, 08:15 PM	#6
reo5001 Private First Class 5 Rep 127 Posts Drives: Join Date: Feb 2008 iTrader: (0)	Good point, 300hp alone is too much haha.
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02-27-2008, 01:57 AM	#9
MVF4Rrider PCA, BMWCCA 102 Rep 2,058 Posts Drives: 997S, MV Agusta F4, E46 M3 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Las Vegas NV iTrader: (0)	I just (mainly) want the speed limiter removed. Can that be done by a BMW dealer? __________________ '08 Carrera S 6MT Guards Red/Black ext leather, Carbon fiber pkg, sport exh, sport chrono +, PASM, Nav, Bose, 19" forged turbos, red tranny tunnel '07 MV Agusta F4 1000 R 1+1, Corse Red/Silver, RG3 race pipes and factory race ECU
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02-27-2008, 04:48 PM	#19
curtdragon Car'a'carn 472 Rep 751 Posts Drives: Audi S4 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Nashville iTrader: (0) Garage List 2015 Audi S4 [0.00]	another good link is this one as it has links to actual dynos and more specific product info for all the engine mods, of course some dont apply such as the exhaust mods etc http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=90706
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02-27-2008, 08:22 PM	#22
JOe335i Lieutenant 28 Rep 525 Posts Drives: R32-08STI-e92335i Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: AUSTRIA iTrader: (0)	sounds like the SSTT is perfect for you. btw AA has made a speed limiter remover for around $210. it goes into the ecu and will remove the speed limiter. doesnt need any tune at all to work. its a stand alone unit.
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