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View Poll Results: Best Way To Increase the 128i/E82/N52 Engines' HP? | |||
N55 Swap | 2 | 10.53% | |
N54 Swap | 6 | 31.58% | |
Other Swap | 8 | 42.11% | |
Programming/Coding | 2 | 10.53% | |
Other (Post Your Suggestions) | 5 | 26.32% | |
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 19. You may not vote on this poll |
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06-23-2019, 01:45 PM | #23 | |
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Small background - most engines (not cars, gas engines across the board) regulate their RPMs by using a throttle plate, which as we know opens/closes to let different amounts of air in. BMW saw this as inefficient. The throttle plate creates a vacuum inside the intake manifold, which creates pumping losses as the piston travels to suck air in. Instead of using the energy that the pistons hold to rotate the crankshaft, some of that energy is spent sucking the air into the cylinder (like a golfball thru a straw). If your intake manifold is running at atmospheric pressure (as opposed to having vacuum) then the air will fill the cylinder much more willingly. BMW solved this by creating a system called Valvetronic. Instead of choking the air BEFORE the intake manifold (creating that vacuum), you use the intake valves to regulate the amount of air coming into the cylinder. Now you have higher-than-usual pressure air eager to jump into that cylinder and make delicious power and noise. You still have a normal intake camshaft, but then you have another shaft (the eccentric shaft) to adjust the position of the rocker arms (and thus, the valve lift). Here's a great video explaining it In laymen's terms, your gas pedal doesn't open a throttle valve, it varies the amount of valve lift you have. Where do MILVS come into the equation? By the name you can now start to see how it works. It modifies the supports that the intermediate rockers ride on, and thus alters the valve lift. Very cost effective mod if you can turn a wrench. It IS on the more advanced side because it's no longer bolt-on. We're done head work, so bust out the clear pair of gloves, the 1/4" torque wrench and take your time, yaknow? You can see a few dyno graphs on Marty's website, https://BimmerMILVS.com/ Also he's using my pictures to show the products off! Pic is from my MILV installation. It's a pain if you don't buy the specific valve spring tool, which wasn't available when I did it. So I used Hassmachine's method. TL;DR it's a $300 camshaft, that isn't a camshaft. But still adds 1mm of valve lift and 2-3° of duration. So you gain approx. 10whp, and plenty of more power under the curves.
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06-23-2019, 02:57 PM | #24 | |
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As for the other stuff. AA Catless Headers - Active Autoworks Headers. Typically around $800 new, cheaper if you find a used set that may pop-up occasionally. Different dynos show about 15-20 rwhp gains. 3 Stage Intake - Our stock N52 intake is a single stage. Someone had the brains to wonder why a 330 with the same engine was rated at 255+ bhp while ours we're rated at 230. So the 3SI is what came out of it along with programming for utilizing it. If you do some research, you will find that a lot of BMW's came with the 3SI stock. N51 engines, 330 models, etc. I found a used one for less than $200. But for peace of mind, I did buy new DISA valves to go with it. This and a tune is typically looked at as a 25-35 bhp upgrade. Milvs are like what's been described already. Around 10 rwhp across the board. If you are fairly competent with a wrench, you can do all of this work yourself. I think the best dyno I've seen with these mods was about 248 rwhp. As for air intakes, don't bother as they are only expensive underhood ornaments. Take out your stock intake, remove the charcoal filter, drop in an aftermarket filter like K&N, and change the ribbed elbow to the throttle body with a smooth silicone boot. (~$60). There have been slight gains shown with that, and better throttle response. After that, it's pretty much it aside from maybe a custom dyno tune to extract that last little bit of power. As I mentioned before, ESS makes a supercharger for our cars. But you are looking at only about a 60rwhp improvement for maybe $6K, and not much more torque. Plus than you start stressing an engine that I don't feel would be good for it in the long run. Then there are other things that help. I've got 1 piece wheels and standard tires in an 18" square setup. But ditching the stock wheels and run-flats saved me maybe 40lbs in rotational mass. My next area to get into is suspension. The car handles great now and can hurt a lot of faster cars feelings in the twistys, but some solid sub-frame bushings and a nice front/rear spring and dampener setup would make it exponentially more better. Now if there is an LS swap kit out there for our cars, that would be pretty sweet.
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06-23-2019, 06:17 PM | #25 | |
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Also, this is the right 3-stage manifold, correct? I'm game to do this, as well. One thing I'm not clear on is the coding aspect. What do I need to do things like:
What software are you guys using? |
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06-23-2019, 06:26 PM | #26 | ||
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I run a staggered 20" set of 8.5w fronts and 9.5w rears. BF Goodrich on the front. Brand new Toyo Proxes on the rear. They're big wheels and probably heavy. The stock setup and fitment made my eyes bleed. There's coil-overs on eBay for $600 USD. They might be worth a shot. |
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06-23-2019, 09:59 PM | #27 |
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06-24-2019, 03:20 PM | #28 |
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I have thought about this, too. I have come to terms with the power abilities of the 128. @enriquo_suave on instagram 2jz swapped his widebody 128i, but I know damn well that was $$$. However, with just FBO these cars are plenty capable of taking down stock 370s or v6 maros/mustangs. In terms of power upgrades, my car currently has an injen intake, 3 stage manifold (stock, N51), catless headers, custom exhaust from the header back, and a CSF Race Radiator. I am looking at getting MILVs and an AA custom tune. My brother has an F30 328i (turbo 4) that used to wipe the floor with my car stock vs stock. With these mods, my car leaves his in the dust from a 20 or 40 roll. And, he can't even keep me in his sight on a mountain road. That's what these cars are built for after all...the turns. I don't want to get rid of my 128, especially with these being the last N/A, non-electric steering BMWs left. This car has been a wonderful experience. If anything, I will get another car for the highway. I don't see myself selling my baby
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06-24-2019, 06:09 PM | #29 |
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The search button will yield plenty of results on this topic.
N52 upgrades have been well documented, with headers + tune + 3IM providing the biggest bang for the buck. The rest provide incremental gains. Ditching heavy and oversized wheels will yield favorable results for your vehicle. Buying a 135i is the best course of action if you're after power. It is prohibitively expensive to motor swap to something that already exists from the factory. But hey - suit yourself, it's your wallet, not mine. |
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06-26-2019, 04:34 PM | #30 | |||
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Show- F10 550i M sport 8AT Alpine White: Airrex Bags, 20" Forgestar F14s, Meisterschaft Catback Around town- E60 528i N52, 6AT, Monaco Blue Weekend - 1997 BMW Z3 M52, 5spd, Dunkelgrun: 230k mi, Intrax Springs on Bilsteins, Style 68s staggered AutoX/track - 2012 F30 N20, 6MT BSM |
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06-26-2019, 07:37 PM | #31 | ||
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http://bfy.tw/OJ4g
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06-27-2019, 12:42 PM | #32 |
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This is kind of an interesting thread, but the topic has been discussed (here, and on E90Post). Ever since E30ROB totaled his 128i, desertman123 has the most powerful non-race-spec N52 on the forums.
Best power combo, sticking with an N51/N52 128i (will put you at approximately 250hp at the wheels): -Active Autowerke Catless Headers https://store.activeautowerke.com/co...exhaust-header -N54 Intake Manifold (Part Number 11617564679) -MILV's (Thread on here...use the search tool or google) -Tune -Manual Swap? (less power loss) If you want any more than that (say, with a supercharger) it really is best to move on to the N54 platform. They already have the stronger transmission (seriously, those things are bulletproof transmissions, and I want one in my car), reinforced driveshaft, axles, differential, clutch, hubs, brakes, etc. To bring a 128i up to such snuff would cost at least as much as a complete, high-mileage 135i, which has an engine that can reliably hold 800hp stock. All the appearance parts on your car will bolt right up, and you'll be off to the races (and maybe winning some). Plus, the torque from the turbo motor will be better for turning those gigantic wheels (backing-down to 17's would make the car feel exponentially quicker ) Edit: +1 on driver mod! Best thing you can do. Remember, the weakest part of any car is the nut behind the wheel...
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06-27-2019, 04:01 PM | #33 |
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I'd like to throw my suggestion for an engine swap into the hat...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_c...&v=cyqJxXolico |
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07-03-2019, 11:55 AM | #34 |
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I voted n54 but there are so many things to tray first.
Do the n52 engine mods first. N55 is pain because of the wiring. Trust me been there done that. The N54/55 is more than you think because 128 has small spline rear axles, different trans, diff, rear brakes. S65 = deep pockets and almost worthless without going 1m clone.
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07-06-2019, 07:21 PM | #35 | |
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anyone wanna chime in on this
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Mods Done: AA Exhaust/Headers | 3SIM | MILVs | StageFP Dyno Tuned | Euro Box Intake Swap | LCI Blackline Tailights | OEM Euro Bi-Xenon Swap from Halogen | Rear Bumper M-Sport Swap | Rear PDC Retrofit | BMW OEM CF Diffuser/Spoiler | BMW Front Aero Kit | Supersprint Sec 1 Cat Delete Straight Pipes
To Do: Ohlins R n T Suspension | Front/Rear Sway Bars | M3 Front Control Arms/Bushings Eventually: AT -> MT Swap (!?) |
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08-02-2019, 01:29 PM | #36 | |
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Just wait, we will break the 252whp mark with my N52 |
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07-21-2021, 06:05 AM | #37 |
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Did anyone end up swapping a n54 into their 128i?
Looking to make more power but I love my 128i too much to get rid of it.
I'm most interest in a N54 swap due to the mass amount of aftermarket support for the platform & seeing my friends having fun in their 600whp+ big single builds BUT I would love to hear from anyone who has swap ANY BMW motor not just a n54 (s65,s50,s52,s54). I have tons of questions as I am not the most handy person when it comes to big projects like this. Thanks for your help! |
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07-27-2021, 09:30 PM | #38 | |
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I have seen a supercharged e46 330i a while back, was pretty cool. I imagine that would be a much more cost effective and unique approach to getting big power out your 128i than an n54/n55 swap. |
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