Plug and play mod that has proven to make the 128i N52 the fastest??

[Kgolf31]

On my N51 with a tune I'm at 218 whp from probably around 195ish base.

[justpete]

Originally Posted by HeelToe

Unfortunately the 128 like my 330 has a relatively low roi on most mods that are go fast targeted. Not trying to rain on the party just calling it how I see it.

In terms of ROI? Oh heck yeah, no question at all. Depends on what you're aiming for, ROI isn't a concern to me for instance. It's a science project.

[andrey_gta]

ROI discussion is here for e46 - but applies to n52 quite well:
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=884584

[justpete]

Originally Posted by andrey_gta

ROI discussion is here for e46 - but applies to n52 quite well:
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=884584

Except for performance cams.

Haven't found any Valvetronic compatible performance cams yet for the N52 although Cat Cams is willing to develop them if I ship them a functioning cylinder head, not a particularly cost effective endeavor.

Then again the gains to be had at the expense of streetability (and who really cares about that anyway? ) could be worth it. After all, speed costs money. Lots of money. Wayyyy more than most imagine.

[TheSt|G]

Originally Posted by mahlerbeatdown

have you looked into the bms powerbox? Overall, it's gotten great reviews other than the singular one you referenced. 10-15 dyno proven HP added for $150 not worth it, especially considering the easy install?

Also, please tell me how I can do the manifold swap on my n51.

Your posts are not very informative or helpful

Everything posted here is what you should avoid.

[mechavore884]

powerbox makes your car (feel better) only a 2-3hp gain BEST CASE SCENARIO

and why swap the manifold for N51?

your best bet is a tune and the AFE SI (big bad fat nasty) intake....along with header (new AA header seems enticing)

but truth be told its going to be tough to extract any kind of "real" HP whithin a somewhat decent budget

[Taskmaster]

Originally Posted by mechavore884

powerbox makes your car (feel better) only a 2-3hp gain BEST CASE SCENARIO

and why swap the manifold for N51?

your best bet is a tune and the AFE SI (big bad fat nasty) intake....along with header (new AA header seems enticing)

but truth be told its going to be tough to extract any kind of "real" HP whithin a somewhat decent budget

That's $1500 in modifications for 30whp - that's impressive on ANY N/A platform.

[TheSt|G]

Originally Posted by TheAxiom

That's $1500 in modifications for 30whp - that's impressive on ANY N/A platform.

Exactly. We have really cheap power mods for NA, especially compared to other BMWs.

[mechavore884]

@TheAxiom & StiG,

Albeit both of you guys are correct (lol) but I was referencing many that I have spoken with in person...IE: those who hope that an intake/exhaust and a tune would generate excellent numbers :\

[631twentyeighteye]

Was talking to @bnks334 earlier about this since he has an n51. As proven by Kgolf a tune is the easiest way to gain power out of the n51.

[bazil769]

Damn..every thread i open makes me feel like my 128i ain't shit

[631twentyeighteye]

.. You don't like being told that all you have to do is tune it in order to gain 30RWHP? That's an pretty large gain for a naturally aspirated car. modding 128i versus modding a 135i is apples to oranges.

[Solo_M_Tech]

3 stage manifold, tune and headers. End thread.

[bazil769]

Ok got it guys. Thank you very much.

[mike@x-ph.com]

I would like to ask you a question, and please do not take it the wrong way because i sincerely would like to know the answer.
I hear a lot of people saying they want to more power out of their N52 engines ( not just PBX , but intake, manifold and headers) but they would not just buy a N54 or N55 even though it is cheaper and has more power.
May i know the reason behind that? If it is reliability, why are you aiming for higher power than the N52 was meant for?

[Suprgnat]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

I would like to ask you a question, and please do not take it the wrong way because i sincerely would like to know the answer.
I hear a lot of people saying they want to more power out of their N52 engines ( not just PBX , but intake, manifold and headers) but they would not just buy a N54 or N55 even though it is cheaper and has more power.
May i know the reason behind that? If it is reliability, why are you aiming for higher power than the N52 was meant for?

For me, it's just an issue of how the power is delivered and how the car is driven. I love the way the throttle responds instantly to my input no matter what RPM I'm at and especially that space between 4500 and 7000 RPMs. It's a different kind of urgency than the lag-then-thrust of a turbo. (Yes, I know. "Hardly any lag." Heard it a million times but it's there and I feel it. Maybe when F1 tech trickles down to us common folk...)

Do I like the power, torque and acceleration provided by a turbo charged engine? Sure. I just don't like the way they "drive". It's a personal preference, much like my preference for a manual transmission even though a DCT or a modern slushbox is quicker.

You never know. Maybe there's an S65 conversion in my future a la Marco (Ilikebmxbikes), though an E46 M3 in excellent condition is probably a more cost effective (and cheaper) option.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by Suprgnat

For me, it's just an issue of how the power is delivered and how the car is driven. I love the way the throttle responds instantly to my input no matter what RPM I'm at and especially that space between 4500 and 7000 RPMs. It's a different kind of urgency than the lag-then-thrust of a turbo. (Yes, I know. "Hardly any lag." Heard it a million times but it's there and I feel it. Maybe when F1 tech trickles down to us common folk...)

Do I like the power, torque and acceleration provided by a turbo charged engine? Sure. I just don't like the way they "drive". It's a personal preference, much like my preference for a manual transmission even though a DCT or a modern slushbox is quicker.

You never know. Maybe there's an S65 conversion in my future a la Marco (Ilikebmxbikes), though an E46 M3 in excellent condition is probably a more cost effective (and cheaper) option.

Thank you for your answer, this is exactly what i was looking to hear.

[TheSt|G]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

I would like to ask you a question, and please do not take it the wrong way because i sincerely would like to know the answer.
I hear a lot of people saying they want to more power out of their N52 engines ( not just PBX , but intake, manifold and headers) but they would not just buy a N54 or N55 even though it is cheaper and has more power.
May i know the reason behind that? If it is reliability, why are you aiming for higher power than the N52 was meant for?

Linear NA power, reliability, the sound, ease of maintenance, and weight savings are generally among my top reasons.

As for getting higher power out of the N52, what this community is largely doing is simply using stock parts to make their version of the engine equal to the most powerful BMW version. It is well within factory tolerances. The other major power item, headers, adds no stress to the engine at all. It simply allows it to increase efficiency in power generation.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by TheSt|G

Linear NA power, reliability, the sound, ease of maintenance, and weight savings are generally among my top reasons.

As for getting higher power out of the N52, what this community is largely doing is simply using stock parts to make their version of the engine equal to the most powerful BMW version. It is well within factory tolerances. The other major power item, headers, adds no stress to the engine at all. It simply allows it to increase efficiency in power generation.

thank you.

[mechavore884]

Originally Posted by TheSt|G

Linear NA power, reliability, the sound, ease of maintenance, and weight savings are generally among my top reasons.

As for getting higher power out of the N52, what this community is largely doing is simply using stock parts to make their version of the engine equal to the most powerful BMW version. It is well within factory tolerances. The other major power item, headers, adds no stress to the engine at all. It simply allows it to increase efficiency in power generation.

Spot on my maaaaaaaaan

[justpete]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

I would like to ask you a question, and please do not take it the wrong way because i sincerely would like to know the answer.
I hear a lot of people saying they want to more power out of their N52 engines ( not just PBX , but intake, manifold and headers) but they would not just buy a N54 or N55 even though it is cheaper and has more power.
May i know the reason behind that? If it is reliability, why are you aiming for higher power than the N52 was meant for?

Probably sounds like a stupid reason but mainly for the sound. Secondarily for not having to deal with intercoolers, extra oil coolers, limp modes, HPFP failures, BOV problems, turbo lifetime, turbo lag, etc. Tuning an N52, to me, is an old school exercise where rebuilding is part of the deal no different from tuning an M52, S54, etc.

It isn't the power that matters so much as it is the challenge of wringing every last hp/liter out of an underutilized NA I6. It's fun and less of a pita than dicking around with FI, not to say that's not fun, it's just not as interesting to some of us.

[Taskmaster]

Originally Posted by justpete

Probably sounds like a stupid reason but mainly for the sound. Secondarily for not having to deal with intercoolers, extra oil coolers, limp modes, HPFP failures, BOV problems, turbo lifetime, turbo lag, etc. Tuning an N52, to me, is an old school exercise where rebuilding is part of the deal no different from tuning an M52, S54, etc.

It isn't the power that matters so much as it is the challenge of wringing every last hp/liter out of an underutilized NA I6. It's fun and less of a pita than dicking around with FI, not to say that's not fun, it's just not as interesting to some of us.

All of this.