AA tune, etc installed!

[Swimjim]

hi!
as a bimmer newbie, this forum has been great for information. my vehicle is a 2008 128i with premium/cold weather/sport pkgs, automatic. i am 2nd owner. bought car in 2011 with 24k miles, now has 89k miles.

last week, ces motorsports (monroe, nc) installed an AA flash. i added a k&n drop-in filter, removed the charcoal filter and added aFe intake scoops (and black grille kit).

then i did a 1500 mile road trip!

here's what i noticed -
- better acceleration thru rpm range
- no flat spot when accelerating in 3rd gear from 2500-3500 rpm
- quicker from 80 mph to 100 mph (ya know, for passing on interstate!)
- firmer shifts up and down
- avg mileage went from less than 28 to over 31 mpg at an avg speed of 70 mph on highway (was cruising at 85, but traffic slowed - why must slow people drive in the left lane?!)

the guys at ces did an outstanding job, making sure everything was right before i left. props to them!

if you haven't done the AA flash, etc, don't wait.

next is to upgrade the suspension with a bilstein kit with sway bars (this is my DD so it doesn't need to be harsh) and change up rims/tires (currently run a 215/245 combo) to maybe a 225/255 on a nicer looking wheel (preferably 17").

good luck!

jim

[Taskmaster]

NICE! 3 stage manifold will really open her up.

[Swimjim]

since its an n51, it has the 3-stage manifold already. the AA tune definitely opened up the motor!

[mike@x-ph.com]

+1 for the AA tune

[mrvco]

Has anyone installed their tune and headers yet?

[Swimjim]

i didnt want to drop $1k for the header and another $300+ in labor for the install.

the guys at CES felt when AA finishes their after-cat exhaust for the 128i, which is still in pre-production, it should give some hp/torque gains.

[Iron Man]

Originally Posted by Swimjim

since its an n51, it has the 3-stage manifold already. the AA tune definitely opened up the motor!

How did you get a N51 in SC?

[dailowill]

Originally Posted by mrvco

Has anyone installed their tune and headers yet?

It's still in my living room...Maybe within a month I'll have someone install it. I have a few other projects lined up before the headers.

Originally Posted by Swimjim

the guys at CES felt when AA finishes their after-cat exhaust for the 128i, which is still in pre-production, it should give some hp/torque gains.

I thought they put the 128i cat back exhaust on hold. Did you hear any updates form them?

[Taskmaster]

Huh?

[chris82]

Originally Posted by Swimjim

since its an n51, it has the 3-stage manifold already. the AA tune definitely opened up the motor!

I wouldn't be surprised if you're at 260 hp with the tune, that's what I'm making, all else stock. AA tune does wonders for the N51!

[Swimjim]

i bought the car in GA. i dont recall the original owner's area of purchase.

as for estimated HP, the guys at CES felt from their experience with AA the car should be around 230-40 to the wheels with the k&n, charcoal filter delete, AA tune and aFe scoops (only to direct air to the intake). they use a dynajet, but we didnt put it on the rollers this time; maybe next time i am up there.

AA had posted some info on their cat-back and i thought it was finished. when CES contacted AA to purchase it, AA had said they are still working on it. not sure what the hold-up is for a simple cat-back. bummer the 135i cat-back wouldn't work (at least, i guess it wouldn't work).

[Swimjim]

spoke to the folks at AA yesterday... the one after-cat exhaust they made to test is sitting at the shop. i asked if they were going to go into production and the answer was "not sure, depends on interest." they don't want to be stuck with a product and no sales. i understand, but i would purchase it!

[dailowill]

Originally Posted by Swimjim

spoke to the folks at AA yesterday... the one after-cat exhaust they made to test is sitting at the shop. i asked if they were going to go into production and the answer was "not sure, depends on interest." they don't want to be stuck with a product and no sales. i understand, but i would purchase it!

I would also be interested if they can guarantee that it's drone free. I'm getting some bad cabin drone with my PE at 2500-2750 RPM. I might have to start wearing ear plugs while driving on the highway for long durations.

I think I saw a few others interested in the original development post http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showt...php?p=17221559