[lancegroff]

I have a perfect condition 2006 BMW 330xi 6speed. It is completely stock, I am looking for ways to get as much power out of the car as possible without breaking myself or adding mods that are going to cause problems down the road. Do you have any recommendations of companies to use? I was thinking exhaust, intake, and ECM tuning. If there is anything else you can think of or can lead me down the right path with good companies I would really appreciate it. Thanks.

[Mavus]

Originally Posted by lancegroff

I have a perfect condition 2006 BMW 330xi 6speed. It is completely stock, I am looking for ways to get as much power out of the car as possible without breaking myself or adding mods that are going to cause problems down the road. Do you have any recommendations of companies to use? I was thinking exhaust, intake, and ECM tuning. If there is anything else you can think of or can lead me down the right path with good companies I would really appreciate it. Thanks.

This is what I have and it xformed the car. I had to upgrade suspension and brakes.

1. Dinan TB, CAI, exhaust - quality mods and parts (I know some would disagree but unless you see and feel it comments don't apply). Also, these mods decrease weight.
2. AA tune - a must, but get your CAI first.

Other mods to consider:
suspension, brakes, LSD and of course light wheels and tires will give you more power by decreasing weight.


Hope this helps

[jc5988]

lightweight flywheel/clutch/Clutch delay valve, u might need it sooner or later so its pretty good investment there. plus an ecu tune and intake you will be good to go. exhaust probably wont gave you that much since 330i has more free flow setup already.

[flinchy]

Originally Posted by jc5988

lightweight flywheel/clutch/Clutch delay valve, u might need it sooner or later so its pretty good investment there. plus an ecu tune and intake you will be good to go. exhaust probably wont gave you that much since 330i has more free flow setup already.

Nah 330 has either the same or slightly worse than 130i (265hp)

Twin 2" pipes (2 cats) into a single 2.5" with res and muffler, with a crush at the diff

So basically the smallest part is around 2.35" or so (tiny!!)

The muffler isn't too bad, mine at least has a solid growl to it stock, but certainly has restriction

Can't forget the utterly shocking header design

But for the price of all these mods, you can probably come close to a wrecked 335i/135i and tune.

As much as i'd love to wring out all i can from this awesome engine, $1k headers, $500-$1k tune, $1k-$2k exhaust, $500 intake.. $100 o2 sim.. $5k total including labour say.. And you'd probably be nudging a tad over 300hp (which is fine). For me the total would be closer to $6k with import taxes on headers and exhaust, and shipping etc. (anything over $1k)

But $3.5k for an n54 and accessories
couple $k in labour, $500 jb4.. And you're over 400hp with potential for 500+ for not much more

[Rival]

aa stg 2 tune, 2nd cat delete, charcol delete + k/n filter. tough to beat the gains for the $$ you need to pay

[Volasko]

^^

This, plus scoops (50 bucks at most) and then you will see some niceish gains

[e90drvr]

Originally Posted by Rival

aa stg 2 tune...

I understand the aa tune to be the DME software upgrade from Active Autowerke, right? What does stage 2 include?

Thanks.

[slammy_daniels]

supercharger!!

[Volasko]

Originally Posted by e90drvr

I understand the aa tune to be the DME software upgrade from Active Autowerke, right? What does stage 2 include?

Thanks.

People (including me) call it the stage 2 tune because at the time they came out with it, it was a newer version to their original offering. If you were to get an ECU tune by AA you would automatically get this version. Stage two does not mean any other bolt-ons.

For the money if you are looking for best gains for your $$ on a stock 330i N52 get an AA tune and a less restrictive intake (charcoal deleate + K&N or euro intake) which should get you an honest +12 HP/TQ. Then if you want even more go cat-less headers for another 12-15 HP/TQ, problem is you will be LOUD!

The only real gains out of an exhaust is hacking out the CATs and the sweet sound you get!

[Rotorocious]

Has anyone actually Dynod 300 Whp?
Seems optimistic

[RupertPupkin]

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=768726

Originally Posted by Rotorocious

Has anyone actually Dynod 300 Whp?
Seems optimistic

[kiwi29]

If you go full cat delete/ race pipes but are concerned of the loudness, id suggest some ultra highflow cats with a resonator or 2 and a turbo muffler. Turbo mufflers are all the gains without the sounds. Although id have to say, its a lot quieter than my taste, its very close to stock but I have yet to hear it on a race set up.
Basic bolt ons with tune is the best way to not destroy your bank. But then again that's all you can really do without going forced induction. I've been searching for these answers for a while. If you want serious hp then you'd need to get a different motor (sucks to say but it is true) our n52s won't see anything over 350 whp even with major building such as micro port and polish throughout the exhaust and intake ports w/ custom fabricated parts.

[N0OS3]

Get a Methanol Kit... +5mpg, +10hp, cleans your engine. No downsides unless you get your car ECU tuned for higher octane and run your tank empty (does nothing adverse if you don't get it tuned). ^__^ Stage 3 kits run ~$800, stage 1 and 2 cheaper obviously.

[mapleridge]

mispost

[///M3NACE]

Get a 335i...lol

[Amini77]

Everyone basically said it

-Catless headers
-Charcoal delete + K&N drop in. Or a euro box. CAI (Injen, AFE, etc.) would be a waste of $ since its NA engine
-Exhaust (better flow + it would be lighter compared to stock)
-Air scoops
-Lighter material (wheels, tires, trunk, hood, roof, seats, etc. anything really)
-Lighter flywheel since you have a MT
-Clutch
-AA stg 2 tune
That's all you can pretty much all you can do that's simple. I have the same car as you but all I have so far is the K&N drop in shits expensive lol but make sure to do the tune after all the performance mods so the tune adjusts to it all.

[N0OS3]

btw, meth kits are SUPER easy install... typical installation can be done in about 2 hours for the common-sense-savvy person.

[MidLifeCrisis330Xi]

Originally Posted by Amini77

but make sure to do the tune after all the performance mods so the tune adjusts to it all.

so if i'm gonna do the charcoal delete and K&N drop in, I should do that before getting the AA tune? Can you explain to me how the tune "adjusts" to these mods? Do I need to tell AA that the mods have been done so that they can do the tune properly or does it somehow dynamically adjust? And what if say, I do the charcoal delete + K&N drop in, then get the AA tune, then later on decide to do something with the exhaust? Do I have to have it re-tuned? thanks for your help...

[Amini77]

Originally Posted by MidLifeCrisis330Xi

so if i'm gonna do the charcoal delete and K&N drop in, I should do that before getting the AA tune? Can you explain to me how the tune "adjusts" to these mods? Do I need to tell AA that the mods have been done so that they can do the tune properly or does it somehow dynamically adjust? And what if say, I do the charcoal delete + K&N drop in, then get the AA tune, then later on decide to do something with the exhaust? Do I have to have it re-tuned? thanks for your help...

I suggest doing it before the AA tune but honestly I have no clue how it adjusts to it..I know a Shark Injector for E46's adjusts to mods done to your car (like catless headers, it has an option for that) But I have no idea how AA tune's work..I would call them up if you're going to get it soon..I don't plan on getting it until I'm done with the mods so let us all know how it works. As far as I've heard it just adjusts and gives you the most possible gains from what you already have

[Munit]

Most of the above is a waste of money. The dinan TB has shown time and again to lose power. Intakes do nothing.

-Drop in filter BMC
-catless headers
-lightweight wheels and tires (supersports)-can shave 10-15 pounds off each corner which makes a huge difference given it is rotational mass being lightened.

Tunes on these cars intakes and mufflers will really do nothing

[MidLifeCrisis330Xi]

Originally Posted by Munit

Tunes on these cars intakes and mufflers will really do nothing

Are you saying the AA Stage 2 tune does "nothing"??

[Delta0311]

Originally Posted by flinchy

Nah 330 has either the same or slightly worse than 130i (265hp)

Twin 2" pipes (2 cats) into a single 2.5" with res and muffler, with a crush at the diff

So basically the smallest part is around 2.35" or so (tiny!!)

The muffler isn't too bad, mine at least has a solid growl to it stock, but certainly has restriction

Can't forget the utterly shocking header design

But for the price of all these mods, you can probably come close to a wrecked 335i/135i and tune.

As much as i'd love to wring out all i can from this awesome engine, $1k headers, $500-$1k tune, $1k-$2k exhaust, $500 intake.. $100 o2 sim.. $5k total including labour say.. And you'd probably be nudging a tad over 300hp (which is fine). For me the total would be closer to $6k with import taxes on headers and exhaust, and shipping etc. (anything over $1k)

But $3.5k for an n54 and accessories
couple $k in labour, $500 jb4.. And you're over 400hp with potential for 500+ for not much more

No the US 330 has 255HP.