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      12-03-2012, 04:17 PM   #1
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Have $1500 to spend best power mods

Hey guys, so like the title states I have $1500 to spend, originally planned on going rob becks but would hate to replace a clutch/level 10 so soon specially with the way I drive. So heres the big question, i have search and it seems most people are going with ar desgin 3'' catless downpipes here are my questions.

Current mods:
JB 4
Bms DCI's

1) What is the most inexpensive bang for buck down pipes?
2) Decent but inexpensive meth kit?
3)Decent but inexpensive Fmic?
4)What kit do i need to run e85?. Can i run E85 and meth together or is it one or the other.?
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      12-03-2012, 04:27 PM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by m power /// View Post
Hey guys, so like the title states I have $1500 to spend

Current mods:
JB 4
Bms DCI's

1) What is the most inexpensive bang for buck down pipes?
2) Decent but inexpensive meth kit?
3)Decent but inexpensive Fmic?
4)What kit do i need to run e85?. Can i run E85 and meth together or is it one or the other.?
1) raceland dps 200 quid
2)BMS meth setup they have options check em out
3)look for a used fmic (save some money)
4)you can run up to 40-50% ethanol with jb4 and newest firmware (varies car to car) start with map 5.. lots of people run meth and e85

you can probably handle all of that for 1500 quid if ya look around
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      12-03-2012, 04:45 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by m power /// View Post
Hey guys, so like the title states I have $1500 to spend, originally planned on going rob becks but would hate to replace a clutch/level 10 so soon specially with the way I drive. So heres the big question, i have search and it seems most people are going with ar desgin 3'' catless downpipes here are my questions.

Current mods:
JB 4
Bms DCI's

1) What is the most inexpensive bang for buck down pipes?
2) Decent but inexpensive meth kit?
3)Decent but inexpensive Fmic?
4)What kit do i need to run e85?. Can i run E85 and meth together or is it one or the other.?
1) bang for buck... Vrsf are good
2) you don't want this
3) ETS 5 Inch but VRSF will have a 5 inch one soon as well
4) Nothing, but you should have your ecu fuel tables reflashed. I don't recommend meth and e85...
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      12-03-2012, 04:51 PM   #4
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Vrsf/bms downpipes and a good trunk meth kit.
With meth, an intercooler isnt even necessary.
This shouldnt cost you more than 850$ for both
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      12-03-2012, 05:03 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Beemw335 View Post
Vrsf/bms downpipes and a good trunk meth kit.
With meth, an intercooler isnt even necessary.
This shouldnt cost you more than 850$ for both
I have heard good reviews about the Vrsf down pipes, but the Ar design seem to be the most popular sellers.Also Vrsf 7in intercooler.So is a meth kit and e85 together recommended ?. I wonder how many people are running both.
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      12-03-2012, 05:41 PM   #6
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Originally Posted by m power /// View Post
I have heard good reviews about the Vrsf down pipes, but the Ar design seem to be the most popular sellers.Also Vrsf 7in intercooler.So is a meth kit and e85 together recommended ?. I wonder how many people are running both.
Any 7" FMIC is going to involve a decent amount of trimming. IF you're not tracking your car, I'd recommend going with a 5" FMIC -- it's perfect for a car that spends the majority of it's time on the street & requires very MINOR trimming (for my Helix, only 1-2 inches were trimmed away on the inside of the front to avoid rubbing against the IC face).

E85 is fairly potent on it's own & personally I'm not looking to deal with the headaches that come with Meth. If you choose to run Meth, go with a trunk mounted setup & make sure you regularly check your Meth lines to make sure there are no leaks.
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      12-03-2012, 06:29 PM   #7
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Originally Posted by benzy89 View Post
Any 7" FMIC is going to involve a decent amount of trimming. IF you're not tracking your car, I'd recommend going with a 5" FMIC -- it's perfect for a car that spends the majority of it's time on the street & requires very MINOR trimming (for my Helix, only 1-2 inches were trimmed away on the inside of the front to avoid rubbing against the IC face).

E85 is fairly potent on it's own & personally I'm not looking to deal with the headaches that come with Meth. If you choose to run Meth, go with a trunk mounted setup & make sure you regularly check your Meth lines to make sure there are no leaks.
Jeez, so e85 then. Any other recommendations on the downpipes.
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      12-03-2012, 06:45 PM   #8
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Meth Trunk mount or WW (50/50 mix only) $500-600
Fmic VRSF 7in $450
DP VRSF or BMS $320
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      12-03-2012, 06:54 PM   #9
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Jeez, so e85 then. Any other recommendations on the downpipes.
I'll list a couple with the pricing from the manufacturer (so you can prob. find a better price):
  • BMS N54 DPs ($379) - BMS is just releasing their N54 DPs, so fitment can't be guaranteed. But I think everyone anybody in the BMW community can agree that when dealing with BMS & Terry, you're going to get great customer service. If it doesn't fit, Terry will make it right.
  • Fabspeed ($550 from VAC Motorsports) - Fabspeed is a real well known, aftermarket exhaust company on a variety of platforms (BMW, Porsche, Ferrari, Lambo, etc.). Their products are made in the USA & incorporate the OEM subframe mount - what's special about this is that it guarantees the DPs won't rotate & start rubbing against the subframe once installed AND it takes all the stress off the DP connection with the turbos (the bracket is carrying the weight).
  • CP-e ($650) - Cast bellmouth housing & single bent tubing that guarantees undisrupted airflow post turbo (no welds subject to cracking, no quality concerns). Also made in the USA.
  • Active Autowerke ($700) - Active Autowerke's is one of the most well-known & respected aftermarket tuners in the BMW community. While you might pay a little for name, the AA products are near OEM quality. These also incorporate the subframe mount that I really like, guaranteeing headache free fitment.

Yea, DPs are just metal tubes & shouldn't be expensive to make. But what makes some DPs more expensive then others are quality of materials, fitment & quality control (aka, where they're manufactured). I originally had the affordable DPs & ditched them because of install headaches & they rubbed against the subframe everytime I turned left. I swapped them for Akras (gift) and wish I bought them originally -- They are single bent tubes, have the OEM bracket & the fitment was factory quality.
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      12-03-2012, 07:00 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Beemw335 View Post
Vrsf/bms downpipes and a good trunk meth kit.
With meth, an intercooler isnt even necessary.
This shouldnt cost you more than 850$ for both
True, Meth's sweet double effect....

Only thing is that meth is much more trouble, where an FMIC will just pop in and be fine, meth will be a lil bit more inconvenient since you're gonna need to keep refilling the tank.
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      12-03-2012, 07:07 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by benzy89 View Post
I'll list a couple with the pricing from the manufacturer (so you can prob. find a better price):
  • BMS N54 DPs ($379) - BMS is just releasing their N54 DPs, so fitment can't be guaranteed. But I think everyone anybody in the BMW community can agree that when dealing with BMS & Terry, you're going to get great customer service. If it doesn't fit, Terry will make it right.
  • Fabspeed ($550 from VAC Motorsports) - Fabspeed is a real well known, aftermarket exhaust company on a variety of platforms (BMW, Porsche, Ferrari, Lambo, etc.). Their products are made in the USA & incorporate the OEM subframe mount - what's special about this is that it guarantees the DPs won't rotate & start rubbing against the subframe once installed AND it takes all the stress off the DP connection with the turbos (the bracket is carrying the weight).
  • CP-e ($650) - Cast bellmouth housing & single bent tubing that guarantees undisrupted airflow post turbo (no welds subject to cracking, no quality concerns). Also made in the USA.
  • Active Autowerke ($700) - Active Autowerke's is one of the most well-known & respected aftermarket tuners in the BMW community. While you might pay a little for name, the AA products are near OEM quality. These also incorporate the subframe mount that I really like, guaranteeing headache free fitment.

Yea, DPs are just metal tubes & shouldn't be expensive to make. But what makes some DPs more expensive then others are quality of materials, fitment & quality control (aka, where they're manufactured). I originally had the affordable DPs & ditched them because of install headaches & they rubbed against the subframe everytime I turned left. I swapped them for Akras (gift) and wish I bought them originally -- They are single bent tubes, have the OEM bracket & the fitment was factory quality.
So what do you think about VRSF'S downpipes?
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      12-03-2012, 07:08 PM   #12
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What is the best or most popular meth setup?.. It scares me because a local guy had one and after some time his engine bay caught on fire causing 10k worth of damage. Should I have any worries?.
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      12-03-2012, 07:11 PM   #13
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Just check your meth lines and leaks if theres any regularly. And go trunk mount. WW sucks! Since you have JB4, get the Trunk mount 2.2gallons with FSB!
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      12-03-2012, 07:38 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jordan313
Just check your meth lines and leaks if theres any regularly. And go trunk mount. WW sucks! Since you have JB4, get the Trunk mount 2.2gallons with FSB!
Do this.

Ive had a trunk mount meth kit for ~14 months now I think... Not very long compared to others, lines havent cracked, pump is still strong feeding 3 nozzles, etc. Idk what all of the panic is about, and I can openly admit to being someone whod rather pay people to install downpipes than DIY.
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      12-03-2012, 07:47 PM   #15
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Originally Posted by m power /// View Post
So what do you think about VRSF'S downpipes?
Quote:
I originally had the affordable DPs & ditched them because of install headaches & they rubbed against the subframe everytime I turned left.
Quote:
Originally Posted by m power /// View Post
What is the best or most popular meth setup?.. It scares me because a local guy had one and after some time his engine bay caught on fire causing 10k worth of damage. Should I have any worries?.
If you're gonna run meth, go with one of the Aquamist systems; better off with an independent failsafe (http://www.topgearsolutions.com/methanolkits.html)
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      12-03-2012, 07:52 PM   #16
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VRSF 7" FMIC is awesome. I have been running it for about two months and I am extremely pleased.

I have the VRSF catless dp's as well, no issues here.

I would look into the BMS meth kit. I've come close to biting the bullet and ordering it several times, but other stuff keeps coming up and I never got around to it thus far. Meth is a nice way to add some significant power for a few hundred bucks.
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      12-03-2012, 08:14 PM   #17
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VRSF 7" FMIC is awesome. I have been running it for about two months and I am extremely pleased.

I have the VRSF catless dp's as well, no issues here.

I would look into the BMS meth kit. I've come close to biting the bullet and ordering it several times, but other stuff keeps coming up and I never got around to it thus far. Meth is a nice way to add some significant power for a few hundred bucks.
haha only if you can restrain yourself from spraying! Gonna need tires and meth sooner
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      12-03-2012, 10:09 PM   #18
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+1 VRSF Down pipes. I paid 319 shipped. And they are 3" not racelands 2.5"
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      12-03-2012, 10:14 PM   #19
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some guy I know has racelands and he went 11s in a sedan no prob
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      12-03-2012, 10:47 PM   #20
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So far VRSF 7'" Fmic and VRSF downpipes. Any ideas on the meth kit and which brand to go with?.

Last edited by m power ///; 12-04-2012 at 08:15 AM..
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      12-04-2012, 08:17 AM   #21
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Just saw that shiv was offering an e85 kit and am a little confused as i though you could just run e85 out off the stock lines and pump?
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      12-04-2012, 08:38 AM   #22
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Just saw that shiv was offering an e85 kit and am a little confused as i though you could just run e85 out off the stock lines and pump?
It's just a FlexFuel sensor that works with the PROcede to better determine ethanol content & adjust the tune to the appropriate levels.

OP -- I'd recommend you do some homework & read up on the different mods you're considering. It's your car not a forum build project, so make sure what you're buying is actually what you want.
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