[nycibbyryder]

Hey guys, I just picked up a 2011 328xi 6MT sedan.
Last 7 of vin is A811245
I've discovered it has the N51 engine with the SULEV spec.
What's my best upgrade path here?
I was originally going to go with the 3 stage intake and euro airbox, but now I'm not sure what my best direction is. Most of the info here is old or vague on N51's.

Trading it in for a 335i isn't an option right now. My payments would be sky high because I'd be upside down. I really just want about 260hp out of her and I think that'll make me happy for a few years until I'm in a position to trade her in for an F30 335i

[jc5988]

tune+secondary delete(mid pipe)+ intake/cat back will get you around 255-260hp

car came with 3 stage already

[nycibbyryder]

What's the best tune for this engine?

[nycibbyryder]

Originally Posted by BimmerGeeks

BPC

Thanks I'll look into that one. How's that compare to AA?
Any recommendations on intake and cat back? I want to keep it quiet.

[3002 tii]

Originally Posted by jc5988

tune+secondary delete(mid pipe)+ intake/cat back will get you around 255-260hp

car came with 3 stage already

No it won't

[JuniorB]

It depends how much you want to spend to gain the power your looking for. Since your in NY, a set of headers and a free flow muffler will give you the best bang for your money that you would actually feel. A k-n filter and a tune would optimise it all and just about top you out with power, unless you spend the money on a sc kit, these bolt ons have been proven over and over. Expect 220-230 rwhp range,there are other tunes out there that could bump you, but that would be between you and your tuner.

[nycibbyryder]

Originally Posted by JuniorB

It depends how much you want to spend to gain the power your looking for. Since your in NY, a set of headers and a free flow muffler will give you the best bang for your money that you would actually feel. A k-n filter and a tune would optimise it all and just about top you out with power, unless you spend the money on a sc kit, these bolt ons have been proven over and over. Expect 220-230 rwhp range,there are other tunes out there that could bump you, but that would be between you and your tuner.

As far as I know there's no SC kit for the N51. I'd be interested in a tune and intake though... AFE?
I'm still deciding on whether I want an exhaust on it. I'd prefer to keep it quiet. I saw some straight thru ultra-quiet resonators around when I was upgrading my Maxima that I had before this. I'm not sure what kind of exhausts are good on this car yet though. I don't want drone.

[Eagle1oh7]

Charcoal Delete+AFE drop-in filter, Silicone intake boot, catback exhaust+AA Headers, BPC tune. I went from 188whp, 179wtq to 213whp and 200wtq. After rough calculations I'm guessing I made up to 260~ BHP.

[Eagle1oh7]

Originally Posted by nycibbyryder

As far as I know there's no SC kit for the N51. I'd be interested in a tune and intake though... AFE?
I'm still deciding on whether I want an exhaust on it. I'd prefer to keep it quiet. I saw some straight thru ultra-quiet resonators around when I was upgrading my Maxima that I had before this. I'm not sure what kind of exhausts are good on this car yet though. I don't want drone.

There is an SC kit for the N51, but ESS and their shoddy tuning/R&D didn't make things run smoothly. They had to drop it, but you can buy it, but there will be some issues.

[JuniorB]

Every thing between the n51,52 are identical, the n51 was more of an emission engine for California, I believe the compression is lower, other than that,there identical hardware wise.

[jc5988]

Originally Posted by 3002 tii

No it won't

here is my dyno


RED 258hp@15% loss:ESS tune+secondary delete(mid pipe)+ intake/cat back
Blue 269hp@15% loss: above plus AFE header, with secondary cat reinstalled.

[Eagle1oh7]

Originally Posted by JuniorB

Every thing between the n51,52 are identical, the n51 was more of an emission engine for California, I believe the compression is lower, other than that,there identical hardware wise.

Not quite. The pistons are different in design. It also has a SAP.

[Mike.]

see my old build!

[AWSB328iM]

Originally Posted by Eagle1oh7

Charcoal Delete+AFE drop-in filter, Silicone intake boot, catback exhaust+AA Headers, BPC tune. I went from 188whp, 179wtq to 213whp and 200wtq. After rough calculations I'm guessing I made up to 260~ BHP.

6-speed? Custom tune or off the shelf?

[Eagle1oh7]

Originally Posted by AWSB328iM

6-speed? Custom tune or off the shelf?

It's with an AT. If I had MT it'd be closer to 220+whp and 210wtq judging by other members' results. My tune was done remotely, so I'd say not quite custom. Had a few different files and I settled on one with a regular idle and aggro throttle. Just have to reset the adaptations so it runs smoother. I plan on doing a Dinan-mod to my AFE box I have sitting on my shelf when I get home next year and hopefully there's new breakthroughs with the N51/N52 platforms by then as well.

[3002 tii]

Originally Posted by jc5988

here is my dyno


RED 258hp@15% loss:ESS tune+secondary delete(mid pipe)+ intake/cat back
Blue 269hp@15% loss: above plus AFE header, with secondary cat reinstalled.


Attachment 1650429

Should've said you're converting to crank, else everyone assumes you're talking whp.

[N52UNED]

Originally Posted by nycibbyryder

What's the best tune for this engine?

Bimmer Performance Center (BPC) tune. Having an N51 vs N52 you won't likely make the same numbers but it will be a big improvement, as well as, a good starting point for additional mods.

What really is putting BPC head and shoulders above the rest, regarding reviews ... it's addition low-end torque is useful in regular "around town" driving. You can feel the difference while getting through traffic and off stops. It definitely enhances the driving experience.

[3002 tii]

Originally Posted by N52UNED

Bimmer Performance Center (BPC) tune. Having an N51 vs N52 you won't likely make the same numbers but it will be a big improvement, as well as, a good starting point for additional mods.

What really is putting BPC head and shoulders above the rest, regarding reviews ... it's addition low-end torque is useful in regular "around town" driving. You can feel the difference while getting through traffic and off stops. It definitely enhances the driving experience.

FWIW AA has revised their tune as of a month or two ago and it's supposed to address the low end torque as well. Haven't had chance to redyno but it feels more responsive than before.

[jc5988]

Originally Posted by 3002 tii

Should've said you're converting to crank, else everyone assumes you're talking whp.

hp already mean its crank horses, thats why people use whp for chassis dyno number.

[3002 tii]

Originally Posted by jc5988

hp already mean its crank horses, thats why people use whp for chassis dyno number.

Yea no kidding but considering an automatic xi and rwd manual have same crank figures it doesn't mean much when talking about gains. WHP is what everyone cares about since it's the only way you measure gains from said mods.

Scan the first page of the NA section and see how everyone else quotes hp figures. If it makes you feel better telling everyone you have 250hp be my guest but at very least you should clarify for everyone else expecting WHP. Eagle1 and Junior replied with WHP figures and it wasn't a coincidence.

[W37V]

Originally Posted by jc5988

here is my dyno


RED 258hp@15% loss:ESS tune+secondary delete(mid pipe)+ intake/cat back
Blue 269hp@15% loss: above plus AFE header, with secondary cat reinstalled.


Attachment 1650429

For a second I thought that ESS tune gave ~260WHP and then I saw the actual WHP numbers.

Most people either state SAE or STD numbers at the wheels and not crank.

[JuniorB]

Well we already know what mods and tunes are out there and the numbers they produce, of course the n52 would be lower. If you look back at the dyno tread , that should give you a base line for the mods you have and what to expect, again, it comes down to what your willing to spend. Since you have a factory 3si, headers should be your next mod.