[N8N]

If you anticipate pounding on it hard in hot weather, you may want to consider an upgraded or additional oil cooler. Have you managed to determine if yours has the factory oil cooler or not? If it does not that comment gets more weight. Other than that most of the common bolt on mods available are aimed at getting more power not increasing engine longevity.

Any money left over I would save for the inevitable repairs or goodies that you find out about that you have to have, despite the fact that you never wished for them until you became aware that they were available

[tennis_pr0]

Originally Posted by N8N

If you anticipate pounding on it hard in hot weather, you may want to consider an upgraded or additional oil cooler. Have you managed to determine if yours has the factory oil cooler or not? If it does not that comment gets more weight. Other than that most of the common bolt on mods available are aimed at getting more power not increasing engine longevity.

Any money left over I would save for the inevitable repairs or goodies that you find out about that you have to have, despite the fact that you never wished for them until you became aware that they were available

How do I tell if I have an oil cooler or not?

[N8N]

Originally Posted by tennis_pr0

How do I tell if I have an oil cooler or not?

Run your VIN through here

http://www.rubmw.ru/vincode/eng/

unfortunately it seems to be down at the moment and I do not recall what the option code is that indicates that you have the oil cooler (I figured if I ran mine through I could pick it out, I think it is something like high speed package or something like that, but my own VIN isn't working for some reason even though that's how I decoded my car in the first place) alternately just look inside the passenger side fender, you should have a "vent" in the fender liner and if you shine a flashlight through there you should see an oil cooler if you have it.

[tennis_pr0]

I looked at a pic of a n54 engine with an oil cooler and one without, and I am pretty sure I have an oil cooler. On the round solver thing to the right of the engine block, you can see two long circular things...I think that means oil cooler right?

[tennis_pr0]

actually i dont think I have an oil cooler...

[E90Company]

Originally Posted by tennis_pr0

actually i dont think I have an oil cooler...

You don't.

[deathbunny]

Originally Posted by tennis_pr0

wow where did you get the ic for 400?

http://www.vr-speed.com/vrsf-7-front...2-e90-e92.html

And if you buy it with downpipes they nock 30 bucks off.

[tennis_pr0]

I have read a few threads on oil coolers, and it seems like some say get one whole other say it isnt necessary...

[tennis_pr0]

With the fmic, if I ever have to have hpfp or turbos replaced under their extended warranty, could they void that because of the fmic? If they can, I guess it would be smart to keep the original and throw that back in before going to the dealer.

[deathbunny]

FMIC SHOULD not effect your warranty. I would keep the stock one though, its easy enough to change out if you sell the car you can put the stock one back on and sell it.

[tennis_pr0]

Yeah definitely going to keep the old one and put it back on if I have to take the car in for any warranty work.

[deathbunny]

Do you have an aftermarket warranty? If so find a good friendly local tuner shop that is authorized to do your warranty work. It doesn't hurt to have them install the parts and ask about the effect of the mods and your warranty before having them installed. I asked mine if I would need to get my downpipes removed if I ever need warranty work. He said, nope np

[tennis_pr0]

I am out of warranty and plan on using VAC motorsports to do all my work...

[N8N]

OK the option that tells you you have the oil cooler is S840A "HIGH SPEED SYNCHRONIZATION" if you don't have it then I believe you'll see S118A "TOP SPEED REDUCTION" instead. (explanation: cars with the oil cooler get a higher setting for the top speed limiter) The Russian site seems to be back up.

[1chanc3]

SERIOUSLY?!

This is why our country is in debt. People are spending money they don't have. I don't mean to be a dick, but you should not even be upgrading if you can't even pay for the upgrades....

Originally Posted by tennis_pr0

so I just took a 1500 dollar loan from my roommate, he is rich lol. Looks like cobb accessport and fmic I will be getting at the same time! Anything else I should get wiht this to increase engine safety or anything?

[tennis_pr0]

Originally Posted by 1chanc3

SERIOUSLY?!

This is why our country is in debt. People are spending money they don't have. I don't mean to be a dick, but you should not even be upgrading if you can't even pay for the upgrades....

I have like 10k in the bank but i just dknt want to dish out 2000 bucks at once

[1chanc3]

Originally Posted by tennis_pr0

I have like 10k in the bank but i just dknt want to dish out 2000 bucks at once

That still doesn't make you look good. Then save up until you can drop that kind of cash.... You have more important things to worry about if you're worried about dropping 2k on mods that you don't really "need" and need a friend to loan you the money....

[sickem]

Originally Posted by tennis_pr0

so I just took a 1500 dollar loan from my roommate, he is rich lol. Looks like cobb accessport and fmic I will be getting at the same time! Anything else I should get wiht this to increase engine safety or anything?

no, you'll be fine with this combo. just run stage 1+ fmic. I would start with the sport maps, read the thread about how to data log, and if all looks good with that then bump it up to aggressive. Make sure your car has quality 93 octane only for aggressive maps...shell, exxon, etc.

then

[tennis_pr0]

Looks like i will just be going with the ap flash and run it on stage 1 non aggressive. That will be just fine for me