[big_c]

So to those with an upgraded charge pipe, would you do it again? I see some threads stating there is no difference and others stating improved throttle response and spool up.

[135Pats]

Either you have a boost leak or you don’t, it’s that simple. If you aren’t leaking boost, your charge pipe could be made of solid platinum and it wouldn’t matter at all. People upgrade charge piping because the stock piping tends to leak at higher boost pressure. There is nothing magical about a metal pipe over a plastic one, it’s not a power mod or anything like that. It’s just nice to know that my charge pipe is not going to crack or explode on me.

[Mike@N54Tuning.com]

Originally Posted by 135Pats

Either you have a boost leak or you don’t, it’s that simple. If you aren’t leaking boost, your charge pipe could be made of solid platinum and it wouldn’t matter at all. People upgrade charge piping because the stock piping tends to leak at higher boost pressure. There is nothing magical about a metal pipe over a plastic one, it’s not a power mod or anything like that. It’s just nice to know that my charge pipe is not going to crack or explode on me.

+1

In addition to improved reliability and the guarantee of no boost leaks a lot of guys also get charge pipe to run methanol injection and because they want to add a BOV to their setup.

Mike

[JAL0988]

More of a security mod than anything. The stock chargepipe is plastic so if you're tuned and running higher boost than stock, it could break. Though people report sharper throttle response, I personally didn't notice a change.

[Jeff@TopGearSolutions]

Define improvement?

The main concern with any CP is that the stock one is plastic and prone to cracking.

From a reliability stand point and avoiding being left on the side of the road I'd recommend it based on that alone.

The CP on this car was never a big power adder though. It really only adds power if you were leaking boost in some fashion.

[stanlalee]

Log boost, requested boost and WGDC. If they are all normal charge pipe is not going to do a damn thing (read unless there is nothing to gain unless your factory DVs are defective). Aftermarket pipes are not prone to cracking but its not going to do anything for performance. You aren't gaining any throttle response (two small valves theoretically should respond quicker) and they damn sure aren't going to improve spool up. There are only four reasons factory valves are ever replaced a) they leak under boost (1gen DSM), b) too small to divert enough pressure to protect the turbo (your 200hp turbo car now has 500whp), c) you did it for noise d) you did it cause it looks cool in the engine bay.

[jwalker87]

My friend's stock 335i just busted its charge pipe ... with my JB4, a metal one is now pretty high on my list. If you increase the boost at all, the charge pipe is a must-do in conjunction.

[..]

Originally Posted by JAL0988

More of a security mod than anything. The stock chargepipe is plastic so if you're tuned and running higher boost than stock, it could break. Though people report sharper throttle response, I personally didn't notice a change.

This.

If the charge pipe cracks your car becomes immobile. That's a big concern for me so it's always good to be precautious.

I did notice faster throttle response/less lag.

[V8bait]

Immobile is such a strong word. They are most definitely still mobile, but I wouldn't go on any long trips, that's for sure.

Upgrade when you can afford to. But it was the last thing on my list personally.

[135Pats]

Originally Posted by V8bait

Immobile is such a strong word. They are most definitely still mobile, but I wouldn't go on any long trips, that's for sure.

Upgrade when you can afford to. But it was the last thing on my list personally.

Agreed. Charge pipe and intake are about the last things, would worry about FBO before that.

People on this forum spend way too much time worrying about intakes and charge pipes on 300WHP cars. Doesn't make sense.

[NOTM3]

I am fbo and i am running forge dv's on a stock cp which i have been tuned for 2 years, I bought a charge pipe a while back, but i am one of those guys that is like if its not broke don't fix it, so i never installed it. id say get one just incase your cracks bc if it does happen then you would have to wait till it comes in the mail. just my opinion

[stanlalee]

Originally Posted by NOTM3

I am fbo and i am running forge dv's on a stock cp which i have been tuned for 2 years, I bought a charge pipe a while back, but i am one of those guys that is like if its not broke don't fix it, so i never installed it. id say get one just incase your cracks bc if it does happen then you would have to wait till it comes in the mail. just my opinion

That's pretty good advice!

[..]

Originally Posted by 135Pats

Agreed. Charge pipe and intake are about the last things, would worry about FBO before that.

People on this forum spend way too much time worrying about intakes and charge pipes on 300WHP cars. Doesn't make sense.

Well I wouldn't worry if I were stock, but when you are FBO running more aggressive timing with ethanol then it's safe to say that you have put a huge amount of stress on your stock charge pipe.

If we all can afford to buy a BMW we should all be able to afford a $300 charge pipe.

What's that old saying, "pay to play?"

[Jeff@TopGearSolutions]

Originally Posted by 135Pats

Agreed. Charge pipe and intake are about the last things, would worry about FBO before that.

People on this forum spend way too much time worrying about intakes and charge pipes on 300WHP cars. Doesn't make sense.

I'm surprised hearing that coming from you, we've had about 5 people this week who just got tunes and by no accident blew their stock charge pipes within days or less. I think it's a lot more common then the forum makes it out to be. I know there are some lucky guys that put on 50K+ miles and didn't blow their stock charge pipe but it actually seems a lot more apparent, especially as these cars get some age on them.

Plus if it blows then you need to rush on getting a charge pipe and some even spend $70+ on overnight shipping for them. It's gets quite a bit pricey when it's your only car and you need to go to work the next day and your charge pipe is blown. What's even worse in this industry is they are tough to keep in stock and even the manufacturers have limited supply at times.

[Transport3r]

If you get a really fast BOV you'll notice better throttle response. I did with my synapse.

[135Pats]

Originally Posted by Jeff@TopGearSolutions

I'm surprised hearing that coming from you, we've had about 5 people this week who just got tunes and by no accident blew their stock charge pipes within days or less. I think it's a lot more common then the forum makes it out to be. I know there are some lucky guys that put on 50K+ miles and didn't blow their stock charge pipe but it actually seems a lot more apparent, especially as these cars get some age on them.

Plus if it blows then you need to rush on getting a charge pipe and some even spend $70+ on overnight shipping for them. It's gets quite a bit pricey when it's your only car and you need to go to work the next day and your charge pipe is blown. What's even worse in this industry is they are tough to keep in stock and even the manufacturers have limited supply at times.

All good points, I probably over-stated that. Having a major boost leak is a PITA no question. I guess it's more that I don't understand the endless "does chargepipe do x y or z" threads. It's quite obvious what it does...either yours is holding boost or its not. Upgrade as you see fit. I agree with you.

[Jeff@TopGearSolutions]

Originally Posted by 135Pats

All good points, I probably over-stated that. Having a major boost leak is a PITA no question. I guess it's more that I don't understand the endless "does chargepipe do x y or z" threads. It's quite obvious what it does...either yours is holding boost or its not. Upgrade as you see fit. I agree with you.

Yes, I could understand that. There are plenty of misfire threads, boost leak threads and intercooler threads too, that's the nature of forums haha

I hear ya though.

[Mike@N54Tuning.com]

Originally Posted by DurimOne54

Well I wouldn't worry if I were stock, but when you are FBO running more aggressive timing with ethanol then it's safe to say that you have put a huge amount of stress on your stock charge pipe.

If we all can afford to buy a BMW we should all be able to afford a $300 charge pipe.

What's that old saying, "pay to play?"

We've had a many customers blow charge pipes on stock tunes so this isn't a tuned only problem. The stock charge pipe is just a piece of crap. Unfortunately we've already seen a F30 charge pipe failure as well so BMW clearly hasn't learned.

Mike

[Tiago@VRSF]

To be fair they hardly fail at OEM boost levels, I think BMW did a good job engineering them.

The part is designed to withstand X amount of pressure, once you push the part past those thresholds, it's chance of failure is dramatically increased. What I'd be most concerned with is having the part fail while you're driving and sucking in one of the plastic shards into your engine or any other loose debris.

The cost of a chargepipe, well at least our chargepipe is going to cost less than a tow and a replacement OEM pipe when yours blows assuming there's no additional harm from the blow out.

[big_c]

Originally Posted by Tiago@VRSF

To be fair they hardly fail at OEM boost levels, I think BMW did a good job engineering them.

The part is designed to withstand X amount of pressure, once you push the part past those thresholds, it's chance of failure is dramatically increased. What I'd be most concerned with is having the part fail while you're driving and sucking in one of the plastic shards into your engine or any other loose debris.

The cost of a chargepipe, well at least our chargepipe is going to cost less than a tow and a replacement OEM pipe when yours blows assuming there's no additional harm from the blow out.

Right on. Have you guys heard any reports of engine damage due to a broken charge pipe? Or do they typically fail by blasting a piece of plastic outward ..

[Mike@N54Tuning.com]

Originally Posted by big_c

Right on. Have you guys heard any reports of engine damage due to a broken charge pipe? Or do they typically fail by blasting a piece of plastic outward ..

I haven't heard of any direct engine failures, but we have had a few TMAP sensors get damaged / lost during the failure.

Mike

[Jacblack]

The charge pipe should be one of your first upgrades especially when upping the boost. They fail under stock levels and will burst with more psi. I cracked mine and all I had was a downpipe