[noovis]

Hey, I am considering my first ever upgrades on completely stock engine (50k miles). After reading many threads here my plan is to start with:

• BMS DCI
• JB4
• VRSF Chargepipe
• VRSF Catback Exhaust

The goal is to gain some extra hp, decent sound (not too aggressive) and stay legal. I have several questions and doubts:

1. Is this a good upgrade set to start with?
2. Does it make sense without upgrading DP? I don't wanna go catless due to legal reasons and catted seem to be quite expensive for a little benefit.
3. Am I missing out something important? Is there any obvious bottleneck that I should upgrade as well?
4. Should I also get 1-Step Colder Spark Plugs?
5. Does the setup also need an intercooler upgrade?

Any suggestions will be much appreciated
Thanks!

[JeanCa]

yeah its a decent upgrade. My first upgrade was the same but without the VRSF Catback. Its definitely gonna be faster than stock. Get some BMS cowl filter while your at it, will allow you to hear better the whooshing sounds the new DCI while make. Not upgrading the downpipes means the setup is only optimized for map 1 on the JB4 I belive. I first ran your setup with stock sparks and did ok. I got NGK 2 step colder plugs when I did meth and map 6, that's when I really needed them. An intercooler would be beneficial since the stock one suffers from heat soak after a few pulls. For example without an intercooler, in a dyno the WHP would always drop after each run. After I upgraded the intercooler the number stayed consistent within runs.

[HiRev335i]

I would opt for a upgraded intercooler before the cat back exhaust. Your car will benefit from it much more than the exhaust

[BM3Rrrr]

I'd say get MHD instead of a JB4 and FMIC instead of the Catback.
If you want more aggressive exhaust do a secondary cat delete and Vibrant Resonators along with the PE exhaust mod.

[noovis]

Thanks for your ideas

[type-dRew]

Originally Posted by noovis

Hey, I am considering my first ever upgrades on completely stock engine (50k miles). After reading many threads here my plan is to start with:

• BMS DCI
• JB4
• VRSF Chargepipe
• VRSF Catback Exhaust

The goal is to gain some extra hp, decent sound (not too aggressive) and stay legal. I have several questions and doubts:

1. Is this a good upgrade set to start with?
2. Does it make sense without upgrading DP? I don't wanna go catless due to legal reasons and catted seem to be quite expensive for a little benefit.
3. Am I missing out something important? Is there any obvious bottleneck that I should upgrade as well?
4. Should I also get 1-Step Colder Spark Plugs?
5. Does the setup also need an intercooler upgrade?

Any suggestions will be much appreciated
Thanks!

1 - MAINTENANCE
2 - Chargepipe
3 - MHD
4 - Intercooler
5 - DCI

Modified your list.

[Ion619]

+1 on the MAINTENANCE. At 50K, there should be some upcoming maintenance requirements. Got to have a healthy motor

[relative4]

Does the DCI provide an improvement in power?

[BM3Rrrr]

Originally Posted by relative4

Does the DCI provide an improvement in power?

Its debatable how much power it adds, depends on what other mods you have.

[relative4]

Originally Posted by BM3Rrrr

Its debatable how much power it adds, depends on what other mods you have.

VRSF 5" stepped FMIC, MHD stage 1+, and I know a great tuner if that's likely to make much difference.

[noovis]

I'm a bit confused now...JB4 map 2 is not recommended with stock DP due to 14psi while MHD 1+ is ok with 15-17psi? Is there any difference in the way it increases the pressure?

Also why is MHD preferred over JB4? What are the advantages?

[relative4]

MHD is much cheaper and much easier. JB4 is great if you need/want the plethora of ultra-high-tech features it provides.

[BM3Rrrr]

Originally Posted by noovis

I'm a bit confused now...JB4 map 2 is not recommended with stock DP due to 14psi while MHD 1+ is ok with 15-17psi? Is there any difference in the way it increases the pressure?

Also why is MHD preferred over JB4? What are the advantages?

A quick search of "MHD vs JB4" will tell you exactly why

[BM3Rrrr]

Originally Posted by relative4

VRSF 5" stepped FMIC, MHD stage 1+, and I know a great tuner if that's likely to make much difference.

Nothing noticeable in your case but difference in engine sound, changing the intake makes zero difference with respect to feel or responsiveness at any power level with the stock twins.

Search "mr. 5 intake" if you want the best of both worlds

[mike@x-ph.com]

OP, add an intercooler to your list and you are set

[Jklad]

Nice try, I would recommend something little different:
-replace all 6 spark plugs
-consider replacing all 6 coil packs while you're there
-mhd tune
-er chargepipe (I have vrsf, it's fine but for dv version ER would have had better fit so up to you)
-fmic (vrsf stepped 5in, or 7in if you dont mind cutting, I've had original vrsf 7in for years)
-dci

I would not get a cat back. No performance improvement, just sound. Instead put these funds towards the fmic which improves performance and prevents timing being pulled on longer runs.

Do all this as a phase 1 and see if you're happy with the power and if any codes pop up. Then, if you decide to do catless dp, you will gain some power and the sound you are probably looking for.

Plus You can always go e85 and upgraded fuel pump from there as a phase 2 or 3.

[Jeff@TopGearSolutions]

Definitely want an intercooler on the list. I also recommend the maintenance, plugs, coils, maybe even injectors if you want to do it right.

[idk6]

Buying my first bimmer soon (looking at an 08 e93 335i) and I'm planning on going a similar route.

How necessary is the chargepipe? I know the stock chargepipe is garbage, but will it be able to handle a stage 1 mhd tune? Planning on Doing muffler & resonator delete, BMS DCI, replacing spark plugs and coil packs, as well as walnut blasting intake valves before tuning. Anything else I should do?

Also, my funds are somewhat limited so cheapest & most effective options are appreciated.

Thanks!

[nissubaru]

Originally Posted by idk6

Buying my first bimmer soon (looking at an 08 e93 335i) and I'm planning on going a similar route.

How necessary is the chargepipe? I know the stock chargepipe is garbage, but will it be able to handle a stage 1 mhd tune? Planning on Doing muffler & resonator delete, BMS DCI, replacing spark plugs and coil packs, as well as walnut blasting intake valves before tuning. Anything else I should do?

Also, my funds are somewhat limited so cheapest & most effective options are appreciated.

Thanks!

It's not "necessary" but it's a good modification to do to ensure your stock charge pipe doesn't crack leaving you boost leaking all over the place. You could probably even run Stage 3 or whatever as long as your stock charge pipe doesn't crack, it's just the question of if/when it does crack.

Another mod to consider would be a FMIC.

[IllSic_Design]

Originally Posted by idk6

How necessary is the chargepipe? I know the stock chargepipe is garbage, but will it be able to handle a stage 1 mhd tune?

Not saying it's the smartest thing to do, but.... I am still running the stock charge pipe on my 09 with 182k and MHD stage 2+ E50 tune(~18psi). I have been waiting for it to blow though but still nothing.

[gurusan]

My charge pipe blew apart on a very cold morning, 2 months after running MHD stage 1, everything in my engine bay looks like it's in great condition. 57k

[idk6]

What's a reasonable stopping point assuming I do the mods I mentioned above? E85 isn't readily available anywhere near me, so a 91/93 octane map stage what?

I plan on dailying the car, but I want it to be fast stage 1? 2? 2+?

Thanks (sorry, still a bmw newbie)