|
|
|
|
|
|
BMW Garage | BMW Meets | Register | Today's Posts | Search |
|
BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum
>
New to tuning: custom tune by shop or do it myself?
|
|
12-15-2020, 07:41 AM | #24 |
Brigadier General
2001
Rep 3,731
Posts |
|
Appreciate
0
|
12-15-2020, 07:52 AM | #25 |
Captain
578
Rep 603
Posts |
Also, regarding DIY, I am DIY guy but looking at these engines is a bit intimidating compared to working on a Chevy big/small block. I don't mind paying a good shop the $$$ to do the maintenance right.
|
Appreciate
0
|
12-15-2020, 07:59 AM | #27 |
Captain
449
Rep 823
Posts |
I've been running a tune similar to MHD Stage 2+ for a while now and have had no issues with stock for both plugs and coils. It makes a lot of sense to use FCP Euro and their lifetime warranty for parts like these.
__________________
2008 335xi 6MT - 16T China Turbskies - eBay FMIC, DP & CP - VRSF Inlets - SSR DCI's - Walbro 450 LPFP - RFP e85 Tune
|
Appreciate
0
|
12-15-2020, 08:08 AM | #28 |
Captain
449
Rep 823
Posts |
If you're a DIY guy, you're not going to screw this up. What makes the N54 intimidating? Swapping plugs, coils and a charge pipe is nothing for someone familiar with an engine bay. I mean, if you just don't want to, that's fine, but don't be intimidated. The only "special" tool you'll need is a thin-walled socket for the plugs.
__________________
2008 335xi 6MT - 16T China Turbskies - eBay FMIC, DP & CP - VRSF Inlets - SSR DCI's - Walbro 450 LPFP - RFP e85 Tune
|
Appreciate
0
|
12-15-2020, 09:05 AM | #29 | |
Captain
329
Rep 603
Posts |
Quote:
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
12-15-2020, 09:13 AM | #30 | |
Captain
578
Rep 603
Posts |
Quote:
I've watched videos on everything that needs to come off/be disconnected (the cowl for example), keeping track off all of the bolts/screws, wires, clips, etc...I'd break and/or screw something up. Pulling coils and plugs and reinstalling is the easy part. Last edited by Gregrobin; 12-15-2020 at 09:35 AM.. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
12-15-2020, 09:24 AM | #31 | |
Slow.
3782
Rep 7,151
Posts
Drives: Single Turbo N54 on Meth!
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Boston, MA
|
Quote:
Don't buy stock coils. Run the pencil S55 coils. Buy from FCP Euro for lifetime warranty, they do wear out. Don't run stock plugs. Get some NGKs. Buy from FCP Euro for lifetime warranty, they do wear out. Might go -1 colder but you don't need to. Buy the OBD2 cable and get MHD. Buy the licenses. Run OTS tunes if you want. A custom tune is $250 from a well known remote tuners. You are going to want to cable to pull codes etc. I agree on the chargepipe, it's a ticking time bomb, it will either crack or the DVs will fail etc. given the age. Chargepipe with Tial BOV and upgrade to the 1/4 vac line. Take off the stock IM, walnut blast while you are in there, but the 1/4'' barb in the stock IM. Don't buy a knock off Tial BOV on ebay etc. Get some used downpipes, and a used IC. That should be enough for stock turbos. Lots of used parts, not that new are super expensive.
__________________
Last edited by Torgus; 12-15-2020 at 09:37 AM.. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
12-15-2020, 09:30 AM | #32 | |
Captain
720
Rep 946
Posts |
Quote:
I can somewhat understand not wanting to do VCG or injectors. However plugs, coils and chargepipe is incredibly simple you should have no trouble. I would also flash MhD yourself. As long as you have a battery tender and can read and follow basic instructions it is fool proof.
__________________
07 E92 335i 6MT, MMP inlets, DCI, VRSF 7.5 competition intercooler, VRSF catless downpipes, VRSF chargepipe, 335is clutch, Vader Solutions stage 2 LPFP, MHD stage 2+, Hawk HPS 5.0 pads, R1 Concepts drilled slotted rotors, TSW Nurburgring 19x8 19x9.5
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
12-15-2020, 10:20 AM | #34 |
Captain
329
Rep 603
Posts |
Sorry to thread jack a bit.....
In all my pre-purchase investigation I concluded that MHD was my best route for tuning. But the more I look at this the more it's sounding as if the full JB4 might be "safer" with how it seemingly defaults to an 8 psi boost map at the slightest sign that something is off....seemingly protecting me from grenading my car. Now, MOST of the information I'm going through is at least a year old if not much older. I'm sure MHD on 12/15/20 isn't the same as what was pumped out 1 year+ ago....right? Guys and gals seem to have been running MHD for some time without issue. Is this "JB4 is overall safer and a backend MHD flash on top of it down the road being the ultimate tuning package" all in my head? MHD is cheaper and seems to be easier to deal with so if all things are equal I'm all over it. Set me straight folks! Please. |
Appreciate
0
|
12-15-2020, 11:06 AM | #35 | |
Captain
449
Rep 823
Posts |
Quote:
__________________
2008 335xi 6MT - 16T China Turbskies - eBay FMIC, DP & CP - VRSF Inlets - SSR DCI's - Walbro 450 LPFP - RFP e85 Tune
|
|
Appreciate
1
Torgus3781.50 |
12-15-2020, 11:13 AM | #36 | |
Slow.
3782
Rep 7,151
Posts
Drives: Single Turbo N54 on Meth!
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Boston, MA
|
Quote:
__________________
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
12-15-2020, 11:31 AM | #37 | |
Captain
1067
Rep 944
Posts
Drives: e92 335i, f22 m235i, e30 325is
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: San Diego
|
Quote:
So this is somewhat true, but that being said, running a stage 1 flash is relatively safe as it's a pretty conservative tune. JB4 was one of the original game changers back before we had DME flashing at the level we do today. It was a physical piggyback. They are still going today and have updated their functionality, the current day JB4 has the ability to run in tandem with MHD which gives you the best of both worlds. Eventually down the road, you may want to explore doing this as it'll allow you to take advantage of JB4's failsafes ========================== OP I agree with pretty much everything everyone said, as you can see, its fairly unanimous across the board regarding the typical Bolt on process as well as addressing problem areas. To put your mind somewhat at ease, the n54 is indeed finicky, but it's also become pretty overhyped with notoriety and heresay over the years. It's not an engine to work on for greenthumbs, but if you're mechanically inclined at all, it's not too bad for a BMW. Just make sure you run through and take care of the maintenance items outlined in this thread. FCPEuro is your best friend here Chargepipes - OEM is plastic and at this age likely brittle. Any significant bump in boost/power puts it at risk of blowing Coils - I second Torgus suggestion, go for the Delphi coils that were used in the S55 powered cars. Theyre direct plug and play Plugs Vacuum lines - Likely brittle due to age, common factor in causing the 30FF code due to boost leak Boost Solenoids- Can also trigger 30FF if they're going out, these should be swapped out every 50-60k miles or so Other stuff like the Downpipes, intercooler, intake, etc are fine stock to run a stage 1 tune (assuming theyre in good shape). Upgrading them will allow you to run stage 2 stuff Last edited by ky0u; 01-12-2021 at 04:58 PM.. |
|
Appreciate
1
Torgus3781.50 |
12-15-2020, 11:32 AM | #38 |
Captain
329
Rep 603
Posts |
Can you expound upon that a bit please? PM me if you'd rather that....but it seems as though a serious breakdown of it might also interest the OP. Again, I've been all through the site but most of it seems to be older information on 2 ever evolving tuning solutions. If all that I've found in old posts is still current and accurate information, then I'm good.
I know Justin from Twisted tuning from my Mazda 6 days and reached out to him when I was deciding between an E93 and a corvette as a summer fun car. I left that conversation thinking MHD as I didn't intend to ever replace the twins and stage 1+ seemed as if it'd keep me content. It seems as though it alows me to remotely have the car custom tuned if I did want to push it. I THOUGHT I left the mod bug on the curb in 2012. Wheels and tint are staples and I don't consider them mods....every car got those. But since the day I parked the E93 in the garage I can't stop!! The mod bug is on my back, unshakeable as ever. Now I'm thinking some day I might want to max this thing out, and if so, I'd like to get whichever setup gets me to content for now.....while being capable of reigning fire in the future. |
Appreciate
0
|
12-15-2020, 11:33 AM | #39 | |
Captain
329
Rep 603
Posts |
Quote:
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
12-15-2020, 11:40 AM | #40 | |
Captain
1067
Rep 944
Posts
Drives: e92 335i, f22 m235i, e30 325is
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: San Diego
|
Quote:
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
12-15-2020, 12:50 PM | #42 | |
Captain
578
Rep 603
Posts |
Quote:
My garage is very tight, I can't even open the doors all the way. It's getting cold here so if I DIY I've got to do it soon. Do I need to remove all the stuff this guy removes (at the beginning of the video) to get to all of the plugs/coils and the charge pipe? |
|
Appreciate
0
|
12-15-2020, 01:03 PM | #43 |
Captain
329
Rep 603
Posts |
Charge pipe install only required that I remove the airbox and intake ducts on the bumper. It's the easiest install next to the DCI's for me so far.
|
Appreciate
0
|
12-15-2020, 01:31 PM | #44 | |
Captain
1067
Rep 944
Posts
Drives: e92 335i, f22 m235i, e30 325is
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: San Diego
|
Quote:
If you havent already, would suggest looking into BMS cowl filters. It replaces the top half of that cowl assembly and makes future maintenance much easier |
|
Appreciate
0
|
Bookmarks |
|
|