[TheGoodTheBadTheUgly]

Originally Posted by bimmerfan1972

MHD looks a lot easier than JB4. No opening the ECU box. What has your experience been? Have you used JB4? How do they compare?

Side note, looks like I can get a good power boost with what I have done so far, just the intercooler. I'll get charge pipe soon, leave downpipes for later. Spring maybe, looks like a lot of work, and not an easy install. Not that the FMIC was

I have never used JB4. All that wiring hassle is just not for me. I went straight with MHD and it works good.

They both have their own advantages but in the end they are both good.

If you plan on implementing a tune soon, you should also consider to get the charge pipe urgently because the extra PSi from the tunes will break the stock one.

Like a saying we have in french: Vaut mieux prévenir que guérir.

[Tiago@VRSF]

Originally Posted by starbuck

Regarding intercooler, I went with the Stepped 5" VRSF.

I've seen so many topics like this, and I do think the information out there is confusing - especially because some of the models have gone through finpack revisions. Some of the testing data on retailer sites are from previous revisions which can be very inaccurate if looking at the latest revision. I bought the updated stepped 5" that I haven't found much data on, though the previous revision had data to indicate 11 degree increase post 3rd gear pull. When I do a 3rd gear pull, my temp actually drops 2 to 3 degrees.

I'm FBO on a custom Eurocharged tune with a PS1 about to go in.

Thanks for the support! The newest 5" Performance HD will drop temps on a third gear pull and will only increase temps about 5-6 degrees through both third and fourth gear combined. I'm happy to say it's reached it's final design

[bimmerfan1972]

Tiago@VRSF
I'm planning on getting the VRSF charge pipe this week. Assuming it will hook up easily to the VRSF 5" intercooler I just installed? n55 e92

[Tiago@VRSF]

Originally Posted by bimmerfan1972

Tiago@VRSF
I'm planning on getting the VRSF charge pipe this week. Assuming it will hook up easily to the VRSF 5" intercooler I just installed? n55 e92

It will bolt right up

[bimmerfan1972]

Originally Posted by Tiago@VRSF

It will bolt right up

Just want to make sure before I order. This is the one I need for my car, I won't be doing injection. So I want the one with no BOV for my n55 right?

https://www.vr-speed.com/vrsf-charge...i-n54-n55.html

[Tiago@VRSF]

Here's a direct link to the one you need. No BOV flange or BOV with the N55

https://www.vr-speed.com/vrsf-charge...nge=n55-flange

[bimmerfan1972]

Ordered! Thank you. Once my back heals from wrestling with that intercooler I will look at downpipes.

[TheGoodTheBadTheUgly]

Originally Posted by bimmerfan1972

Ordered! Thank you. Once my back heals from wrestling with that intercooler I will look at downpipes.

Sorry to be so negative but downpipe will break your back, especially on xDrive. 1 word: Disgusting.

[bimmerfan1972]

I've watched some videos. I'm already dreading it. But also looking forward to the results.

[starbuck]

Bro, for this job on my xdrive...I just paid a shop to do it. It wasnt that expensive and avoids the pain I've heard from other on this one

[TheGoodTheBadTheUgly]

If you have the money just bring it to a shop. It was a very infuriating experience

[NRigs]

Originally Posted by starbuck

Bro, for this job on my xdrive...I just paid a shop to do it. It wasnt that expensive and avoids the pain I've heard from other on this one

depending on your mileage and where you live in the US, your O2 sensors may be fused into the OEM cat. The person who installed mine had to torch the O2 sensors out. Because there was so much heat, something broke in one of the O2 sensors so I had to bring it back to another shop to replace.

[bimmerfan1972]

Wow, Ok thanks for the warnings all. I'll get the charge pipe in this weekend give the DPs some thought.

[TheGoodTheBadTheUgly]

Yeah well I torched my O2 out of the cat but it was cross threaded so I had to replace it with the Bosch universal wideband O2 sensor. It was just an annoying part on top of all that job but defenetly the hardest and most infuriating part is the stupid V-band clamp.

[bimmerfan1972]

Got the charge pipe in. Have a few questions.

1. There was oil in my charge pipe, the old intercooler, and the sensor on the charge pipe. Does that mean I need an oil catch can?

2. At the end of an acceleration run, I hear a whistle coming from the engine. I hear it at the end of the run, when I let off the gas. I have read that could be the turbo and could be normal or indicate a problem, or a loose hose connection. I tightened all of the hose connections yesterday, so I don't think that's it. I have the BMS air cabin air filters, so could it be that I'm just hearing it now?

[TunafishE93]

That much oil in there on the N55 indicates that valve cover needs replaced.. The N55 shouldn't need a oil can like the N54.

Noise could be a million things, how's your logs look?

[bimmerfan1972]

Thanks for the advice on the valve cover. I'll do it in a few weeks and just knock out plugs, wires, etc.
I have not done any logging yet. Going to buy the MHD add-on and will post back here with results.

[TheGoodTheBadTheUgly]

Actually a bit of oil in the charge pipe isn't that alarming at all. It is normal to have a bit in the intercooler connection and charge pipe because of the oil blow-by. As long as it's not a big amount it's normal. But if it was starting to accumulate and becoming a puddle, at that point you have a problem.

[bimmerfan1972]

Nah, it's not a lot. Enough to notice, but I don't think it's major.

[bimmerfan1972]

Since I can't seem to get motivated at work I've been scouring the internet all day and taking pics of my car. Anyway, I found a good article which explains the turbo system and includes several good tips. One of which is to explain a few ways that oil can get into the intercooler and pipes/boots.

https://www.mishimoto.com/engineerin...piping-system/

[bimmerfan1972]

Ok, so I'm indecisive about which downpipes to get. On one hand, I don't want the smell and emissions inspection issues of catless, on the other hand I hear that catted might run into the same problem with inspection. Also, catted are a lot more expensive.

Question is: with the mods that I have done, 5" FMIC, charge pipe, 1 step colder plugs, would it blow up my car to go to MHD stage 2 or stage 2+?

[TheGoodTheBadTheUgly]

Originally Posted by bimmerfan1972

Ok, so I'm indecisive about which downpipes to get. On one hand, I don't want the smell and emissions inspection issues of catless, on the other hand I hear that catted might run into the same problem with inspection. Also, catted are a lot more expensive.

Question is: with the mods that I have done, 5" FMIC, charge pipe, 1 step colder plugs, would it blow up my car to go to MHD stage 2 or stage 2+?

I think that at Stage 2 and Stage 2+ levels, stock turbos are already being put under bigger stresses by generating more PSi. By working so hard and retaining the same small outlet flow of the stock downpipe, the extra back pressure that will be applied to the turbo (that is already working way above it's base designed targets and capacities), will put more stress and wear on the turbine.

Upgrading the downpipe is essential to allow the turbo to work at full effiency at these boost levels by making it easier for the exhaust gasses to be direrected away from the turbo.

It is doable to run stock downpipe with these tunes but I don't think it's logical nor worth to put your turbo in that situation. It cos go terribly wrong.