[tomasp001]

Greetings all,

I recently got my first vehicle, an '08 E90 335i AT Trans as a daily driver. Need help planning my build. I am currently still on the maintenance phase as the old owner neglected this car. Bought at 128k kms. GOAL = 500whp (limitation cause of my trans and reliability reasons). Please let me know what I need to upgrade (turbos, HPFP, LPFP, etc) to get to my goal reliably

What's been done:

New Batt (coded and registered)
Brand New Index 12 injectors.
New coils, New plugs (2-step colder)
New gaskets, (Oil filter housing[was sweating], Intake manifold, Valve cover)
Walnut blasted
New Trans pan with new Trans fluid. (was sweating)
New oil (Liqui Moly 5W-40)
New power steering fluid.
New rear ball joint and lower rearward control arm (was squeaking)

Purchased and waiting on "500hp N54 kit" from BMS with BMS OCC and BOV throttlebody adapter.
Purchased and waiting on VRSF Catless DP and Street exhaust.

There are some limitations that I will list here for my build.

1. No e85. (Im in Canada, no e85 at pump) (idk whether meth injection either at port or throttlebody or race gas is better/cheaper) if it's possible to hit 500whp on pump gas PLEASE LET ME KNOW HOW.
2. Reliability.
3. Comfort features must stay (as it is my daily driver, that means no weight reduction as I need my rear seats, A/C... etc.)

[NoGuru]

500hp you pretty much need upgraded turbos. While it's possible on stockers it's just not a good idea.
Fuel is going to be your other hurdle. Without E85 you probably want to do Meth.

[mweisdorfer]

Oil pan gasket?

Transmission solenoids & new Megatronic sleeves?

To hit 500hp you'll need:

1) MHD w/ custom tune
2) stage 2 turbos
3) 5 or 7" FMIC
4) downpipes
5) upgraded airbox or cones
6) inlets & outlets
7) stage 2 LPFP

[tomasp001]

Originally Posted by NoGuru

500hp you pretty much need upgraded turbos. While it's possible on stockers it's just not a good idea.
Fuel is going to be your other hurdle. Without E85 you probably want to do Meth.

Do you reckon Meth would be cheaper than race gas?

A question about turbos. Researched that the AT trans does not like Torque. would it be beneficial for me to get a single turbo kit? as I heard it hits at the higher end of the RPM range. Or it's just a waste of money since I can't use the ST to it's full potential?

[tomasp001]

Originally Posted by mweisdorfer

Oil pan gasket?

Transmission solenoids & new Megatronic sleeves?

To hit 500hp you'll need:

1) MHD w/ custom tune
2) stage 2 turbos
3) 5 or 7" FMIC
4) downpipes
5) upgraded airbox or cones
6) inlets & outlets
7) stage 2 LPFP

Oil pan gasket is not leaking (yet). Trans Solenoids and sleeves were not replaced. (Do I have to?)

The "n54 500hp kit" by BMS gets me to FBO with a 5" FMIC and JB4 except for DPs which I went with VRSF with an exhaust.

I should wait to upgrade my turbos then before I install inlets and outlets right?

and for the LPFP... Do I have to upgrade it even though there isn't any E85 readily available? (Thinking about meth injection instead as stated by a reply)

[Unknown_Car]

Originally Posted by tomasp001

Oil pan gasket is not leaking (yet). Trans Solenoids and sleeves were not replaced. (Do I have to?)

The "n54 500hp kit" by BMS gets me to FBO with a 5" FMIC and JB4 except for DPs which I went with VRSF with an exhaust.

I should wait to upgrade my turbos then before I install inlets and outlets right?

and for the LPFP... Do I have to upgrade it even though there isn't any E85 readily available? (Thinking about meth injection instead as stated by a reply)

You might as well take of the lpfp completely off lol and you will still make 500whp. If you don't want to upgrade.

[tomasp001]

Originally Posted by Roma_335i

You might as well take of the lpfp completely off lol and you will still make 500whp. If you don't want to upgrade.

It's not that I don't want to upgrade... that's why I am planning this build. its about, is it "necessary". As I cannot get my hands on ethanol here in Canada when I need it. If i want to go the Ethanol route I would have to buy it by the barrel and wait for 5-10 business days for shipping as it ships from Alberta (another province).

[Unknown_Car]

If I was you I would buy the barrel of e85. It will be much easier and safer to get to 500whp. Unless you want to upgrade your turbos. I would not use meth I know way to many bad stories.

[mweisdorfer]

Originally Posted by tomasp001

Oil pan gasket is not leaking (yet). Trans Solenoids and sleeves were not replaced. (Do I have to?)

The "n54 500hp kit" by BMS gets me to FBO with a 5" FMIC and JB4 except for DPs which I went with VRSF with an exhaust.

I should wait to upgrade my turbos then before I install inlets and outlets right?

and for the LPFP... Do I have to upgrade it even though there isn't any E85 readily available? (Thinking about meth injection instead as stated by a reply)

Oil pan gasket is not leaking (yet). Trans Solenoids and sleeves were not replaced. (Do I have to?)

You said you had a concern about the transmission; at 500hp, I'd want the AT to be in tip top shape, especially if you installed xHp.

I should wait to upgrade my turbos then before I install inlets and outlets right?

That depends on who you go through and what stage 2 turbos you get. RB & Pure tend to be the top rated ones. Some stage 2 turbos can use 1.75" inlets.

and for the LPFP... Do I have to upgrade it even though there isn't any E85 readily available? (Thinking about meth injection instead as stated by a reply)

Stage 2 turbos will demand more fuel. An OEM LPFP most likely won't be able to keep up with stage 2 turbos at 500hp. So, even though you won't fully utilize the benefits of a stage 2 LPFP with e85, it's still a really good idea proactively speaking.

[tomasp001]

Originally Posted by mweisdorfer

Oil pan gasket is not leaking (yet). Trans Solenoids and sleeves were not replaced. (Do I have to?)

You said you had a concern about the transmission; at 500hp, I'd want the AT to be in tip top shape, especially if you installed xHp.

I should wait to upgrade my turbos then before I install inlets and outlets right?

That depends on who you go through and what stage 2 turbos you get. RB & Pure tend to be the top rated ones. Some stage 2 turbos can use 1.75" inlets.

and for the LPFP... Do I have to upgrade it even though there isn't any E85 readily available? (Thinking about meth injection instead as stated by a reply)

Stage 2 turbos will demand more fuel. An OEM LPFP most likely won't be able to keep up with stage 2 turbos at 500hp. So, even though you won't fully utilize the benefits of an LPFP with e85, it's still a really good idea proactively speaking.

You are right, thank you so much for your insight. I will take your advice with the mechatronics sleeve, Will service that ASAP (no xHP yet). I've researched on both those brands for Upgraded twins. Will probably go with an upgraded inlet and outlet as well. and I will upgrade my LPFP to stage 2.

Last question, I heard engines dont like torque would you advice going big single( as the boost hits at the top end) for daily use or no?

[tomasp001]

Originally Posted by Roma_335i

If I was you I would buy the barrel of e85. It will be much easier and safer to get to 500whp. Unless you want to upgrade your turbos. I would not use meth I know way to many bad stories.

Thank you for your insight. I will now rethink my options as a user replied for me to upgrade my LPFP to stage 2 and my turbos.. So I believe the cheaper route would be to get the barrel so I can use the LPFP to its full potential.

[Unknown_Car]

Originally Posted by tomasp001

Thank you for your insight. I will now rethink my options as a user replied for me to upgrade my LPFP to stage 2 and my turbos.. So I believe the cheaper route would be to get the barrel so I can use the LPFP to its full potential.

Yes definitely go with stage 2 lpfp. If you will get e85 no need to upgrade the turbos unless they are going out. Before I went single turbo I used to push 26psi on my stucks with e60 mix for 2 years and they did hold up just fine. You will need inlets and outlets as well to get to 500 +/- whp.

[BM3Rrrr]

I was curious to see what this "so called" 500hp kit included from BMS.
After looking it up I was sadly disappointed.

JB4 Performance Tuner $479.00
JB4 Mobile Connect Kit $140.00
BMS Chargepipe with authentic Tial Blow Off Valve $389.00
BMS Dual Cone Intake (Red Filters) $95.00
BMS Replacement High Performance Intercooler $329.00
Fuel-IT Stage1 Fuel Pump Upgrade $169.00
NGK 2STEP Colder Plug Change Kit with BMS Gapping Tool & Socket $129.00

The only thing out of that kit I may have purchased was the DCI's and even then the stock airbox with a high flow filter would work just as well for your power goals

Your money could have been spent better elsewhere unfortunately......
Like stated already from mweisdorfer this is what you should have purchased:

1) MHD w/ custom tune
2) stage 2 turbos
3) 5 or 7" FMIC
4) downpipes
5) upgraded airbox or cones
6) inlets & outlets
7) stage 2 LPFP

[mweisdorfer]

Stock turbos, especially ones over 100,000 miles don't like 500hp

[mweisdorfer]

Originally Posted by tomasp001

You are right, thank you so much for your insight. I will take your advice with the mechatronics sleeve, Will service that ASAP (no xHP yet). I've researched on both those brands for Upgraded twins. Will probably go with an upgraded inlet and outlet as well. and I will upgrade my LPFP to stage 2.

Last question, I heard engines dont like torque would you advice going big single( as the boost hits at the top end) for daily use or no?

A single turbo for a DD? I personally wouldn't unless I intended to make well over 600-650hp and track the car. The stock tranny is pretty stout and can handle a lot of torque. A single turbo might require you to alter the tranny though.

[mweisdorfer]

Do you live near the US border? Can you take a 5 gallon empty gas can over the border, fill it with e85 , put it in your trunk & cross back over into Canada?

With a stage 2 LPFP, it would be fun just to run e85 in it once in a great while...

[tomasp001]

Originally Posted by mweisdorfer

Do you live near the US border? Can you take a 5 gallon empty gas can over the border, fill it with e85 , put it in your trunk & cross back over into Canada?

With a stage 2 LPFP, it would be fun just to run e85 in it once in a great while...

Unfortunately not, the closest state near my location is Michigan, 5 hour drive. I think the safe bet is buying e85 from "Mike" from N54tuning. He sells it by the 30G Drum and he ships near me. But again, I am still on the maintenance phase so I will sort my maintenance out first, before I start installing what I bought. lol. Thanks so much for your help! +rep!

[mweisdorfer]

Originally Posted by tomasp001

Unfortunately not, the closest state near my location is Michigan, 5 hour drive. I think the safe bet is buying e85 from "Mike" from N54tuning. He sells it by the 30G Drum and he ships near me. But again, I am still on the maintenance phase so I will sort my maintenance out first, before I start installing what I bought. lol. Thanks so much for your help! +rep!

No problem. You can get all the trans fluid out of the torque converter via the hot trans cooler line. Just disconnect it after you put a fresh, pan filter on.

Fill the pan till it starts to pour out the fill hole and put the fill plug in.

You will need the special key to disconnect the hydraulic line on the transcooler.

CTA Tools 3466 BMW Power Steering and Transmission Line Disconnect Tool https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009VI9P62..._TJvtEbXKXAER3

Turn the car on & let 3qts of trans fluid empty into a separate container. It should be rather dirty.

Fill up the filter pan and repeat the process about 3 to 4x. You will notice the fluid that comes out, on the 3rd time, will be a lot redder than the first time.

You will need about 12 qts of transmission fluid to do this, but you will have 100% new fluid in your tranny.

If you do this, plus replace the various megatronic sleeves & the solenoids, you shouldn't have any issues with the tranny at 500hp on xHp stage 2 or 3.

[nissubaru]

The difference between 400whp and 500whp on these cars is fairly significant. I think a lot of people get it in their minds that they're gonna buy an N54, slap on dps, an intercooler and a tune and crank up the boost and bam they're at 500whp. If you had E85 in your area then it might be a different story and we'd be suggesting inlets with a custom tune running 20+ psi.

My recommendation would be to just start accepting the fact that your car will make more like 400whp. Otherwise it's time to open your wallet and upgrade turbos and fueling. You can run meth if you want to squeeze out a few more HP but a simple meth failure can blow your motor. Personally I don't like to play with fire.

[Rule1977]

Originally Posted by nissubaru

The difference between 400whp and 500whp on these cars is fairly significant. I think a lot of people get it in their minds that they're gonna buy an N54, slap on dps, an intercooler and a tune and crank up the boost and bam they're at 500whp. If you had E85 in your area then it might be a different story and we'd be suggesting inlets with a custom tune running 20+ psi.

My recommendation would be to just start accepting the fact that your car will make more like 400whp. Otherwise it's time to open your wallet and upgrade turbos and fueling. You can run meth if you want to squeeze out a few more HP but a simple meth failure can blow your motor. Personally I don't like to play with fire.

+1

[tomasp001]

Originally Posted by nissubaru

The difference between 400whp and 500whp on these cars is fairly significant. I think a lot of people get it in their minds that they're gonna buy an N54, slap on dps, an intercooler and a tune and crank up the boost and bam they're at 500whp. If you had E85 in your area then it might be a different story and we'd be suggesting inlets with a custom tune running 20+ psi.

My recommendation would be to just start accepting the fact that your car will make more like 400whp. Otherwise it's time to open your wallet and upgrade turbos and fueling. You can run meth if you want to squeeze out a few more HP but a simple meth failure can blow your motor. Personally I don't like to play with fire.

This is why exactly im planning my build! I would like to know enthusiasts opinions about my goal! Whether if it's possible or not? or how hard is it for me to get to my goal? given my limitations. Thank you for your input, I'll take it into consideration.

[nissubaru]

Originally Posted by tomasp001

This is why exactly im planning my build! I would like to know enthusiasts opinions about my goal! Whether if it's possible or not? or how hard is it for me to get to my goal? given my limitations. Thank you for your input, I'll take it into consideration.

The good news is that you aren't really losing out on much if you build your car to 400whp levels and then decide you want to go bigger in the future. That means dual cone intake or inlets, downpipes, intercooler and a charge pipe/BOV setup. As stated by others you're gonna need upgraded twins/single turbo kit, fueling (port injection), inlets and a custom tune to get over 500whp reliably but you aren't throwing anything away that you previously installed.

What's it cost like $1000 or so for the charge pipe, dci, downpipe and intercooler? Get a custom tune or buy the MHD Stage 2+ tune pack and run it like that for a while. If not enough power for you then you can always start saving up for the 500+whp goal. But do realize you're probably looking at another $3000 in mods. Not to mention when you get near 500WHP the stock DMFW will begin to cause misfires in the upper RPM range so you'll want to upgrade to a SMFW and something like a Stage 2+ or Stage 3 clutch. Some people might like it or don't care but I think my SMFW is pretty annoying. They're quite loud compared to stock. But that would probably cost you another $1000-1500.

And then I'd have to ask if you plan on doing any of the work yourself? If not get ready to pay even more money lol It's a pretty cheap platform if you just wanna go FBO but after that things cost a lot more money.