2006 330i Build Thread

Raimund · 04-18-2022, 11:23 PM

Documenting my build on my 06 330i AT here.

I bought the chassis with a bad engine, and transferred the subframes/transmission from my 06 325, and bought a used N52k with 70k to replace it.

Goal is to build a reliable street car that also does well on the track, and can handle a lot of seat time without issues. I live in Arizona so emphasizing on efficient cooling.

Here is what I've done so far-

Tuning
StageFP custom tune
XHP st3 transmission flash
N2mb wotbox

Engine
MILVS
VTT crank bolt catch
VTT crank seal guard
VTT engine mount inserts
E46 M3 transmission mounts

Intake
N54 intake manifold
N54 throttle body
US airbox with K&N filter, Dinan ram
Ebay intake scoops

Exhaust
AA Replica headers
3" exhaust after 2nd cats

Ignition
Eldor Coil packs
NGK Copper

Cooling/Misc
90/10 Water/Antifreeze +1 bottle Water Wetter
N54 oil cooler retrofit
BMS oil tstat bypass
Ebay BMS rep N54 catch can
CCV delete

Front Suspension
Dinan camber plates on Z4 strut mounts
M3 upper/lower control arms
Megan front strut brace
Koni yellow shocks
Tckline coilover conversion kit
Swift 336lb springs
E90 M3 front sway bar
Whiteline adjustable end links

Rear Suspension
Swift 672lb springs
Rear E46 M3 bump stops
Dinan Rear upper shock mounts
Godspeed rear toe arms
Vwetish diff brace
Whiteline diff/subframe bushings
3,91 differential
335 axles
335 rear knuckles

Braking
335 brake calipers
r1 concepts slotted discs
Bimmerworld brass caliper bushings
Stoptech sport pads
Stoptech SS brake lines
Motorsports hardware stud conversion

Next up on the list is
-Sound deadening removal
-Euro crash bars
-Redo exhaust as a full 3" to the headers
-S65 injectors +E85 remap
-M3 rear camber links +Tckline DA shocks

Thanks for looking

A couple videos
Canyon Driving

Exhaust Clips

Misc Photos

Shout out to Biginboca for showing me how he made his silicone intake piping

hassmaschine · 04-19-2022, 12:15 AM

the only thing you haven't done is a manual swap

Noir · 04-19-2022, 12:28 AM

I love the hood!
Also, 330 gang :,)

Raimund · 04-19-2022, 12:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hassmaschine

the only thing you haven't done is a manual swap

This is true 😁 I have been looking into swapping a ZF6 gen2 or a ZF8 since its the daily traffic car 🙂

Quote:

Originally Posted by Noir

I love the hood!
Also, 330 gang :,)

Thank you 🙂 330 ftw

Biginboca · 04-19-2022, 03:38 AM

Sweet build… love the rims!

neilvan · 04-19-2022, 03:08 PM

Just curious on the 335 rear hubs; I had no idea they were different than the 330 ones.

The axles just bolted right up to the 330 diff?(were they manual or auto axles)

e90yyc · 04-19-2022, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 303bmw

This is true 😁 I have been looking into swapping a ZF6 gen2 or a ZF8 since its the daily traffic car 🙂

Thank you 🙂 330 ftw

If you swap in a ZF8 that will be seriously impressive. I haven’t heard of that being done for obvious reasons.

Regardless, that’s a beautiful build. Very nice work!

Raimund · 04-19-2022, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Biginboca

Sweet build… love the rims!

Thank you 🙂

Quote:

Originally Posted by neilvan

Just curious on the 335 rear hubs; I had no idea they were different than the 330 ones.

The axles just bolted right up to the 330 diff?(were they manual or auto axles)

Yes, axles bolted up to the xi 3,91 diff with no issues.

I am not sure the differences in hubs, I just happened to use a full rear end dropout from a 335 and then used the 3,91 diff.

I believe the 335 was auto

Quote:

Originally Posted by e90yyc

If you swap in a ZF8 that will be seriously impressive. I haven’t heard of that being done for obvious reasons.

Regardless, that’s a beautiful build. Very nice work!

I'll probably end up with a 2nd gen ZF6 unless I come across a sweet deal on a ZF8, but I'm hopeful 🙂 I'm sure I could make a ZF8 work as they came on the F series 528i with the N52.

Raimund · 04-20-2022, 02:05 PM

Most of the sound deadening removed. About two hours of easy work for -14.5lbs lost. No noticeable difference in noise with the carpet still in. Just need to buy some adhesive remover to remove the residue. Still have about 3lbs to remove in the doors.

So far down -152lbs total

For comparison, a Seibon carbon fiber trunk saves 10lbs for about $800

Edit: -17.2 lb total from sound deadening with doors.

Rear section

Front section

Biginboca · 04-20-2022, 06:08 PM

Reimond… great minds think alike

I also had my scale out today and was weighing parts as I took them off! What are the odds lol. I’m reluctant to go after sound deadening as of now I’ve been trying to stay away from anything interior or comfort related… which is really hard to do

Raimund · 04-20-2022, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Biginboca

Reimond… great minds think alike

I also had my scale out today and was weighing parts as I took them off! What are the odds lol. I’m reluctant to go after sound deadening as of now I’ve been trying to stay away from anything interior or comfort related… which is really hard to do

This is true

I had to make my car a little faster after you showed me your dragy time haha.

I have a spreadsheet of all parts I've weighed if you ever need any of the info.

I'm in the same boat as you too, I don't want to fully strip this one like I did the 325. The sound deadening removed with carpeting still in seemed like a good compromise.

BudVlad · 04-21-2022, 02:13 AM

My daily driver and weekend racer E92 weighs 3328 lb (1510 kg). CF hood, plastic fenders and rear seat removed.
I had to use rear 335 wheel carrier and half shafts so I could use brembo calipers. Rest of suspension is from M3 and KW V3 shocks.
My N53b30 with N54 intake, supersprint headers and software modes puts out 297 hp.

Phil325i · 04-21-2022, 07:36 AM

Good work Vlad! I'd love an SS manifold, but sadly they're only available for LHD markets.

Raimund · 04-25-2022, 12:51 AM

Well this happened. Started developing a wobble and went to replace the harmonic damper and the bolts were damaged and three snapped on removal. All other pulleys and belt are in good shape.

Talked to a few other people who had the same thing happen after installing a VTT crank bolt catch. (Installed as extra safety since engine was out and my last engines crank bolt backed out.)

Asked VTT for their opinion and they just said it was fully my error. However I followed their directions and torque specs exactly, so not sure why they backed out.

Good news is the crank is still spinning normally and isn't bent.

So dealing with getting these bolts out before I can do anything else 🙂

Biginboca · 04-25-2022, 04:37 AM

Ugh that looks like a nightmare. Thee isn’t much room to get a drill in there either. What’s your plan? Remove the radiator and drill them out?

It looks like you have a crank seal shield on there also, and the bolt catch has been rubbing it. I wonder if that is part of what caused your issue.

rothwem · 04-25-2022, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 303bmw

This is true 😁 I have been looking into swapping a ZF6 gen2 or a ZF8 since its the daily traffic car 🙂

I'd rather see a DCT swap

Raimund · 08-06-2022, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Biginboca

Ugh that looks like a nightmare. Thee isn’t much room to get a drill in there either. What’s your plan? Remove the radiator and drill them out?

It looks like you have a crank seal shield on there also, and the bolt catch has been rubbing it. I wonder if that is part of what caused your issue.

Had a huge hassle with a local shop over this but long story short I got the crankhub, crank bolts, and harmonic damper replaced and it's all good now.

Raimund · 08-06-2022, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rothwem

I'd rather see a DCT swap

Me too, but it's cost prohibitive. Zf6 2nd gen with xhp st3 is pretty damn quick for much less $$$. Probably near double the shifting speed of the gen1 in my experience with my 335.

Raimund · 08-06-2022, 10:02 PM

Update on the build-
Had a big headache and wallet empty with that crankhub issue and left everything alone for awhile. Finally back to modifying things again. Here's what's new

Scored a free msport front bumper, has some damage and needs a respray

View post on imgur.com

Installed a 3 stage intake manifold after someone asked me to dyno the n54 mani vs 3si with headers/milvs/sfp tune. Ended up leaving it on for a few months now as I'm still waiting for a revision from Bob to get it on the dyno. The low end torque is nice around town but definitely lacking at upper rpm vs the n54 mani.

View post on imgur.com

Slotted strut mounts with a dremel and deburring attachment for an extra -0.3 to -0.5° of camber. Going to run -3.8 camber up front with zero toe. Was at -3.5 and 1/16 total toe.

View post on imgur.com

Fully removed any remaining sound deadening tar with a heat gun and a plastic scraped. Followed up with 3m adhesive remover . This worked much better than the dry ice I used on my last E90. Current weight is around 3260lb no driver.

View post on imgur.com

Some more hidden weight reduction -5lb

View post on imgur.com

Had the exhaust redone. AA headers to oem 2nd cats, oem resonator, 135i n54 muffler. This sounded pretty good, but then I removed the secondary cats and the rasp and smell were pretty bad.

View post on imgur.com

Sound Clips-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fw5eE7q3RJ0&t=6s
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/XU9GBSCNgcI

Going to reinstall 2nd cats and run a magnaflow muffler as it's 17lbs lighter than the 135 one.

Coming up soon-

M3 master cylinder and new brake booster. Master cylinder seal and booster are leaking so replacing with the m3 one for a supposed more linear pedal with shorter travel.

NRW paddle shifters

View post on imgur.com

Also, does anyone know how to upload photos inline with the text on a post without them coming out massive? imgur and then linking the image addres with /img makes it obnoxiously large, and add attachments directly just adds them all to the bottom of the post

tylerhart_21 · 09-26-2022, 07:15 PM

Small suspension question, why the z4 front strut mounts?

Raimund · 09-26-2022, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tylerhart_21

Small suspension question, why the z4 front strut mounts?

The z4 strut mounts are shorter, so they allow more shock travel at any given ride height vs an e90 strut mount.

This is also why most camber plates are designed as short of a stack as possible

tylerhart_21 · 09-26-2022, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 303bmw

Quote:

Originally Posted by tylerhart_21

Small suspension question, why the z4 front strut mounts?

The z4 strut mounts are shorter, so they allow more shock travel at any given ride height vs an e90 strut mount.

This is also why most camber plates are designed as short of a stack as possible

I don't have a good understanding of why you want some more shock travel. Besides going over bumps better. Can you help me understand why adding some more shock travel will be beneficial?

04-18-2022, 11:23 PM	#1
Raimund Private First Class 203 Rep 171 Posts Drives: 06 330i Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Washington iTrader: (0)	2006 330i Build Thread Documenting my build on my 06 330i AT here. I bought the chassis with a bad engine, and transferred the subframes/transmission from my 06 325, and bought a used N52k with 70k to replace it. Goal is to build a reliable street car that also does well on the track, and can handle a lot of seat time without issues. I live in Arizona so emphasizing on efficient cooling. Here is what I've done so far- Tuning StageFP custom tune XHP st3 transmission flash N2mb wotbox Engine MILVS VTT crank bolt catch VTT crank seal guard VTT engine mount inserts E46 M3 transmission mounts Intake N54 intake manifold N54 throttle body US airbox with K&N filter, Dinan ram Ebay intake scoops Exhaust AA Replica headers 3" exhaust after 2nd cats Ignition Eldor Coil packs NGK Copper Cooling/Misc 90/10 Water/Antifreeze +1 bottle Water Wetter N54 oil cooler retrofit BMS oil tstat bypass Ebay BMS rep N54 catch can CCV delete Front Suspension Dinan camber plates on Z4 strut mounts M3 upper/lower control arms Megan front strut brace Koni yellow shocks Tckline coilover conversion kit Swift 336lb springs E90 M3 front sway bar Whiteline adjustable end links Rear Suspension Swift 672lb springs Rear E46 M3 bump stops Dinan Rear upper shock mounts Godspeed rear toe arms Vwetish diff brace Whiteline diff/subframe bushings 3,91 differential 335 axles 335 rear knuckles Braking 335 brake calipers r1 concepts slotted discs Bimmerworld brass caliper bushings Stoptech sport pads Stoptech SS brake lines Motorsports hardware stud conversion Next up on the list is -Sound deadening removal -Euro crash bars -Redo exhaust as a full 3" to the headers -S65 injectors +E85 remap -M3 rear camber links +Tckline DA shocks Thanks for looking A couple videos Canyon Driving Exhaust Clips Misc Photos Shout out to Biginboca for showing me how he made his silicone intake piping __________________ I don't check PM, DM me on Instagram @rai_n52 22RPD Vendor - 2006 330i - N54 Intake Manifold l N54 Throttle Body l Gruppe-M Intake l MILVS l 22RPD E85 Tune l S65 Injectors l HZ Racing Headers l TCKLINE SA Coilovers l M3 Front Arms l VWETISH Diff Brace l 3,91 Differential Last edited by Raimund; 04-18-2022 at 11:40 PM..
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04-19-2022, 12:15 AM	#2
hassmaschine Major General 3966 Rep 7,215 Posts Drives: "NBO" 330i Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: earth iTrader: (0)	the only thing you haven't done is a manual swap
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04-19-2022, 12:28 AM	#3
Noir Major 883 Rep 1,413 Posts Drives: 2006 E90 330i 6MT Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: San Antonio iTrader: (1)	I love the hood! Also, 330 gang :,) __________________ See you, space cowboy. *Supercharged*
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04-19-2022, 03:38 AM	#5
Biginboca Colonel 3764 Rep 2,738 Posts Drives: 2009 E92 328i 6MT Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Boynton Beach, FL... USA iTrader: (3)	Sweet build… love the rims! __________________ My E92 328csl Build Thread My 328csl Instagram Page
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04-19-2022, 03:08 PM	#6
neilvan Major 858 Rep 1,363 Posts Drives: 09 E90 335i M-Sport 6MT RWD Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Ontario, Canada iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 BMW E61 530xi [0.00] 1993 Mazda Miata [0.00] 2009 BMW E90 335i [0.00]	Just curious on the 335 rear hubs; I had no idea they were different than the 330 ones. The axles just bolted right up to the 330 diff?(were they manual or auto axles)
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04-20-2022, 02:05 PM	#9
Raimund Private First Class 203 Rep 171 Posts Drives: 06 330i Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Washington iTrader: (0)	Most of the sound deadening removed. About two hours of easy work for -14.5lbs lost. No noticeable difference in noise with the carpet still in. Just need to buy some adhesive remover to remove the residue. Still have about 3lbs to remove in the doors. So far down -152lbs total For comparison, a Seibon carbon fiber trunk saves 10lbs for about $800 Edit: -17.2 lb total from sound deadening with doors. Rear section Front section __________________ I don't check PM, DM me on Instagram @rai_n52 22RPD Vendor - 2006 330i - N54 Intake Manifold l N54 Throttle Body l Gruppe-M Intake l MILVS l 22RPD E85 Tune l S65 Injectors l HZ Racing Headers l TCKLINE SA Coilovers l M3 Front Arms l VWETISH Diff Brace l 3,91 Differential Last edited by Raimund; 04-22-2022 at 02:07 PM..
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04-20-2022, 06:08 PM	#10
Biginboca Colonel 3764 Rep 2,738 Posts Drives: 2009 E92 328i 6MT Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Boynton Beach, FL... USA iTrader: (3)	Reimond… great minds think alike I also had my scale out today and was weighing parts as I took them off! What are the odds lol. I’m reluctant to go after sound deadening as of now I’ve been trying to stay away from anything interior or comfort related… which is really hard to do __________________ My E92 328csl Build Thread My 328csl Instagram Page
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04-21-2022, 02:13 AM	#12
BudVlad Old Geezer 360 Rep 1,193 Posts Drives: 08 E92 N53B30 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Budweis iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 E92 N53B30 [10.00]	My daily driver and weekend racer E92 weighs 3328 lb (1510 kg). CF hood, plastic fenders and rear seat removed. I had to use rear 335 wheel carrier and half shafts so I could use brembo calipers. Rest of suspension is from M3 and KW V3 shocks. My N53b30 with N54 intake, supersprint headers and software modes puts out 297 hp. __________________
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04-21-2022, 07:36 AM	#13
Phil325i Brigadier General 616 Rep 3,194 Posts Drives: E92 325i MSport Coupe Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: UK South East iTrader: (1) Garage List 2009 BMW 325i Coupe [6.00]	Good work Vlad! I'd love an SS manifold, but sadly they're only available for LHD markets. __________________ E92 pre-LCI 325i - Ohlins R&T; H&R spacers; M3 strut brace; Swift thrust sheets; 3 x chassis braces; diff brace; N53 V-brace; 034 subframe inserts; BMS clutch stop; BMS CDV; RE g/box mounts; Delrin shift bushes; Saikoumichi OCC; Cyba scoops; BMW Perf Exhaust; HEL s/steel brake hoses; M3 rear spoiler; Recaro Sportster CSs; M3 white dash LEDs; LED Angels; LED side repeaters; BMW Perf black grille; CSL reps; SSDD carbon diffuser; Monster Wrap black roof/clear front
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04-25-2022, 12:51 AM	#14
Raimund Private First Class 203 Rep 171 Posts Drives: 06 330i Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Washington iTrader: (0)	Well this happened. Started developing a wobble and went to replace the harmonic damper and the bolts were damaged and three snapped on removal. All other pulleys and belt are in good shape. Talked to a few other people who had the same thing happen after installing a VTT crank bolt catch. (Installed as extra safety since engine was out and my last engines crank bolt backed out.) Asked VTT for their opinion and they just said it was fully my error. However I followed their directions and torque specs exactly, so not sure why they backed out. Good news is the crank is still spinning normally and isn't bent. So dealing with getting these bolts out before I can do anything else 🙂 Attached Images __________________ I don't check PM, DM me on Instagram @rai_n52 22RPD Vendor - 2006 330i - N54 Intake Manifold l N54 Throttle Body l Gruppe-M Intake l MILVS l 22RPD E85 Tune l S65 Injectors l HZ Racing Headers l TCKLINE SA Coilovers l M3 Front Arms l VWETISH Diff Brace l 3,91 Differential
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04-25-2022, 04:37 AM	#15
Biginboca Colonel 3764 Rep 2,738 Posts Drives: 2009 E92 328i 6MT Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Boynton Beach, FL... USA iTrader: (3)	Ugh that looks like a nightmare. Thee isn’t much room to get a drill in there either. What’s your plan? Remove the radiator and drill them out? It looks like you have a crank seal shield on there also, and the bolt catch has been rubbing it. I wonder if that is part of what caused your issue. __________________ My E92 328csl Build Thread My 328csl Instagram Page
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08-06-2022, 10:02 PM	#19
Raimund Private First Class 203 Rep 171 Posts Drives: 06 330i Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Washington iTrader: (0)	Update Update on the build- Had a big headache and wallet empty with that crankhub issue and left everything alone for awhile. Finally back to modifying things again. Here's what's new Scored a free msport front bumper, has some damage and needs a respray View post on imgur.com Installed a 3 stage intake manifold after someone asked me to dyno the n54 mani vs 3si with headers/milvs/sfp tune. Ended up leaving it on for a few months now as I'm still waiting for a revision from Bob to get it on the dyno. The low end torque is nice around town but definitely lacking at upper rpm vs the n54 mani. View post on imgur.com Slotted strut mounts with a dremel and deburring attachment for an extra -0.3 to -0.5° of camber. Going to run -3.8 camber up front with zero toe. Was at -3.5 and 1/16 total toe. View post on imgur.com View post on imgur.com Fully removed any remaining sound deadening tar with a heat gun and a plastic scraped. Followed up with 3m adhesive remover . This worked much better than the dry ice I used on my last E90. Current weight is around 3260lb no driver. View post on imgur.com Some more hidden weight reduction -5lb View post on imgur.com View post on imgur.com Had the exhaust redone. AA headers to oem 2nd cats, oem resonator, 135i n54 muffler. This sounded pretty good, but then I removed the secondary cats and the rasp and smell were pretty bad. View post on imgur.com Sound Clips- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fw5eE7q3RJ0&t=6s https://www.youtube.com/shorts/XU9GBSCNgcI Going to reinstall 2nd cats and run a magnaflow muffler as it's 17lbs lighter than the 135 one. Coming up soon- M3 master cylinder and new brake booster. Master cylinder seal and booster are leaking so replacing with the m3 one for a supposed more linear pedal with shorter travel. NRW paddle shifters View post on imgur.com Also, does anyone know how to upload photos inline with the text on a post without them coming out massive? imgur and then linking the image addres with /img makes it obnoxiously large, and add attachments directly just adds them all to the bottom of the post __________________ I don't check PM, DM me on Instagram @rai_n52 22RPD Vendor - 2006 330i - N54 Intake Manifold l N54 Throttle Body l Gruppe-M Intake l MILVS l 22RPD E85 Tune l S65 Injectors l HZ Racing Headers l TCKLINE SA Coilovers l M3 Front Arms l VWETISH Diff Brace l 3,91 Differential Last edited by Raimund; 08-06-2022 at 10:29 PM..
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09-26-2022, 07:15 PM	#20
tylerhart_21 Private First Class 34 Rep 181 Posts Drives: 2008 Bmw 328i Coupe Join Date: Feb 2020 Location: North Carolina iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 Bmw 328i [0.00]	Small suspension question, why the z4 front strut mounts?
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