[e90pilot]

Update 3: As some of you already know, I have Active Autowerke's software installed on my 325i. Drivability issues have been completely eliminated and it no longer knocks. When I first drove it, it felt faster. I just got back from Dynospot Racing in San Jose again and the numbers confirm my initial impressions. I don't have the file yet but I do have a print out. The car makes 210 hp @6200 rpm and 202 ft-lbs tq @2750 rpm. 175 ft-lbs tq are available at 1500rpm and doesn't really drop off until 6000 rpm. Since I have the 3-stage manifold there are torque peaks at 2750 and 4000 rpm. And remember, I have 150,000 miles on my car! Considering that I think I finally have a working 3-stage manifold swap with all the kinks worked out. It would be nice to get a stock 330 on the same dyno I used to see how far off I really am.

For more information on the AA tune please visit www.activeautowerke.com or PM Viral @ Active Autowerke username: Active Autowerke III.

DIY for intake manifold swap available here: http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=455180

Here's a scan of the dyno print out:


Update for 1/3/528i owners! Check out this thread: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=381371

Update 2: I'm getting another tune for my car except this time it will be custom tuned on a dyno. Many thanks to Craven 328 for bringing this tune to e90post. Saturday May 15 is the big day so stay tuned!

Update 3: This dyno has been floating around for a while but I thought I'd post it here to. This is the before and after dyno charts after I the Gintani tune.



Many people have speculated over weather it was possible to convert a 325i to a 330i. I can safely say I have done it rather successfully. First I'd like to thank Dyno Spot Racing in San Jose, CA for fitting me in their schedule the same day I called them.

Here are the main differences in the 330i and 325i:

Intake Manifold
Exhaust Resonator
Exhaust Muffler
Engine Software

The 325i has provisions in the software for moving the valves in the 330i manifold but does not take advantage of its effects. Here are the parts you need:

11617559523 Intake Manifold
11617559530 Vent Hose
11617579114 Adjustor Unit
11617560538 Adjustor Unit 2
11617547242 Gasket set
11617535849 x5 Screw 50x20
11617535850 x2 Screw 50x35
11617535851 x1 Screw 50x66

It's about $900 for all this stuff and about 2.5hrs of labor to install it. It is DIYable as well.

And now for the main event! Here are the dyno runs. The first pic shows atmospheric conditions and the second pic shows max values. You can see the three stage intake manifold in action by looking at the torque curve. At about 3200 rpm and 4400rpm you can see the torque drop and rise quickly. These are the points at which the DISA valves open up. As each valve opens, the torque rises sharply.





So 210 HP and 187 ft-lbs of torque to the wheels on the best HP run. With an 18% drivetrain loss, that puts me at 256HP and 228 ft-lbs of torque at the flywheel which is right on the money for a 330i. Keep in mind two things: the 325i has a more restricted exhaust and I have 127,000 mi on my car. I think there is more HP in the engine. A cold air intake and exhaust will definatly help the HP numbers at the cost of torque. Those of you with the PBX might have to ditch the box. The engine software may not be compatible with it but I don't know for sure.

[Alexander]

Thank you sir! You just answered everybody's question.

Nice write up too.

[spdy330]

[c_jeong89]

damn nice!

[Second325]

Finally someone got a definitive answer on this! Thanks for following through Marcelo.

Do let us know what the group cost will be from PowerChips. If the price stays the same I'm sure they will get a ton of orders. I'll be calling next week in fact since that is all I need to finish up my car. I assume they fixed the driveability issues with the latest tune?

[e90pilot]

Powerchip just got back to me; they've adjusted my software to solve the throttle issues. The software now costs $990. Ouch... They might be able to bring it down, but I have to talk to the US point of contact. Active Auto Werks has a chip for about $500 as well. I talked to them a few days ago and they said they could install 330i software on the 325i.

[Classycali]

congrats! very impressive, I didn't think anyone would get it done. How does it feel? was it worth the wait, money, and time?

I am going to order the parts first... hopefully the the chip comes down in price from 990. is this all diyourself-able? even the chip/software?
Thanks for paving the way for us 325ers!

[e90pilot]

It's definitly worth it. $2000 for about 30 whp isn't too bad. It could be more in other cars because of my mileage. I've actually had the software installed since October and I've had the manifold installed since December. I just didn't get around to dynoing it until recently. It's a pretty siginificant jump in power and really obvious.

[jaceaholic]

wow that is nice.. and nice write up..

[BMW269]

Nice. I would prefere BMW M to tune for the M1 the NA N52 engine than the FI N55 engine.

[bavarian19]

[E90RYANJB]

Nice!

[robbiec]

Marcel-
So do you have the updated software to address your part throttle issues? How is the driveability?

[USC2000]

Definitely interested in this. Will you be posting a DIY for the parts install?

[tolkino]

This is very exciting, Congratulations!

[e90pilot]

Originally Posted by robbiec

Marcel-
So do you have the updated software to address your part throttle issues? How is the driveability?

I don't have it installed as of yet. The have an engineer in my area that can install it for me next week. As of now it still has part throttle issues but full throttle and no throttle is fine.

Originally Posted by USC2000

Definitely interested in this. Will you be posting a DIY for the parts install?

Unfortunately, I had someone else install it for me, so I won't be posting a DIY. You might be able it figure it out as there are only a few bolts and two electrical connectors. The 325i has dummy plugs on the side of its intake manifold that control the DISA valves. The one closest to the front of the car controls the low speed valve and the other controls the high speed one. I just don't know which valve is which though. One is much smaller than the other and the pictures from the sticky thread that explains it all are broken.

[FrankiE90]

very good stuff.
ur still oem exhaust and intake?
remind us of ur bimmer specs. (auto/manual?)
powerchips website is not the best / their info for the 325i needs update.

[e90pilot]

Check my sig for the specs. Everything on my car is pretty much stock. Powerchip claims 275 HP for the 330i but that's if you start with the 330i. Active Auto Werks claims 268 HP I think.

[3lusive]

This looks like a great project for those out of warranty on their 325s.

May I ask where you sourced your parts?

[e90pilot]

A friend of mine works at a dealership and can get me parts at cost plus 5%. He also installed the parts for me. The intake manifold won't really cause any warrenty issues. The programming will though. You can always restore old programming before you take it in.

Another cool thing powerchip has is their USB to OBD2 connector. It's costs $400 and you can load the software yourself.

[jabwind51]

Wow would love some 328/128 guys to try this next to see if it works on this version as well...and if the parts fit on these vs 325. Great job.

[e90pilot]

I believe the X3 3.0i has a 328i engine with a 3-stage intake manifold. The parts you need are the same. Can't confirm if the software will work though.