Looking for more power - advice?

[e34.535i.sport]

Im know there have been a lot of threads similar to this in the past but i'm looking for something quite specific to my needs so posted this...

I want more power from my 535i (specifically acceleration not necessarily top speed) and with me being a novice DIYer, i want something relatively cheap that wont cost a fortune to get done in a garage. I'd want to use a BMW specialist really. Ive heard of EAT chips but i dont really understand what they are or how hard to fit, and i know there are a lot of different ones out there? Apologies if im being thick here but if there are any other adjustments that need to be made with a chip (if that is my best option) let me know!

I was thinking about a turbo after seeing a 2.0T Audi A4 blow me away at 90mph whilst flooring my 3.5l (3.4really) - i was amazed to say the least :( . Quite impressed really but i didn't ant to admit it ;) . Im no boy racer but this was a tad annoying as he was driving like a right t*sser weaving in and out of traffic like a demented koala-chicken.


If you have any suggestions for me and approximate cost that would be greatly apppreciated. :)

Oh, and what sort of gains should i expect - or losses (i.e MPG etc)!! :D

[Ferret]

Diff Swap + Chip?

The diff swap will probably kill your motorway mpg, not sure about the chip though.

Any old breaker yard *cough* sorry car recycler, should be able to find you a more interesting diff... though it'd be revving it's bollocks off at 90.

EDIT: Swap in a 518 diff for wheel-spin-a-rama but you'll need ear defenders while driving the car on a motorway :P There's a thread I spammed a while back that shows you the different diff ratios, have a search for 'diff' in the subject field...

[Omega]

One word. Nitrous. Well two words really. Nitrous Oxide..... mmmm.

Remember the maxim: Speed costs, how fast you want to go?

[repenttokyo]

these cars are not designed for cheap straightline speed...if that is what you are looking for, maybe a different car is the solution? i recommend enjoying the car for what it is, and focusing on it's strengths.

[Robin-535im]

Personally I think there are three types of mods:

Low cost / low HP gain but a good value: EAT Chip($300US), (MAF when Mark gets it together ~$500US IIRC)

Medium cost / low HP gain: Headers (~$800 US installed but hard to find), Cam / head rebuild (~$2000 US). These things you typically do either if you really want to tune the engine or you're fixing something broken and just upgrade to a better part while you're in there.

High cost / high HP gain: Turbo , $3000 - $5000. TCD has a kit people seem to like. Others on this board and other boards have fabricated their own, in which case the out-of-pocket cost is less but the man-hours are greater.

A diff changes your gearing and can make acceleration increase but doesn't change the engine output, of course.

Start with a chip and you won't regret it. If something breaks, hot-rot it when you replace it. In the meantime save some money for a turbo, and if you still want the turbo when you have the money saved up, you can just about double the stock power I think with the right setup.

[E34N]

The cheapest thing you can do is a chip. You really can't go wrong with either a Dinan, JC, or and EAT chip. All are about the same price now, and you will read all kinds of praises for each one here. I had an EAT chip for the past 3 years, loved it. They are about $150 used to about $220 new. Mark D'Sylva is a memeber here on the board and can answer questions for you regarding his chip.

I would recommend a MAF... Because our M30 engines were made with an AFM, they are pretty restritive as far as air flow. They will come with a chip also that will be tuned for the MAF. I have a Miller Performance MAF (http://www.millerperformancecars.com/m30maf.html) and love it. Just recently installed and will recommend this to anyone with an M30 engine (and the M20, but no personal experience driving one). I got mine in a recent group buy for $400.. they usually sell for $520. Installed by myself one morning (about 2 hours)...

Mark D'sylva is currently working on his MAF. I know his product will be awesome as well, since his chips are great. I believe his will sell for around $700. Do a search in this section for the thread.

[Barney Paull-Edwards]

If its any help I have a dead 535 with a fuel pressure adjuster thats meant to give better torque,dont know what its worth, find out if it works and make me an offer,preferably liquid!Anything else thats on the car like lowered stuff is all yours,come and get it.

[E34N]

If its any help I have a dead 535 with a fuel pressure adjuster thats meant to give better torque,dont know what its worth, find out if it works and make me an offer,preferably liquid!Anything else thats on the car like lowered stuff is all yours,come and get it.

where are you located?

[e34.535i.sport]

If its any help I have a dead 535 with a fuel pressure adjuster thats meant to give better torque,dont know what its worth, find out if it works and make me an offer,preferably liquid!Anything else thats on the car like lowered stuff is all yours,come and get it.
I hope this isn't a silly question but what is liquid?! If you are selling the shocks/springs/strut assemblies im interested - still not sure on the fuel pressure adjuster?! I know my rear suspension is shot, and the pinging sound is becoming a nuisance. Thanks.

[Evan]

he wants you to buy him something to drink!

[repenttokyo]

always best to fix your suspension before adding more power to your car, in any case.

[johnnyturbo2002]

when the audi blew you away...did you down shift or just stay in 5th or drive? BTW your car is a cruiser and high speed cornerer... not straight line drag...if you want to reall increase the "drag capability"...follow the abopve advice or cut and chop an alcohol burning 454 under the hood...but then again , that would be stupid.

[e34.535i.sport]

however my car feels like a rocket at those speeds even in top gear, the acceleration is phenomenal (especially for the size of the car!). Prob woulda got a bit more out of 4th, but too late now :(

On paper that are is only as fast as mine, but i'm guessing the old beast has lost a few HPs over the years, so its time to restore it i think! :D Sounds like a chip is the way to go so far...

[e34.535i.sport]

always best to fix your suspension before adding more power to your car, in any case.

Good advice. Now to find some rear shocks... Went to the stealer - £500 a shock because this is the M-suspension. :(

If anyone in England has some give me a shout! (Hey im morphing my own thread here!).

[johnnyturbo2002]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6u8zcb0Wu_I&mode=related&search=


your answer my friend....check the other ones on this site as well...they are great

[e34.535i.sport]

Ha ha ha, i like it! :D

[Jon K]

Theres a couple things to keep in mind. What are you goals as a whole? Do you want more pick up or do you want to obliterate things that your car shoudn't? Point is, a chip/diff/intake setup is good for the person who likes his car a little different from stock without investing too much. An NA build (high compression, head work, cams, headers) is for the person who wants more power with best response (no turbo or supercharger lag to deal with) and least hassle, but honestly the most expensive. Supercharging is for someone who wants to pick up horsepower, costs a fair amount $4 - $6k if a kit even exists for an M30, but doesn't want the expense (or doesn't understand) of turbocharging.

Turbocharging is free horsepower - what better way than to use your engines waste (exhaust) to create more power. However, with plumbing, oil, tuning, it gets expensive. TCD has a kit for the M30 that is about $4500 - $5500 I think. They offer or offered a non-intercooled kit -- don't even waste your time. You should build or buy a kit that is intercooled.

Either way, do what you see as your goal - chips/diffs are small investments compared to thousands in turbo or supercharging. NA is all or nothing - basically buying a bored and stroked high compression motor with tuning... Metric Mechanic sells these engines but theyre like $10k at least.

[e34.535i.sport]

Theres a couple things to keep in mind. What are you goals as a whole? Do you want more pick up or do you want to obliterate things that your car shoudn't? Point is, a chip/diff/intake setup is good for the person who likes his car a little different from stock without investing too much. An NA build (high compression, head work, cams, headers) is for the person who wants more power with best response (no turbo or supercharger lag to deal with) and least hassle, but honestly the most expensive. Supercharging is for someone who wants to pick up horsepower, costs a fair amount $4 - $6k if a kit even exists for an M30, but doesn't want the expense (or doesn't understand) of turbocharging.

Turbocharging is free horsepower - what better way than to use your engines waste (exhaust) to create more power. However, with plumbing, oil, tuning, it gets expensive. TCD has a kit for the M30 that is about $4500 - $5500 I think. They offer or offered a non-intercooled kit -- don't even waste your time. You should build or buy a kit that is intercooled.

Either way, do what you see as your goal - chips/diffs are small investments compared to thousands in turbo or supercharging. NA is all or nothing - basically buying a bored and stroked high compression motor with tuning... Metric Mechanic sells these engines but theyre like $10k at least.


I appreciate the input. You hit the nail on the head there on the obliteration front! I dont have a complex theory on the matter, i just want to go faster with a relatively low budget if you know what i mean?!

It seems you are in the know so i will ask - if i were to buy a chip, could i install it? A bit of background info - Im new to the car DIY business but have so far serviced it inc' plugs oil/filter and air filter, changed hoses, and rear subframe bushes (took a while!), and im changing the fuel filter tomorrow. I hope this is not a stupid question but do the chips come with instructions? Please dumb it down a little for me im no expert (but i do understand how a turbocharger works however - i watch top gear!)! :D

[Jon K]

I appreciate the input. You hit the nail on the head there on the obliteration front! I dont have a complex theory on the matter, i just want to go faster with a relatively low budget if you know what i mean?!

It seems you are in the know so i will ask - if i were to buy a chip, could i install it? A bit of background info - Im new to the car DIY business but have so far serviced it inc' plugs oil/filter and air filter, changed hoses, and rear subframe bushes (took a while!), and im changing the fuel filter tomorrow. I hope this is not a stupid question but do the chips come with instructions? Please dumb it down a little for me im no expert (but i do understand how a turbocharger works however - i watch top gear!)! :D

You can install the chip - I am sure Mark sends instructions. You remove the ECU, open it with torx screws, depending on the board, you simply pop the old chip out, new chip in... presto. Re-assemble.

[e34.535i.sport]

Hey sounds easy when you put it like that... but so did the rear subframe bushes that took me a week to change!!! :p

Thanks Jon!