I want some mods ... thoughts? - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

00M5MD · 25th January 2006, 21:23

So, I've had this car for over 8 months now and although I love the stock feel and drive of this car, I don't think it would hurt with some mods.

What do you guys think I should get?

A buddy of mine mentioned that headers are $$$$ (as in 5 grand or more). That doesn't seem like it's worth it.

1) How about the intake setup from AA? Do you get gains from that? What about modded MAF's? I've heard modded MAF's can cause problems or something? Should I just leave them stock?

2) How about the SS exhaust? What other exhausts do you guys recommend or have on your cars to give an input? I do NOT want to get rid of the stock cats or anything like that.

3) How about software? Powerchip? What chip setups do you guys run?

I want a nice gain, preferably 30+rwhp and about the same torque or roundabouts if possible. What do you guys think?

I was thinking intake, exhaust and a nice software setup? Would that gain me 30rwhp or so?

mottati · 25th January 2006, 21:34

if you really want 30whp, you need headers. There is no way you will get it with any other combination of bolt on mods. Headers can do it almost by themselves. CAI, Software and a cat back exhaust might get you 10-15whp, if you're lucky.
Headers cost money, but it's the only way you'll see the gains. supersprints cost around 3k, dinan list for about 8, but can often be had for around $6.5k.
Mike

00M5MD · 25th January 2006, 21:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by mottati

supersprints cost around 3k,

Interesting. That is not too bad. I wonder if they claim more than 20whp, that'd be nice.

Now that I think about it, I'd rather not get an exhaust as I love the stock exhaust tone. Maybe intake, software and headers ...

Thank you for all your help!

00M5MD · 25th January 2006, 21:45

What about gears? What is the stock gearing for this car?

Where can I look for short gears? I've heard that is the best bang for the buck mod out there.

Jayson · 25th January 2006, 22:00

supersprint claims 30whp cost about #$3g you should do software for about 1g and labor of course varys but figure 10 hours. With the software prob gonna get 35-40hp.

Intake exhaust and chip will cost say 1k for intakes, 2300 for exhaust and 1k chip...add it up and hp gain will be around 10-14hp.

If your looking for power do the headers.

If your looking for a better feeling of accleration get the 3.45 gearing for 3500 bucks even though it's way over charged.

Mods ain't cheap on this car it aint easy to get power as it's not a civic.

Other things that are really liked, suspention, and shifters. Make the car feel better to drive everyday. Since really it's tough to use all the power anyway with so many cops around here I prefer those things.

00M5MD · 25th January 2006, 22:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jayson

supersprint claims 30whp cost about #$3g you should do software for about 1g and labor of course varys but figure 10 hours. With the software prob gonna get 35-40hp.

Intake exhaust and chip will cost say 1k for intakes, 2300 for exhaust and 1k chip...add it up and hp gain will be around 10-14hp.

If your looking for power do the headers.

Are you suggesting that headers and a good software tune will net me 30-40rwhp?

Whereas if I did intake, exhaust, and chip, it would net me 10-14rwhp?

I have about $3000-$4000 I'd like to spend on mods, if headers and software will net me the gains I'm looking for (~30rwhp), that is what I'll do.

Also, gearing is pretty much out of the question for me as I do a lot of freeway driving; I was just curious about it.

Thanks for the feedback

Absinthe · 25th January 2006, 22:06

short **** kit

mottati · 25th January 2006, 22:14

there is a big debate over gearing and actual performance numbers. It certainly gives more seat of the pants feel, and for me, it keeps me in the car's sweet spot on the track in 3rd and 4th gears. On the highway 345 gears mean 3k rpm at 80mph, not an issue at all for me.

On my car, before and after dyno's showed that I gained about 22hp at my cars peak, and a peak gain of 28hp at mid-6k rpm. I actually lost about 15 ft lbs and 10 hp at around 2500rpm or so. I'm using supersprint headers.
Dinan's 4-2-1 header design will gain more low end torque. A fellow board member gained considerably more low end torque, and was within a couple hp at the top end. IIRC his dyno (same dyno/shop) showed around 30 lb ft more at the low/mid range, where my car actually had a little loss.

I do not really see software as an option, the car will end up running too lean at high load with headers and oe software at wot.

Mike

Jayson · 25th January 2006, 22:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by 00M5MD

Are you suggesting that headers and a good software tune will net me 30-40rwhp?

Whereas if I did intake, exhaust, and chip, it would net me 10-14rwhp?

I have about $3000-$4000 I'd like to spend on mods, if headers and software will net me the gains I'm looking for (~30rwhp), that is what I'll do.

Also, gearing is pretty much out of the question for me as I do a lot of freeway driving; I was just curious about it.

Thanks for the feedback

Not suggesting I'm telling you, it's proven

...Your gonna see dyno proven results 30-40 hp with headers and chip. Gonna cost around 4k uninstalled. FIgure 10hrs to install. ANd it's not an easy install. Intake does little exhaust does less powerwise. I think if you want power you gotta do headers.

Either supersprint or RD sport both around 3k. Hartge are 4k. Dinan are 8k.

00M5MD · 25th January 2006, 22:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by mottati

I do not really see software as an option, the car will end up running too lean at high load with headers and oe software at wot.

Mike

You lost me here. Are you saying that new software along with headers will make the car run lean? So you're saying run OE software with aftermarket headers? That doesn't make sense.

Did you mean to say that aftermarket software is a must when doing headers?

Maybe I'm not seeing what you're saying ...