Which mods provide the most HP to the E39 M5

M5 Dave · 3rd February 2006, 02:57

This question is for those that have deep pockets...

1) In your opinion, which mods provide the most HP to the E39 M5, regardless of price. Please post in order and how much average gain.

And a question for those that are starting HP mods on a stock M5, on a self restrained budget (the wife), a related but totally different question...

2) In your opinion, which mods cost the least dollar per horse power gain to the E39 M5. Please post in order of avg dollars per avg HP gain.

Thought starter link here, but come back and answer these two questions please!!!

I want some mods ... thoughts?

amgkiller · 3rd February 2006, 04:47

1) any form of forced induction

2) any form of forced induction

Seriously - nothing will be able to match the HP/$ you get from forced induction - however, the M5 is still a relatively unknown platform that will only see more products (and cheaper prices) as people begin to push the envelope...

Beamer_usa · 3rd February 2006, 04:51

NITROUS

M5 Dave · 3rd February 2006, 04:51

Another thought stimulator for the two questions above. I was asked by a new member (and I'm fairly new myself) where should he start with HP gain mods, I assumed he meant for reasonable money to start with. I said a CAI and he was leaning toward a chip as very first mod. Similar prices for sure. Here was my input.

""Well, I too am interested in a first HP gain mod, that I can keep on the car, as other mods are added later. With the chip you are thinking about adding as your first mod, I think there are different chips programmed for different set ups. If you buy a $600-$1000 chip for a stock M5, what do you do when you add mods later? It maybe a waste of money if you plan to add other mods. For example, if you later add a cold air intake, your chip may need to be programed differently. Same if you add headers, or race cats and/or exhausts or under drive pullys or velocity stacks. Maybe the experts will respond to my post. Assuming that just 15 of the advertised 25 hp on the AA CAI is true, thats about $53 per hp gain. Headers, I think are $2800 (for parts only) for 25 HP so thats $112 per hp gain just for parts. A chip, well its relative to what it's combined with I think. Chip really needs to be done with headers or the engine won't really be tuned correctly. Add another $1000 for the chip so thats $3800 total now (headers plus chip) for additional 5 Hp so 30 HP total with chip and headers, now we are up to $127 per hp gain (still havn't added labor) This car is expensive to mod. To quote some else on this board (can't remember the name) the M5 engine is already a fine piece of work so other than going inside and messing up a good thing, consider exterior mods, bolt-ons. This engine is really an air pump, the point is to increase cold air flow into it and get hot air out of it, fast and free flowing. So I thought I would start with feeding it forced (by movement of the car) cold air, its cheaper and better hp per dollar IMO at a maximum of $53 per hp gain. Hence the reason I started the "AA CAI Group Buy thread.""

So, really this is why I started this thread, I searched the board and there is a lot of information on this subject. But not a thread that adresses these two related but very different questions. Also, consider working from a stock M5, what do you add first, that provides reasonable HP per dollar, that you don't have to take back off again later as you add more HP mods? I thought the answers to these two questions above, as stated, might help. Your $.02 ?

Active Autowerke CAI Group Buy

M5 Dave (David)

M5 Dave · 3rd February 2006, 04:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by amgkiller

1) any form of forced induction

2) any form of forced induction

Seriously - nothing will be able to match the HP/$ you get from forced induction - however, the M5 is still a relatively unknown platform that will only see more products (and cheaper prices) as people begin to push the envelope...

True, I think so too. But I think an AA CAI is a form of forced induction although beit not pully or gear driven, its cold air forced by the relative speed of the car. So its a good start from stock. Your thoughts on the CAI as a first add to HP gain from stock ?

TiSiBeast · 3rd February 2006, 05:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by M5 Dave

1) In your opinion, which mods provide the most HP to the E39 M5? This is regardless of price. Please post in order and how much average gain.

2) In your opinion, which mods cost the least dollar per horse power gain to the E39 M5. Please post in order of avg dollars per avg HP gain.

Thought starter link here, but come back and answer these two questions please!!!

I want some mods ... thoughts?

Supercharger bar none. 610HP for like 10k. Bolt on 210HP...

M5 Dave · 3rd February 2006, 05:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by TiSiBeast

Supercharger bar none. 610HP for like 10k. Bolt on 210HP...

Ok, that is definitely forced induction, but that is minumum of $12K for the kit and maybe 3K to put it in. So that is $72 per hp gain. Pretty good, but i don't have 15K, its still an "experimental" project, and its not a "first mod' from stock project IMO.

amgkiller · 3rd February 2006, 06:07

a good combination of "starter" mods would be as follows (in order):

1) Exhaust (the sound alone is worth the $$$)
2) Intake (I prefer the AA)
3) Underdrive pulleys
4) Powerchip
5) Short shifter

This will put you around $5k or so and will be a good basis for future mods... particularly suspension and/or drivetrain (putting the power to the ground is usually a good investment because you get a lot more "feel" for your $$$ - much like the exhaust)... good luck and happy modding!

drallen · 3rd February 2006, 06:08

as mottati said in your link...

Headers, chip and a CAI...best bang for your buck for RWHP

What more could you want...except for a BBK, SSK, coilovers, UUC Clutch, V1, Lidatek and 275s on the front?...

Mark

yep m5 · 3rd February 2006, 09:37

I havent seen so many bods wanting to know how to mod up the e39. Is that because the e60 is not as good looking? Want it to go as good as it. I do beleive that the e39 is a top looking car and hasent dated (very sexy). Hey lets keep our e39's and make them road killers!!