Increasing performance for 523i E39. Possible?

[bizness]

Dear Sifu,So far my 523i '00 E39 is doing great but not satisfied with the power its outputting. Sluggish feeling when at low rpm (slow torque) and at high speed (slow).Today, my car has been playing around with my friend's C200 CGI. And unfortunately his car catches up to my car very fast (probably because its turbocharged?). Even after 200kmh, his car never goes far away from my car.So, I just wanted to know, what modification should be done to overcome this under-powered problem? I did chipped my car at the year 2004 IINM. Looking to do a ECU tuning to increase the performance of the car. My last resort will be installing a supercharger but I will need to be ready for high maintenance service if I do install them right?Currently looking for a cheap and reasonable solution before jumping to the last resort. I would appreciate comments and suggestions on how to increase the performance.Many Thanks in advance

 

[JFT63]

Allow me to comment sir..yours should be M54 engine right? with 192hp should be okay for the ride but of course when comparing to smaller size with turbocharged engine, we somehow feel a bit lagging. I just dont play with C class or 3 silis or any hot hatch simply because of this when i drive my 170hp 523 e39..but of course, u can always opt for the few last resorts, ess supercas, tukar engine or TUKAR KERETA...heheehe.....cabutss

 

[gendong]

From what i have seen and heard, once you go the mod/upgrade way, you will never be satisfied with the power you'd be having. it never ends. So maybe you should cut it short as take this up...... :vroam:

http://www.bmwclubmalaysia.com/forums/showthread.php?45450-For-Sale-1999-E39-M5

 

[lamoo]

We are an official BMW Club and we do not condone or encourage driving at breakneck speed of 200kmh and above. Please do not do it on public roads you might kill somebody in the process.

Just a gentle reminder that Speed Kills.

 

[harbhajan]

go for the ess super charger,devillan is having a group buy.tq

 

[Devillian]

Firstly, I think 2000 model 523i is with the M52 engine. So 170hp instead of 190hp. Am just basing off the model years the engine was introduced, so may be wrong for this case.

I would suggest planning out your path first before moving ahead, since certain upgrade would not be required or included in your next stage upgrade. For eg. the ECU tune you are considering, may get you the extra few horsepower now. But if you are going to supercharge it at some point, then it will have it's own tune. So the first tune you do won't be relevant.

For headers, exhaust, intake. One thing we've noticed in recent builds is that with a stock engine, this doesn't mean more power. It would mean better response. So when you press the accelerator, it feels less "obstructed". Headers specifically I would warn against changing. Headers that were not designed properly can actually lead to a power loss and horrible fuel economy.

The Mercs chose supercharging (not turbos), but could explain why he's peak comes in sooner than your NA. Plus C-Classes are meant to compare with the 3-Series, so it's probably lighter too. I know the E39 was generally considered a heavy car to begin with.

So my advice: try getting your engine detailed. You'd be amazed at how much power is loss when the engine internals are blocked up with dirt (soot/burnt oil, etc.). At this point, you'd also better decide your eventual path. Cos you have 3 options:
1) Bore out the engine. (This would kill off any supercharging/turbocharging ideas for the future)
2) Add lower CR pistons (Only recommended if you ARE going to supercharge/turbocharge the engine)
3) Leave it stock (This would still allow for supercharging/turbocharging in the future, but less boost than with the lower CR piston option).

If feasible, you could also consider shedding weight off the car. This would be drastic change, but if you can switch the hood,roof and trunk to CF, that would be a weight saving, as well as lowering of your CG. Coupled with a good set of suspension upgrades (incl. sway bars), you'd be great around the corners.

Hopefully I helped with my above comments. Basically you need to decide first what you want to get out of the car (and how much you're willing to spend).

 

[Devillian]

go for the ess super charger,devillan is having a group buy.tq

Yup, that is the easiest, proven option. No hassles, fully reversible and fully kitted with no additional requirements.

 

[bizness]

@JFT63, My car engine is M52 and only produces 170bhp. Hehe, the last resort I would choose is install supercharger only. Tukar engine and kereta will cut my wallet deep down

@gendong, Cant afford that now. Haha, hope will be able to get one soon in the future.

@lamoo, Thanks for the gentle reminder sifu

@harbhajan, Will check with Devillian on it. Thanks

@Devillian, Yep, true mine is M52 engine. Thanks for long detailed explanation. For me 1st and 2nd option does not convince me that much. I'm worried of involving changes in engine parts as in-proper installation might cause long run problem. Am I right? I don't mind if the workman is really highly experienced in handling BMW engine. Please let me know if you do know any workman with professional skill. Also not to forget, let me know here or PM me the price on the supercharger for the bulk sale you will be doing.

I would like thank everybody for contributing in this topic. Such a great and helpful community :top:

 

[tIANcI]

We are an official BMW Club and we do not condone or encourage driving at breakneck speed of 200kmh and above. Please do not do it on public roads you might kill somebody in the process.

Just a gentle reminder that Speed Kills.

You are such a good man la. I am mooved ...

 

[lamoo]

You are such a good man la. I am mooved ...

hehe very cold so nothing to do over here so just sajak post haha

brader tIANci by the time I come back I want to see your name in blue ok agreed then I will let u bully me on the lawn mower race

 

[tIANcI]

hehe very cold so nothing to do over here so just sajak post haha

brader tIANci by the time I come back I want to see your name in blue ok agreed then I will let u bully me on the lawn mower race

I should have kept my big mouth shut!

 

[lamoo]

I should have kept my big mouth shut!

So u better not chicken out otherwise I will ask Astroboy to lend u the Chicken head cover to wear.
astroboy show brader tIANcI the chicken head cover hehe

 

[bizness]

Another thing dear sifu,

When I was pedaling the accelerator down all the way. At the end, I noticed my engine temp decreased. Normally it should be standing at 12 o'clock position but it was at 11 o'clock position when was pedaling it down. After releasing the pedal and driving at the speed of 60kmh for 2min, the temp returned back to 12 o'clock position.

Is this normal or my thermostat kong already?

Thanks

 

[slyder]

Another option you can consider is to go the dark side.
1) Dark side one is turbo charging it. Master Ramsing should have the ghee for you to do it. Or course his turbos are all ghee up for smooth scrolling.
2) Other dark side which is not supported by many loyalist but its known with proven results is plonk in a 2JZ and you will fly cumfirm. Even better if you can find the later models of 2JZ which has VVTI already.

 

[haywire]

@JFT63, My car engine is M52 and only produces 170bhp. Hehe, the last resort I would choose is install supercharger only. Tukar engine and kereta will cut my wallet deep down

Not sure where you get your prices but ESS supercharger are RM25k (roughly looking at the GB prices)

A 528i (190bhp) engine can be had at RM8500 + RM3000 labour, plus your 523i engine can be sold off to gain some money back (or the chop shop might require trade in).

Even a 530i engine will only set you back below RM20k, I dare to say maybe as low as RM15k?

Anyway my point is, the price of changing your engine may be far cheaper than the supercharger option if you hadn't realised it.

After the 530i engine change, if you have some more money in the bank, maybe go for the ESS then? Power crave never ends, I tell you. =)

 

[MadZiZ]

ESS is twin screw and twin screw will screw your mind to bliss lol acah je but different kick la as per say, either changing displacement or adding FI both roads are a tease to more wanted power. Just my 2 cents of thoughts.....

 

[seewai]

Dear Sifu,

So far my 523i '00 E39 is doing great but not satisfied with the power its outputting. Sluggish feeling when at low rpm (slow torque) and at high speed (slow).

Today, my car has been playing around with my friend's C200 CGI. And unfortunately his car catches up to my car very fast (probably because its turbocharged?). Even after 200kmh, his car never goes far away from my car.

So, I just wanted to know, what modification should be done to overcome this under-powered problem? I did chipped my car at the year 2004 IINM. Looking to do a ECU tuning to increase the performance of the car. My last resort will be installing a supercharger but I will need to be ready for high maintenance service if I do install them right?

Currently looking for a cheap and reasonable solution before jumping to the last resort. I would appreciate comments and suggestions on how to increase the performance.

Many Thanks in advance

1. 528i Inline-6 (most affordable to date as I know)
2. 530i Inline-6
3. 540i V8
4. Forced-induction

 

[shiva73]

Waaa.... nowadays everyone is craving for more powerrrrrr .

I saw a e39 in mudah : with 2jz...claimed to be 300+ bhp..

 

[Bimmer883]

U can try this bro. Will probably help on the low end..

http://www.bmwclubmalaysia.com/forums/showthread.php?51012-TRD-aka-PedalBox

 

[insomniac]

Waaa.... nowadays everyone is craving for more powerrrrrr .

I saw a e39 in mudah : with 2jz...claimed to be 300+ bhp..

300+bhp for ppl craving power considered low.