Performance Mods?

[BMW2007]

Hi Bro, what would you opt for the performance mods if you have the options of changing the extractor (~$2k) or doing the ECU remap (~$1.6k)? How much hp gain is expected?assuming that the budget is in the range of $2~3k, what is the best mod option or what else we can consider? air filter? sprint booster? I'm targeting on performance mods for E39, 525 (A) M54.Thanks.

 

[momojojo]

what model are you driving and engine? hard to explain without a starting point.

 

[BMW2007]

what model are you driving and engine? hard to explain without a starting point.

bro, it's for e39, 525 M54 especially. was told that the extractor will gain "at least" 10% ++ torque output for low to mid rev while the customized ECU remap sounds impressive as well. any idea? tq

 

[champion]

I would proly go for full tuned exhaust system and air intake.

 

[BMW2007]

I would proly go for full tuned exhaust system and air intake.

Why? How much improvements are expected?

 

[ramsing]

if your budget is around 2-3k, i would suggest u just do the remap. at least you'll be able to feel the difference. most bang for your buck.

oem extractor n air filter is pretty good stuff, your gains will be very little if u swap it out. unless you're increasing the airflow of the engine, you're better off looking at other things. there's someone selling a supercharger kit from SG, that woudl be ideal.

 

[champion]

Why? How much improvements are expected?

I suppose its individual preference. And the improvements varies from the type of exhaust system you use.

Different engine size will have different setup.
Ultimately you need the free the flow of the exhaust gases from the engine. You have to balance the exhaust with the intake and the engine size to give the best flow rate without causing too much backpressure.

Go to an exhaust specialist, they will be able to share with you further.

 

[B33mEr]

Headers or extractor will give you the best gain ... There's a few dyno charts floating around the US forums regarding about this mod .. The thing is with headers mod you have to do a software remap to get rid of the check-engine-light.

 

[BMW2007]

if your budget is around 2-3k, i would suggest u just do the remap. at least you'll be able to feel the difference. most bang for your buck.

oem extractor n air filter is pretty good stuff, your gains will be very little if u swap it out. unless you're increasing the airflow of the engine, you're better off looking at other things. there's someone selling a supercharger kit from SG, that woudl be ideal.

Supercharger kit? WOW, too expensive for me la.. i think the guy was asking for SG4500 if i'm not mistaken.

 

[ramsing]

Headers or extractor will give you the best gain ... There's a few dyno charts floating around the US forums regarding about this mod .. The thing is with headers mod you have to do a software remap to get rid of the check-engine-light.

his budget only 2-3k. so end of day, reflash is the best bang for buck. if he did the full monty, he might end up in hospital from shock!!

Supercharger kit? WOW, too expensive for me la.. i think the guy was asking for SG4500 if i'm not mistaken.

hehe...power not cheap my friend.

 

[BMW2007]

Headers or extractor will give you the best gain ... There's a few dyno charts floating around the US forums regarding about this mod .. The thing is with headers mod you have to do a software remap to get rid of the check-engine-light.

really? i didn't know changing the header will cause the check-engine-light. hmmm, will ask the shop again. that's exactly what i was told by the so call exhaust specialist, extractor will gain more power or torque 10% at least and easily..

search thru the topic about ECU remap, it is also sounds impressive for those cars remapped by Bernard or BVO SG. How could we compare the performance for this 2 mods, extractor vs ECU remap? interesting...

The aims: most bang for your buck.

 

[B33mEr]

really? i didn't know changing the header will cause the check-engine-light. hmmm, will ask the shop again. that's exactly what i was told by the so call exhaust specialist, extractor will gain more power or torque 10% at least and easily..

search thru the topic about ECU remap, it is also sounds impressive for those cars remapped by Bernard or BVO SG. How could we compare the performance for this 2 mods, extractor vs ECU remap? interesting...

The aims: most bang for your buck.

Here's an info on headers and the CEL error lights:

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=571990&highlight=headers

Here's a pic of E39 with M54B25 exhaust manifolds with catalytic converters built into them:

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=DT42&mospid=47541&btnr=11_2183&hg=11&fg=50

The aftermarket headers will not have a catalytic converters hence the 02 sensors will detect it hence the CEL error.

As what bro ramsing mentioned if you have abudget of 2-3k then a software remap would be more sensible as you can do more mods to your rear exhaust box (put a straight thru pipe) RM400, K&N air filter panel RM360 plus a software remap ~RM2k. All within your budget.

How much did the shop quoted you for the headers and installation work?

 

[BMW2007]

thanks. was quoted RM1.8k for the headers (621), s/steel customs made by themselves as they have all the machine & equipments. The guy didn't tell me remap is needed but he said they have done the extractor conversion for many BMW woh.. alternatively installing the spark plug non-fouler to overcome the O2 error..

 

[B33mEr]

thanks. was quoted RM1.8k for the headers (621), s/steel customs made by themselves as they have all the machine & equipments. The guy didn't tell me remap is needed but he said they have done the extractor conversion for many BMW woh.. alternatively installing the spark plug non-fouler to overcome the O2 error..

Since am quite free lol :


From E46fanatics:
WHO: People who upgraded to aftermarket headers without installing any catalytic converter will get a catalytic inefficiency error code. Likewise, people who install high-flow catalytic converter will get the same "inefficiency" error codes.

WHAT: Catalytic Inefficiency codes on the post cat 0xygen sensor: P0420 (cylinder 1-3) P0422 (cylinder 4-6).
Ref: http://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_cod...old-bank-1.php

WHY: The reason why your OBD-II diagnostic systems report this error code is because the 02 sensors detect an above normal exhaust reading when compare to OEM catalytic converter. The OEM catalytic converter does an excellent job at filtering/cleaning/converting exhaust fumes into cleaner air. The DME/ECU calibrates its post-cat sensors to the OEM catalytic converter performance and specs. Therefore, aftermarket cats do not clean well enough to satisfy the catalytic efficiency monitoring of the DME. This is a very common problem with aftermarket cats especially the high-flow ones.
An "inefficiency" reading does not mean that your catalytic converter is broken especially if it is brand new. Again, the error codes just means that they are not performing as efficient enough to meet OEM standards.

SOLUTION: There are three feasible options to solve this inefficiency problem

Ignore.
Spark Plug non-fouler (aka Spark Plug defouler)
Software upgrade

-Ignore-Since the post catalytic converter oxygen sensors is purely for emission monitoring it does not in ANY way affect your fuel trim and car performance. Therefore, it is perfectly fine to ignore the check engine light.
-PRO: No time and resources wasted on fixing problem
-CON: Annoying check engine light

-Software Upgrade-Software upgrade from major tuning companies will flash your DME to remove the "catalytic efficiency" monitoring feature.
-PRO: Fast and requires no hardware/equipment modification to exhaust systems
-CON: Expensive

-Spark Plug non-fouler (aka Spark Plug defouler)-By installing the spark plug non-fouler, you are in essence moving the rear 02 sensor out of the direct flow of the exhaust stream/flow. By doing so, you are tricking the 02 sensor will an inaccurate reading. Since the 02 sensors is not directly in the path of the exhaust fumes, it can not accurate measure the exhaust fumes.
-PRO- Inexpensive
-CON- None

 

[B33mEr]

The spark plug defouler can work too but am more in the software camp as in essence you're killing two birds with one stone. With a remap you can also maximise your hardware mods that have already installed and get rid of the CEL lights at the same time too.

Care to share details of this shop???

 

[BMW2007]

sure.. it is Wai Heng exhaust. very famous and many outlet there in KL/Puchong..

one stone kill two birds? that must be expensive "stone"..

 

[B33mEr]

Well if you wanna play you gotta pay lol

So which branch of wai heng is doing the installation?

 

[BMW2007]

Puchong near Tesco. bro, interested? might be able to nego for lower price if do it together..

 

[B33mEr]

Am interested but not at this time ... But i'm more than happy to tag along. PM me when you want it to get it done that is if you don't mind me tagging along lah

 

[BMWs]

Here's an info on headers and the CEL error lights:

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=571990&highlight=headers

Here's a pic of E39 with M54B25 exhaust manifolds with catalytic converters built into them:

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=DT42&mospid=47541&btnr=11_2183&hg=11&fg=50

The aftermarket headers will not have a catalytic converters hence the 02 sensors will detect it hence the CEL error.

As what bro ramsing mentioned if you have abudget of 2-3k then a software remap would be more sensible as you can do more mods to your rear exhaust box (put a straight thru pipe) RM400, K&N air filter panel RM360 plus a software remap ~RM2k. All within your budget.

How much did the shop quoted you for the headers and installation work?

where to do this rear exhaust box straight thru pipe?