My m3 is getting slower. Tuning = main failure?

[pbonsalb]

Originally Posted by timothy2001

I guess as long as Alpine can tune out the CEL it won't bother me. Any potential downside to deleting that cat?

No tuner will simulate the rear O2s because it is illegal and they can be fined tens of thousands of dollars. You might get a tuner to turn off the CEL but you will likely need to reinstall the stock mid pipe or swap the test pipes for cats to pass inspection. People have had mixed success in passing with things like extended or restricted or mini cat 02 extenders when retaining the rear cats.

[MP0W3RD]

Alex from Alpine can tune out the cold start so your neighbors won't suffer. It only exists to warm up the cats-unnecessary if they are not there.

[LakeSurfer]

My car has test pics,cat delete, x pipe and muffler all by active autowekes, plus the tune. It can be on the loud side if you're hammering on it but it is perfectly fine at low rpms. As far as the smell, I think the people who complain about it, had or have exhaust leaks or are sharing experiences from someone else who had leaks maybe even a shity tune because my car is a convertible and I smell nothing worth mentioning.

[6ixSpd]

Primary cat delete + any reputable tune + a muffler swap will totally transform the driving experience. The car completely wakes up with those 3 modifications that it feels like a different animal altogether.

You've been missing out big time, and that is an understatement.

[GRUESOM3]

You need a slower daily driver. My m3 is bone stock except for exhaust and feels like a rocket.

[Obioban]

Originally Posted by bmwpower603

8300? It goes that high?

This is your problem. You don't need parts-- you need revs.

[SYT_Shadow]

Originally Posted by Obioban

This is your problem. You don't need parts-- you need revs.

Definitely

If you do not want to rev a high specific output M engine then you have the wrong car. I don't mean that as an insult, different strokes for different folks, if you do not want to hit 8400rpm redlines then there are other cars better suited

[Captain Starbucks]

I'm going to go ahead and hijack since I think the OP's question has been answered.

I have Borla ATAK and an intake. What happens if I:

Just do test pipes? Gains? I think I'll get 10-ish hp, throw a code, and wake the neighbors. $300.

Do test pipes and code out the cold start? $300 + $150? same HP as above, but won't wake the neighbors.

Test pipes and tune? $300 + $500-$900 and gain a total of maybe 30 hp?

My state no longer has emissions testing.

Not sure if I want to do the test pipes but sounds like everyone who's done it loves it. How much is a tune from Alex?

Thanks.

[ItsGary]

Originally Posted by Captain Starbucks

I'm going to go ahead and hijack since I think the OP's question has been answered.

I have Borla ATAK and an intake. What happens if I:

Just do test pipes? Gains? I think I'll get 10-ish hp, throw a code, and wake the neighbors. $300.

Do test pipes and code out the cold start? $300 + $150? same HP as above, but won't wake the neighbors.

Test pipes and tune? $300 + $500-$900 and gain a total of maybe 30 hp?

My state no longer has emissions testing.

Not sure if I want to do the test pipes but sounds like everyone who's done it loves it. How much is a tune from Alex?

Thanks.

You're going to need a tune if you want to "code out" the coldstart, and same with if you get test pipes.

Tune from Alex is $620

[velociti]

I guess I am very much in the minority on this one, but given the environmental issues our world is facing, I have an incredibly hard time justifying removing cats for a few extra horsepower. That's no judgment on those who choose to, but it has definitely affected my modding path for this car. I'll do an Alpine Stage 1 at some point when it's on sale, but for me (and maybe the OP) it sounds like diminishing returns.

Used F80/F82s are falling hard in price - maybe grab a used example and throw a tune on it? Thing will haul ass. I like the feel of the E90/E92 platform too much to give it up, but the F-series are stupid fast and probably less costly to maintain going forward.

[Bpark1977]

Originally Posted by Captain Starbucks

I'm going to go ahead and hijack since I think the OP's question has been answered.

I have Borla ATAK and an intake. What happens if I:

Just do test pipes? Gains? I think I'll get 10-ish hp, throw a code, and wake the neighbors. $300.

Do test pipes and code out the cold start? $300 + $150? same HP as above, but won't wake the neighbors.

Test pipes and tune? $300 + $500-$900 and gain a total of maybe 30 hp?

My state no longer has emissions testing.

Not sure if I want to do the test pipes but sounds like everyone who's done it loves it. How much is a tune from Alex?

Thanks.

I'm in Bellevue. The repeal of Wa emissions laws is a wonderful gift. Get some test pipes and a stage 2 file from Alex, and a nice intake if you have the dough, then go WFO through the 90 tunnel and you'll never look back!

If you wanna follow me through to hear the difference, let's go!

[timothy2001]

Originally Posted by Obioban

This is your problem. You don't need parts-- you need revs.

Best part of these cars is the 5500 to 8000 rev zone.....oh and a manual transmission. Unless of course you prefer a DCT which is fine.

Just thought I would insert a spoon and stir a bit.

But in all seriousness and I will too apologize for the threat jack..... sounds like primary cat delete, test or X pipes and a tune FTW.

[SYT_Shadow]

Originally Posted by velociti

I guess I am very much in the minority on this one, but given the environmental issues our world is facing, I have an incredibly hard time justifying removing cats for a few extra horsepower. That's no judgment on those who choose to, but it has definitely affected my modding path for this car. I'll do an Alpine Stage 1 at some point when it's on sale, but for me (and maybe the OP) it sounds like diminishing returns.
.

I don't think you're in the minority. I hate the smell of catless cars on the street.

However, the E9X has two sets of cats, so test pipes only deletes the primaries and gives you most of the power bump. Your secondaries are still there and they keep the smell quite low.

Personally I would not use test pipes as I prefer aftermarket X pipes like the ESS or Bimmerworld one that moves the 'X' more to the front to gain power. And, you can get cats welded into it after the X, basically in the secondary cat location.

[E90M3velocity]

Wasn't that the reason your motor went? The cats failed and because it was closer to the engine debris from the cats got sucked into it?

Originally Posted by SYT_Shadow

I don't think you're in the minority. I hate the smell of catless cars on the street.

However, the E9X has two sets of cats, so test pipes only deletes the primaries and gives you most of the power bump. Your secondaries are still there and they keep the smell quite low.

Personally I would not use test pipes as I prefer aftermarket X pipes like the ESS or Bimmerworld one that moves the 'X' more to the front to gain power. And, you can get cats welded into it after the X, basically in the secondary cat location.

To the OP, you're just getting used to the power and you will get used to the power gains to any power mods you will install. Luckily the S65 is a very verbal motor which means you get pleasing engine and exhaust noise. Go for some canyon runs with the windows down or hpde's so you can really use the motor because the car is still quick in today's standards.

[timothy2001]

Since we are already way off topic what is the difference between X pipes and test pipes? Asking for a friend.

[sdbmwcoding]

Originally Posted by timothy2001

Since we are already way off topic what is the difference between X pipes and test pipes? Asking for a friend.

X pipe is the full section between the headers and axel back while test pipes are a 1-2 foot piece of pipe that connects to the x pipe. X pipe's tend to remove both the primary and secondary cats while test pipes only remove the primary cats

[SYT_Shadow]

Originally Posted by E90M3velocity

Wasn't that the reason your motor went? The cats failed and because it was closer to the engine debris from the cats got sucked into it?
.

My engine went because the aftermarket primary cats died while running a catless tune at the track. They blocked one of the banks completely. It is also likely the engine sucked in a piece of cat. There's a long thread called 'engine teardown' if you look for threads I've started

Cats in the seconary position help keep the smell down and they're much further from the engine, so they are less likely to fail during severe use

[LakeSurfer]

Originally Posted by velociti

I guess I am very much in the minority on this one, but given the environmental issues our world is facing, I have an incredibly hard time justifying removing cats for a few extra horsepower. That's no judgment on those who choose to, but it has definitely affected my modding path for this car. I'll do an Alpine Stage 1 at some point when it's on sale, but for me (and maybe the OP) it sounds like diminishing returns.

Used F80/F82s are falling hard in price - maybe grab a used example and throw a tune on it? Thing will haul ass. I like the feel of the E90/E92 platform too much to give it up, but the F-series are stupid fast and probably less costly to maintain going forward.

Not to sound like a dick but here goes. You're concerned about environmental issues with you 15mpg high performance V-8?

[WAKman]

To the OP's original question: You will grow into practically any level of horsepower. As a retired drag and road racer, I can assure you that what feels really fast today will feel slow tomorrow and every day after that.

I daily drive my M3, and it is bone stock, mainly for that reason, plus two more. First, it's plenty fast for the way I drive, and second, I share velociti's concern for the environmental damage caused by vehicle emissions. Yes, I know our cars contribute a miniscule amount compared to the entirety of emissions, but they do count. And yes, I know it sounds funny to talk about emissions when Mother Earth weeps at my car's dismal mpg, but I compensate by trying to fart less.

[velociti]

Originally Posted by LakeSurfer

Not to sound like a dick but here goes. You're concerned about environmental issues with you 15mpg high performance V-8?

Ha, no problem - it's a fair question.

I mean, everything is on a continuum, right? So, I could have bought an F80 instead of my E90 and it'd be better on gas. I could get a Tesla and not use fossil fuel at all (though it's up for debate about what the environmental impact is of mining the cobalt and other rare earth materials used in the batteries, and the sources of electricity to "fuel" the thing). Or, I could just get a bike or walk and vow to live my life sustainably. From my perspective, just because I bought a gas-guzzler doesn't mean I'm willing to say screw it and go whole-hog, cutting out both cats to dump a lot more toxic crap in the atmosphere than I (we) already do. Plus, you know, federal law.

Again, no judgment on those who have eliminated one or both cats on their cars. I just prefer to add power without doing more damage to the environment than I already am. Maybe it's weird logic, but here we are.

Cheers, man.

[SAMM3Y]

You can shorten your final drive. That'll make the car quicker..

[wfdeacon88]

Originally Posted by timothy2001

Not a daily so the smell should be okay......more concerned about any potential negative effects mechanically and my poor neighbors if it's too loud. I already feel a bit guilty pulling out of my garage under cold start.

Drifter2090 above has me really considering it.

I have very little smell, if any, without the primary cats. Secondaries seem to be enough for me. If standing behind the car, sure a little more, but never when in the car even if in traffic.

I have resonated test pipes, probably doesn't make much of a difference, but I don't have any rasp at all.. but it's also a Corsa which doesn't have drone or rasp to begin with.. which is phenomenal. Here's my cold start running alpine stage 2 with cold start delete. It's not going to piss off your neighbors if cold start is deleted..I've had this setup for probably 9 months and it's perfection for me.

Alpine has been phenomenal and I wouldn't go with another tune unless they offered unlimited free map changes, which I don't think the others do. No issues whatsoever with Alpine, just more power and a happier engine.

Cat delete cold start.