Dinan upgrades

[Boo-E]

I want to mod my E90 ZCP DCT but I don't want to go too crazy. I was thinking about dinans M3 stage 2 power "kit" that goes for $5800 plus tax/install. It includes software, intake, exhaust, throttle bodies, and pullies. In all prob adding about 60hp. I know it not much but this is my dd so I want to keep my mods on the more reliable side. Anyone have this on their car?

Thoughts......

[Chriskm3]

For that amount you csn get a used supercharger

[eternallx]

Testpipes and a tune from Evolve, ESS, etc is really all you need as far as bolt on power and costs much less. Add muffler if you want more sound.

[MysticBlue]

I'm happy with all my Dinan stuff. I wouldn't spend money on the intake though. I would just get a high flow performance filter for 60 bucks and it will get you the same (minimal) gains. There isn't much to gain from the stock intake itself. The other mod I highly recommend is the differential. Made the car a lot nicer as a daily drive because with the added torque at the wheels I don't feel like I need to drive around in the mid to upper RPM range all the time.

[Boo-E]

Which differential did you go with? Looks like one available for 6MT and 2 for DCT

[MysticBlue]

Originally Posted by Boo-E

Which differential did you go with? Looks like one available for 6MT and 2 for DCT

3.45 for DCT. That's a 9.5% difference. The other one is 3.62 which is a 15% difference, which is a little extreme for me and would really change the character of the car.

[The Automotive Enthusiast]

Just get the Dinan intake with an exhaust and tune. For $3,700 you can get the ESS full exhaust.

[Boo-E]

Any chance you're in northern CA? I wouldn't mind going along for a ride to feel the difference.

[Boo-E]

Originally Posted by PoweredBy///M

Just get the Dinan intake with an exhaust and tune. For $3,700 you can get the ESS full exhaust.

I'll have to compare the exhaust notes on YouTube.

[MysticBlue]

Originally Posted by Boo-E

Any chance you're in northern CA? I wouldn't mind going along for a ride to feel the difference.

More than happy to... Pop on up to Northeast Oregon. It's only about a 13 hour drive.

[The Automotive Enthusiast]

Originally Posted by Boo-E

I'll have to compare the exhaust notes on YouTube.

Think Akrapovic, but with deeper tone.

[FVM3]

Tune, test pipe, exhaust, pulley and throw in high flow filter

[mjposner]

I had dian intake, throttle body, tune and remus exhaust on my 2000 M and could not feel much difference. Too much money for so little bang. Spend a bit more and get 100hp supercharged or spend alot less and get the same small ral world results

[FVM3]

Originally Posted by mjposner

I had dian intake, throttle body, tune and remus exhaust on my 2000 M and could not feel much difference. Too much money for so little bang. Spend a bit more and get 100hp supercharged or spend alot less and get the same small ral world results

Always think that dinan costs too much to gain too less

[jeff4598]

Have not seen one comment that throttle bodies did much of anything.

Mystic Blue: All due respect BUT the diff is effective BECAUSE it keeps your revs up- that is truly ALL it does.

[Nautik]

The stage 2 kit probably is not worth the money. You can get similar gains and spend half that. As far as bolt-on NA mods, most people tend to agree your best bet is:

• Primary Cat Delete (via either Test Pipes or a high-flow X pipe setup with the Primary Cat Delete already done)
• Power Pullies (reduces power loss caused by the power steering and AC)
• Software Tune (tuned specifically for primary cat delete)
• Air Filter (adds a few HP, probably not worth it because now you have to clean it or change it regularly if you want to keep the few HP you gained)
• Rear Exhaust (muffler - just for sound really)

Forum members that have done the above have seen 30-40 HP gains. A high flow x-pipe will net you a little bit more HP (+5 HP?) over just installing a test pipe.

IMO, save yourself a bunch of money and do the following:
Test Pipe (400)
Pullies (400)
Software (1000)

1800 bucks for 30-40HP gain is a pretty good deal. If you really want to spend the extra cash buy yourself some lightweight wheels and/or a Brake Kit. The brakes really are one of the weaker areas on this car (not weak, just weaker compared to the performance of the rest of the car)

[MCPilot]

I have the Dinan intake, pulley, exhaust, and software there is a noticeable increase in power and the sound is perfect to me. Not too loud at start up or cruise, but when you stand on it - music. I went the Dinan route for the warranty and reliability. I would do the test pipes for greater gain, but the state of Virginia frowns on those. With the package discount Cost was about $3700 + $350 labor for the install. Perhaps a little pricy, but quality is top notch and a warranty.

[Nautik]

Originally Posted by Boo-E

I want to mod my E90 ZCP DCT but I don't want to go too crazy. I was thinking about dinans M3 stage 2 power "kit" that goes for $5800 plus tax/install. It includes software, intake, exhaust, throttle bodies, and pullies. In all prob adding about 60hp. I know it not much but this is my dd so I want to keep my mods on the more reliable side. Anyone have this on their car?

Thoughts......

btw 60 HP is being VERY generous. Dinan's own site claims 451 total power output for the Stage 2 kit. That's in the 30-40 HP range.

[Boo-E]

Originally Posted by Nautik

btw 60 HP is being VERY generous. Dinan's own site claims 451 total power output for the Stage 2 kit. That's in the 30-40 HP range.

yeah, overestimated a little. Was just shooting from the hip. Point being not much gain for the $$ but you get the warranty/reliability.

[MysticBlue]

Originally Posted by jeff4598

Have not seen one comment that throttle bodies did much of anything.

Mystic Blue: All due respect BUT the diff is effective BECAUSE it keeps your revs up- that is truly ALL it does.

Yeah, I know how it works. I'm talking about lazy driving around town... If I'm cruising along at 2000 rpm I can still give it half throttle and get a some acceleration without feeling like it's bogging down. Before, getting caught in that situation, I would have to downshift. Not a big deal, but it's easier to drive around leisurely. It's more flexible. Getting caught in a higher gear isn't as much of a penalty now. I don't think there is a huge performance gain while driving aggressively as I would be up in the higher end of RPM anyway. But I haven't run across any downside. Anyway, the pluses and minuses have all been discussed a thousand times on this and other forums.

[///M Ryder]

Originally Posted by Boo-E

I want to mod my E90 ZCP DCT but I don't want to go too crazy. I was thinking about dinans M3 stage 2 power "kit" that goes for $5800 plus tax/install. It includes software, intake, exhaust, throttle bodies, and pullies. In all prob adding about 60hp. I know it not much but this is my dd so I want to keep my mods on the more reliable side. Anyone have this on their car?

Thoughts......

Forget the throttle bodies and get the X pipe. Lots of people will say Dinan is not worth the money, but the piece of mind is worth every dime. And the quality of their products is great..................Phil

[MysticBlue]

Originally Posted by ///M Ryder

Forget the throttle bodies and get the X pipe. Lots of people will say Dinan is not worth the money, but the piece of mind is worth every dime. And the quality of their products is great..................Phil

I agree.

You'll get way more performance out of the X pipe than the throttle bodies.

I could be wrong, but I looked at throttle bodies as a lot of money for getting that last, small, little nth degree of performance, and even that won't be apparent anywhere but full throttle near redline.