2008 M3 Performance upgrades

[jgoodd]

Sorry if this question has been asked some where else, but I just can't find a good thread.

So, I've got a 2008 M3 coupe SMG/DCT that I'm looking to increase the HP. I've looked at Dinan, Turner, and a couple of local shops that say they can increase it with their recommended software, intake and exhaust. Couple of questions though:

1. Has anyone tried a couple of different softwares and/or have you Dyno'd the car?

2. I had a 650Ci and did the Dinan intake, exhaust and stage 1 and I was happy with the results and the dealer ship didn't try to void my warranty. Anyone have the same luck with the other options out there?

3. I've read several posts on the xpipe and remove the cats, would you recommend a vendors software and exhaust, or can you do one combining it with the other?

Any input on one or all would be great. The objective is HP, keeping the warranty would be a plus.

Thanks!

[FVM3]

what you need

Tune
exhaust
delete cats
scoops
pulley

[jgoodd]

Thanks for the reply. So, that was part of the question. Who's tuning, exhaust, etc would be a good recommendation. Dinan says 17hp with tuning and intake and the 5hp(?) for exhaust. Is there a better performance solution out there?

[Trevor .:R]

Originally Posted by christopherchenm

what you need

Tune
exhaust
delete cats
scoops
pulley

x2 Rpi FTW

[SV Concepts]

Originally Posted by jgoodd

Thanks for the reply. So, that was part of the question. Who's tuning, exhaust, etc would be a good recommendation. Dinan says 17hp with tuning and intake and the 5hp(?) for exhaust. Is there a better performance solution out there?

I think your issue is there's TOO MUCH out there. If you were happy with Dinan in the past go ahead and stick with it. Customer of ours just got the Dinan badge for his E90 and he couldn't be happier.

Then again if you're looking at switching it up take a look at Active Autowerke for exhaust and tune, and pick up an intake or some scoops from aFe or RPI.

The possibilities are endless!!

[tom @ eas]

Originally Posted by jgoodd

Sorry if this question has been asked some where else, but I just can't find a good thread.

So, I've got a 2008 M3 coupe SMG/DCT that I'm looking to increase the HP. I've looked at Dinan, Turner, and a couple of local shops that say they can increase it with their recommended software, intake and exhaust. Couple of questions though:

1. Has anyone tried a couple of different softwares and/or have you Dyno'd the car?

2. I had a 650Ci and did the Dinan intake, exhaust and stage 1 and I was happy with the results and the dealer ship didn't try to void my warranty. Anyone have the same luck with the other options out there?

3. I've read several posts on the xpipe and remove the cats, would you recommend a vendors software and exhaust, or can you do one combining it with the other?

Any input on one or all would be great. The objective is HP, keeping the warranty would be a plus.

Thanks!

We have a thread that discusses how to get significant gains from bolt-ons here:



Macht Schnell UDP/Stage 2 Intake & Akrapovic Dyno Findings
http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=567651

Most of the answers to your questions are answered in there, along with dynos as reference.

[rjd598]

Originally Posted by jgoodd

Thanks for the reply. So, that was part of the question. Who's tuning, exhaust, etc would be a good recommendation. Dinan says 17hp with tuning and intake and the 5hp(?) for exhaust. Is there a better performance solution out there?

you are just gonna have to search around and see the numbers that are posted. all in all....they are all about the same

[OpenFlash]

Originally Posted by jgoodd

Thanks for the reply. So, that was part of the question. Who's tuning, exhaust, etc would be a good recommendation. Dinan says 17hp with tuning and intake and the 5hp(?) for exhaust. Is there a better performance solution out there?

Yes

[Jonny550]

Originally Posted by shiv@vishnu

Yes

Go on

[jgoodd]

Tom,

Thanks for the reply. That's the post I was looking for, I figured it was out there some where.

I appreciate the other replies and help!

[flipm3]

EAS did great documentation with some consistent and reliable dynos of what type of power can be gained from specific bolt ons. You should definitely do a search for their thread because it is very informative.

Depending on your budget, I would suggest the following since this is what I hope to do one day:

Tune: Evolve Automotive evolve-R Tune
XPipe: Gintani or Evolve Automotive
Muffler: Akrapovic Slip-On
Intake: Macht Shnell Stage 2
Pullies: Macht Shnell

Then if you want to push it to the next level, it looks like Shiv@Vishnu is getting some nice results with integrating Methanol/Water injection with an N/A motor! Very impressive.

I say stick with what's proven. Speak to different tuners and distributors, then ultimately decide for yourself. With enough research, you'll be able to figure out what are reasonable and safe expectations with certain parts. As you speak with tuners, stick with the ones who are straight with you, honest, and realistic...no marketing fluff.

Best of luck!

[jgoodd]

Thanks for all of the input and providing the links to the M3 comparison. After doing some research on the forum and talking to some other M3 enthusiasts, I've added the following MODS:

- Dinan Intake
- Dinan Pulleys
- Dinan Stage 1 ECU softare

I decided to go with Dinan over the warranty angle, but still looking at a good stage 2 after putting on an exhaust.

Attached is the Dyno run after the upgrade at 343 WHP. I'm currently working on a custom X pipe exhaust (dropped the car off a couple of days ago) with 2 dampeners. We are going to re-run the car to see what if any improvements on the WHP. I'm after the sound and not really after the increase of HP as I don't expect to really get an increase of HP.

I'll submit another post after the next dyno, but if anyone has any suggestions on other MODS that provide a better WHP increase.

Thanks,

[Wendall]

Can't see the dyno chart.

[Alex07M3]

I'm about to do the move on my 08 M3 , as soon as Turner got their tespipes back in stock , it will be that and the ESS catless tune . So for around 1700$ I'll get around 40whp more. And I'll probably be able to sell the parts for around 1000$ when I'm finish with it , that's a big + !

[Grail05]

Originally Posted by christopherchenm

what you need

Tune
exhaust
delete cats
scoops
pulley

this thread should have stop after this post...

OP: pretty much this unless you go FI

[Robmaster]

Originally Posted by christopherchenm

what you need

Tune
exhaust
delete cats
scoops
pulley

scoops are waste of money. They brings you 0,0hp.

[whats77inaname]

Procede + Meth = FTW

[jgoodd]

Not sure how to get the chart posted correctly. It showed up when I first posted it above and now it's gone. It shows as an attachment if I edit my post. Any suggestions?

[flipm3]

Originally Posted by jgoodd

Not sure how to get the chart posted correctly. It showed up when I first posted it above and now it's gone. It shows as an attachment if I edit my post. Any suggestions?

If you have the .drf file, I can make some charts/graphs for you.

[jgoodd]

I've already converted the files into pictures via the dyno software. The attachment just isn't working in the forum.

[jgoodd]

ok, so here's the update on the tune and the final dyno results:

- Dinan
- Dinan Stage 1 ECU tune
- Dinan pulley upgrade
- Custom 2.5" X-Pipe exhaust (here's the link to the video that shows the sound)

http://tunedbypsi.com/dyno-record.php?2008-BMW-M3-287

I'm putting down 347 WHP and 299 lbs of Torque. The other BMW M3 same color on the link above is also my car before the exhaust. I was surprised to see a 4WHP difference with the exhaust and down 1lb of torque. I didn't think an exhaust would change much, but the sound is incredible. Although, we did a couple of runs and the torque came back up, but they didn't post that on their website.

If anyone has recommendations in the cali area of a good tuner, let me know.

[flipm3]

Originally Posted by jgoodd

ok, so here's the update on the tune and the final dyno results:

- Dinan
- Dinan Stage 1 ECU tune
- Dinan pulley upgrade
- Custom 2.5" X-Pipe exhaust (here's the link to the video that shows the sound)

http://tunedbypsi.com/dyno-record.php?2008-BMW-M3-287

I'm putting down 347 WHP and 299 lbs of Torque. The other BMW M3 same color on the link above is also my car before the exhaust. I was surprised to see a 4WHP difference with the exhaust and down 1lb of torque. I didn't think an exhaust would change much, but the sound is incredible. Although, we did a couple of runs and the torque came back up, but they didn't post that on their website.

If anyone has recommendations in the cali area of a good tuner, let me know.

Did you remove the primary or secondary cats in your XPipe? The primary cats are the biggest bottleneck and restriction with the stock mid pipe. A great way to make some power is to remove that restriction.

Recommendations for a good tuner. I'd recommend Evolve Automotive. They send you a USB-OBDII cable and you can flash the car yourself. The guys at EAS and SonicMS have been doing a lot of work with them.