Derek's E90 slicktop OEM+ Project

[FernandoBMW]

Originally Posted by derbo

Yes sir!

The car is parked facing forward in the garage and the outlet next to the battery is utterly convenient so I don't have to run an extension to the front posts. There is no real different between charging at the battery and the front.

Your m3 is sexy, all right?! Is that what you've wanted? Compliments?! Best wishes!!

[derbo]

Originally Posted by FernandoBMW

Your m3 is sexy, all right?! Is that what you've wanted? Compliments?! Best wishes!!

Thanks?



We were just talking about battery tenders lol

[derbo]

#2018-12-16 Sunday Funday
I purchased a set of rebuilt throttle actuators from Abdul@Mpowermotorsports . He is the official North American distributors for Jason of Rebuilt.org.uk. For those that don't know, $720 will you get rebuilt throttle actuators that are upgraded and have lifetime replacement warranty!
https://www.mpowermotorsports.org/on...nit-p102632002

Re-Manufactured Throttle Actuator Unit

Unlimited Miles Lifetime Warranty
Gears upgraded to superior materials made in the USA that will outlive the car
All Mosfets replaced
Transistors and capacitors tested
Voltage regulator, microprocessor, serial Eprom tested or changed
Fast shipping! Free shipping if a set (2) actuators are purchased!

##Installation

The actuators arrived last Thursday and I was able to take some time today to install them. The install was very uneventful and I'm glad it went very smoothly! Overall, removing the intake box was very easy with just different length flat head screwdrivers, torx bits, magnetic pickup and an interior plastic trim removal tool. The install took a little over 1.5 hours as I was very slow and careful in the beginning.

##Instructions via newTIS.info:
https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/e...l-unit/Hk4mWh9

##ISTA D system test
I followed BMW TIS instructions and ran a system test on both the actuators while the car was off. The throttle actuators passed with flying colors and the test drive afterward went eventful.




I love it when maintenance works out so smoothly.

[TigerTater]

Nice work man. Thanks for being thorough and posting links and screen shots of things so we can follow suit down the road!

Impressions on the tune??

[derbo]

Originally Posted by TigerTater

Nice work man. Thanks for being thorough and posting links and screen shots of things so we can follow suit down the road!

Impressions on the tune??

No problem!

Unfortunately, I only was able to drive the car to verify the throttle actuators were okay and fill up the car. I hope to have more time next week to do a longer impression.

At the current moment, my first impressions are the car is smoother under 4000rpm. It does feel like there is more torque mid range. I have yet to try any real load yet so I'll get back to you soon!

I'm thinking of getting a BMW performance trunk spoiler and a lip. After pondering for awhile, I believe the Arkym lip is currently the one I want. Since front lips have such a short lifespan for most on these forums, I want to get a replica Arkym so when the inevitable happens, I won't be crying about it.

[Rochen_00]

Originally Posted by derbo

#Update 2018-12-09




#Motorad Thermostat

On another note, I will most likely be ordering a Motorad 880090 thermostat. This is from a Dodge Viper/Ram and it is a 190F thermostat. In comparison, the factory OE opens at 175F. I'm sure you are asking, "Hey Derek, why would want a thermostat that opens later?". I asked the same thing when I found out about this on Instagram. From I gather, the time between 175 and 200F can be reduced with this thermostat and provide better improvements to the engine. I don't see any downfall to this as it means the car warms up faster and gets to operating temperature faster. Plus the part is $22!

Is it safe to change this ?? I understand that you get the engine to reach its operating temperature before, but I don't understand how this can cause more power. Can you explain it please?

[derbo]

Originally Posted by Rochen_00

Is it safe to change this ?? I understand that you get the engine to reach its operating temperature before, but I don't understand how this can cause more power. Can you explain it please?

I honestly do not know. I created a thread here to discuss the topic. I did purchase it but I am torn if I should move forward with it or not.

https://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1562627

[TigerTater]

I haven't seen the performance trunk on these cars. I did get a high kick carbon spoiler from eBay..and it fit very well. I was happy with the fit and finish. Seems to be made by same people who make the "legit" ones but charge 3x as much.

[ItsGary]

When are you going to install the lights I sent you >:-(

[derbo]

Originally Posted by ItsGary

When are you going to install the lights I sent you >:-(

I just installed them today! I'm not sure I like them yet. I did look at my settings and it looks like the PO actually increased AE brightness already. The first impressions is that they are pretty dim and from the side, they are very similar due to the optic design.

I'll leave it on for awhile to see how it goes.

[derbo]

Merry Christmas to everyone! (Belated if you are reading this EST time.)

[derbo]

Happy New Year everyone!

[TigerTater]

Where'd you source your brake kit? I'm close to needing a refresh ...just rolled over 70k

[Helmsman]

Originally Posted by derbo

##Installation

Clean and nice! One day I'll grab the plenum just to clean stuff up a bit.

[derbo]

Originally Posted by TigerTater

Where'd you source your brake kit? I'm close to needing a refresh ...just rolled over 70k

I got it from the local dealership. FCPeuro is a good place to get it if you are planning to keep this car long term with their lifetime replacement parts.

Originally Posted by Helmsman

Clean and nice! One day I'll grab the plenum just to clean stuff up a bit.

Thanks! I was pleasantly surprised how clean it was. The aluminum is a bit oxidized but I'm not sure what I can do to clean that up.

[Helmsman]

Originally Posted by derbo

I got it from the local dealership. FCPeuro is a good place to get it if you are planning to keep this car long term with their lifetime replacement parts.



Thanks! I was pleasantly surprised how clean it was. The aluminum is a bit oxidized but I'm not sure what I can do to clean that up.

Seen vids and pics where the area was full of leafs and gravel ffs! So yeah, this looks much bettet...

[derbo]

Originally Posted by Helmsman

Seen vids and pics where the area was full of leafs and gravel ffs! So yeah, this looks much bettet...

I was very amazed at the fact even under the actuators there was barely any dust.. I had my air compressor ready to go and everything too!


# Power Bug
Currently, I have been bitten by the power mod bug. I already have an AFE Carbon intake dry filter on the way due to some outrageous pricing from AFE. On the exhaust side of things, I really like my OEM exhaust 4-pipe mod but would like to uncork the exhaust a bit. From what I gathered so far, the stock primary cats are the restrictive portion of the exhaust and that the secondaries can be retained without sacrificing a lot of power. With that in mind, an x-pipe with primaries deleted while retaining secondaries and resonators should increase power levels while keeping odor and sound increases to a minimal.

MotorIQ has a great article about utilizing v-band clamps on both the OE primary cats and test pipes to allow for interchangeability for track use and street/emission testing. I really like this idea and it seems fairly cost effective as well!
https://motoiq.com/project-e90-m3-pa...xhaust-tips/3/





I also heard that Bomiz is in the works creating an X-pipe with HFC secondaries and resonators. With IND possibly bringing back the Challenge sport X-pipe with the HFC secondaries and resonators, there are 3 options that have HFC secondary cats.

1. Rogue Engineering Test pipes + v bands
   Allows for easy replacement of OE Cat again and also probably the cheapest option. It will also require the least amount of storage space since stock x pipe is 1-piece. Spare parts space is a premium here.
2. Bomiz X-Pipe + HFC secondaries
   ETA unknown, probably cheaper than Challenge Sport pipe
3. Challenge Sport X-pipe
   HFC secondaries + secondaries. ETA unknown if IND will bring it back, probably $2k or more

Decisions decisions..

[BayE30]

4. Evolve X-pipe with HFC in secondary position.

Thats some clean work done on the exhaust there, who did the work?

[derbo]

Originally Posted by SFCM3

4. Evolve X-pipe with HFC in secondary position.

Thats some clean work done on the exhaust there, who did the work?

How much is the evolve pipe? I would assume its in the $2k range as well.


Not my pic unfortunately. It is from Kooks Custom Headers in NC.


I also have to find a nice tig welder..LOL. My buddy fabricate turbo manifolds for hondas back in the day, wonder if he still does welding work.

[ItsGary]

Originally Posted by derbo

How much is the evolve pipe? I would assume its in the $2k range as well.


Not my pic unfortunately. It is from Kooks Custom Headers in NC.


I also have to find a nice tig welder..LOL. My buddy fabricate turbo manifolds for hondas back in the day, wonder if he still does welding work.

http://www.evolvetuning.us/bmw/bmw-3...aust-c635.html

[derbo]

Originally Posted by ItsGary

http://www.evolvetuning.us/bmw/bmw-3...aust-c635.html

Yikes. That's a hefty sum!

Sounds like I'm going test pipes + v bands as soon as I find a welder I can utilize.

[wfdeacon88]

Originally Posted by derbo

I was very amazed at the fact even under the actuators there was barely any dust.. I had my air compressor ready to go and everything too!


# Power Bug
Currently, I have been bitten by the power mod bug. I already have an AFE Carbon intake dry filter on the way due to some outrageous pricing from AFE. On the exhaust side of things, I really like my OEM exhaust 4-pipe mod but would like to uncork the exhaust a bit. From what I gathered so far, the stock primary cats are the restrictive portion of the exhaust and that the secondaries can be retained without sacrificing a lot of power. With that in mind, an x-pipe with primaries deleted while retaining secondaries and resonators should increase power levels while keeping odor and sound increases to a minimal.

MotorIQ has a great article about utilizing v-band clamps on both the OE primary cats and test pipes to allow for interchangeability for track use and street/emission testing. I really like this idea and it seems fairly cost effective as well!
https://motoiq.com/project-e90-m3-pa...xhaust-tips/3/





I also heard that Bomiz is in the works creating an X-pipe with HFC secondaries and resonators. With IND possibly bringing back the Challenge sport X-pipe with the HFC secondaries and resonators, there are 3 options that have HFC secondary cats.

1. Rogue Engineering Test pipes + v bands
   Allows for easy replacement of OE Cat again and also probably the cheapest option. It will also require the least amount of storage space since stock x pipe is 1-piece. Spare parts space is a premium here.
2. Bomiz X-Pipe + HFC secondaries
   ETA unknown, probably cheaper than Challenge Sport pipe
3. Challenge Sport X-pipe
   HFC secondaries + secondaries. ETA unknown if IND will bring it back, probably $2k or more

Decisions decisions..

don't forget the Rogue Resonated Test Pipes... an interesting variable to your option #1. I can't decide between resonated and non-resonated but leaning resonated to help with rasp..