Derek's E90 slicktop OEM+ Project

[HELROTM3]

Originally Posted by christoepurrr

I recently looked into the Alpha N lip, but unfortunately got discouraged when shipping from Germany to US would cost $1175, bringing the grand total to $2355

That's not true. I can show you my invoice. DM me. It's very reasonable.

[wyatth]

Looks sooo clean behind those EC7s!

[derbo]

Originally Posted by HELROTM3

That's not true. I can show you my invoice. DM me. It's very reasonable.

This one has caught my eye.

[HELROTM3]

Originally Posted by derbo

This one has caught my eye.

Love it!

[Drifter2090]

Would look amazing! Do it up!

[derbo]

Originally Posted by Drifter2090

Would look amazing! Do it up!

Sadly, my driveway situation would not clear at the moment. It barely clears the factory one as it is.

[derbo]

I went on a mini cruise yesterday to test some dampening changes I made. It continues to feel great and I hope to get some track time in soon!!

I did a software upgrade yesterday as well.

-Alpine Stage 1 Tune update
-Nav 2020 update
-Apple Carplay Module update

[s0ldats]

what in particular was the update to the stage 1 tune? did you go back to stock timing on the vanos?

[derbo]

Originally Posted by s0ldats

what in particular was the update to the stage 1 tune? did you go back to stock timing on the vanos?

I did not request stock timing on the vanos. However, Alex in that thread did mention users to ask for yearly updates. Since I have not touched the tune since 2018, I figured why not ask for one.

I do wish he had a changelog on what exactly is different in his tunes but I feel like these things are very secretive. That thread about the VANOS knocking with high load at low RPMs is a very weird scenario to be in. In fact, I'm not clear if it even is a problem.

[s0ldats]

Originally Posted by derbo

I did not request stock timing on the vanos. However, Alex in that thread did mention users to ask for yearly updates. Since I have not touched the tune since 2018, I figured why not ask for one.

I do wish he had a changelog on what exactly is different in his tunes but I feel like these things are very secretive. That thread about the VANOS knocking with high load at low RPMs is a very weird scenario to be in. In fact, I'm not clear if it even is a problem.

i find it strange that the ecu tuning community as a whole is v secretive haha but oh well.

[derbo]

Originally Posted by s0ldats

i find it strange that the ecu tuning community as a whole is v secretive haha but oh well.

I blame capitalism and everyone's tune is considering IP. Hey I know KFC secret spice mix is unknown too. How many Cajun setups can you have?!


I'm seriously reconsidering test pipes + vbands again.

[s0ldats]

Originally Posted by derbo

I blame capitalism and everyone's tune is considering IP. Hey I know KFC secret spice mix is unknown too. How many Cajun setups can you have?!


I'm seriously reconsidering test pipes + vbands again.

aside from price difference, why not bimmerworld x pipe instead?

fwiw, unless you have a cool smog shop, cats w/ vbands are technically a fail according to my smog shop

[derbo]

Originally Posted by s0ldats

aside from price difference, why not bimmerworld x pipe instead?

fwiw, unless you have a cool smog shop, cats w/ vbands are technically a fail according to my smog shop

Storage space. I don't really want to store a giant ass stock xpipe.


Really? Where does that say in the rulebook? I'm curious because the cats are still in the factory position and it purely just looks like you are doing a replacement cat similar to how if you were to buy an aftermarket cat to replace a failing cat. The V bands aren't doing anything besides sealing it. If it does fail, that's news to me.

[s0ldats]

Originally Posted by derbo

Storage space. I don't really want to store a giant ass stock xpipe.


Really? Where does that say in the rulebook? I'm curious because the cats are still in the factory position and it purely just looks like you are doing a replacement cat similar to how if you were to buy an aftermarket cat to replace a failing cat. The V bands aren't doing anything besides sealing it. If it does fail, that's news to me.

i'm not sure what section in the book but according to the shop owner, he said TECHNICALLY it's a fail if the oem cats are not welded in. although most shops will rarely fail a car on that.

i suspect it may be just one of those things that if a tech is having a bad day, he'll call it out.

that said, tons of ppl run test pipes and swap over prior to inspection so i can't imagine it's a heavily enforced rule

[kyippee]

I would recommend just swapping a whole xpipe; tried the test pipe path and the clamp came loose on track.

[s0ldats]

Originally Posted by kyippee

I would recommend just swapping a whole xpipe; tried the test pipe path and the clamp came loose on track.

v-bands are key here!

they won't be going anywhere

[kyippee]

Haha, the damage is done. Test pipe sold ages ago and on evolve xpipe now

[derbo]

Originally Posted by s0ldats

i'm not sure what section in the book but according to the shop owner, he said TECHNICALLY it's a fail if the oem cats are not welded in. although most shops will rarely fail a car on that.

i suspect it may be just one of those things that if a tech is having a bad day, he'll call it out.

that said, tons of ppl run test pipes and swap over prior to inspection so i can't imagine it's a heavily enforced rule

Interesting! Either way, I have people who will let that side.

Main benefits I think will be, less storage, and <50% the cost of Xpipe depending on labor costs for about 70-80% of the power at min.

Originally Posted by kyippee

I would recommend just swapping a whole xpipe; tried the test pipe path and the clamp came loose on track.

I was tempted to buy BayE30 's evolve x pipe but like I said I have nowhere to store the stock pipes..and I really don't want to do that swap every 2 years for smog.. lol

[BayE30]

CA BAR states that any modification to the exhaust before the catalyst ( in our case we have 2 catalyst) is illegal. So technically installing V-band clamps after the primary is considered modification, and therefor illegal. Now whether or not this is cited during emissions inspection is a different story. On my last inspection, the technician took about 20min checking my car up and down and even crawled around on the floor trying to find any evidence of tampering with the exhaust. In this scenario, i would have been cited if i had V-band clamps after the primary catalyst.

[derbo]

Originally Posted by BayE30

CA BAR states that any modification to the exhaust before the catalyst ( in our case we have 2 catalyst) is illegal. So technically installing V-band clamps after the primary is considered modification, and therefor illegal. Now whether or not this is cited during emissions inspection is a different story. On my last inspection, the technician took about 20min checking my car up and down and even crawled around on the floor trying to find any evidence of tampering with the exhaust. In this scenario, i would have been cited if i had V-band clamps after the primary catalyst.

Makes sense. I totally forgot that it's after the primary but before the secondaries so it would be illegal.

Anyone want to store an xpipe for me?

[BayE30]

Originally Posted by derbo

Makes sense. I totally forgot that it's after the primary but before the secondaries so it would be illegal.

Anyone want to store an xpipe for me?

I just stand mine up against the wall. doesnt take much space.

[derbo]

Originally Posted by BayE30

I just stand mine up against the wall. doesnt take much space.

if does if you don't have a wall to put it up