can you feel enough power to justify $?

[mikestreet]

Hi all, first post here. Just picked up a nice 2010 M3 to replace my Harley habit after a brutal top-side. No more bike but I'm loving the "cage"!

Research on this forum shows many recommend a pulley, exhaust, tune or software and a hi flow filter for naturally aspirated upgrades. I've priced this out on Dinan and it would run about $4500 installed. They say this translates to about 26/20 hp and torque. Given that I live in CA (limits exhaust options), is it likely that I'll feel these upgrades significantly via "the seat the pants dyno"?

Are their better competitor combinations that do more hp/tq for less$ that woould allow me to pass emissions testing in CA? Your thoughts are greatly appreciated.

[Draff1]

I went with Dinan tune and pulley with a BMC filter and RPi exhaust. I did all these mods within days of each other and I do notice a seat of the pants difference. It's subtle but noticeable. For my purposes, Dinan offered the most assurance warranty wise but there are several tunes and pulleys to choose from. Exhaust is a personal taste and there are literally dozens of legit exhaust makers. Check youtube and this forum and try to hear them in person before buying. Many of the forum members have been through a few exhausts trying to find the perfect blend. It can be an expensive quest.

[saeedg48]

I feel you man - after I got an exhaust and tune I was pretty much set.
I paid $600 for Megan Racing exhaust & $990 for a Powerchip tune..
I pulled on my friends C63 a few days back.. believe me it's fast now

Talk to Matt@Powerchip he had some great advice for me as far as what's good aftermarket and how the tune will benefit your car all around. I just had my C300 tuned (daily driver) and it was worth every penny..

[MrHarris]

Full exhaust + tune to me is worth the price for the power and the sound. The power is very very noticeable. Doesn't even feel like the same car.

[CarbonAlpine]

any warranty issues with tune? Ive heard the tune us un-detectable..

[TheDefinition]

I have a Gintani Racing exhaust and removed the cats - they says its ballpark +45hp. I definitely noticed a nice difference in power.

[Brosef]

I just had the ESS tune and challenge X-pipe with HFC's (the sport version) installed last week. The power is definitely noticeable, and as many people have said, the power delivery is much smoother. I think it's totally worth the $$.

Be mindful of what performance mods you'll go with before you order your exhaust though. I was planning on keeping the stock x-pipe when I ordered my exhaust, so I looked for something that was fairly aggressive on its own. But, now that I've replaced the mid-section, it's become extremely loud. It's not loud all the time though. In fact, I'd say that it's only a touch louder when you're pussy-footing around with the throttle. But push the pedal more than 1/3 of the way to the floor and, regardless of what gear you're in or RPM range you're at, it screams. As a friend of mine described it, it sounds like the world is coming to an end. I was pulled over within 30 minutes of having the x-pipe installed, and while the cops didn't write me up, they said I will get written up. It's only a matter of time before I do, after which I'm thinking I'll go to a sport exhaust. I'm loving it for now though.

[ryan@ActiveAutowerke]

Originally Posted by mikestreet

Hi all, first post here. Just picked up a nice 2010 M3 to replace my Harley habit after a brutal top-side. No more bike but I'm loving the "cage"!

Research on this forum shows many recommend a pulley, exhaust, tune or software and a hi flow filter for naturally aspirated upgrades. I've priced this out on Dinan and it would run about $4500 installed. They say this translates to about 26/20 hp and torque. Given that I live in CA (limits exhaust options), is it likely that I'll feel these upgrades significantly via "the seat the pants dyno"?

Are their better competitor combinations that do more hp/tq for less$ that woould allow me to pass emissions testing in CA? Your thoughts are greatly appreciated.

Active Autowerke E9xM3 N/A Package

PM for Special Forum pricing or email me at rwelsh@activeautowerke.com

[ddigangi]

i heard that ess supercharger gives you some good horsepower...

[Dave07997S]

Originally Posted by mikestreet

Hi all, first post here. Just picked up a nice 2010 M3 to replace my Harley habit after a brutal top-side. No more bike but I'm loving the "cage"!

Research on this forum shows many recommend a pulley, exhaust, tune or software and a hi flow filter for naturally aspirated upgrades. I've priced this out on Dinan and it would run about $4500 installed. They say this translates to about 26/20 hp and torque. Given that I live in CA (limits exhaust options), is it likely that I'll feel these upgrades significantly via "the seat the pants dyno"?

Are their better competitor combinations that do more hp/tq for less$ that woould allow me to pass emissions testing in CA? Your thoughts are greatly appreciated.

Your best bet is to do the Turner Test pipes keeping the OEM rear cats with resonators ($395) and run software ($995) and this will give you the best bang for the buck. Turner got 30rwhp out of this setup and this hp number has been replicated time and time again.

Dave

[BT M3]

Originally Posted by Dave07997S

Your best bet is to do the Turner Test pipes keeping the OEM rear cats with resonators ($395) and run software ($995) and this will give you the best bang for the buck. Turner got 30rwhp out of this setup and this hp number has been replicated time and time again.

Dave

Turners software no thanx. I would go with OE Tune. I ran the Turner test pipes and OE - while I cant quantitatively pull out what the test pipes and OE do alone but It is in the ballpark of 35-40hp based on my baseline.

After doing all the mods the primary cat removal and tune are the best bang for your buck.

The rear exhausts/filter/pulley are negligible power.

[mikestreet]

Wow... lots of good ideas ...thanks for the responses!

[GOLFFRR]

Originally Posted by ryan@ActiveAutowerke

Active Autowerke E9xM3 N/A Package

PM for Special Forum pricing or email me at rwelsh@activeautowerke.com

looks stunning! very aggressive

[Raptor251]

I just did the Dinan Pulleys, rear exhaust, intake and software to my e92 coupe. It deff woke the car up. Nothing crazy but just right IMO. The best mod by far however was the Stage 3 Dinan suspension. The car drives like its on rails, has the perfect ride height and rides so smooth. Spend your money on suspension and a good wheel/tire setup first.

I see your in SD, hit me up if you would like to come see what the Dinan stuff is all about

[Raptor251]

Can you do a good supercharger for around 6-7k??

[mikestreet]

Originally Posted by Raptor251

Can you do a good supercharger for around 6-7k??

Yes .. it's a distinct possibility. Is that installed?

[Dave07997S]

Originally Posted by BT M3

Turners software no thanx. I would go with OE Tune. I ran the Turner test pipes and OE - while I cant quantitatively pull out what the test pipes and OE do alone but It is in the ballpark of 35-40hp based on my baseline.

After doing all the mods the primary cat removal and tune are the best bang for your buck.

The rear exhausts/filter/pulley are negligible power.

I didn't specify a Turner tune, I just said a tune. I didn't want to get into a "my tune is better than your tune". However, you are basically saying what I said, remove primaries and get a "tune" and you will have the best bang for the buck without having to spend thousands of dollars more.

I don't even have a tune yet, but whats wrong with Turners tune? I trust them a hell of a lot more than OE tunes. I mean after all Turner just won several Grand AM titles...

Dave

[Dodge2Dub]

Originally Posted by Dave07997S

I don't even have a tune yet, but whats wrong with Turners tune? I trust them a hell of a lot more than OE tunes. I mean after all Turner just won several Grand AM titles...

Dave

Are you running the test pipes without a tune? If so, what is the drawback..just a CEL, or does the car go into limp mode?

Due to warranty issues, I personally don't want to run any software other than Dinan D900-40M (their midpipe software is not covered by their warranty).

Separately, how easy is it to install/uninstall the Turner testpipes? Thinking that I'll run them most days, but reinstall the CATS when the car goes in for service.

[Grail05]

if i were you, buy a full exhaust no primary cat with 200cel cat and a resonator and maybe a GINTANI or AKRAPOVIC exhaust and get an AKRA DELETE-R to get rid of the cel and call it a day... data shows that you will get 20-26hp

AKRA is on the expensive side but you can mixed and match x pipe and axle back exhaust to have power gain up to 26hp.


I recently bought an SLIP on AKRA used with 300 miles i think so its practically new and will be getting an xpipe maybe challenge or Tecnocraft to get the full potential of the exhaust....

im not going to get a tune cause i have been reading with tune ecu gets a problem after certain amount of time, and if the dealer finds out they will void your warranty... so id stay away from that

[Grail05]

[QUOTE=Are their better competitor combinations that do more hp/tq for less$ that woould allow me to pass emissions testing in CA? Your thoughts are greatly appreciated.[/QUOTE]

i forgot to answer this...

I live in cali as well and had been modding cars for 15 years... and no matter what once you change something thats not stock ie, exhaust, intake, and if the ecu is tampered it will fail

well basically anything you do in CALI its freakin Illegal. even my slip on AKRA exhaust is illegal according to my friend that owns a SMOG place. if they want to be an Ahole they will visually fail you.

[Grail05]

oh i forgot to add... screw them its your car and I SAY DO IT.....