Jake's Epic BMW 135i Build Thread! (5+ Years of Ownership)

[suspenceful]

✓ Precision Raceworks inlets
✓ VRSF 7" intercooler
✓ VRSF charge pipe with TIAL BOV
✓ 3.5 BAR TMAP sensor
✓ RB PCV valve
✓ New boost solenoids
✓ Walnut blast (this was fun)
✓ Tapped manifold for 1/4" vacuum line, replaced gaskets
✓ Replaced every vacuum line on the car

The Bae by Jacob Spence, on Flickr

Next up:
- Download MHD and update tune
- Oil change
- Install all new brake parts, flush/fill brake fluid
- Install ethanol content analyzing system
- Install 2-step/no-lift-shift relay

[Earl]

Nice and tidy=)

[i_love_cars]

that looks so much better than an N54 with stock inlets.

I still don't like the design of the hot side having the air filters now due to the aftermarket inlets, but I know the increased volume you get makes good power gains regardless and overpowers the hot air being pulled in. I would think a meth injection kit is practically a necessity using those inlets given how much heatsoak issues this engine already has.

[suspenceful]

i_love_cars said:

that looks so much better than an N54 with stock inlets.

I still don't like the design of the hot side having the air filters now due to the aftermarket inlets, but I know the increased volume you get makes good power gains regardless and overpowers the hot air being pulled in. I would think a meth injection kit is practically a necessity using those inlets given how much heatsoak issues this engine already has. 

I'd beg to differ. I might wrap them in heat-resistant material and create an air duct, but the increased air temp won't matter after going thru the glowing hot turbos. The 7" intercooler will do its job.

I doubt I will ever run meth. Maybe if we were in Texas or California. E85 and maybe port injection is as far as I'll go.

[i_love_cars]

I guarantee you are pulling hotter IATs with this setup after a couple pulls. While the turbo itself certainly impacts temps, you are going to be starting with hotter air to begin with. All your air is now being pulled into the car from the hot side of a turbo motor and your filters are just sitting there with no ducting pushing cold air from the outside into them. There's a reason BMW engineers put the intake for both n54 and n55 on the cold side of the engine. Heatsoak is a well-known and documented issue on these engines. Doing anything that involves putting your air filters on the hot side is going to exacerbate that problem. Sending in colder air to begin with will reduce the total amount of heat transfer that the turbo gives off to the air as it passes through to the intercooler. 

This won't be a problem if you aren't running hot laps - I am just making an observation based on physics. Your car will still obviously be making great gains from this. I think you should explore what you said about maybe making an air duct. 

For now, though, probably just go flog on it when the weather is better  

Just don't be one of those "paint your intercooler black" dudes 

[wasnt m3]

I just read that as ""paint your intercooler" black dudes." Had to reread that lol.

[suspenceful]

i_love_cars said:

I guarantee you are pulling hotter IATs with this setup after a couple pulls. While the turbo itself certainly impacts temps, you are going to be starting with hotter air to begin with. All your air is now being pulled into the car from the hot side of a turbo motor and your filters are just sitting there with no ducting pushing cold air from the outside into them. There's a reason BMW engineers put the intake for both n54 and n55 on the cold side of the engine. Heatsoak is a well-known and documented issue on these engines. Doing anything that involves putting your air filters on the hot side is going to exacerbate that problem. Sending in colder air to begin with will reduce the total amount of heat transfer that the turbo gives off to the air as it passes through to the intercooler. 

This won't be a problem if you aren't running hot laps - I am just making an observation based on physics. Your car will still obviously be making great gains from this. I think you should explore what you said about maybe making an air duct. 

For now, though, probably just go flog on it when the weather is better  

Just don't be one of those "paint your intercooler black" dudes 

No doubt my IATs will be higher. Not denying that. I plan on creating some sort of air duct and possibly wrapping the pipes, but we will see.

I might have to dig up some old logs and compare differences. I was running stock intercooler before (headsoak city up in that bish). The 7" should almost cancel out the higher IATs. We will see.

[i_love_cars]

also agree on not running meth. I am holding off on that as well. Especially having port injection options now - fueling can be dealt with in such a way that meth isn't as necessary unless you are absolutely trying to max out power. More hassle than it's worth otherwise IMO.

[suspenceful]

i_love_cars said:

also agree on not running meth. I am holding off on that as well. Especially having port injection options now - fueling can be dealt with in such a way that meth isn't as necessary unless you are absolutely trying to max out power. More hassle than it's worth otherwise IMO. 

When will your car race-ready? I'd love to do a pull against you, see how they compare. Maybe at one of the WIBimmers meets this year?

[i_love_cars]

hoping to have boost leak resolved by Monday, then assuming all goes well the tune should be getting dialed in over the next month or so. I'm always down for some pulls but that means you actually need to make it to a meet  

[B C]

Meth, not even once.

If I ever get a new intercooler I will definitely be applying high emissivity coatings to it. Something to consider if you need to bring temps down without meth/changing the entire intake setup. Some folks have never heard of it before so I thought i'd mention it

Just dont be one of those "paint your intercooler" black dudes

[suspenceful]

Snap said:

Meth, not even once.

If I ever get a new intercooler I will definitely be applying high emissivity coatings to it. Something to consider if you need to bring temps down without meth/changing the entire intake setup. Some folks have never heard of it before so I thought i'd mention it

Just dont be one of those "paint your intercooler" black dudes

High emissivity coatings? I'd be one of the folks who have never heard of it before. Please explain...

[suspenceful]

Buttoned everything up (besides the front bumper) and fired her up this weekend. Started on the first crank and purred like a very noisy kitten.

She feels real good

After that picture, I installed my new plates 

[i_love_cars]

bahahahahha that's fucking awesome. love that plate

[GunMetalGrey]

A lot of hate on the black intercoolers here. I just came to flaunt my black intercooler. It's the stealthiest. 
I would also like to post this for your viewing pleasure. It is not the most scientific of experiments, but I can say I was surprised by the results. 
I did not use standard spray paint as they did, I used radiator paint which is much thinner. 

I quite enjoy the new plate!

[i_love_cars]

i hate to be that guy that derails a thread (ok actually i don't), but there's better physics and math being applied by EE about this whole black intercooler thing. Basically do it if you want the aesthetics of black, but don't assume you're getting better performance because in real terms, you aren't.

[patsbimmer1]

But what if you plasti dip it!?  Plasti dip fixes everything!  That's gotta be more efficient with the rubberized coating help to contain coolness and help cool ther intercooler.  

But seriously, more discussion should be had about end tank internal design and flow than the color of an ic.

[GunMetalGrey]

i_love_cars said:

i hate to be that guy that derails a thread (ok actually i don't), but there's better physics and math being applied by EE about this whole black intercooler thing. Basically do it if you want the aesthetics of black, but don't assume you're getting better performance because in real terms, you aren't. 

I agree, I should have stated that the "cooling benefit" they find is not that relevant. 
I like my black intercooler, you cannot see it behind my grills. 
#stealthmodeengaged #exceptformyreallyloudexhaust

[Bassboy3313]

I bought my intercooler black from the factory. That is all.

[SteelBlue]

Jake walnut blasted my intercooler