Jake's Epic BMW 135i Build Thread! (5+ Years of Ownership)
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After all these mods, it was time to hit up the drag strip! I only got one video of a pass, but my best time was 12.9 @ 112mph with a 2.15 60ft on street tires. I was heat-soaking really bad and was only able to get 15psi out of the turbos. I guess that is what happens when you sit in the staging lanes for 20 minutes before each run. Next time I'll have an aftermarket intercooler and a more aggressive tune.
After the races, I went to the streets with a few friends of mine. One of them has a Pontiac G8 GT with intake, headers, exhaust, mild cam, and a tune. He was on drag radials with an LSD and automatic transmission putting out 12.2 time slips. I asked if he'd be down to run on the street because I knew I would have better IATs. I put about 2 or 3 car lengths on him from 60MPH to 130MPH. Then we did a 20MPH roll and were dead even up until about 100MPH. I know I have a 12 second car, it'll just take a bit to get there on the track.
Here is the only video I have from the track:
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Woah! Some blasts from the past in there!
Looking minty my friend
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Very cool updates!! Still a cute car.
Woah! Some blasts from the past in there! Looking minty my friend
Thanks guys
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awesome dude. Interesting enough I'm in a similar boat, although my clutch was slipping on far less than E85. I just de-tuned to Stage 1 this weekend because my custom stage 2 was causing a lot of slip. I actually slipped bad enough to throw codes and car went into limp mode on Friday - scanned with the AP and found transmission speed not matching engine speed fault code. I've been doing clutch research but there isn't a single mass option for N55. I've got a quote for 200 bucks to resurface my stock flywheel, and probably will end up buying a spec stage 2+ clutch. I was really excited to read about the 550i clutch option and that you had gone that route but then I saw it was only for N54. F my life.
As for your track times - besides what you already know, get an LSD. Going straight > going sideways.
2011 E92 M3 6MT ZCP - ESS 625 supercharged
2007 Z4MR
2003 E39 M5
2002 E46 M3
2021 X5 40i -
awesome dude. Interesting enough I'm in a similar boat, although my clutch was slipping on far less than E85. I just de-tuned to Stage 1 this weekend because my custom stage 2 was causing a lot of slip. I actually slipped bad enough to throw codes and car went into limp mode on Friday - scanned with the AP and found transmission speed not matching engine speed fault code. I've been doing clutch research but there isn't a single mass option for N55. I've got a quote for 200 bucks to resurface my stock flywheel, and probably will end up buying a spec stage 2+ clutch. I was really excited to read about the 550i clutch option and that you had gone that route but then I saw it was only for N54. F my life.
As for your track times - besides what you already know, get an LSD. Going straight > going sideways.
From the reading I did, I believe you can swap in the 550i clutch. I also think you can get a SMFW from MFactory, but could be wrong. A little research showed you can use an N54 clutch if you use an N54 flywheel. Don't quote me though, but I found a few N55 people that bought the 550i clutch and never reported their experiences afterwards. I don't know how many miles you have, but I'd replace the flyhweel. The springs wear over time, but I know a new OEM flywheel runs just under $1,000.
I'd love to get an LSD, but I'm currently battling this issue: http://www.n54tech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=30034
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I believe I'm convinced. This might just be my next project street car.
Mine is always for sale for the right price
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Rowley, it's hard to go wrong with a 135i for a good street project, as far as late-model BMWs go. You can get N54 cars now for pretty cheap, relatively speaking. The tuning and turbo upgrades keep coming, too. N55 will be coming down more in price too as we are halfway through 2015 already so they are definitely getting older.
Suspence, good call on MFactory by the way. I called them and they do in fact have a SMFW for N55 6mt so I'm gonna get one of those along with a Spec Stage 3+ clutch in preparation for my turbo upgrade next spring
I probably won't be installing until July after my track days are done in June because I don't have much break-in time this month, but I'll be sure to let you all know how awful it is to swap one of these on the floor with no lift
2011 E92 M3 6MT ZCP - ESS 625 supercharged
2007 Z4MR
2003 E39 M5
2002 E46 M3
2021 X5 40i -
hold me
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Rowley, it's hard to go wrong with a 135i for a good street project, as far as late-model BMWs go. You can get N54 cars now for pretty cheap, relatively speaking. The tuning and turbo upgrades keep coming, too. N55 will be coming down more in price too as we are halfway through 2015 already so they are definitely getting older.
Suspence, good call on MFactory by the way. I called them and they do in fact have a SMFW for N55 6mt so I'm gonna get one of those along with a Spec Stage 3+ clutch in preparation for my turbo upgrade next spring
I probably won't be installing until July after my track days are done in June because I don't have much break-in time this month, but I'll be sure to let you all know how awful it is to swap one of these on the floor with no lift
Great to hear. MFactory has pretty good customer service as well. I look forward to your feedback and upgraded turbo... I am looking at a few sets as well.
hold me
I will take this as a compliment...
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Haha yeah. That thing is beautiful man!
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If you ever decide to sell the ARC-8 call me
I'll trade my 359M or cash hahaI also have a N54 335i. What tune are you running?
1-series and 3-series offsets are very different, you can probably buy some ARC-8s on their website.
I am running JB4 right now, have been for over a year. I like it a lot, but there are pros and cons to the different tunes out there. I dislike that JB4 is a piggyback where COBB and MHD are standalone flashes. I'd like to try one of Ken's flashes via MHD, but there are a lot of features on JB4 that I like. Boost limiting in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, meth control, wastegate control (I have bad wastegate rattle), hijacking gauges, 2-step, shift lights, steering wheel controls, etc. It sounds like I could squeeze a little more power out of a MHD flash, but don't know if the tradeoff is worth it for my daily.
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1-series and 3-series offsets are very different, you can probably buy some ARC-8s on their website.I am running JB4 right now, have been for over a year. I like it a lot, but there are pros and cons to the different tunes out there. I dislike that JB4 is a piggyback where COBB and MHD are standalone flashes. I'd like to try one of Ken's flashes via MHD, but there are a lot of features on JB4 that I like. Boost limiting in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, meth control, wastegate control (I have bad wastegate rattle), hijacking gauges, 2-step, shift lights, steering wheel controls, etc. It sounds like I could squeeze a little more power out of a MHD flash, but don't know if the tradeoff is worth it for my daily.
I just got rid of mine, and im anxiously waiting for MHD stuff to come (tablet, cable) and also ordered the 7in IC and stage 2 lpfp for e70. All my friends that had jb4 went to mhd and they say the car is something else. Ken is making me a personal map i cant wait to try it out i wish my car was running right when he came to visit us in chicago
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I just got rid of mine, and im anxiously waiting for MHD stuff to come (tablet, cable) and also ordered the 7in IC and stage 2 lpfp for e70. All my friends that had jb4 went to mhd and they say the car is something else. Ken is making me a personal map i cant wait to try it out i wish my car was running right when he came to visit us in chicago
Is there where you're located, Chicago?
I have Steve's stage 1 inline upgrade, but I'm curious to see how your stage 2 will perform. I have a tablet, but don't have the cable. I'd like to give it a try, but I'm going to get an intercooler, charge pipe, and BOV first.
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Is there where you're located, Chicago?
I have Steve's stage 1 inline upgrade, but I'm curious to see how your stage 2 will perform. I have a tablet, but don't have the cable. I'd like to give it a try, but I'm going to get an intercooler, charge pipe, and BOV first.
No im Located in Kenosha Wisconsin. Come down anytime and check it out when my car is ready alot of members have message me to see how MHD does.
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It's been a while. I haven't done much with the car since my last update besides an oil change or two. Life has been busy. I bought a house with an awesome, huge garage (surround sound ceiling speakers, air compressor with hose outlets everywhere, 220v, insulated, TV, fridge, storage space, etc.)
Anyways, I just ordered a bunch of parts. I've decided to drive the car through winter again this year. I'll post pictures once everything has been delivered.
Breaking my build thread rules and posting a cell phone picture...
But, this should make up for it...
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