Jake's Epic BMW 135i Build Thread! (5+ Years of Ownership)
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LOL FYI as well, more power is never the answer.. the lust for more never stops.. Good looking ride though man and looks like a fun build!
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Not sure if you figured out your bluetooth or not, but FYI I was able to snag a cigarette lighter bluetooth module from bestbuy I plugged in via aux in my center console.. its completeley hidden and I have bluetooth music now. I think it was like $20, I could be wrong though.
LOL FYI as well, more power is never the answer.. the lust for more never stops.. Good looking ride though man and looks like a fun build!
Do you have a link to the Bluetooth unit you have?
And thanks! I could probably have 1000whp and still want more...
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Do you have a link to the Bluetooth unit you have?
And thanks! I could probably have 1000whp and still want more...
that one is pretty close to what I have.
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I've been slowing plugging away at the install of all my new parts. Inlets were a bitch, just like I expected. Not all the way done yet, but very close. Waiting on some new silicone vacuum line I ordered before I button them up. I'll add pictures of this install later.
Since I'm waiting on vacuum hose, I took off my intake manifold to tap a larger 1/4" vacuum port for my new Tial BOV. The factory nipple isn't big enough.
Capped OEM Port by Jacob Spence, on Flickr
Drill New Hole by Jacob Spence, on Flickr
Tap New Hole by Jacob Spence, on Flickr
Tape and Thread by Jacob Spence, on Flickr
Add Epoxy by Jacob Spence, on FlickrOh... and once the manifold was off, I saw how gross my valves were! Take a look.
I don't think A-Spec tuning really cleaned them, but I have no proof. So, I just bought everything needed to do walnut blasting, including the BMW adapter tools. More to come on that this weekend, but I'm willing to hook up WIBimmers peeps with direct injection vehicles!
Also, I have the following parts on the way:
- Flex fuel sensor and quick-connect fuel connectors (for Bluetooth ethanol content analyzer kit)
- 2-step and No-Lift Shift relay (for bang-pop noises)
- New OEM boost pressure solenoids (mine are currently leaking)
- 3.5 BAR TMAP sensor and harness adapter (for higher boost readings)
- Heavy duty RB PCV valve
- New driver's side mirror glass (mine is currently rusty/peeling)
- Downpipe gaskets/hardware
- Throttle body gasket
- Intake manifold gaskets
- Everything for oil changes on my 135i and 325xiT
So many parts to install, including all my new brake stuff!
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Do you have a catch can? Pending how many miles you have put on since 2014 it's very possible that's all new build up.
A-Spec claimed to do it at 84k. BMS catch can installed at 87k. Currently at 109k, so about 25k since the first supposed walnut blast.
It's possible that it was done, but I feel like that's a lot of build up for 25k miles with a catch can.
Either way, it won't hurt to do it again since the manifold is off
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I like how every photo you post has a relevant title.
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I like how every photo you post has a relevant title.
I do it for the kidz.
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I do it for the kidz.
You and Ben still say this, Ben especially.
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✓ 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 FlickrNext 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 -
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.
2011 E92 M3 6MT ZCP - ESS 625 supercharged
2007 Z4MR
2003 E39 M5
2002 E46 M3
2021 X5 40i -
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.
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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
2011 E92 M3 6MT ZCP - ESS 625 supercharged
2007 Z4MR
2003 E39 M5
2002 E46 M3
2021 X5 40i -
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.
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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.
2011 E92 M3 6MT ZCP - ESS 625 supercharged
2007 Z4MR
2003 E39 M5
2002 E46 M3
2021 X5 40i -
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?
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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
2011 E92 M3 6MT ZCP - ESS 625 supercharged
2007 Z4MR
2003 E39 M5
2002 E46 M3
2021 X5 40i -
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
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