Upgrade Path

[dh58]

I've been looking around the forums and there are lots of threads on what should be done to the n54 and n55 but not in what order (from what i've found so far!!!) and not for what purpose.

Can you correct/help me?

For speed.
1st Intake
2nd Tune (either Burger, Cobb or Proceede)
3rd FMIC
4th Downpipe
5th Charge Pipe
6th Exhaust
7th Meth


For protection of the car and engine is there anything that can be done to this path? Eg. Moving the charge pipe further up the list to protect the higher boost pressure that comes with a tune.

[1NNO_35]

Well I will correct couse you're wrong mate..

For speed, if you are out of warranty, you should start with an intercooler and a tune. If warranty is on, only intake (Drop in filter, nothing else warranty or not)

Downpipe: well it's great but you shouldn't install it without tune, cause it needs always engine tuning.. so the cylinders won't melt down in worst case scenario.

Forget about the Charge pipe and meth, no need unless you gonna build it up to a time attack car etc.

With bigger intercooler and downpipes, you can raise the boost pressure up to 1 bar.

[parky1215]

should take intake out from the list.

[Murdered_One]

How about you do what you want. I didn't ask others for opinions on here because the only thing that will happen is everyone will disagree with you.. its your car.. ^ he says no intake.. I love mine.. its all personal preference..don't let someone else tell you how to mod your car.

[Murdered_One]

[QUOTE=1NNO_35;9941758]Well I will correct couse you're wrong mate..

For speed, if you are out of warranty, you should start with an intercooler and a tune. If warranty is on, only intake (Drop in filter, nothing else warranty or not)

QUOTE]
^find a mod friendly dealership.. I have downpipes.. intake.. and tune.. and I have never been harassed once.. you just have to be smart about it. Catless Downpipe error code delete.. etc.

[GaryS]

For track days, tune + fmic. For drag racing, tune + meth.

adding: For street, tune + exhaust.

[XCC Motorsports]

Originally Posted by 1NNO_35

Downpipe: well it's great but you shouldn't install it without tune, cause it needs always engine tuning.. so the cylinders won't melt down in worst case scenario.

Lol cylinders melt down. This is funny. How would cylinders melt down from installing a downpipe without a tune on a 135i? I would like to hear the misinformation in better detail.

[vwrefugee]

there are lots of threads on what should be done to the n54 and n55 but not in what order

There's not much posted about what order to do things in because of exactly what you're starting to see here - no agreement. Generally speaking, tune first and something to cool things down like either a larger intercooler or meth gives you a very solid foundation of power with safety on which to build with the remaining power tweaks. There have been some threads on FMIC versus meth order with most saying FMIC first. I happen to be in the minority that think meth is a better first step for overall cooling/performance and can later be supplemented with an upgraded IC.

[Eyeman]

I think you should do all the planned supporting mods first and then the tune or tune/meth. This especially applies if you are getting a flash tune, less with an adjustable piggyback or Cobb type flash.

[cooler2442]

If you want the most power for the bang then you go JB4 --> Downpipes ---> Meth ---> FMIC -----> Exhaust.

No need for intake because it will give you more heat soak later on.

[NYC_Steve]

Anyone foresee any problems if someone was to go tune first? I know the JB4 has a decent amount of versatility built into it, I believe Cobb is a somewhat more limited. Would Cobb work well with an FMIC?

New here haven't even purchased my 135i yet but have plans to in the future Just here to get some guidance and read up before I finally can afford one.

[Murdered_One]

I did tune first.. best decision in my opinion

[Shoukin Kubi]

If I could start from scratch again.
1. JB4....had dinan first no issues but JB4 more power
2. Mid-pipes and rear section
3. FMIC
4. Downpipes
5. Intake
My only earnest suggestion is tune first. Most bang for the buck.
The rest is up to how bad you got the sickness and how fat the wallet is.
current results for car: Map 2 341whp 364tq
Race map w/100 octane: Map7 381whp 411tq
No custom tuning done yet.

[dh58]

MMm... The threat started off a bit rocky but have got some good replies..

I think it is a matter of opinion. It seems people want max power as fast as possible or (like me) want to get max power while keeping the engine as safe as possible

[burger16b]

Originally Posted by Murdered_One

How about you do what you want. I didn't ask others for opinions on here because the only thing that will happen is everyone will disagree with you.. its your car.. ^ he says no intake.. I love mine.. its all personal preference..don't let someone else tell you how to mod your car.

+1
do what you want to it, however i would wait on downpipes till after tuning so I could get the most out of it. also depends on if you still a\have a warranty and if you want to jeopardize it.

[RealityDesign]

JB4 + Meth. If you want to spend more money after that to make a few more ponies, go for it. But realistically, 80% or more of the gains are going to be from the tune and meth. All the bolt-ons (fmic, intakes, downpipes) are going to net you somewhere in the neighborhood of 30whp realistically, where as meth and a tune is good for upwards of 120whp over stock.

Take this from someone that has installed every single bolt-on individually and monitored the gains from each.

[Kamal]

personal preference like everyone else is saying... my path has only started but this is how it's gone so far...

Berk Sport full exhaust
Cobb AccessPort
E93M front sway bar
AR design downpipes
HPF front mount intercooler

custom dyno tuning hopefully soon (waiting on Cobb!)... as well as an upgraded charge pipe and BOV... then I think I'm going to focus on suspension. Alot of cosmetic stuff has been done and will continue, but that's my path as far as performance is concerned. My path has been largely determined by opportunities that arise... I usually pull the trigger on something when I get an offer I can't (or don't want to!) refuse.

[NYC_Steve]

Originally Posted by Kamal

custom dyno tuning hopefully soon (waiting on Cobb!)...

any update on when Cobb is releasing stage 2?

[Kamal]

Originally Posted by NYC_Steve

any update on when Cobb is releasing stage 2?

Cobb refuses to give us a clear answer, but I think the last thing I heard was that it should be out before the summer is up.

[jeremydgreat]

If your goal is to go faster around an actual track:

1) Better/softer tires
2) Coilovers
3) Camber plates

... then start your power mods.

Unless your destination is the drag strip or you just really want to impress your friends on the freeway :-)