550-600 HP Target - What Mods Are Remaining?

[HERBCHEMIST]

I hope to take my car up ~550-600 WHP with the addition of new turbos in a month or so. I'm not building the engine beyond that (famous last words). Currently my stock turbos are sick and I'm unable to build suitable boost...current build details below. I've also attached a recent dyno showing sick turbo setup (e.g. 17 psi max) generating 420 torque / 320 HP.

I'm adding inlets and outlets (Pinnacle Speciality Performance) during the install. Other than that, what else do I NEED TO DO to ensure reliability (at least as much as we BMW owners come to expect - wink)? Obviously these are all good upgrades, but what will be required?

• Stage 2 LPFP? NOTE: I have no problems pushing E40 today, perhaps higher boost target will tax stock LP fuel pump.
• LSD?
• Diff Brace?
  
• Other

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Here are the details of my girl: 2010 335i 'vert (E93) | 6AT w/ xHP S3 | Dinan Brand (Cold Air Intake, FMIC, High Capacity Oil Cooler, High Flow Exhaust) | DP | BMS FSB Meth w/ CM10 | E40 | Evolution Racewerks CP | Synapse Synchronic BOV | RB PCV | BMS OCC | NGK 5992 @ 0.021" | Stock turbos | JB4 G5_ISO_32_8_T11 | Trebila Performance BEF | Custom Koni Racing Suspension | 19" Beyern | Michelin PSS | 50K Mi

 

[N54QC]

I hope to take my car up ~550-600 WHP with the addition of new turbos in a month or so. I'm not building the engine beyond that (famous last words). Currently my stock turbos are sick and I'm unable to build suitable boost...current build details below. I've also attached a recent dyno showing sick turbo setup (e.g. 17 psi max) generating 420 torque / 320 HP.

I'm adding inlets and outlets (Pinnacle Speciality Performance) during the install. Other than that, what else do I NEED TO DO to ensure reliability (at least as much as we BMW owners come to expect - wink)? Obviously these are all good upgrades, but what will be required?

• Stage 2 LPFP? NOTE: I have no problems pushing E40 today, perhaps higher boost target will tax stock LP fuel pump.
• LSD?
• Diff Brace?
  
• Other

-----
Here are the details of my girl: 2010 335i 'vert (E93) | 6AT w/ xHP S3 | Dinan Brand (Cold Air Intake, FMIC, High Capacity Oil Cooler, High Flow Exhaust) | DP | BMS FSB Meth w/ CM10 | E40 | Evolution Racewerks CP | Synapse Synchronic BOV | RB PCV | BMS OCC | NGK 5992 @ 0.021" | Stock turbos | JB4 G5_ISO_32_8_T11 | Trebila Performance BEF | Custom Koni Racing Suspension | 19" Beyern | Michelin PSS | 50K Mi

Are you planning to go single or twins, or do you not have a preference? You'll want inlets for sure and probably an upgraded LPFP unless you want to run another nozzle. What do you plan to do with the car...drag, track? I ask this because you are asking about getting to 550-600whp but you have LSD and diff brace listed.

 

[Aaron]

You absolutely need to look at getting upgraded coils. I run the Precision Raceworks setup.

 

[Chris@VargasTurboTech]

Don't need upgraded coils for 600, but they're not a bad idea. LSD is a solid idea. I wrote a 600 WHP article a while back that may help.

 

[doublespaces]

Well, you've highlighted and capitalized 'need'. So really you just need to go easy on the throttle. But depending on the way you drive your car would dictate a lot of that. Needs.... Stage 2 and meth and run pump gas. Or you'll need PI/TBI to hit 600whp running ethanol I'd think. I also have an E93 and I still have stock coils(for now), LSD etc. But my mod list is hardly in the 'need' category.

 

[Aaron]

The VTT cars didn't "need" PR coils either. But one log on even a stock N54 will tell you they're a good idea. I mean, unless you like misfires and changing coils on the side of the highway.

 

[fmorelli]

Don't need upgraded coils for 600, but they're not a bad idea. LSD is a solid idea. I wrote a 600 WHP article a while back that may help.

Chris, where would we find the article?

Thanks,

Filippo

 

[doublespaces]

Chris, where would we find the article?

Thanks,

Filippo

Its in the document section at the top of the page. (Hamburger menu if you're on mobile)

 

[langsbr]

I wouldn't put an LSD on the NEED list - but definitely on the recommend list. However, I think at 600 whp, an LSD is probably just wasting money and it would break anyways. The real NEED would be a stronger diff - ala an 8.8 Ford IRS, along with better axles and driveshaft. Unfortunately there's not one made by a vendor I'd recommend yet.

Otherwise, Chris' doc is very good at the list of what you'd need.

 

[fmorelli]

I have hot heard of LSD's breaking left and right on these cars, so not sure I know why you are saying they would break? I read the document (thanks!) ... I'm working through the 93 pump gas tune on my FBO, just now doing the ignition system (bimmerlife) and researching the fuel system for the next phase.

Filippo

 

[langsbr]

Not necessarily the LSD itself, but the axles. It's becoming more common as hybrids are making 600 whp and lots of low end torque.

With an 8.8 you get better axles, choice of gear ratio, and more options on which LSD you want to use.

 

[doublespaces]

He's not going to break his axles at that power level unless he is drag racing most likely and the 8.8 is not a cheap or a need for the OP.

 

[langsbr]

He's not going to break his axles at that power level unless he is drag racing most likely and the 8.8 is not a cheap or a need for the OP.

In my initial reply I thought I made it clear that it wasn't a need but recommended. Also, since many of the gears are welded in these cars, it can increase the cost quite dramatically to get an LSD. I agree that an 8.8 is not a cheap option, but for a car with 600whp, I would recommend it before going with an MFactory or something. We just need more vendors to offer a kit.

 

[doublespaces]

In my initial reply I thought I made it clear that it wasn't a need but recommended. Also, since many of the gears are welded in these cars, it can increase the cost quite dramatically to get an LSD. I agree that an 8.8 is not a cheap option, but for a car with 600whp, I would recommend it before going with an MFactory or something. We just need more vendors to offer a kit.

His mods list says he's got xHP so he's a bolted diff. $1200 for an LSD vs however much an 8.8 conversion cost is a pretty big jump for someone making only 600whp. And again, unless he is drag racing, none of that is really even necessary, especially not an 8.8 conversion. That is just major overkill, I wouldn't even recommend that unless he was trying to make big power, 700+ IMO

 

[langsbr]

Ah - are all autos bolted diffs? I thought after 07 they all went welded. That does change the dynamic a bit. I was looking at it from the cost perspective of $2000 or so for an LSD on a welded diff, vs what, $4,000 for an 8.8?

My buddy has a CTS-V with a Creative Steel 8.8 and after looking at the e90, he's confident we could built a mount plate, so it would be less in a DIY scenario.

True you might only really need an 8.8 when drag racing, but looking at the overall package, I'd spend the extra money to have the better axles, better diff, better lsd, better driveshaft, more ratio choices, etc. Kind of a do it once situation, but I get where you're coming from.

 

[fmorelli]

Nah actually I'm on the Z4 which means I'm on a platform which 0.01% of the BMW population knows the 5-million slightly different things to the rest of the N54 guys. I'm currently running an MFactory Helical ... yeah welded (thanks BMW) which means it was a $2,000 unit. I'm not worried about blowing anything up until turbos get done, and I still have fuel system and the ethanol stuff to get through before I decide to go spend money with the Vargas Gang.

Filippo

 

[doublespaces]

Ah - are all autos bolted diffs? I thought after 07 they all went welded. That does change the dynamic a bit. I was looking at it from the cost perspective of $2000 or so for an LSD on a welded diff, vs what, $4,000 for an 8.8?

My buddy has a CTS-V with a Creative Steel 8.8 and after looking at the e90, he's confident we could built a mount plate, so it would be less in a DIY scenario.

True you might only really need an 8.8 when drag racing, but looking at the overall package, I'd spend the extra money to have the better axles, better diff, better lsd, better driveshaft, more ratio choices, etc. Kind of a do it once situation, but I get where you're coming from.

Yeap, all autos are bolted. The only difference is after mid 07 they went from a large pumpkin to a small pumpkin. There is no question the 8.8 is a much better solution, but it just seems a bit far down the path for someone making 550-600. I think for that extra change there are many other things that a person could do to improve other areas of the car. Just my 2 pennies