[TheMidnightNarwhal]

Originally Posted by Torgus

They certainly do add noise. I'm sure they free up a few HPs with a tune. No tune, just a waste of time and money for sound. Then again, why would anyone buy an N54/N55 and not tune it? Tunes are free.


I counted and I have 7 DCI in my garage. $25 each or $50 for two. Your call.

Also have a set of RB driver's side inlets if someone wants a real upgrade.

Naaah even without a tune this mod is amazing. No waste of money at all. Just got it I adore the car even more now.

I do plan to tune in a few months after my downpipes are on the car but even right now without one it's great.

[Torgus]

Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal

Naaah even without a tune this mod is amazing. No waste of money at all. Just got it I adore the car even more now.

I do plan to tune in a few months after my downpipes are on the car but even right now without one it's great.

I only say it is a waste of money as it is sound only until you have a tune. That is all. If I were you I'd get a tune immediately. Really wakes the car up downpipes or not.

There is free software to add a tune or MHD is super user friendly.

Owning an N54 you want to own a coding/comm cable anyways.

Oh, speaking of which I have CPE downpipes for sale if you want them. PM me for pics etc.

[OTO335i]

Originally Posted by Torgus

They certainly do add noise. I'm sure they free up a few HPs with a tune. No tune, just a waste of time and money for sound. Then again, why would anyone buy an N54/N55 and not tune it? Tunes are free.


I counted and I have 7 DCI in my garage. $25 each or $50 for two. Your call.

Also have a set of RB driver's side inlets if someone wants a real upgrade.

I have not tuned my N54 because most posts I see with people having issues are tuned. I had a tuned A4 before this car and it was nothing but headaches trying to track down issues as time went on so I don't really want to jump back into another german car having issues because it's tuned.

And how are tunes free?

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

Originally Posted by Torgus

I only say it is a waste of money as it is sound only until you have a tune. That is all. If I were you I'd get a tune immediately. Really wakes the car up downpipes or not.

There is free software to add a tune or MHD is super user friendly.

Owning an N54 you want to own a coding/comm cable anyways.

Oh, speaking of which I have CPE downpipes for sale if you want them. PM me for pics etc.

Yeah I do have a cable.

I wanted to wait before tune because MHD I would have 2 pay 2 times for a tune without downpipes and then for one with downpipes right?

Sorry for the downpipes your a bit far for easy pick up.

[Torgus]

Just google "free n54 tune" There is free software online that continues to be developed.

It's been so long since I bought the MHD maps I don't remember. I think you can download the app without paying for it no? and then see all the prices?


OTO335i if you aren't going to tune the N54 I would just buy another car. They are horribly unreliable tuned or not. Might as well have a tune and enjoy it. The tune is just going to wear out yoru plugs and coil packs faster which are quick and inexpensive to replace.

stock vs. tune on 91 octane. MHD flash on 93 will net even better:



1k in mods + MHD and you should be at around 400whp/450wtq this is why people buy the N54. Not to keep it stock...

[OTO335i]

Originally Posted by Torgus

Just google "free n54 tune" There is free software online that continues to be developed.

It's been so long since I bought the MHD maps I don't remember. I think you can download the app without paying for it no? and then see all the prices?


OTO335i if you aren't going to tune the N54 I would just buy another car. They are horribly unreliable tuned or not. Might as well have a tune and enjoy it. The tune is just going to wear out yoru plugs and coil packs faster which are quick and inexpensive to replace.

stock vs. tune on 91 octane. MHD flash on 93 will net even better:



1k in mods + MHD and you should be at around 400whp/450wtq this is why people buy the N54. Not to keep it stock...

So just because I don't want to tune my car I should buy another? lol So all these old folks that are driving 535's with the N54 should get another car since they won't tune it either? lol that's the most ridiculous thing I've heard. I like the power it has already and it's enough for me at the moment driving in traffic all the time, I get caught going 50km over the limit here I get my car impounded and up to $10,000 (CDN $$) fine. I don't feel like having to replace coils and spark plugs all the time because of a tune and yeah it might be cheaper for you in the states but here parts run us a little more. Other problems that can occur on a tune is faster wear on your HPFP and 02 sensors which I see often coming up as issues posted by members with a tune. So no I will not get another car just because you think that every N54 out there are supposed to be tuned...

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

Originally Posted by OTO335i

So just because I don't want to tune my car I should buy another? lol So all these old folks that are driving 535's with the N54 should get another car since they won't tune it either? lol that's the most ridiculous thing I've heard. I like the power it has already and it's enough for me at the moment driving in traffic all the time, I get caught going 50km over the limit here I get my car impounded and up to $10,000 (CDN $$) fine. I don't fell like having to replace coils and spark plugs all the time because of a tune and yeah it might be cheaper for you in the states but here parts run us a little more. Other problems that can occur on a tune is faster wear on your HPFP and 02 sensors which I See often coming up as issues posted by members with a tune. So no I will not get another car just because you think that every N54 out there are supposed to be tuned...

Yeah I do agree with you on that. The stock car with 300hp is plenty and I am actually a bit on the fence for tuning. And in my case with the IS it's 320hp and overboost stock... main reason I would like to tune is to remove the CEL from downpipes and probably in the future I will get used to the power but we will see.

[Torgus]

Originally Posted by OTO335i

So just because I don't want to tune my car I should buy another? lol So all these old folks that are driving 535's with the N54 should get another car since they won't tune it either? lol that's the most ridiculous thing I've heard. I like the power it has already and it's enough for me at the moment driving in traffic all the time, I get caught going 50km over the limit here I get my car impounded and up to $10,000 (CDN $$) fine. I don't fell like having to replace coils and spark plugs all the time because of a tune and yeah it might be cheaper for you in the states but here parts run us a little more. Other problems that can occur on a tune is faster wear on your HPFP and 02 sensors which I See often coming up as issues posted by members with a tune. So no I will not get another car just because you think that every N54 out there are supposed to be tuned...

I'm sorry you drive in traffic all the time. Why would you drive 50km over the speed limit with a tune?

The vehicles with the n54 without a tune are just as unreliable and have the same issues tuned or not, which is why I don't see why anyone would knowingly drive one without a tune(especially when it's free).

If you want to keep it stock go for it. But don't delude yourself that it's going to break down less and or be more reliable.

Coil packs and plugs every 50k tuned is not expensive and about the same as stock. HPFP is junk, it's driven off the engine so you are not 'working it less'. Wastegate on the turbos wears out just as fast stock or at 500whp. Waterpump will still fail at or around 100k. 02 sensors are not going to wear out faster that will be noticable. The list goes on.


If anything adding inlets so the turbos can breath in easier(stock are too small from the factory) and downpipes so they can exhale easier will let the most expensive component that is likely to fail(the turbos) live an easier life. You will need a tune of some sort at this point. Just because you have a tune does not mean you will be or have to be maxing out every component and running on the ragged edge. There are such a thing as safe and moderate tunes. You can cap the boost where ever you want.

[OTO335i]

Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal

Yeah I do agree with you on that. The stock car with 300hp is plenty and I am actually a bit on the fence for tuning. And in my case with the IS it's 320hp and overboost stock... main reason I would like to tune is to remove the CEL from downpipes and probably in the future I will get used to the power but we will see.

That's what I would do as well, If I were to put downpipes I would just get a flash to help with the engine light (so I can pass inspection) and the increase in flow. I would imagine that having 3 inch downpipes would be pretty sweet, I had put a 3inch high flow cat and downpipe on my K04 A4 and it made a huge difference in torque and not having the turbo fall on it's face passed 5500 rpm lol it would pull all the way to redline.

[OTO335i]

Originally Posted by Torgus

I'm sorry you drive in traffic all the time. Why would you drive 50km over the speed limit with a tune?

The vehicles with the n54 without a tune are just as unreliable and have the same issues tuned or not, which is why I don't see why anyone would knowingly drive one without a tune(especially when it's free).

If you want to keep it stock go for it. But don't delude yourself that it's going to break down less and or be more reliable.

Coil packs and plugs every 50k tuned is not expensive and about the same as stock. HPFP is junk, it's driven off the engine so you are not 'working it less'. Wastegate on the turbos wears out just as fast stock or at 500whp. Waterpump will still fail at or around 100k. 02 sensors are not going to wear out faster that will be noticable. The list goes on.

If I had 450 crank hp, I would be eager to drive faster because I would know it would take nothing to get there lol I had a heavy foot in the past and it cost me so I've been trying to keep it easy and for the moment the stock motor is enough for me to enjoy without overdoing it.

I've owned my car for a year and luckily the only thing that's broken down is the water pump which I changed myself, I also did all my maintenance as in plugs and such but I haven't had major issues. I'm at 172,000Km's and throwing a tune on my car would probably risk burning my turbo's out faster than they would if I left it stock. I'd like to pay the car off before throwing major money into it as well. For the wastegate issue, isn't it more of a wastegate actuator issue? that would be my first course of action if I had rattle, I think the diaphragm inside the actuator gives out which doesn't pull the wastegate fully closed "I could be wrong"

[Torgus]

The waste gate usually fails because it gets worn out. This is that horrible sound that N54s are known for. Wastegate rattle!

This video explains it well:

Just a shitty design from BMW. Mine were junk like this, hence my 30FF codes and not hitting boost targets.

It can be the actuator but 99% of the time it's the worn wastegate assembly on this platform. This causes lack of boost 30FF codes etc.


Here is a video showing the HORRIBLE sound. Nothing like your BMW sounding worse than a ricer:

What is annoying is this will eventually happen to all of the n54 turbos. People have had wastegate rattle after BMW replaced them with brand new OEM units. They do sell upgraded wastegate parts but the labor to get the turbos out makes it not worth only installing the upgraded wastegates. Also, running little or alot of boost will not affect how fast the wastegate wears out because of it's design.

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

Originally Posted by Torgus

The waste gate usually fails because it gets worn out. This is that horrible sound that N54s are known for. Wastegate rattle!

This video explains it well:


Just a shitty design from BMW. Mine were junk like this, hence my 30FF codes and not hitting boost targets.

It can be the actuator but 99% of the time it's the worn wastegate assembly on this platform. This causes lack of boost 30FF codes etc.


Here is a video showing the HORRIBLE sound. Nothing like your BMW sounding worse than a ricer:


What is annoying is this will eventually happen to all of the n54 turbos. People have had wastegate rattle after BMW replaced them with brand new OEM units. They do sell upgraded wastegate parts but the labor to get the turbos out makes it not worth only installing the upgraded wastegates. Also, running little or alot of boost will not affect how fast the wastegate wears out because of it's design.

I do have a hard time processing that a tune on these cars like you say wouldn't accelerate wear? At some point somewhere it must put more wear and stress on the turbo for sure compared to a stock car.

And reading about that waste gate rattle seems pretty depressing.

[OTO335i]

Originally Posted by Torgus

The waste gate usually fails because it gets worn out. This is that horrible sound that N54s are known for. Wastegate rattle!

This video explains it well:

Just a shitty design from BMW. Mine were junk like this, hence my 30FF codes and not hitting boost targets.

It can be the actuator but 99% of the time it's the worn wastegate assembly on this platform. This causes lack of boost 30FF codes etc.


Here is a video showing the HORRIBLE sound. Nothing like your BMW sounding worse than a ricer:

What is annoying is this will eventually happen to all of the n54 turbos. People have had wastegate rattle after BMW replaced them with brand new OEM units. They do sell upgraded wastegate parts but the labor to get the turbos out makes it not worth only installing the upgraded wastegates. Also, running little or alot of boost will not affect how fast the wastegate wears out because of it's design.

It would definitely drive me crazy hearing that noise. It would suck in terms of space but I would definitely do this work on my own if they needed replacing. Time will tell when they start ringing!

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

Originally Posted by OTO335i

It would definitely drive me crazy hearing that noise. It would suck in terms of space but I would definitely do this work on my own if they needed replacing. Time will tell when they start ringing!

You said you got like a 170k on your car? Do you know if original turbos or if they were replaced?

[OTO335i]

Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal

You said you got like a 170k on your car? Do you know if original turbos or if they were replaced?

I know that they were never replaced under recall or warranty because I checked with BMW. So I don't think they were ever replaced unless they were done at another shop by the previous owner. I'm not sure if there's a way I could check either.

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

Originally Posted by OTO335i

I know that they were never replaced under recall or warranty because I checked with BMW. So I don't think they were ever replaced unless they were done at another shop by the previous owner. I'm not sure if there's a way I could check either.

Nice. I'm only at 90 000k right now and seeing your tubo life and comparing with other user seems to be random for everyone, so at least there is that.

[Torgus]

Stock boost is 8.8 psi IIRC. Most run up to 18-19psi on 93 octane FBO. 22+psi on full E85. This is on MHI stock twins. The more you push outside of their efficiency range them you will accelerate wear on the CHRA, but not on the wastegate. The wastegate will fail and you will be getting 30FF under boost target codes likely before the CHRA needs replacing. It's a shame but it is what it is.

Stock STIs make like 18PSI from the factory. They have a smaller engine so they need more boost for higher numbers. Just using them as an example and why higher boost isn't necessarily a bad thing.

The 8.8psi BMW used from the factory is very very low. These are MHI turbos, look them up. People run 12-18psi on this platform all the time. It's not until you get above say, 19SI that they start to blow hot air as they are out of their efficiency range. As long as you keep a turbo in it's efficiency range and you are not over spinning it turning it into a hairdryer(20psi and above, which is why you need E85 to suppress knock) it should last a very long time.

The MHI turbos at 16 psi are still in their efficiency range on this platform. Hence why I see no reason to not run them as such. BMW was amazingly over cautious at 8.8. They still had to put extended the warranty 8 years or 82k miles because of the shit wastegate design. It had nothing to do with failing turbos or because of the CHRAs failing. It was wastegates so damn worn they can't even close to make 6psi let alone 18.

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

Originally Posted by Torgus

Stock boost is 8.8 psi IIRC. Most run up to 18-19psi on 93 octane FBO. 22+psi on full E85. This is on MHI stock twins. The more you push outside of their efficiency range them you will accelerate wear on the CHRA, but not on the wastegate. The wastegate will fail and you will be getting 30FF under boost target codes likely before the CHRA needs replacing. It's a shame but it is what it is.

Stock STIs make like 18PSI from the factory. They have a smaller engine so they need more boost for higher numbers. Just using them as an example and why higher boost isn't necessarily a bad thing.

The 8.8psi BMW used from the factory is very very low. These are MHI turbos, look them up. People run 12-18psi on this platform all the time. It's not until you get above say, 19SI that they start to blow hot air as they are out of their efficiency range. As long as you keep a turbo in it's efficiency range and you are not over spinning it turning it into a hairdryer(20psi and above, which is why you need E85 to suppress knock) it should last a very long time.

The MHI turbos at 16 psi are still in their efficiency range on this platform. Hence why I see no reason to not run them as such. BMW was amazingly over cautious at 8.8. They still had to put extended the warranty 8 years or 82k miles because of the shit wastegate design. It had nothing to do with failing turbos or because of the CHRAs failing. It was wastegates so damn worn they can't even close to make 6psi let alone 18.

But the waste gate design and that's all failling... that's from Mitsubishi right? Nothing to do with BMW? The turbo are an all in one with exhaust headers, wastegate and the turbo itself right?

[GATORB8]

Originally Posted by Vulcan50

I really want to do a DCI, and given the price of the BMS I'd like to just pull the trigger on it. But I'd really rather have orange filters, since I have orange accents.

My question is is there a comparable quality filter available?

You could try buying the BMS White Filters, washing them, dying them orange, then washing/oiling them before install.


+

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

Originally Posted by GATORB8

You could try buying the BMS White Filters, washing them, dying them orange, then washing/oiling them before install.


+

Hey I thought the difference between the red, blue or white BMS filters were just the oil color used? I guess not?

[GATORB8]

Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal

Hey I thought the difference between the red, blue or white BMS filters were just the oil color used? I guess not?

I think it is the dye in the oil for the most part. I just couldn't find orange oil in a quick google (just a bunch of Fram filters). Figured dying the filter was the closest thing.

[Torgus]

Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal

But the waste gate design and that's all failling... that's from Mitsubishi right? Nothing to do with BMW? The turbo are an all in one with exhaust headers, wastegate and the turbo itself right?

100% Mitsubishi from my understanding. At least the turbo, manifold and down pipes I could see being exclusive to BMW for fitmeant reasons. But I blame BMW a bit for picking that as their solution for boost control vs. an external gated solution...but space is tight and the turbos are impressive when the work right. 500whp wheel tq maxed out on a 3l is impressive, not sure of another car that can boast the same cheap hp on stock turbos and block.

The upgraded stock frames with upgraded white gates seems to put out even more horsepower but longevity seems to be hit or miss.

If you dont want a tune dont do it. The two n54s I've owned were tuned day 1. My wife's was amazing trouble free.