[mctwist77]

I have a 328i coupe and I have been considering doing the 3 stage intake manifold, AA headers, and a tune. I figure I could get all this for around $2500. Is it worth it? Will it effect the reliability?

[Biginboca]

It’s going to give you about 50 crank HP. So figure if it’s worth the $$ from there, at your pricing $2500 you are paying $50/hp which is kind of an above average price for bolt on horsepower with most engines.

FYI you should be able to DIY those mods for alot less than $2500. (Used 3IM $300ish, Tune $600, Headers $900). At that price ($35/hp) I feel it makes sense if you have a manual Transmission, not sure the difference can be felt as much with an auto. If you can’t DIY and/or have an automatic then I would personally not do these mods I don’t feel the value is there at your pricing of $2500.

The key point of contention is taking that same amount of $$ and adding it to the purchase price of a used 328i will typically get you into a 335i. The 335i will have even more power and potential to develop much more.

If you do have a manual Transmission I would personally recommend the 3.73 diff swap over any of those mods. Can get a used 3.73 diff from a 328i automatic off eBay for about $200. Swap that in yourself and you can feel a jump in power similar to the mods you have asked about. Best bang for the buck mod I have done.

[mctwist77]

Wow! Thanks for the very informative post. I might go with the 3.72 and call it good..any adverse effects on gas mileage? What's the RPM on the highway? I have a 6mt btw..

[tlow98]

Calculate the final rate ms as a percent of the increase. If old drive is 3.15 then (3.72-3.15)/3.15 = .18(100) = 18% increase at rpms for any given speed.

60 mph 2200 rpm is then 2200(1.18) = 2600 rpm

Couple percent change in gas mileage. You won’t notice

[W37V]

Originally Posted by mctwist77

I have a 328i coupe and I have been considering doing the 3 stage intake manifold, AA headers, and a tune. I figure I could get all this for around $2500. Is it worth it? Will it effect the reliability?

Been running the setup for almost 40k Miles. No issues

Worth - really depends on your definition.

If it is worth to you, yes it’s woth it. Regardless who says what, ultimately it will be up to you.

If you have 2500 to put into it at once, wait a bit more and get supercharger. It’s 4500. If not, do get those bolt ons. Btw. If you decide to ever sell the car, you can always sell them. Used headers are about $500. 3si is about 200. So you would recover some of your money.

It was worth it to me when I got my bolt ons. No regrets. Would do it again.

[Biginboca]

Swapping the diffs give you about 15% increase in torque at the wheels, so it’s like adding 30 ft/lbs which is a bargain at $200. I have not noticed any change in gas mileage but my use is mostly city.

Since you have a manual I would pursue the other mods also. I have the 3IM, BPC Tune, and 3.73 diff it’s a very noticeable difference from stock. You won’t be disappointed with these mods but I feel the diff is the first mod I would do.

[SDemetris]

Honestly, looking back on it all - it depends what you want out of it. If you're younger and looking to learn how to do things to your car - sure its worth it. Theyre not terribly hard to do and youll learn some things and maybe collect some tools along the way. If you've had a few cars and are just looking to make this one faster, no. Overall the car is never gonna be too fast NA and its not exactly light so getting headers isnt worth it. Maybe 3 stage and intake, but idt the headers are worth the smog troubles and how loud it makes the car.

[rick100]

To me is day and night difference , the car is actually enjoyable to drive.

People spend 2500 on rims alone .

Headers are the only one debatable because of the smog test. 3 stage intake and tune are a must , at least to me

[hassmaschine]

how are you spending $2500? You must be paying labor for installation?

[W37V]

Originally Posted by hassmaschine

how are you spending $2500? You must be paying labor for installation?

Headers: 900 (unless on sale) + Shipping and taxes (if local) = ~1000 - 1100
Tune: 450-650 + shipping and taxes = 450 - 720
Intake: 200-400 + shipping taxes = 250 - 460

Roughly 1700 - 2280

If he gets used headers or while on sale that drops the price to 650-750 range or about 700 to 800 shipped.

[6ixSpd]

For the gains? Absolutely worth it. 50HP crank is almost 25% more power. That?s a substantial amount, I feel it hits the sweet spot for this car. 270-270 crank HP is perfect for a little 3300lb car.

Now add MILV supports and you?re at another 10 at the crank.

[rjw]

sorry for a slight thread hijack, but I have an 06 330i automatic.

How would I find out what gear ratio I have?

Thx

[hassmaschine]

Originally Posted by W37V

Headers: 900 (unless on sale) + Shipping and taxes (if local) = ~1000 - 1100
Tune: 450-650 + shipping and taxes = 450 - 720
Intake: 200-400 + shipping taxes = 250 - 460

Roughly 1700 - 2280

If he gets used headers or while on sale that drops the price to 650-750 range or about 700 to 800 shipped.

$400 is way too much for a used manifold - there are deals out there. Also, there's no taxes on used auto parts.

$2500 has to include some form of labor.

I check the FS forum for N52 parts once in a while. If people are paying those prices for 3 stage manifolds they are getting hosed.. there are millions of N52s out there.

[Volasko]

Originally Posted by rjw

sorry for a slight thread hijack, but I have an 06 330i automatic.

How would I find out what gear ratio I have?

Thx

See this link:
http://www.bokchoys.com/differential/GearRatios.htm

[rjw]

Originally Posted by Volasko

See this link:
http://www.bokchoys.com/differential/GearRatios.htm

seems like 3.64 thx

sorry for the hijack

[rick100]

Originally Posted by W37V

Headers: 900 (unless on sale) + Shipping and taxes (if local) = ~1000 - 1100
Tune: 450-650 + shipping and taxes = 450 - 720
Intake: 200-400 + shipping taxes = 250 - 460

Roughly 1700 - 2280

If he gets used headers or while on sale that drops the price to 650-750 range or about 700 to 800 shipped.

a private message to andrew at aa goes a long way to get this headers on sale. I got mine when it was not on sale and I still paid on sale price. AA is pretty good with the members of this forum

You can not add tax and shipping on 3 stage intake , there parts can be obtained locally pretty easy. Maybe shipping if you find one for cheap , but then you usually dont have to pay tax on it .

Labour is the tricky part. I paid 600 to have header and intake install , but I m guessing that price varies quite a bit from shop to shop.

[W37V]

Originally Posted by hassmaschine

$400 is way too much for a used manifold - there are deals out there. Also, there's no taxes on used auto parts.

$2500 has to include some form of labor.

I check the FS forum for N52 parts once in a while. If people are paying those prices for 3 stage manifolds they are getting hosed.. there are millions of N52s out there.

Tell me about it!

I paid my 3si, with disa and hoses included, shipped to my house $150.

Just got 70k miles 3.73 diff for 80$ delivered.

If anyone is interested in cheap 3si, let me know and I can direct you where to find one - junk yard doesn't even know they have it - lol (it's from wrecked 328 that had 3si swap. their system will show it as single stage, but it is 3si - still bolted to the car).

[ECSTuning]

With those mods (intake, headers, tune) you'll see a nice bump in peak power, but best of all the area under the curve is opened up nicely making the overall power delivery much more dramatic.

-James

[hassmaschine]

Originally Posted by W37V

Tell me about it!

I paid my 3si, with disa and hoses included, shipped to my house $150.

Just got 70k miles 3.73 diff for 80$ delivered.

If anyone is interested in cheap 3si, let me know and I can direct you where to find one - junk yard doesn't even know they have it - lol (it's from wrecked 328 that had 3si swap. their system will show it as single stage, but it is 3si - still bolted to the car).

that's what I paid for our E91 - and it was in mint condition. They just aren't rare enough to be worth $500 or $600. I've said it before, but you can buy a whole N52 for like $1000.. haha.

[mctwist77]

How did you manage to get them so cheap? Ebay?

[rjahl]

Originally Posted by mctwist77

I have a 328i coupe and I have been considering doing the 3 stage intake manifold, AA headers, and a tune. I figure I could get all this for around $2500. Is it worth it? Will it effect the reliability?

"worth" is a relative term. Different people measure value in different ways. Does it ad $2,500 worth of fun or does it at $2,500 worth of value to the car?

My opinion is it will probably add the "fun" factor you are looking for but may not add any recoverable value to the car.

There are plenty of other factors to consider, how long do you plan on keeping this car or what type of emissions standards does your resident
state have. How much disposable income do you have?

It's a personal choice, based on your values.

Let's not forget the other possible option, upgrade to a 335.

[W37V]

Originally Posted by mctwist77

How did you manage to get them so cheap? Ebay?

You can do eBay , but car-part.com is the way to go. You can ask junk yards to send you pictures of the part. In many cases parts might still be on the vehicle.