[eee_90]

So I recently purchased a 2006 325xi SGM e90. Only has 25k miles and is brand new in look/feel. I'm loving it so far. The only reason I opted for the 325 was because of the low mileage -- I was really looking for a 330xi but couldn't find one in decent condition/mileage.

ANYWAY, from what I've gathered, the e90 325 vs 330 is really only a difference of a couple parts, and a simple software/detune that BMW enabled so they could sell 2 models with the same engine.

Believe me, I've ed, but when I do all I find are e46 comparisons.

The 330 pushes out 255hp, which isn't earth shattering, but if it's just a matter of a simple software upgrade to unleash those additional 40hp, well I want in!

Is there anyone that can give me information as to what are the parts difference between these two models, how difficult this would be, and how expensive?

[mike3000fl]

Search harder

The very first sticky thread in the N/A engine subforum....

http://www.e90post.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=35

[mike3000fl]

And if you read past the stickies, there are 2 post in the top ten that are about conversions.

[eee_90]

thanks man

[SavvyByNature]

Go for the mod's, they are well worth it!

[eee_90]

Originally Posted by SavvyByNature

Go for the mod's, they are well worth it!

I see you did the 3 stage manifold swap...

Did you have a shop install? If so, how much was the labor? I'm gathering that it will cost ~900 for the manifold + parts. And what kind of tune?

[Desmodromica]

I did the swap on a 2006 325i, and it is the best mod I have ever done.

Here's what you will need to buy:

11617559523 Intake Manifold
11617559530 Vent Hose
11617579114 Adjustor Unit
11617560538 Adjustor Unit 2
11617547242 Gasket set
11617535849 x5 Screw 50x20
11617535850 x2 Screw 50x35
11617535851 x1 Screw 50x66

Figure just under $1k for parts.
The shop charged me $500 for install and another $500 for the Active Autowerkes Stage 3 manifold tune. It is an off the shelf tune, and it worked great, no tweaks necessary.

Hope this helps. Let me know if you have any questions.

[eee_90]

Originally Posted by Desmodromica

I did the swap on a 2006 325i, and it is the best mod I have ever done.

Here's what you will need to buy:

11617559523 Intake Manifold
11617559530 Vent Hose
11617579114 Adjustor Unit
11617560538 Adjustor Unit 2
11617547242 Gasket set
11617535849 x5 Screw 50x20
11617535850 x2 Screw 50x35
11617535851 x1 Screw 50x66

Figure just under $1k for parts.
The shop charged me $500 for install and another $500 for the Active Autowerkes Stage 3 manifold tune. It is an off the shelf tune, and it worked great, no tweaks necessary.

Hope this helps. Let me know if you have any questions.

EXACTLY what i was looking for. Thanks so much man!

Did you get your car dyno'd? I'm reading there are gains of about 50hp to be had on the 325 with this swap + tune, do you think you achieved that?

[Desmodromica]

Sadly, I didn't get it dyno'd. The car has 55K miles, and ran strong before. I would say that those numbers are pretty safe. It pulls like crazy(granted not like a 335i, but I like the reactions when a 325i takes off like a 330i), and doesn't have any flat spots. I had this mod done about three months ago and still smile when I punch it. The smile factor has some longevity with this mod.

[Alarbus]

You can also search www.car-part.com or junkyards for a used manifold, and not spend $1k on it. I got mine for $225 shipped. If you look for used, you want a 330i or 330xi car made AFTER October 2005. This ensures you get an E90 part. Do not buy a 328 manifold, it won't help you.

You also don't need the manifold for the tune to make a difference. I bought the tune and got lucky with finding a manifold right afterwards. I applied the tune, and ended up waiting a few weeks to have time to install the manifold. Installing it yourself works too, it's a drop in replacement on the 325.

(Just, um, make sure all the hoses are FIRMLY connected. I ended up needing the dealer to troubleshoot it, since I knew I heard every hose click into place, but apparently they can click without being firmly seated. Good times.)

[iczz]

Originally Posted by Desmodromica

I did the swap on a 2006 325i, and it is the best mod I have ever done.

Here's what you will need to buy:

11617559523 Intake Manifold
11617559530 Vent Hose
11617579114 Adjustor Unit
11617560538 Adjustor Unit 2
11617547242 Gasket set
11617535849 x5 Screw 50x20
11617535850 x2 Screw 50x35
11617535851 x1 Screw 50x66

Figure just under $1k for parts.
The shop charged me $500 for install and another $500 for the Active Autowerkes Stage 3 manifold tune. It is an off the shelf tune, and it worked great, no tweaks necessary.

Hope this helps. Let me know if you have any questions.

AA has Stage 3 tune now? I thought it was stage 2 for manifold swap.

[SavvyByNature]

Originally Posted by eee_90

I see you did the 3 stage manifold swap...

Did you have a shop install? If so, how much was the labor? I'm gathering that it will cost ~900 for the manifold + parts. And what kind of tune?

Yes, I did the manifold swap myself. The parts/manifold were around $350 (found a good deal for the manifold) and the tune was around 400.

The install takes a few hours and can be DIY. It isn't difficult at all.

You can get everything done for 1K or less.

[eee_90]

Thank you everyone for the awesome tips and suggestions! I am 100% looking to do this as my next mod... the search for a manifold begins!!

Originally Posted by SavvyByNature

Yes, I did the manifold swap myself. The parts/manifold were around $350 (found a good deal for the manifold) and the tune was around 400.

The install takes a few hours and can be DIY. It isn't difficult at all.

You can get everything done for 1K or less.

This is great to hear. What tune did you go with? Also, how would you rate the manifold swap DIY on a scale of 1-10?

[Dr.GumbyM.D.]

Originally Posted by iczz

AA has Stage 3 tune now? I thought it was stage 2 for manifold swap.

I have not yet heard any info about a Stage 3.

Their "Stage" tunes are not the traditional "Stage" of modding. Stage 1 was "Flash Version 1.0," "Stage 2" was "Flash Version 2.0." They're upgrading them as they work on developing better flashes, but ultimately the only change between them is the software, and assuming you use a respectable shop, each tune is customized to your car by AA with the newest available "Stage" of software they're using. I wonder if they even have a "Stage 1" or "Stage 2" template, since they're modifying your specific ECU file anyway, or if they're just applying newer/better values as they learn about them (i.e. is my "Stage 2" flash the same when they first announced "Stage 2," as it is now if I had them re-scan and program my flash?)

It sounds like our cars are very adaptable to the situation, since no situation other than FI will make a huge change in how the engine works (and you would NEED a new flash for FI), so even if you add a part here, or remove a part there, as long as you're not doing anything huge (FI), then it probably doesn't matter whether you flash before parts or after.

That being said, I'd always recommend getting a flash a few hundred (or thousand) miles after any recent mods, if possible, so your car is firmly adapted to the current condition, and you're only changing one variable at a time (the flash) versus changing a few variables at a time (flash and parts) that can maybe/maybe not lead to a worse adaptation, or longer adaptation time, or the flash not being optimally programmed for your car, since the file you're sending to them isn't the actual car's condition/mappings. Again, the ECU is very flexible, but I'm sure there are limits and optimizations.

I still would love to get a 3-stage intake and flash... a nice ~35-50hp boost for under $1k...

[mike-y]

they way he typed it made it sound a bit confusing. it's a 3-stage manifold with the stage 2 flash from AA.

Totally worth doing. I picked up ~40hp over my stock setup that had a BMX power box tune. Totally worth doing. here's my dyno thread

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=696869

[Desmodromica]

My apologies, I am attaching the invoice from the shop. I have no affiliation with them, and this was the first time I have had any work done through them. The invoice calls out the Active Autowerke Tune - Stage 3 Manifold upgrade. I must have misunderstood. Sorry if this caused any confusion.

Also, while it is now clear that I probably could have done this cheaper, there is a certain satisfaction to know that it was done by capible guys, who have done this mod before. I drive my car every day, and didn't have the luxury of having the car sit in my garage because I cracked a hose (common with this mod).

[Alarbus]

It's a three stage intake manifold, which is where that probably comes from.

I daily drive my car too, but I like doing things myself. Also, it's a time/money balance, and it always helps to have more information and options.

You people are so lucky that you can get this mod done haha

[ska///235i]

i also recently got the AA tune, its fantastic even without the 3 stage manifold...but i do have a performance exhaust and a euro intake. been moddin this car for almost 7 years and it never gets bored

just dont waste your money on the pbx power box, go straight for the tune...imo

[redlinedbimmer]

some people seem to get amazing results with this mod and claim 40hp, and others have dyno'd with gains of under 15whp if I recall correctly. If it were me I would spend my money on a tune(which I have and am satisfied with) and headers if they become easily attainable.

[mike-y]

Originally Posted by redlinedbimmer

some people seem to get amazing results with this mod and claim 40hp

and some of them even back it up with dyno charts

For me, headers are out of the question, since it will make the car fail the visual part of the emissions check in california. If someone comes out with a CARB approved header, I would consider it.

But if you don't have to worry about that in your area, headers would also give a good bump in power.

[eee_90]

so I found an intake manifold on car-part a couple hours away from. All I'm looking for is a 2006 330i/330xi intake manifold, correct?

Is there anything to look out for when purchasing one? It would be shipped so I won't have the luxury of looking at it before I purchase it. Is this a bad idea?

Also, what questions should be asked to determine that it includes all parts?