Whats the best FMIC for the e89 35i , is there any good uk companies supplying this that people have fitted?
Best FMIC for the e89 35i
- Thread starter Christianm
- Start date
I'd take a look at the STETT FMIC. Its taller rather than deeper. While the STETT has some interference from the front bumper, it still has taller surfaces to take in more air. Most other FMIC's I've seen to replace OEM are denser or deeper and the issue here is airflow strangulation. IMHO its better to have them taller than deeper. Forget what they look like, that's really not important for an FMIC as no one ever sees them. I take it you're planning a remap?
Yeah exactly ESS stage 2 , i was looking at STETT and your correct not bothered what it looks like just performance seems a good size and looks to fit ok.I assume most garages can fit these.
TBH if you're handy, you can fit stuff like this yourself so yes any garage can. If you're using ESS, I'd install the FMIC first and run the car for a few weeks to ensure all is well, then go ESS. I'd also run stage 1 first for a few months to ensure all is well as stage 2 is quite stressful on the components and you don't want to over-stress anything right away. I've also been told stage 2 makes the car twitchy to drive so you may well find stage 1 a better option if its a daily driver. If ESS provide both maps then you're laughing and can switch back and forth as required.
After the remap, keep a very close eye on oil temps and ensure a cool down phase after driving because the turbos will be boosting way past OEM spec. The last thing you need is for the turbos to burn out because you've not let them cool. Its less of an issue at OEM spec.
After the remap, keep a very close eye on oil temps and ensure a cool down phase after driving because the turbos will be boosting way past OEM spec. The last thing you need is for the turbos to burn out because you've not let them cool. Its less of an issue at OEM spec.
Yes they provide both maps for the same price, my drives aren't that long either and also changing between them as you say for daily driving should lessen the stress on the parts.
What are your current air intake temperatures with the stock FMIC?
I used to mess around with this stuff on Japanese cars and many fell into the trap of bigger must be better when the quality of the core and flow of the end tanks was overlooked. Is the FMIC on the 35i/is (is it the same cooler?) effective?
Has anyone tried chargecooling?
Adam.
I used to mess around with this stuff on Japanese cars and many fell into the trap of bigger must be better when the quality of the core and flow of the end tanks was overlooked. Is the FMIC on the 35i/is (is it the same cooler?) effective?
Has anyone tried chargecooling?
Adam.
If you want strong performance from a 35i you don't necessarily need a FMIC unless your going for >400bhp. I ran ESS St1/St2 and custom maps with air intake and AR downpipes and achieved these gains without going down the FMIC route. As Maniac alluded to the E89 platform does get very twitchy around 380-390 bhp without suspension tweaks. Even though the gearbox can handle it, even for extended use the chassis just isn't intended to run this type of power and be able to plant it effectively, its just to 'waspy'. Great fun in dry conditions don't get me wrong, but you will be getting sideways often 
while other less powerful cars pull away. Just my 2 pence 
while other less powerful cars pull away. Just my 2 pence However I will add to that an amusing story from the Z4 National Meet in Cumbria a couple years ago. After enjoying the first drive on Day 1 a forum member in a Z4M came over to speak to me at the layby pull-in and asked me 'what was I running in that E89' as there was no way he could possibly keep up. To which I replied 'just some stuff' 
Modding the N54 is a bunch of fun and pretty cheap, just know that by running more BHP you run the risk of fudging up your handling characteristics. Take a look at the yank tuning forums to see what combo suits your application and pocket
Modding the N54 is a bunch of fun and pretty cheap, just know that by running more BHP you run the risk of fudging up your handling characteristics. Take a look at the yank tuning forums to see what combo suits your application and pocket
I have just over 400bhp with no real problems, all temps are ok, i`ll try to find the readout i got when it was set up. What i have done is fit KW v3 fully adjustable suspension, and i can say without that mod it would certainly be much more of a handfull. I had a lot of very helpful input from exdos on setting up the suspension for daily use absolutley invaluble. i now have exactly what i want from this car. As for a fmic i don`t think i need to go that route just yet, maybe if i fit the A&R downpipes i`ll look at one. Also i will own up to getting through (almost) two sets of rear tyres in less than 4k miles but thats what happens when you have that power, i love it, and so will you when it`s mapped, but good advice from maniac and socketR re staging the remap, and once done there ain`t much about that can keep up with you
absolutley invaluble. i now have exactly what i want from this car. As for a fmic i don`t think i need to go that route just yet, maybe if i fit the A&R downpipes i`ll look at one. Also i will own up to getting through (almost) two sets of rear tyres in less than 4k miles but thats what happens when you have that power, i love it, and so will you when it`s mapped, but good advice from maniac and socketR re staging the remap, and once done there ain`t much about that can keep up with you 
A friend at work has one of these on his 135i,cesela said:Maniac said:
18 months+ with ESS stage 2, no issues.
It's like the change to Pilot Super Sports, just do it
http://www.racechip.de/chiptuning/bmw/z4/e89/sdrive35i-225kw/index.php, bloody epic, should have gone this route myself, plug & play remove when you need to
Hmm Bing, well I've decided to keep the Z and perhaps get a second car rather than sell the Z and regret it. Looking at a cheap (new) ford focus, basic model with little to go wrong, cheap to run and give me the practicality I want.
As for chipping the Z, well cesela you may have had a nice reliable car. Mine's been less so. Though the engine has been good and that's the bit I'd like to preserve rather than provoke. Who knows, I might consider it once I have a second car and at least with ESS I can restore the original map and restore it back for servicing etc.
As for chipping the Z, well cesela you may have had a nice reliable car. Mine's been less so. Though the engine has been good and that's the bit I'd like to preserve rather than provoke. Who knows, I might consider it once I have a second car and at least with ESS I can restore the original map and restore it back for servicing etc.