N54 tuning...

[R.E92]

This is the response I got from the German manufacturer. Hell of a discount but sceptical on fitment :roll:

That's cheap but he's basically admitting that you need to do some custom fabrication to get them to fit. From my own personal experience of spending a day on my back fitting downpipes to the Z4 I can't stress enough how important proper fitment is. The Z4 is a real pain compared to the 335i when it comes to downpipes so don't be fooled into thinking you've got any leeway, most N54 downpipe install guides are focused on the LHD 335i which is much easier.

 

[reecey97]

This is the response I got from the German manufacturer. Hell of a discount but sceptical on fitment :roll:

That's cheap but he's basically admitting that you need to do some custom fabrication to get them to fit. From my own personal experience of spending a day on my back fitting downpipes to the Z4 I can't stress enough how important proper fitment is. The Z4 is a real pain compared to the 335i when it comes to downpipes so don't be fooled into thinking you've got any leeway, most N54 downpipe install guides are focused on the LHD 335i which is much easier.

Think that settles that then, I looked into shipping costs and the VRSF pipes are coming back at $443, which when converted isn't actually as bad as I thought... £330.
Although I have a full height ramp and a workshop at my disposal, I think I'd rather buy the tried and tested

 

[R.E92]

You may have to pay import duty too. In the past I've always had a bill for the VAT but recently that seems to have changed.

I've ordered 3 large expensive items from the US in the last month and all have made it through without any import duty. I assume customs are so busy with a combination of increased online orders and staff shortage due to social distance rubbish and the looming brexit scenario that they are just letting things pass without inspecting them.

 

[reecey97]

[ref]R.E92[/ref], are you using MHD on yours currently?
Just got the intercooler on order today so next thing will be the stage1+ tune and then downpipes and stage2+ :lol:

 

[R.E92]

[ref]R.E92[/ref], are you using MHD on yours currently?
Just got the intercooler on order today so next thing will be the stage1+ tune and then downpipes and stage2+ :lol:

Yes although I don't use their OTS maps so I'm only really using it as a tool for writing to the DME.

The Stage 2+ 93 octane OTS map is good for about 400bhp and will be miles better than anything you'll get at a garage, if you wanted more power you could get a custom tune and push things further. Depending on how well maintained the car is (plugs, coils, injectors, fuel pump) there's room for plenty more power.

 

[stijohnny]

20201122_153406.jpgI can't remember what psi I'm running but I could push maybe another 50 torque. But this is what it is running at the moment..

What map and hardware are you running there Broomsticks? I am running MHD 2+ with all the right hardware but have not rolling roaded yet to get a reading. TBH I was waiting for new turbos but Im intrigued to see what I could get out of the present set up.

 

[Boomsticks]

20201122_153406.jpgI can't remember what psi I'm running but I could push maybe another 50 torque. But this is what it is running at the moment..

What map and hardware are you running there Broomsticks? I am running MHD 2+ with all the right hardware but have not rolling roaded yet to get a reading. TBH I was waiting for new turbos but Im intrigued to see what I could get out of the present set up.

I've got a custom tune bud and loads of bolt on upgrades. I should be getting some more horses tomorrow. Looking around the 480 mark.

 

[reecey97]

Disappointed... the custom exhaust on my Z4 is a downpipe back system with no secondary cats and the original downpipes still in place. Only really wanted to do the catless downpipes if I had secondary cats still in place for emissions
In other news, intercooler arrived!

 

[R.E92]

If that's an eBay/Aliexpress intercooler I had one of those intercoolers fitted for a year. It was an upgrade over the stock one but didn't really keep intake temps low enough.

I recently upgraded again for a CSF intercooler and it's in a different league.

This is what my IAT looks like with the eBay one: https://datazap.me/u/rich/z4v216?log=1&data=5-15-22&zoom=60-158
This is the CSF one: https://datazap.me/u/rich/z4-v217-ic-test?log=0&data=6-16-23&zoom=55-165

You can see the boost pressure rise as the air heats up with the first log. The CSF one keeps the air cool and dense so the pressure reading is lower but the flow is the same.

 

[reecey97]

If that's an eBay/Aliexpress intercooler I had one of those intercoolers fitted for a year. It was an upgrade over the stock one but didn't really keep intake temps low enough.

I recently upgraded again for a CSF intercooler and it's in a different league.

This is what my IAT looks like with the eBay one: https://datazap.me/u/rich/z4v216?log=1&data=5-15-22&zoom=60-158
This is the CSF one: https://datazap.me/u/rich/z4-v217-ic-test?log=0&data=6-16-23&zoom=55-165

You can see the boost pressure rise as the air heats up with the first log. The CSF one keeps the air cool and dense so the pressure reading is lower but the flow is the same.

I'm sure it will be good enough for me for my daily! Not looking to set records and will likely only run MHD Stage 1+ now anyways. It does look really well made