THROTTLE BODY MOD - ANYBODY FITTED ONE

[ibasniper]

Came across this and wondered if anyone has has theirs done?? I'm assuming you would see a little improvement if you add an induction kit, or am i barking mad? https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/392873893394?ViewItem=&item=392873893394

 

[mmm-five]

Yes a throttle body can give you more power, or better response, but the fact that the seller is talking about huge power increases that you'll notice immediately, and then saying 5bhp (i.e. a 2% increase) should tell you everything you need to know

Don't forget that the Z4 came with a different ECU than the e46 330, so who knows what else will need changing. You'd probably get a similar 5bhp from a ebay remap.

 

[Smartbear]

I’d be very wary, bigger tb can flow more but will also slow air velocity at lower rpm giving less response/torque.
Where do you spend most of your time driving on the road, redline or bottom end/midrange? :?
Rob

 

[Darkangelv2]

Definitely one of those types of mods that I can’t think would actually damage your car and would really love to see how the dyno curve is affected...... but would prefer to see it on your car rather than mine. For now

 

[BTZ461]

Its a well known and documented fact that Steve Dinan substantially increased the torque and hp curves by enlarging the throttle body aperture on specifically the M54 and N52 3 litre variants. Reports of a noticeable performance increase backed up by dyno sheets were available to verify too. At 129stg we think this is an affordable mod, but not to be undertaken by a mechanical novice.

 

[Darkangelv2]

I

Its a well known and documented fact that Steve Dinan substantially increased the torque and hp curves by enlarging the throttle body aperture on specifically the M54 and N52 3 litre variants. Reports of a noticeable performance increase backed up by dyno sheets were available to verify too. At 129stg we think this is an affordable mod, but not to be undertaken by a mechanical novice.

Is that with further complimentary mods? The Dinan website only claims 5BHP increase which doesn't seem a lot for $900.

It looks like the guy on eBay/facebook has copied Steve Dinan including the BHP increase claims.

https://www.dinancars.com/products/engine-hardware/throttle-bodies/parts/D760-3700A

Found this one where they dyno'd before and after. Pretty much meets the claims
https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1459505

At the end of the above thread, there is also the suggestion of just installing an N54 TB onto an N52 - this i will be reading more about!

 

[BTZ461]

Is that with further complimentary mods? The Dinan website only claims 5BHP increase which doesn't seem a lot for $900.

5HP for 129Stg. Heaps cheaper than made in the USA. Good bang for your buck there. Compliment with remap to fatten and lengthen the torque curve, and take advantage of the increase in air/fuel ratio's.
Evidently its quite apparent using the "seat of your pants" dynometer, or buttmeter, even before any black magic in the mapping department

 

[ibasniper]

I think @ £129 its a worth while venture. I fancied getting an induction kit anyway (mainly noise) so if i couple both with a dyno tune it should be interesting. Something to play with over the winter months i think.

 

[Darkangelv2]

Is that with further complimentary mods? The Dinan website only claims 5BHP increase which doesn't seem a lot for $900.

5HP for 129Stg. Heaps cheaper than made in the USA. Good bang for your buck there. Compliment with remap to fatten and lengthen the torque curve, and take advantage of the increase in air/fuel ratio's.
Evidently its quite apparent using the "seat of your pants" dynometer, or buttmeter, even before any black magic in the mapping department

Sorry, i missed that 129STG was a reference to Sterling ££ - i thought it was the name of your business!

Yes, £129 seems very reasonable vs the $900!

Think i might get a used N54 unit to play with.

 

[BTZ461]

Sorry, i missed that 129STG was a reference to Sterling ££ - i thought it was the name of your business!

Downunder in the Antipodes we have no pound key on our keyboards :lol:

 

[enuff_zed]

Sorry, i missed that 129STG was a reference to Sterling ££ - i thought it was the name of your business!

Downunder in the Antipodes we have no pound key on our keyboards :lol:

Ha! The rate our economy is going, we'll soon have no need of one either :roll:

 

[True-Blue]

I think @ £129 its a worth while venture. I fancied getting an induction kit anyway (mainly noise) so if i couple both with a dyno tune it should be interesting. Something to play with over the winter months i think.

I paid about £150 for a half-day 1 to 1 instruction with an ex-police driving instructor. This was years ago, and was the best money I’ve ever spent on ‘upgrades’....

I’d encourage this for anyone who hasn’t done it, we focused on safe overtaking, reading the road, hazard observation etc. Fantastic investment... I travel much more quickly, and safely, as a result of this.... than and extra 5bhp would enable

 

[enuff_zed]

I think @ £129 its a worth while venture. I fancied getting an induction kit anyway (mainly noise) so if i couple both with a dyno tune it should be interesting. Something to play with over the winter months i think.

I paid about £150 for a half-day 1 to 1 instruction with an ex-police driving instructor. This was years ago, and was the best money I’ve ever spent on ‘upgrades’....

I’d encourage this for anyone who hasn’t done it, we focused on safe overtaking, reading the road, hazard observation etc. Fantastic investment... I travel much more quickly, and safely, as a result of this.... than and extra 5bhp would enable

My old man used to be a police dog handler and they had to do the same driver training as traffic (in Sussex anyway). When I bought my first car, a Mk1 Escort 1100L with drum brakes all round, he took me out for a few lessons. Made a hell of a difference to my driving!

 

[LittleZ4]

I always wondered if this would be a worthwhile mod. Nearly bit the bullet last year and brought one. Will be interesting to see real world feedback on this if you do do it.

 

[Smartbear]

I always wondered if this would be a worthwhile mod. Nearly bit the bullet last year and brought one. Will be interesting to see real world feedback on this if you do do it.

I’d like to see before/after dyno runs to verify any increases/losses :?
Rob

 

[Darkangelv2]

I always wondered if this would be a worthwhile mod. Nearly bit the bullet last year and brought one. Will be interesting to see real world feedback on this if you do do it.

I’d like to see before/after dyno runs to verify any increases/losses :?
Rob

The thread I linked at the top has dyno charts run.

 

[Smartbear]

I always wondered if this would be a worthwhile mod. Nearly bit the bullet last year and brought one. Will be interesting to see real world feedback on this if you do do it.

I’d like to see before/after dyno runs to verify any increases/losses :?
Rob

The thread I linked at the top has dyno charts run.

That’s not a standard car though is it? :?
Rob

 

[Ewazix]

Yes a throttle body can give you more power, or better response, but the fact that the seller is talking about huge power increases that you'll notice immediately, and then saying 5bhp (i.e. a 2% increase) should tell you everything you need to know

Don't forget that the Z4 came with a different ECU than the e46 330, so who knows what else will need changing. You'd probably get a similar 5bhp from a ebay remap.

My thoughts exactly, "huge" bucket of snake oil.

The claimed 2% gain is probably within the accuracy tolerance of a dyno, a service, different fuel or change in atmospheric conditions would have more effect. Considering that simply specifying a bigger inlet is a zero-cost production option, the question is "Why didn't some of the worlds best engine designers specify such a cheap and easy way to make "huge" power gains?". Presumably because a) doesn't work, or b) without some sort of forced induction there is always a payoff in altering inlet dimensions in terms of reduced torque/driveability.

My bet would be that without other mods this will reduce engine performance and cause 'codes' to throw up at some stage, but I look forward to reading about someone else doing it

 

[BTZ461]

Yes a throttle body can give you more power, or better response, but the fact that the seller is talking about huge power increases that you'll notice immediately, and then saying 5bhp (i.e. a 2% increase) should tell you everything you need to know

Don't forget that the Z4 came with a different ECU than the e46 330, so who knows what else will need changing. You'd probably get a similar 5bhp from a ebay remap.

My thoughts exactly, "huge" bucket of snake oil.

The claimed 2% gain is probably within the accuracy tolerance of a dyno, a service, different fuel or change in atmospheric conditions would have more effect. Considering that simply specifying a bigger inlet is a zero-cost production option, the question is "Why didn't some of the worlds best engine designers specify such a cheap and easy way to make "huge" power gains?". Presumably because a) doesn't work, or b) without some sort of forced induction there is always a payoff in altering inlet dimensions in terms of reduced torque/driveability.

My bet would be that without other mods this will reduce engine performance and cause 'codes' to throw up at some stage, but I look forward to reading about someone else doing it

Broaden your horizons and open your mind. Its a common mod in the US, check the likes of Bimmerforums and others. Most people who have carried it out notice a substantial gain using the "buttmeter' as a measure for comparison

 

[mmm-five]

BTW, I'm not saying a throttle body is worthless...just not as a simple fit & forget item on its own.

I got an enlarged one fitted to my Corrado VR6, but that was part of a package with a Schrick big valve head, Schrick VGI (variable intake system and custom controller), Schrick cams, RamAir cold-air intake, and an full day on a rolling road to re-map it to take advantage of it all.

I got about 50bhp/60lbft out of it, but it was close to £6k.