More power to E39 540i

[PureDrive]

Want to get a cheap upgrade (1k or less) that would give my car a noticeable power boost. Its a 6 speed. I'm thinking of a CAI, but any suggestions are welcome. What would be a good brand for an intake also?

[540i6]

In my opinion the best CAI is the Gruppe M. Sounds awsome gains about 9lbs of torque and its not in the bottom of the bumper so you dont need to clean the filter as often.

[FAST5]

Want to get a cheap upgrade (1k or less) that would give my car a noticeable power boost. Its a 6 speed. I'm thinking of a CAI, but any suggestions are welcome. What would be a good brand for an intake also?

I want to have a thick and juicy filet mignon but I only have $0.76 in my pocket. Any suggestions? ;)

For you, I would recommend saving a little more and buying the Dinan bolt-ons...Intake, Exhaust, Chip. Have fun...it will change the car, safely. Or, you can pay $600 and throw a 200 shot of NOS on it. :D

[Kudo540]

Want to get a cheap upgrade (1k or less) that would give my car a noticeable power boost. Its a 6 speed. I'm thinking of a CAI, but any suggestions are welcome. What would be a good brand for an intake also?

You could get a Revhigh intake for $225. custom Magnaflow with removed resenator for $250 and for $500 you could find a used 3.15 diff. In my opionion these three are what I would do if I could only spend $1000. When you save more cash get software and suspension.

Good luck
Kudo

[E39540i6]

I have the GruppeM and the sound is amazing. Here's a pic of it...
http://members.roadfly.org/e39540i6/GruppeM+intake.jpg

[m_specs]

get evosport pullies

[NickG]

I plan on taking my 540 to do the dyno within the next few weeks and seeing how much power can be gained via software. While I'm there, I'll try and open up the intake also and see if there are any gains to be had.

[Speedfreak]

Good! Finally someone who knows there sh!t doing a dyno run to show gains.
There should be some guidance there for many if us. :buttrock
I wonder if the results on a 99 will mean anything to my 2000 540i.

E39540i6,
How does the GruppeM sound during "normal" driving. Can you hear it all the time? Does it whistle?
Thanks, Pat

[NickG]

I wonder if the results on a 99 will mean anything to my 2000 540i.


They should apply to your 2000 also. The 1999 and 2000 (through 2002 actually I think) use the same engine and computer configuration.

[Speedfreak]

Great, Thanks. I didn't know if there was a computer change between those years.
Pat

[marinakorp]

Good! Finally someone who knows there sh!t doing a dyno run to show gains.
There should be some guidance there for many if us. :buttrock
I wonder if the results on a 99 will mean anything to my 2000 540i.

E39540i6,
How does the GruppeM sound during "normal" driving. Can you hear it all the time? Does it whistle?
Thanks, Pat

I have done a few dyno runs ... and found 0 (zero) power gains from ECU tuning alone

[E39540i6]

E39540i6,
How does the GruppeM sound during "normal" driving. Can you hear it all the time? Does it whistle?
Thanks, Pat

_________________

To tell you the truth during normal driving you can't hear it that much. But at wide open throttle you can definitely hear the whistle. I have found myself to be on the gas much more since I got it. Gas mileage is way down. But I enjoy it very much. Especially with the Remus exhaust. :buttrock

[lb5er]

@E39540i6
Can you post pics of your ride or a sound clip or a video, u know whatever is available. I would really like to checkout your ride.

[Speedfreak]

Marinakorp, so you're saying you got nothing from the install of your powerchip?

[NickG]

I have done a few dyno runs ... and found 0 (zero) power gains from ECU tuning alone

That may very well be the case. I will be finding out what I can do shortly though.

[jimmyz2]

Come on Nick.How about a t/s supercharger for us 540i power addicts?!!! :redspot...Opps,sorry guys.Let me transfer over to FI.

[marinakorp]

Marinakorp, so you're saying you got nothing from the install of your powerchip?

Yes.

could be reasons

1 - bought car used... may have had a re-programed chip to begin with

this car's baseline was 264 when others were reporting 250 or so from same year 540's

After the install, I got 262 (not any different from 264... could be tied down too tight etc on dyno, so not statistically significant a difference)

Others have had wonderful experiences with Powerchip. I have resolved my differences with the company to my satisfaction.

If adding a chip to a car... do your self a favor and get a baseline dyno done. The Butt Dyno is not accurate! And for 4-600.00 for a chip... I want to be sure of the advantages!

Best 50.00 I have spent on the car (dyno run)

[fortysix]

get evosport pullies

How much of an hp/tq gain are we talking about here? I see there are dyno charts for some e39 models showing 10-12 increases, but there isn't a chart for the 540.

[E39540i6]

@E39540i6
Can you post pics of your ride or a sound clip or a video, u know whatever is available. I would really like to checkout your ride.

Here is a sound clip of my exhaust. I'll post pics of my car later on. I just put a M5 front bumper and Xenon Angel Eyes.

Exhaust (http://members.roadfly.com/e39540i6/Exhaust.mov)

[m_specs]

thats awsome... sounds kinda like mine

[tom @ eas]

How much of an hp/tq gain are we talking about here? I see there are dyno charts for some e39 models showing 10-12 increases, but there isn't a chart for the 540.

I picked up 9hp @ the rear wheels using the evo pulleys, my 540i/A was the prototype unit when I was working @ evosport.

Definitely, the best bang for the buck, go for the pulleys and software from Powerchip - they should give you about a good 15HP under $1K if you install the pulleys yourself.

[E39540i6]

Thanx M_Specs. Your car looks nice. I love your wheels. I'm thinking of getting new wheels and I love the RGR's and the RS GT's.

[Greco540]

I'd stray from the pulleys. Components on the car are so much more expensive than on Ford's, and that's more than enough to make me uneasy about underdrive certain components on the car. Mustangs are cheap to rebuild, ours... not so cheap.

To me the best bang for the buck is the diff. Going to a 3.15LSD or quaiffe is the best bang for the buck in terms of acceleration.

[Lscman]

The 3.15 will not help a whjle lot, unless you're doing 1/4 mi sprints from stoplights. In that case, a $5K Fox Mustang with cheapo bolt-ons will run 12's. For my needs, I think my 540i is geared perfectly. 1st is already plenty deep...

I think Gruppe M and exhaust should get you about 15 HP. Greco is on the money....pulleys are an unknown. They can stress the alternator (high current at lower rotor RPM causes Alternator overheating) & cause coolant circulation problems at idle....and if the harmonic balancer is an integral part of the pulley, a reduced size can cause the lower end (crank) to be weakened from harmonics at higher RPM. A chip is only helpful for raising the rev limiter. This helps on-track because the motor is capable of higher rev's & produces plenty of power over 6200 RPM. Not having to upshift when approaching the end of a straightaway at WOT is very beneficial.

[tom @ eas]

The 3.15 will not help a whjle lot, unless you're doing 1/4 mi sprints from stoplights. In that case, a $5K Fox Mustang with cheapo bolt-ons will run 12's. For my needs, I think my 540i is geared perfectly. 1st is already plenty deep...

I think Gruppe M and exhaust should get you about 15 HP. Greco is on the money....pulleys are an unknown. They can stress the alternator (high current at lower rotor RPM causes Alternator overheating) & cause coolant circulation problems at idle....and if the harmonic balancer is an integral part of the pulley, a reduced size can cause the lower end (crank) to be weakened from harmonics at higher RPM. A chip is only helpful for raising the rev limiter. This helps on-track because the motor is capable of higher rev's & produces plenty of power over 6200 RPM. Not having to upshift when approaching the end of a straightaway at WOT is very beneficial.

The above statement is completely incorrect.

The underdrive pulleys were on my 540 while I was with evosport for about 1 year before being released to the public. there are no issues reported with overheating and/or undercharging. I've even performed testing with an OBDII scanner to verify the coolant temps and were found to be only slightly higher than of normal, even in Los Angeles traffic. No under or overcharging of the alternator was experienced with the pulleys.

The Harmonic balancer is also not touched during the install, only the alternator, power steering and water pump pulleys are replaced.

As for software, if you think it just raises the rev-limiter then you are completely misinformed about software programming. Vehicle manufactures have to satisfy a wide array of people, from the 16 year old getting his first car and hitting the streets to a 60+ year old could traveling through Death Valley @ 115 degrees fully loaded with luggage with the AC on running on 87 pump gas - sacrifices are going to be made. The Powerchip allows your BMW to be tuned with your specific parts on your vehicle for optimum horsepower.

Powerchip will even offer to buy back the software if no noticable gains are made with their software, something no other tuner offers. I know the guys over @ Powerchip personally, they definitely know what they are doing when it comes to tuning.

I have seen the Gruppe M Intake in person, it looks nice, but did not notice any hp gains with the intake installed. For the $1K budget, the software and UDPs are the ticket.

Here are the benefits of the software and pulleys:

* Lightweight Pulleys offer less reciprocating weight, turning the accessories at a 15% reduction offering about 9hp to the rear wheels - 6-speeds will see more in HP gains.

* Slower Pulley speeds will tighten up the steering slightly, providing more feedback through the steering wheel. This will also provide longer life to your accessories.

* Low cost, easy installation.

* PowerChip software can be programmed specifically for the modifications (ie: custom tuned) making the software for YOUR car, rather than a "one-for-all" package that is expected to work for all vehicles.

Even though I am no longer with evosport, I can still attest they have a great product when it comes to the UDPs. Same goes for the PowerChip Group guys, I have both the evo pulleys and PowerChip software installed and am 100% satisfied and can actually experience the benefits.

Hopefully, I did not offend anyone - just wanted to clear things up. :D

[marinakorp]

Powerchip will even offer to buy back the software if no noticable gains are made with their software, something no other tuner offers.



Partially True

Other Manufacturers do offer a 30 day money back guarantee
Auto Thority, GIAC for starters


AND I have experienced the money back guarantee first hand from Powerchip. They do stand behind their product. The service I have received there is excellent.

My case may have been the exception to the rule (adding power wise - see 264 baseline = 300+hp at the crank when the 4.4 l is rated at 282). They bent over backwards to try and install / uninstall the program. sent me numerous laptops (FEDEX each way!) after all was said and done, I did not see the power gains, they did not charge me. Refunded all monies (actually never even charged the cc to begin with!) and no charge for the FEDEX. Straight up set of folks there. I know Jessie was tired of hearing from me several times a day...

[Tahoe M3]

My experience with the Evosport pulleys on my 95 E36 M3 was extremely satisfying. The power, and especially torque, increase was the most noticable power gain of the mods I had on that car which included an AA stage II intake (cold air intake with chip and larger injectors), Supersprint and pulleys, along with other non power related mods. The Evosport pulleys did not replace the counter balancing harmonic dampener flywheel pulley as some others do which, as I understand it, is a much bigger deal with the long straight 6 crank than it would be for other engines. I never experienced any negatives from their use at all and in fact liked the VERY slight increase in steering effort. It was so slight that I wasn't sure it wasn't imagined for a while. Just my experience and input for what it's worth.

[humanoid]

I picked up 9hp @ the rear wheels using the evo pulleys, my 540i/A was the prototype unit when I was working @ evosport.

Definitely, the best bang for the buck, go for the pulleys and software from Powerchip - they should give you about a good 15HP under $1K if you install the pulleys yourself.

Tom how was the installation of the evo pulleys. Did you have to do anything to the tensioner pulley?

[Greco540]

The above statement is completely incorrect.

The underdrive pulleys were on my 540 while I was with evosport for about 1 year before being released to the public. there are no issues reported with overheating and/or undercharging. I've even performed testing with an OBDII scanner to verify the coolant temps and were found to be only slightly higher than of normal, even in Los Angeles traffic. No under or overcharging of the alternator was experienced with the pulleys.

The Harmonic balancer is also not touched during the install, only the alternator, power steering and water pump pulleys are replaced.

As for software, if you think it just raises the rev-limiter then you are completely misinformed about software programming. Vehicle manufactures have to satisfy a wide array of people, from the 16 year old getting his first car and hitting the streets to a 60+ year old could traveling through Death Valley @ 115 degrees fully loaded with luggage with the AC on running on 87 pump gas - sacrifices are going to be made. The Powerchip allows your BMW to be tuned with your specific parts on your vehicle for optimum horsepower.

Powerchip will even offer to buy back the software if no noticable gains are made with their software, something no other tuner offers. I know the guys over @ Powerchip personally, they definitely know what they are doing when it comes to tuning.

I have seen the Gruppe M Intake in person, it looks nice, but did not notice any hp gains with the intake installed. For the $1K budget, the software and UDPs are the ticket.

Here are the benefits of the software and pulleys:

* Lightweight Pulleys offer less reciprocating weight, turning the accessories at a 15% reduction offering about 9hp to the rear wheels - 6-speeds will see more in HP gains.

* Slower Pulley speeds will tighten up the steering slightly, providing more feedback through the steering wheel. This will also provide longer life to your accessories.

* Low cost, easy installation.

* PowerChip software can be programmed specifically for the modifications (ie: custom tuned) making the software for YOUR car, rather than a "one-for-all" package that is expected to work for all vehicles.

Even though I am no longer with evosport, I can still attest they have a great product when it comes to the UDPs. Same goes for the PowerChip Group guys, I have both the evo pulleys and PowerChip software installed and am 100% satisfied and can actually experience the benefits.

Hopefully, I did not offend anyone - just wanted to clear things up. :D

Hmm.. my dyno run of before and after GruppeM install without any software modification on a completely stock 540 (heat soaked I might add) says differently. Trust me when I tell you that you CAN feel the difference in power.

As for the pulleys, the hp gians vs the cost of repair for me is not worth the risk. There is a bigger risk of failure to these components using pulleys than software.

And for the record, I am partial to Powerchip software over anything else on the market.

[E39540i6]

That's good to hear Greco. Since I too have the GruppeM. :buttrock

[tom @ eas]

Tom how was the installation of the evo pulleys. Did you have to do anything to the tensioner pulley?

Nothing has to be done to the tensioner pulley as far as e39 pulleys go, the entire process took me about 90 minutes to complete.

There is a slight modification that needs to be made on the late '02+ M5, but that is an entirely different pulley system altogether.

[tom @ eas]

As for the pulleys, the hp gians vs the cost of repair for me is not worth the risk. There is a bigger risk of failure to these components using pulleys than software.


I'm confused. How is there a greater risk to the accessories when they are spinning at a 15% reduction?

[humanoid]

Nothing has to be done to the tensioner pulley as far as e39 pulleys go, the entire process took me about 90 minutes to complete.

There is a slight modification that needs to be made on the late '02+ M5, but that is an entirely different pulley system altogether.

Excellent! Thanks for the info :buttrock

[Tahoe M3]

How is the Gruppe M intake different from another cold air intake system other than the CF housing and price. (The picture I see on their site just shows the exterior of the package). I'm trying to understand how it could produce more HP & TQ than a less expensive CAI like the AFE or RevHigh's?

[Manny G.]

what software download would you guys recommend with the GruppeM intake? Is the Dinan stg. 1 software good?

[batastj]

Nice info on this thread! I have not tried any of these but one question I have is this - What is the difference in HP gains with a air intkae in the wheel well or an airintake that is sealed from the engine! Has anyone else tried a air intake in both!

[Tahoe M3]

///Manny.
Dinan software is good. It is a bit more conservative than some of the others. He has to be to get the nod from BMW so the biggest gain from Dinan is the rev limiter being raised a couple hundred and the top speed limiter removed.

batastj.
All cold air intakes are within a couple HP of one another. As long as the intake is protected from hot air you're cool. Dinan and RevHigh have theirs behind the bumper so there is no hot air intake but they are more difficult to install and service. The filters are exposed to more dirt there and there is always that nagging concern about water although I don't think it is too much to worry about unless you drive through a deep puddle. Being hidden and out of sight probably means that the filter won't get cleaned when necessary.

[Manny G.]

///Manny.
Dinan software is good. It is a bit more conservative than some of the others. He has to be to get the nod from BMW so the biggest gain from Dinan is the rev limiter being raised a couple hundred and the top speed limiter removed.

batastj.
All cold air intakes are within a couple HP of one another. As long as the intake is protected from hot air you're cool. Dinan and RevHigh have theirs behind the bumper so there is no hot air intake but they are more difficult to install and service. The filters are exposed to more dirt there and there is always that nagging concern about water although I don't think it is too much to worry about unless you drive through a deep puddle. Being hidden and out of sight probably means that the filter won't get cleaned when necessary.


tahoe M3, thanks..

btw, feelings are mutual on the quote in your sig
"The M3 is gone. I'll miss it but I love this E39 540i-6 spd."