Best HP Bang for the Buck

**SLENZ** · 02-03-2002, 02:09 PM

Hey Guys!, I am looking to get the most HP/Torque out of my 2000 323i. I already changed the air intake to one of those round stainless steel ones you see on ebay. It made the car sound a bit different, but not too much in the HP department. I dont want to spend too much, maybe a few hundred. I just can't stand that my friend has a '97 328 and I can feel the diff in power.

**e46driver** · 02-03-2002, 10:52 PM

You can get an exhaust and software. For exhaust you can wait for the Rogue Engineering one.

**fredo** · 02-04-2002, 05:05 PM

unfortunately there isnt much you can do for a few hundred bucks.... an exhaust alone will run you upwards of 400 bucks.... but it should help a little bit..... software should help a little as well..... but even with just bolt on mods, you will prob only see like 20hp gain....

**Sean~328i//EastBay** · 02-04-2002, 11:37 PM

i don't want to disappoint you but even with the bolt on mods, reality wise i would say 5-7 hp gain is all that you see. i mean on paper yes they say cold air intake will add 5-10 hp and exhaust is another 7-10 hp but really it's not.
If you ever see the dyno graph of a CAI car, how can they justify that. they really have to have a huge blower push in cold air into the CAI to have any hp gain.
Further the CAI is not increasing the volume of air/unit time. because the air passage hose area remains the same.
Unless you change something drastic like M3 cams, chip the 2.5 litre engine or supercharge it, you don't see noticeable gains.
Of course the bolt-on gains is again @ higher rpm range.Street driving is more or less same.

**SLENZ** · 02-05-2002, 09:02 AM

Thanks all for the feedback, I went ahead and ordered an OBX muffler. I'll keep you posted on the results.

**SLENZ** · 02-09-2002, 07:05 PM

OK, The results are in. After the new OBX muffler purchase of $150 on ebay, and the $85 installation at a local muffler shop, I can honestly say that there is absolutely no change in power! The muffler looks great and gives a great low fat sound, but zilch where I wanted it. Oh Well.......

**Kaisake** · 02-13-2002, 01:04 AM

IMO, put in a K&N drop in airfilter. It will run you $40-50 and you will feel a subtle increase in performance, as well as a whiring sound.

Good Luck!

**Stockman** · 02-13-2002, 01:14 AM

Originally posted by SLENZ
OK, The results are in. After the new OBX muffler purchase of $150 on ebay, and the $85 installation at a local muffler shop, I can honestly say that there is absolutely no change in power! The muffler looks great and gives a great low fat sound, but zilch where I wanted it. Oh Well.......

Honestly... I wouldnt buy stuff off ebay unless you know for sure the product is good

theres alot of crap/imitation/crap on ebay

I should know.. I used to sell on ebay..

You more then likely got a low quality intake/exhaust straight off the boat from taiwain/china.. in fact the intake could of hurt your performance compared to the stock box.. and you may have lost torque with the muffler

It may SEEM like a good idea.. but you should ask before you end up buying stuff on there unless its a good product from AA or (enter other vendor name here)

I had to sick visa on one ebay vendor.. complete misrepresentation of an intake... needless to say I still use my stock airbox

**SLENZ** · 02-13-2002, 02:35 PM

I hear what you're all saying. I took a shot with both a new air intake and muffler (both from ebay). The performance shop that put the muffler on said it was actually and very good muffler and was surprised at how much I paid for it ($150). I think I will try putting back the stock airbox and replace the filer with the K&N as suggested, to see if that changes anything. If nothing else, the muffler looks awesome, I will post a pic tonight. Thanks again

**Stylin** · 02-13-2002, 09:12 PM

For power... with only a few hundred bucks, I would go with an intake and pulleys. Both are proven to gain hp.

**fight4yourrights** · 02-16-2002, 11:17 PM

NOS

**SLENZ** · 02-17-2002, 06:13 PM

I certainly don't have the $$$ for NOS! If I had, that's what I would do. Call me stupid, but what are "pulleys"???

Here are the pics of the installed muffler. I think it looks great.

**Stylin** · 02-17-2002, 08:01 PM

Originally posted by SLENZ
I certainly don't have the $$$ for NOS! If I had, that's what I would do. Call me stupid, but what are "pulleys"???

Here are the pics of the installed muffler. I think it looks great.

Pulleys are underdrive pulleys, they replace a few pulleys from ur crankshaft and accessories to run them slower thus freeing some hp up from the engine.

URI and ERT are some brands of pulleys.

**SLENZ** · 02-17-2002, 08:25 PM

I did a quick search and this is what I found from Dinan:
http://www.dinanbmw.com/html/danger_...er_pulleys.htm

**Nics** · 03-13-2002, 08:26 PM

i just kinda skimmed thru this thread, but Schrick cams anyone?

They are at least good for 10 HP. maybe more, if you get the ECU re-programmed, ect.ect.

**ImportFanatic** · 05-11-2007, 11:10 AM

Bump for a good info thread! Another oldie but goodie.

**Lizard1** · 05-11-2007, 11:25 AM

what about increasing the diameter of the intake hose? I noticed for E46s that 99-03 have 3" hoses and 04+ have 3.5" hoses. Is it possible to buy an intake that includes a replacement for the stock hose with a larger diameter hose?

**ImportFanatic** · 05-11-2007, 11:52 AM

Originally Posted by Lizard1

what about increasing the diameter of the intake hose? I noticed for E46s that 99-03 have 3" hoses and 04+ have 3.5" hoses. Is it possible to buy an intake that includes a replacement for the stock hose with a larger diameter hose?

I'm not sure, that's a good question. I would imagine if the intake is too big or if something hurts the velocity of the air, it might not help.

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