Quick power modifications to an e39 540i

[jp5Touring]

If you need more power, try going with a bigger alternator. Easy DIY swap, several amperages to choose from. Can add many more blue lights.

Agree best answer so far and most appropriate.Maybe more decals.

[benjaminearle]

What's truly funny is that with the 1.21GW of draw these things have a bigger alternator may, in fact, be the best "power" mod to make.

+1 internets to qcdstick

If you need more power, try going with a bigger alternator. Easy DIY swap, several amperages to choose from. Can add many more blue lights.

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I remember my dad's mantra when he built his wicked E28:

first make it stop
then make it handle
then make it fast
finally make it look good.


typical rice mod is done in the reverse order


DSCF5552.jpg
'84 (non ABS) 533i MME 3.6L stroker, 288 Schrick, CIS fuel pump, custom tune
5sp CR Blanton trans, 75%lock 4.10 Blanton Rear, 320i short shift
Dinan Stage 2 Brakes, Suspension
M-Teknik Aero, 16" BBS RS 3-pc, rolled flares
red leather baby.
no blue lights, LEDs or stickers.

[geargrinder]

typical rice mod is done in the reverse order

Classic troof.

[Matt.Weaves]

I posted the most accurate answer thus far, and dude replied "hahaha"

What gives

Sorry thought it was funny

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Agree best answer so far and most appropriate.Maybe more decals.

More decals = more horsepower haha

[JimLev]

Lots of juice, then more decals.

[Matt.Weaves]

Lots of juice, then more decals.

Seems appropriate

[itsbrokeagain]

I don't know why I keep looking at this thread.

[Matt.Weaves]

I don't know why I keep looking at this thread.

Because it stays lit

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I don't know why I keep looking at this thread.

Because it stays lit!

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I don't know why I keep looking at this thread.

Because it stays lit!

[itsbrokeagain]

Wait you lit it on fire? Seems appropriate...

[BimmrMeUpSnotty]

Sure, it stays lit, with no context, zero upgrades, a used up old lady, and a waste of a clean, low mile E39. You should be so proud of yourself.

[Matt.Weaves]

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Sure, it stays lit, with no context, zero upgrades, a used up old lady, and a waste of a clean, low mile E39. You should be so proud of yourself.

What are you talking about?! "waste"? I daily drive it. "Zero Upgrades" got an air intake and buying dinan stage 2. "used up old lady" don't even know what that means tbh. Also wasnt clean when i purchased it, the bumpers where so badly f'ed up that it encouraged me to purchase new m sport ones.

[BimmrMeUpSnotty]

Air intake..... Wow. The little old lady, we know what you did...

[NordmanMg]

Why you all arguing with 16 yo boy?

[BimmrMeUpSnotty]

Not arguing, playing.

[benjaminearle]

@BimmrMeUpSnotty - if you're playing with a 16yo boy you need to take it to a different forum.

@Matt.Weaves - watch out for Snotty and please confirm compatibility of Dinan Stage 2 (software, suspension, brakes, what?) with the stickers, "air intake" and blue lights. Seriously, if you're talking about Dinan software it's made for the stock airbox, not an aftermarket hot air intake.

[BimmrMeUpSnotty]

@BimmrMeUpSnotty - if you're playing with a 16yo boy you need to take it to a different forum.

@Matt.Weaves - watch out for Snotty and please confirm compatibility of Dinan Stage 2 (software, suspension, brakes, what?) with the stickers, "air intake" and blue lights. Seriously, if you're talking about Dinan software it's made for the stock airbox, not an aftermarket hot air intake.

Not playing like that. Weaves is just trolling all you people, Einstein...

[benjaminearle]

...Weaves is just trolling all you people, Einstein...

I honestly don't think he's trolling. I think he's a younger guy who found what appeared to be a great deal on a car with dreams of making it a Autobahn Hotrod but didn't do the research to find out that there's NOTHING cheap about performance-oriented upgrades to an E39. Still living in the delusion that someone's got a secret stash of cheap E39 go fast parts and that his chassis and engine can make use of them as if it were fresh and new.

Oh and I forgot another overlooked upgrade/maintenance item: replace every bushing on the car. As a general rule of thumb, Weaves - everything you want to do to that car is worth more than the car itself. Its not a judgement it just is. Except the Nitrous - do that. Cheap power while it lasts.

[jp5Touring]

Local facebook car club group is young kids. All they do is decals,fart cans and such then say it's modded car.
Local shop had decals made up "A Decal is Not a Mod" it's gotten so bad.

[benjaminearle]

...facebook car club group ...

If it's on FB it's a FB club. If it's a car club its in a driveway, garage or parking lot.

I'm feeling too lazy to look but I wonder if someone makes a sticker that just says "+25HP" and gets to the heart of the matter.

edit: yep, they're out there: https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_n...epower+sticker

[Franktea]

Old thread but didn't you guys find that going to LSD rear winded out the gears faster? Probably a lot worse parkway gas mileage, haven't done it but i would try the nitrous, Could be a pain in ass to fill that bottle.

[geargrinder]

It shouldn’t be a huge difference. Minor mileage decrease on the highway.

[JimLev]

If I keep my foot off the floor I can easily get 25+ MPG on the highway.
Switch on the juice for some fun and it's down to 16.
With gas prices less than $3 a gal for the good stuff my MPG is irrelevant.

[Franktea]

Some mods i have been thinking of over 18 years, maybe now parts less expensive i'll finally do these as a winter project definitely not quick.

1. Full length Headers
2. CAMS - Does this requires ECU Tuning?
3. LSD Rear
4. Rev limiter
5. 50 to 75 hp nit shot.

What do you guys think, which do you think would give the biggest bang for the buck 1 to 5? Any other should be added?

Thanks,
Frank

[JimLev]

#5 is the biggest gain for the $$.
M62_15.jpg

I've got a spare tu manifold that has fittings for 8 injectors to be screwed into. 175+ boost here.
You could always just do a single injector, much cheaper. Don't forget the cost of the N2O.
It's just the manifold that I drilled and tapped then inserted the correct fittings that the injectors would screw into.

[Franktea]

Very cool Jim Is that from the early 540 e39 or other? I dont want to add smaller manifold. PM me the price.

Is it safe to do one injector? I would imagine the spray wont be equal across all cylinders.