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Thread: 323i e46 upgrades / DME flash question

  1. #1
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    323i e46 upgrades / DME flash question

    Hello everyone,

    I did make an extensive search about my issue and could not find an answer that matches my somewhat "specific" case, so please no bashing lol.

    I own a 2001 e46 sedan 323i with a few mods:

    - m54b30 intake manifold
    - ramair air intake
    - twin pipes from exhaust manifold to a DTM style Remus catback
    - both resonators deleted.

    My questions:

    1) the mechanic who installed the m54b30 IM told that he knows a guy who could flash my DME with a 330i program. Where I live it would be difficult for me to find someone who can make a proper remap optimizing all the parameters for my car's setup, so basically it would be a "stock 330i program dump into my DME". So far my DME has adapted to the IM and the results are very satisfying: the car now revs up freely from 5000rpm to rev limiter, whereas it used to run out of breath before and the performance increase is real (best mod I have ever done to a car honestly).
    So would the 330i program improve anything on that basis?

    2) If 1) is true, would swapping my injectors for the 330i ones before flashing the DME make things even better? Maybe even 1) would be true only if I swap the injectors?

    3) what diff could I put in to get a slight increase in perf without ruining the gas mileage? I thought about putting a 320i (3.46) diff but I have been told it would severely impact my GM. Is there some sort of "in between" solution? The reason I mentionned my 323i being a sedan is that maybe the 323Ci (coupe) diff is a bit shorter? What about the 328i's?

    Thanks for reading and please help lol
    Last edited by Breeze1; 12-23-2017 at 05:25 PM.

  2. #2
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    You cannot run 330i programming (MS43 DME) on 323 DME (MS42), and you should not run the 2.5 liter engine on 3.0 maps.

    Best bet is to get a customized tune for the mods you have. No other factory calibration will work, the 2.8 calibration on 2.5 is not right either.
    -Abel

    - E36 328is ~210-220whp: Lots of Mods.
    - 2000 Z3: Many Mods.
    - 2003 VW Jetta TDI Manual 47-50mpg
    - 1999 S52 Estoril M Coupe
    - 2014 328d Wagon, self-tuned, 270hp/430ft-lbs
    - 2019 M2 Competition, self-tuned, 504whp
    - 2016 Mini Cooper S

  3. #3
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    Quote Originally Posted by 328 Power 04 View Post
    You cannot run 330i programming (MS43 DME) on 323 DME (MS42), and you should not run the 2.5 liter engine on 3.0 maps.

    Best bet is to get a customized tune for the mods you have. No other factory calibration will work, the 2.8 calibration on 2.5 is not right either.
    Thanks for your reply. Would you happen to know the answer for the diff?

    And merry Christmas!

  4. #4
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    What is the current ratio of your 323 diff? There are 3.23:1 gears available here in North America that would fit your 323 diff.

  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by jakermac View Post
    What is the current ratio of your 323 diff? There are 3.23:1 gears available here in North America that would fit your 323 diff.
    It's the stock diff that comes with the US version of the 323i (my car was imported from the US). I don't know if that makes any difference but it has the M package (stiffer suspension, sport seats...).

    Basically given the very limited number of aftermarket parts available here, my best option is to go for used OEM parts. Is the 325i diff any shorter than the 323's? I know that the 320's is shorter, but too much for my taste (I don't to run at too high rpm's on the highway).

  6. #6
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    There should be a tag on your differential under the head of one of the diff cover bolts. That tag has the ratio stamped into it. This is your 1st step!

  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by jakermac View Post
    There should be a tag on your differential under the head of one of the diff cover bolts. That tag has the ratio stamped into it. This is your 1st step!
    It seems so yeah. I tried looking up the vin number but the diff type isn't mentioned.

    Nice rims btw

  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by Breeze1 View Post
    Nice rims btw
    Thanks!

    Time to pull out a flashlight and crawl under the back bumper of your car!

  9. #9
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    If you have a 3.23:1, I would leave it alone.
    -Abel

    - E36 328is ~210-220whp: Lots of Mods.
    - 2000 Z3: Many Mods.
    - 2003 VW Jetta TDI Manual 47-50mpg
    - 1999 S52 Estoril M Coupe
    - 2014 328d Wagon, self-tuned, 270hp/430ft-lbs
    - 2019 M2 Competition, self-tuned, 504whp
    - 2016 Mini Cooper S

  10. #10
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    According to RealOEM, US market E46 323i had a 3.07 gear for manual and 3.46 for automatic. The easiest swap would be the automatic differential. It is most likely plug and play. If you cannot live with the increased RPMs on the highway, then you should probably consider a gear swap to the 3.23:1 ratio. That would be a happy medium. It would be somewhat involved though.

  11. #11
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    Sorry for the late reply, I assumed no one else would reply after a while. It's stock so it must be 3.07 then (haven't had the time to crawl under the car yet lol). I hit 62mph at rev limiter in 2nd and 93mph in 3rd.

    Maybe I'll go for the 3.23 if I cand find one, as mine is becoming noisy anyway.

    I would rather drop a supercharger and keep the 3.07 diff though ��

    But 1) it would be too costly and 2) like I said aftermarket parts are hard to come by AND even I find/import them I would need someone who properly tune my DME accordingly and I'm not sure I could find him.

    Thans for the replies!

    EDIT: according to this chart, the 325i has a 3.15 ratio. Do you guys think it would make any significant difference over a 3.07, or would it be pretty much the same?

    http://www.bokchoys.com/differential/GearRatios.htm
    Last edited by Breeze1; 12-27-2017 at 02:19 PM.

  12. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by Breeze1 View Post
    EDIT: according to this chart, the 325i has a 3.15 ratio. Do you guys think it would make any significant difference over a 3.07, or would it be pretty much the same?
    It would be like adding 2.6% more torque, so about 4.7 ft/lbs over your current 181ft/lbs. That would most likely be nearly indistinguishable. The 3.23 would be more like 5.2% so 9.4 ft/lbs. That's something that you're going to start to feel.

  13. #13
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    Quote Originally Posted by jakermac View Post
    It would be like adding 2.6% more torque, so about 4.7 ft/lbs over your current 181ft/lbs. That would most likely be nearly indistinguishable. The 3.23 would be more like 5.2% so 9.4 ft/lbs. That's something that you're going to start to feel.
    Thansk for making the calculation. You're right it does not sound like much. I'll see what I can find based on that!

  14. #14
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    I've got a stake in helping you out. I'm pretty sure I have a set of 3.23 gears at home to sell! I have no idea how much shipping would be but I don't want a lot of money for the gears.

  15. #15
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    Thanks man. Like you said it would all depend on shipping costs and I reckon it's gonna be really costly, since I asked once about shipment for vanos seals from the US and it was like $150 lol.
    I'll see if I can find a 325XI diff at my salvage yard since I found out it's 3.23 and if I'm out of luck we'll see how we can work that out ��

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