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Malachi's BMW '02 540i/6/Sport +Mods |
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"Mod Experiences" |
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Walker Dynomax Resonator (Bullit muffler)
Dinan Mods - The description below are generally Dinan's. I currently have installed the following:
Dinan High Flow Cold Air Intake Systems develop horsepower and torque gains by improving the engine's intake air flow. The system design provides for a less restrictive intake air flow than the stock system for greater engine efficiency and the lowest possible intake air temperatures. The High Flow Cold Air Intake Systems replace the factory air box with a cylindrical performance filter and carbon fiber or aluminum intake pipe. The filter is relocated to a separate compartment behind the front bumper and below the headlights in order to insulate it from engine compartment heat and maximize exposure to outside air. The filter to air-flow-meter pipe is designed to minimize air turbulence and maximize efficiency. A Stage 2 version of the Dinan Performance Engine Software is required in order to optimize the fuel mixture and ignition timing for maximum power gains. The High Flow Cold Air Intake System for the 540 is 50 state emissions legal*.
Dinan's High Flow Air Flow Meter for the 540 compliments the Cold Air Intake System by further opening up the intake tract for increased power and quicker throttle response. The Dinan Air Flow Meter features a larger internal diameter and is manufactured from aluminum, as compared to the smaller plastic stock unit. The Air Flow Meter is designed to accommodate the stock electronics and comes with all of the components necessary for a clean and simple installation. The Dinan Cold Air Intake System is required when installing the Air Flow Meter, as well as specially tuned Dinan Stage 4 Engine Software. This product is currently 49 state emissions legal*.
Taking full advantage of 91+ octane fuel, Dinan software provides more power by reprogramming the fuel mixture and ignition timing parameters of the engine management system. Furthermore, the software safely raises the factory rev-limit, giving your BMW a broader power band and greater road speed in each gear. But just because you can now out-accelerate other cars, that doesn't mean that you have to pay the penalty of more frequent gas stops. During part throttle or "cruise" conditions, the Dinan software actually improves fuel economy. You will also notice that significant power gains are achieved at part throttle, as well as full throttle. That means that extra power is available where you spend most of your time driving. The Dinan software also removes the factory top speed governor. Granted, you probably wouldn't take your BMW over 128 mph; but now you can.
Dinan's Free Flow Exhausts for the 540i provide power gains without the excessive noise associated with typical "performance" mufflers. Dinan's exhaust systems feature rigid and durable muffler cases, manufactured from 20 gauge 304-stainless steel for optimum corrosion resistance. Internally, the systems feature Dinan's Tuned Resonance Chamber technology which provides the optimum balance between maximum power gains and a civilized, yet sporty exhaust note. The Dinan exhausts also provide substantial weight reduction compared to the stock mufflers. The Dinan muffler weighs in at 18.5 lbs. vs. 34 lbs. The dual 3 inch diameter polished stainless steel exhaust tips have been designed to be visible on the 540i.
This is actually a straight through design muffler by Walker, where it can be installed forwards or backwards. Since I have a muffler, it is installed backwards to minimize flow restrictions. The picture below is the OEM exhaust and the new resonator. The Walker Dynomax resonator weighs less than 5 lbs (my guess) while the OEM resonator weighs about 16 lbs. In addition to adding what feels like more HP, this mod will also allowed me to reduce the amount of Dinan exhaust pipes stick out by 1.5 to 2 inches.
The Dinan anti-roll bars reduce body roll and provide the most neutral handling possible.
I love this mod, it got rid of I'd say 85% of the understeer that the car previously had. They may have worked so well because I already had the BMW OEM sport suspension. I do not know how effective they are with the non-sport suspension.
The UUC short shifter is what I believe a shifter in a car should feel like. It is has short throws and little side to side play. It takes a little more effort than the OEM shifter but not to the point of distraction (although my wife felt it more), one just feels it in contrast to OEM. It is notchier than OEM but it feels "sporty". If you hate the long throws of OEM and you want the shifting to feel sporty then this may be your shifter. Look at "MY FAQ" Link for information on other short shifters. Click here for the proper shifting techniques.
The UUC Clutch Stop does to your clutch pedal what the UUC USS does to your shifter. The latest version of the clutch stop (aka The Big Boy), is now a stout 61mm in diameter which is much wider than OEM. This addresses the issue clutch arm moving laterally a bit. The OEM clutch stop was basically against the floor board whereas with the Big Boy the clutch pedal is about 1.25 inches above the floor board. You in essence save 2.5" of clutch pedal travel. So combined with the short shifter the clutch stop helps performance times by reducing clutch pedal travel, consequently keeping rpm up higher between shifts. There is a small catch, click here for instruction on how to get around the issue of being able to start your car.
Winter Tires - I put on the Bridgestone Blizzacks - LM 22. They work well in the snow and generally ride well. The information I got prior to buying them was that they are nearly as good as regular tires in dry conditions. They can be spun easily. I had been riding on Dunlop SP 2000 and I can assure you that they don't perform to that standard, but I am guessing that relative to other winter tires they perform very well. No regrets. BTW, SP 2000 are awful in the snow. Summer Tires - When I got my winter tires off, instead of putting my SP 2000 back on, I chose to put on Bridgestone SO3. I can tell you that they do corner better than SP 2000 and that you can feel their extra weight in the steering wheel (which I was not expecting and don't like). I can not spin these tires as easily as I could my SP 2000. I have now taken the SO3 to the track and they performed much better than the SP 2000. I hope they last long enough for me to justify their expense.
AXXis Ultimate pads are the closest thing to a race pad that is also appropriate for the street that I know of. Unlike dedicated track pads, the Ultimate pads produce maximum braking friction when cold, yet have fade resistance at temperatures up to 1,022 °F. These pads are fine for autocross or for your first track event or driving school, assuming you are using street tires and are not driving a heavy, powerful car. Regardless of car type, once you make the jump to Intermediate level, and certainly if you use R-compound race tires, then we recommend a dedicated race pad.
I ran these pads on a road coarse and they did exactly what I was hoping to get out of them. They held up better than the OEM pads in terms of fade but, they would fade some under continuous hard use. They dust less than the OEM, but not by much.
On my second track event, I ran these hard and I apparently overheated them and they left enough deposit on my front rotors to cause vibration. It was a small vibration in braking but it got worse over time. I bought new front rotors and put on the Axxis Deluxe Plus Pads.
Disappointed in the fact that I could not run road coarses hard with the Axxis Ultimate pads, and not getting much brake dust relief I switched to the Axxis Deluxe Plus pads which perform like the OEM but dust much less...I would say 60% less. What a great pad. I no longer feel the need to wash my car or wheels every three days due to excess brake dust.
Below are some good write ups of people mod journeys. Jimmy540i's (Dinan's Supercharger)
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