Char's E92 Build thread

[12,000 RPM]

It's a tough call. The coupe has no discerning features between the wheels and below the windows, so there's a lot of blank acreage. And there's no lip kit or door trim I'm seeing that can break it up. Best bet might be black door handles/mirrors and worst comes to worst some kind of easily removable side decal.

[Raza]

If it were Forza, I'd be tempted to go black. But for real life, I think body color would be best.

[MexicoCityM3]

Black over white is a nice contrast.

[FlatBlackCaddy]

It's a tough call, for sure.

I know of a lot of builds that were pretty much shelved because spoiler color is one of the most difficult decisions to make.

It's one of those decisions you'll have to carry for the rest of your life.

[MrH]

It's a tough call, for sure.

I know of a lot of builds that were pretty much shelved because spoiler color is one of the most difficult decisions to make.

It's one of those decisions you'll have to carry for the rest of your life.

!

[68_427]

FWIW my rear spoiler is black

[Char]

It's a tough call, for sure.

I know of a lot of builds that were pretty much shelved because spoiler color is one of the most difficult decisions to make.

It's one of those decisions you'll have to carry for the rest of your life.

Yeah, I may need to hang my hat up over this one.

[AutobahnSHO]

I like the contrasting color idea but has to match either wheels or be a color which says "yes, I meant to finish with this color"...

[Cookie Monster]

Yeah, I may need to hang my hat up over this one.

Might as well sell the car.

[Raza]

Might as well sell the car.

Burn it!  Save others from this dilemma!

[giant_mtb]

I kinda like it black

That's what she said.

[CaminoRacer]

That's what she said.

took y'all long enough

[Char]

So I don't know if I updated in a while, but....

I have a 3 stage intake manifold waiting on install..and I'm wondering if (when I add headers) I'm going to run a full blow ALFA N tune.
I also have to replace the Valvetronic sensor, which is hopefully going on this weekend when the IM gets changed over.
M3 Strut brace - no realy performance benefits here, but it was a good price so I grabbed it - it allows access to the shock tower covering for when I upgrade to camber plates.

Looking for a front sway bar and some more track time after this.

[MexicoCityM3]

So I don't know if I updated in a while, but....

I have a 3 stage intake manifold waiting on install..and I'm wondering if (when I add headers) I'm going to run a full blow ALFA N tune.
I also have to replace the Valvetronic sensor, which is hopefully going on this weekend when the IM gets changed over.
M3 Strut brace - no realy performance benefits here, but it was a good price so I grabbed it - it allows access to the shock tower covering for when I upgrade to camber plates.

Looking for a front sway bar and some more track time after this.

Nice. How have you been doing on track? Road or autocross?

[Char]

Nice. How have you been doing on track? Road or autocross?

No AutoX during July August, likely due to heat, and Sebring is currently having a track day, but for experienced drivers only. My season will start in September probably. 

[Char]

I"m having trouble posting - anyone else?

[Char]

Guess that's what I get for trying to attach photos:




Valvetronic sensor replaced and intake manifold swapped.

[68_427]

Id totally get those wheels if they came in a width+offset that would fit

[CaminoRacer]

New cams too, right? I mean, they're right there...

[MexicoCityM3]

Who did the work? It doesn't look easy.

[12,000 RPM]

New cams too, right? I mean, they're right there...

They dont make them I don't think

What I want to see is someone put N52 cams in an N54/N55. No more top end fall off

[MX793]

They dont make them I don't think

What I want to see is someone put N52 cams in an N54/N55. No more top end fall off

Cam profile isn't the reason a turbocharged engines fall off up top. 

And the N55 uses Valvetronic, so it already has the same infinitely variable valve lift that the N52 has.  Also has Double VANOS cam phasing.  An N52 cam isn't going to change much.

Not sure an N52 cam would do much in an N54 since the latter doesn't have Valvetronic while the former does.

[Char]

Id totally get those wheels if they came in a width+offset that would fit

17X9 ET30 16.77lbs.

New cams too, right? I mean, they're right there...

I wish, the only options are Shrick (which no one has done...nor are they sure they exist) and regrinds.

Who did the work? It doesn't look easy.

I had a friend (987 S behind my car) help me out, he did a lot of the more difficult stuff, but it's not a hard job. Just tedious.

They dont make them I don't think

What I want to see is someone put N52 cams in an N54/N55. No more top end fall off

Cam profile isn't the reason a turbocharged engines fall off up top. 

And the N55 uses Valvetronic, so it already has the same infinitely variable valve lift that the N52 has.  Also has Double VANOS cam phasing.  An N52 cam isn't going to change much.

Not sure an N52 cam would do much in an N54 since the latter doesn't have Valvetronic while the former does.

Haven't done a part comparison on the N52 and N55 but I imagine the profiles are going to be slightly different, but maximum lift is the same. The problem with the (especially) N54 and N55 is the head just doesn't flow as well and the smaller turbos

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1290576&page=5

^ You can see a comparison between the two heads: N52's have larger intake and exhaust valves and larger intake and exhaust ports.

[68_427]

17X9 ET30 16.77lbs.

I wish, the only options are Shrick (which no one has done...nor are they sure they exist) and regrinds.

I had a friend (987 S behind my car) help me out, he did a lot of the more difficult stuff, but it's not a hard job. Just tedious.

Haven't done a part comparison on the N52 and N55 but I imagine the profiles are going to be slightly different, but maximum lift is the same. The problem with the (especially) N54 and N55 is the head just doesn't flow as well and the smaller turbos

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1290576&page=5

^ You can see a comparison between the two heads: N52's have larger intake and exhaust valves and larger intake and exhaust ports.

Max for my car would be something like 8" wide with a 45 offset, but since I'd need adapters since they don't make 5x100 I'm SOL

[Char]

Max for my car would be something like 8" wide with a 45 offset, but since I'd need adapters since they don't make 5x100 I'm SOL

Don't be a quitter. Camber fixes most everything.

[68_427]

Don't be a quitter. Camber fixes most everything.

I'm already at 2* all around.  I'm not gonna go much more than that

[Char]

I'm already at 2* all around.  I'm not gonna go much more than that

With toe (front) set to 0, you can go higher without any worry of adverse tire wear.

[12,000 RPM]

Cam profile isn't the reason a turbocharged engines fall off up top. 

And the N55 uses Valvetronic, so it already has the same infinitely variable valve lift that the N52 has.  Also has Double VANOS cam phasing.  An N52 cam isn't going to change much.

Not sure an N52 cam would do much in an N54 since the latter doesn't have Valvetronic while the former does.

Engines are air pumps, turbos or not... cams help.

Stock N54/N55s don't boost very hard (~10psi?) so I don't think compressor inefficiency is what chokes it at the top. We know the N55 head is inferior in flow to the N52 as well. I think it could work.

Hell.... *dons flame suit* my car with an appropriately sized turbo and similar amounts of boost makes similar peak power (though obviously less average power and peak torque):



That all comes down to the better flowing head IMO.

And yes with zero toe camber is a free variable within reason. I am running -1.5-2 all around. Toe is the killer.

[MX793]

Will a freer flowing head get you more power with a turbo?  Yes, generally.  Will it materially change the shape of the power/torque curves such that the motor doesn't fall off at 5000 RPM, or wherever?  No.  The reason the power falls off at the higher RPMs has to do with either with the boost control map (how much boost the waste gate bleeds off at higher RPM) or the limits of the turbocharger itself (e.g. compressor design).

[12,000 RPM]

All things equal, more aggressive cams = power band shape changes biasing to the top end. Being that the stock turbos in these things can make stock boost all the way to redline I don't think the turbos are choking anything out.