Kasmo

So Im on my lunch break right now and I started to think about my car. (I got a 2006 525xi E60)

I know the N52 does not have a huge aftermarket support. So my question is... what did you guys do to squeeze a bit more out of the engine?

As of now I got a list of what Id like to do to:
-tune
-Stage 3 intake manifold
-new air filter (aEf or maybe something else)
-custom exhaust

I was also wondering if anyone has bought the Stage 3 intake manifold. Any thoughts on that?

Anyone has a custom exhaust set up? I need some ideas.

Also heard that there is a N52 Euro Air Intake Box. Just not sure if it will fit the E60. Any thoughts on this as well?

gjeoc

Headers (depending on state/province you live in) gives a large gain as well at the cost of large increase in emissions output.


With everything you listed plus headers, you should be in the 280 crank hp range and 240 lb-fit of torque.

stel_i79

what headers,brand?

Kasmo

I got 218 hp stock, thats a pretty large jump to about 280. I know the manifold with a tune would bring about 40ish. But some websites say it should bring it to 260 total. Which I dont believe. But then again that mod itself would be around 1300 for the manifold and another 300-500 for a tune.

Exhaust headers are super expensive the ones I found are ridiculous. Id be better off just saving that money and getting a supercharger instead. But I dont want to go that route. Since its a 525 not a 545.

I want to save up for a M4 along the way as I own the E60. Just would like for this car to be a little better than it is. I know with AWD it dosent feel as quick. If i had a RWD version id probably just get a tune and thats it. lol

Boost7

Kasmo - you are correct, with a 525, regardless of whatever mods, you won't gain much for the price that you'll dish out. Save that money and buy the M4 that you really desire.

gjeoc

280 crank is entirely possible. With stage 3 manifold, you're getting 255hp. A catless downpipe brings 15whp conservatively (18-20hp crank) without a tune. You can get someone to locally fab your current manifolds for much less than ordering online for the same gains.

With the tune for the downpipes and intake as well as octane 94+, you can gain another 5-10 crank hp (making it 280-285hp crank)

Mind you that you would need to run oct 94 only from then on.

Then you'd probably want to install the oem oil cooler that comes with 530i's as well.

zoppp

Not really worth it though. A lot of work is required to do all that and the cost. Check this forum thread to see the procedure for getting 330i/530i power out of your 525/528i

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=372973

Kasmo

I would be happy with 250-260. If i ran with stock RWD models that be great. I dont see why BMW detuned the N52 that was in the AWD E60s.

And yea thats basically the intake manifold that I was talking about. The one in the link provided above.

The intake itself is around 1300 (whole kit) the AA tune i think is on sale (not sure if still) but its around 350-400 bucks. A custom exhaust would be around 150-300 bucks I feel like If it comes down to a custom made cat-back. So basically I am looking at around 2k for mods. Which isnt bad I feel like. I spent 850 on wheels and another 760 on tires and around 260 on lowering springs last summer, and that was on a tight budget.... but it happened. I feel like all I got left to do is finding what size pipe, mufflers (if any), exhaust orientation etc to do. Plus the exhaust would be lighter.

Also if anyone knows a cheaper place to get a intake manifold (3-stage one) let me know. Iv checked ECS and they had it for about 1268 or so (whole kit) OEM from BMW.

My main questions:

Delete the resonators?
Delete the muffler or replace it with some performance muffler or is this still restricting some power regardless?
Run a cutout with the muffler (performance one)?
Run a single exit or a dual exit exhaust?
-car is single exit stock, so would staying single with a bigger pipe be better for flow?
-or would it be better to add a 2nd exit for a better exhaust route?

Im asking these questions because I read somewhere, long ago, that pipe is important because too big can actually cause a loss in power. Now the double exit exhaust, thats one thing i dont know if its beneficial or has no effect whats so ever. The cut out I feel like it wouldnt do much. I just want it to have control over the sound of the exhaust. I had a 2010 mazda 3 that i put on a performance exhaust on and it was fun for 7 months, later it got really irritating on longer trips. I got used to it, all my friends also complained how loud it is haha, and civics kept wanting to race me. I also drew some attention from police officers at the time.

I would have to ask a shop how much a exhaust would cost to make. If i go the cutout route thats extra 200 bucks or so.

I could get a B&B axle back, but that sounds quiet to me at least from the old youtube video that was shot with a potato it sounds quiet. But that expensive. Remus is out of the question way too expensive. And there is Race Precision, but their axle back is around 800. Which is basically a muffler and some pipe. I would understand if it was a full cat-back. But it aint.