550I mods available?
09-18-2009, 12:14 AM
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Looking to purchase a 550i. Are there any proven mods available for this model? ECU, intake, torque converter, gears,etc??? Would love to add around 20-30hp to the car.
Thanks in advance
Thanks in advance
09-18-2009, 12:27 AM
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My Ride: Alpine White 2006 530Xi (SLD)
I'm sure some members will chime in, but I would suggest you do some searching before posting a thread and come up with more specific questions.
For example: Guys, I have a 200x 5xx with such and such packages and xxxx transmission. I'm considering to hook it up with ... - has anyone done this? are there any dyno charts available? etc etc etc.
I have a 530, so I'm not too familiar with modding 550's, but from the little that I know, here are a couple of really simple and effective mods:
1. RPi scoop+BMC filter (good for about 7-10 extra ponies - proven)
2. Heat-wrapping under the hood. Could be a bit tricky, but heat in the wrong places is one of the worst detriments to HP, so if you strategically wrap the intake tubing, you'll take down the temperature of the air coming into your combustion chamber by a few degrees. Might sound marginal, but it is a VERY effective mod - especially, considering that it is pretty easy to do.
3. There are ECU remaps available, but I'm sure you know.
On top of that, I recommend checking out the RPi list of offerings for the 550 - they seem to be the best cost/reward guys out there. They are present on this forums (look in "Vendors" section), so I'm sure they'll chime in, if you have any specific questions regarding any of their product.
Good luck and
Vlad
For example: Guys, I have a 200x 5xx with such and such packages and xxxx transmission. I'm considering to hook it up with ... - has anyone done this? are there any dyno charts available? etc etc etc.
I have a 530, so I'm not too familiar with modding 550's, but from the little that I know, here are a couple of really simple and effective mods:
1. RPi scoop+BMC filter (good for about 7-10 extra ponies - proven)
2. Heat-wrapping under the hood. Could be a bit tricky, but heat in the wrong places is one of the worst detriments to HP, so if you strategically wrap the intake tubing, you'll take down the temperature of the air coming into your combustion chamber by a few degrees. Might sound marginal, but it is a VERY effective mod - especially, considering that it is pretty easy to do.
3. There are ECU remaps available, but I'm sure you know.
On top of that, I recommend checking out the RPi list of offerings for the 550 - they seem to be the best cost/reward guys out there. They are present on this forums (look in "Vendors" section), so I'm sure they'll chime in, if you have any specific questions regarding any of their product.
Good luck and
Vlad
09-18-2009, 03:43 AM
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The RPI exhaust for the 550, just released, is another way to increase power.
Various ECU refashes claim power gains of more than 20 bhp.
The RPI scoop is an inexpensive way to gain about 7 bhp (but those gains are only at speed because the scoop is a ram air system -- no speed no ram air effect).
Dinan has a whole package of performance mods, including a new intake, a high flow throttle body and 3 different stages of ECU reflash which it claims gains 30 bhp. But a member here got dynoed it and it showed no power gain at all according to his report (although it did lower his elapsed time in the quarter mile, which is an indication of some power gain).
Beware of some of the aftermarket cold air intakes. Some have been proven to lose power. Similarly, there are posts reporting that some aftermarket exhaust systems lose power -- but not that from PI which has been proven to gain power.
Although they do not increase engine power, there are at least 2 different products out there to increasr the responsiveness of the throttle by wire sysyem: the Spint Booster (which is not adjustable) and the more expensive Velocity (which can adjust, by the push of a button, the amount of increased throttle response).
But none of these mods will get you the 100 plus bhp gains that you can get by modding the 535 and turning up the turbos' boost. Of course, the 550 starts off with 60 bhp more than the 535 but you can mod a 535 to be more powerful and faster than a 550 that has all of the above mods. Of course, 550 does not have the 535's problems with the high pressure fuel pump.
Various ECU refashes claim power gains of more than 20 bhp.
The RPI scoop is an inexpensive way to gain about 7 bhp (but those gains are only at speed because the scoop is a ram air system -- no speed no ram air effect).
Dinan has a whole package of performance mods, including a new intake, a high flow throttle body and 3 different stages of ECU reflash which it claims gains 30 bhp. But a member here got dynoed it and it showed no power gain at all according to his report (although it did lower his elapsed time in the quarter mile, which is an indication of some power gain).
Beware of some of the aftermarket cold air intakes. Some have been proven to lose power. Similarly, there are posts reporting that some aftermarket exhaust systems lose power -- but not that from PI which has been proven to gain power.
Although they do not increase engine power, there are at least 2 different products out there to increasr the responsiveness of the throttle by wire sysyem: the Spint Booster (which is not adjustable) and the more expensive Velocity (which can adjust, by the push of a button, the amount of increased throttle response).
But none of these mods will get you the 100 plus bhp gains that you can get by modding the 535 and turning up the turbos' boost. Of course, the 550 starts off with 60 bhp more than the 535 but you can mod a 535 to be more powerful and faster than a 550 that has all of the above mods. Of course, 550 does not have the 535's problems with the high pressure fuel pump.
09-18-2009, 03:55 AM
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My Ride: 2011, E90 M3 Sedan. Alpine White.Competition package, Keyhole cover, fender reflectors in Alpine white, RPI Exhaust, 19
hey guys, he has "ONE" post.. i just think thats kinda cute.. ive seen 2, or 3, but never 1..lol.. oh well, anyways.. welcome newbie 
youll find it all here. nosey around, feel free to browse our wonderful selection of ideas. "search" helps alot. even will probably give you more ideas. your going to spend money, you can fight the bug, but eventually itll get you. where are you from? make sure to post that in your profile( it think thats where it goes) that can help as well... mel
youll find it all here. nosey around, feel free to browse our wonderful selection of ideas. "search" helps alot. even will probably give you more ideas. your going to spend money, you can fight the bug, but eventually itll get you. where are you from? make sure to post that in your profile( it think thats where it goes) that can help as well... mel
09-18-2009, 09:16 AM
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My Ride: F13 M6
Originally Posted by radzM550i' post='1011068' date='Sep 18 2009, 08:48 AM
are you sure you want to mod your car? 
welcome and enjoy the forums.
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