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So far, it looks like AR Design has been revived, and then there is VRSF Xi specific downpipes.
All of the threads I can find for the VRSF Xi downpipes don't fit right, but, they are older threads (like 3+ years old.)
Do the Xi specific VRSF downpipes fit well now, without modification?
Thanks everyone!
Hi,
I purchased VRSF DP a few months ago.
Mine didn't fit well at all. I had to go to a muffler/welding shop and the guy (also a BMW enthusiast) said that flanges on VRSF downpipes were welded crookedly. After a few seconds of considerations, I asked my welder to delete secondary cats.
VRSF next to stock I removed front axle because it needed to replaced. Making some changes.
I the end of the day, they are not so bad. Whoever will decide to buy them for their xDrive E60/E61 be prepared for PITA installation.
jb4. XDelete. Fbo on 6MT. Getting Pure Dds clutch flywheel lpfp etc. I paid 14k for the car. I’ll put another 10k in total and have a 500hp luxury beast for the price of a Civic. I like that math.
i didn’t notice much with xDelete but the JB4 is an absolute must with its safety features. I’m sure you can do a lot more with it than I am doing if you get serious about performance upgrades like WMI. I like my trunk space.
i think I’m done after this round of modifications but maybe coil overs. The sport struts with lowering springs are not a comfortable ride.
Nice!
I am on the same journey! My short term goal is 500hp. The long term goal to push it as far as my automatic transmission will hold.
I bought Vargas stage 2 turbos and waiting for them to be installed. Not sure if I want to mess with my xDrive system, I like the grip of all 4 wheels.
Nice!
I am on the same journey! My short term goal is 500hp. The long term goal to push it as far as my automatic transmission will hold.
I bought Vargas stage 2 turbos and waiting for them to be installed. Not sure if I want to mess with my xDrive system, I like the grip of all 4 wheels.
i am in the tuning stage of the install of the pure dd’s, spec stage 2 and stage 2 fuel—it (along with miscellaneous Other fun parts) it’s all working mechanically.
I’be been talked into ditching the jb4 and going to MHD with a Wedge tune. Luckily, I have access to an AWD dyno so I’ll post in a week or so. I can only guess what FBO with pure dd and fueling get to. I’m tuning for specific drive characteristics so my hp numbers may be lower than what’s possible from the setup. I want reliability and safety and with the JB4 pulled and gone, that’s even more important.
it’s so comforting to know there are others like me playing around with their N54s.
I just took one set off my 6At 2010 e61 because my wife didn’t like them. Actually, I have a set of catless dps, chargepipe with BOV, Fmic, and intake (all brand name and not Ebay crap VRSM, BMS dont remember) that came out of the car. They all fit well and went in (October 2019) and came out last week effortlessly (overall for my Mechanic). It’s a tight fit on some of the stuff and having the new parts with brackets and mounting hardware certainly makes things easier. But it is very different from the stock experience. It’s stinkier and you’ll get some codes and CELs. You’ll need a jb4 or something to clear those codes. The O2 sensors don’t play well with these modifications and require some time to tune correctly. The car was running great though with the kids and new plugs and coils.
i can compare those to the catted downpipes which are much more civilized. It’s triple the price but much more family friendly. Happy to talk you through.
i have 4 e61 wagons 2 manual and two auto so I know. One is currently getting clutch, fueling, pure DD turbos and much more.
if I could do just the minimal to get the most bang for my buck I’d do the intercooler, chargepipe (to avoid plastic OeM garbage) and a JB4. Maybe the air intake for an extra $200. The downpipes aren’t critical.
i ran the car with just the downpipes swapped to stock and it was great too but the wife wasn’t pleased. Fmic Dp Chargepipe with BOV
Wagon is a beast now with pure dd’s, spec clutch flywheel and stage 2+ fueling. Working on third iteration of Wedge tune and it’s scary fast. I can’t wait to get it on the dyno to know numbers but it’s got to be over 500hp on 93. I get the damn O2 sensor codes minutes after WOT; anyone know why or how to fix? The pulls go flawlessly and then I get the codes. No limp mode. No problems. Weird. Thanks
Wagon is a beast now with pure dd’s, spec clutch flywheel and stage 2+ fueling. Working on third iteration of Wedge tune and it’s scary fast. I can’t wait to get it on the dyno to know numbers but it’s got to be over 500hp on 93. I get the damn O2 sensor codes minutes after WOT; anyone know why or how to fix? The pulls go flawlessly and then I get the codes. No limp mode. No problems. Weird. Thanks
Thanks for the fast reply. Sorry I just picked up my e60, so I’m not very familiar yet.
What are your thoughts on DP’s? Are the VSRF’s ok to use on my 535xi, or does the modification for the axle housing make it pointless and should look at other options? Gutting cats? Big money AR’s? I plan to install VTT stage 2’s.
first intercooler (as big as you can go; and heard that eBay Chinese junk is absolutely fine for the $$$) this isn’t a big power gain but it supports all other power gains
next; hard chargepipe to get rid of bmw factory plastic junk. Together with cold air intake (cheap). At this point I’d do the coolant flange and silicone coolant pipe. It’s a major failure point. I’d also do crank seal cover. So if you get a broken serpentine belt it’s not fatal.
last would be all the really expensive stuff like full exhaust, turbos, inlets, fueling, etc.
that last step is not required for a really fun daily driver.
one of my cars is just running with the intercooler, chargepipe and jb4. And it’s sooo driveable. It’s a gray balance of low attention and higher output. It has the coolant flange.
also remember the carbon clean walnut blast. That’s imperative.
good luck. Exhaust would be low on my mod list.
and if you do turbos consider MHD for tuning only and not jb4. Depending on fueling.
Nice!
I am on the same journey! My short term goal is 500hp. The long term goal to push it as far as my automatic transmission will hold.
I bought Vargas stage 2 turbos and waiting for them to be installed. Not sure if I want to mess with my xDrive system, I like the grip of all 4 wheels.
Whats the latest with your build?
I am thinking of doing the AR catted DP with the VRSF 7" fmic. Anyone have this setup? Also can you send away the oem turbos and have them rebuilt by Vargas or other performance turbo builders as opposed to buying a new set?
I am thinking of doing the AR catted DP with the VRSF 7" fmic. Anyone have this setup? Also can you send away the oem turbos and have them rebuilt by Vargas or other performance turbo builders as opposed to buying a new set?
My turbo setup is done. But I don’t drive this E61 now, I’m waiting for headlights to come back with renewed internals - waiting two months already.
Yes, Vargas offer the rebuild option. Not sure about the prices. I wanted something right away available.
