330D Performance Upgrades

[wilcoes]

Hi there all,

Been looking at doing a few bits and bobs to get some more go out of my 330d, Has anyone done anything to them? I am currently having a custom built S/S exhaust system made up from Turbo back eliminating all cats, Then i'll prob egr bypass and Remap? Anybody done this?

[Rizzo]

I think the egr bypass will get u nothing on the 330d AFAIK and remap and exhaust is Defo the way to go, mines fly's and enjoy the 250bhp everytime I get in it

[old grey steve]

Your on the right track re the exhaust, be careful re eliminating all CATS due to MOT issues as they are now being looked at carefully as part of the revamped MOT. I've done a De CAT after the Turbo, left the 2 main CATS as they are and have a full Blueflame CAT Back system. Along with a decent DMS re map which was done in 2w005(I do wonder how the games moved on since I had mine done) as far as I'm concerned its all good. I have looked at bigger intercooler but from my Cosworth and RS Turbo days I know there can be issues associated with these.

When I looked into it some say stated the stock item is fine for a re map plus other mods if you've got a 184bhp model a decent remap could birng 220-250bhp(how do you know these figures are spot on-I guess only a rolling road and they'll read differently) and a204bhp model would be good for 260-275bhp some say 15-25bhp can be seen by on all models by simply changing the intercooler(as it'll make the air denser which'll yeald better power) though from my past expierience of Turbo cars there may be a small risk of the Turbo stalling if the intercooler is too big or isn't matched correctly, which could put extra strain on the Turbo.

Others have looked at injectors(535d items have been put into more than one 330d) I don't know the flow rate of the 330d, I've asked a couple of guys who've been mapping these cars for a good while and the stock item is more than man enough re delivering the goods. I guess only if you want extreme power do you chase the holy grail and go for it. Likewise the stock Turbo on a both the 184 & 204 unit these are good for 250-280bhp as they are and perhaps a little more. Some have looked at a hybrid unit but where do you stop and what do you gain/lose.

Re the EGR Bypass I haven't done mine yet it is something I may well do over the next month or so to see if it really does make a difference( I understand from what I've read better driveability is on the cards and perhaps better fuel economy) straightforward on a 184bhp model but can throw up a message if done on the latter 04 model but all who've tried seem to think it helps..

What you don't say wilcoes is what spec you car is. If you've got a manual the power you can get can sometimes be hindered by DMF and clutch, due to the torque increase, mappers can ususally get a better torque figures out of the Auto's(mind you the GM 5 speeders is a little slow on the uptake unless you slide it over to S or use manual)and its worth on thse doing a fluid and solenoid change to prolong the gearbox life.

The other thing is get the chassis sorted if you want to chase bigger better power. Simply changing brake pads will make a small difference, adding better shocks, springs, bushes will enable you to enjoy the extra power with a bit more of a safety margin.

Hope this helps

Edited May 11, 2012 by old grey steve

[wilcoes]

Thanks for the 1st and that very detailed reply, Excellent stuff, i will start with mine is the 184bhp model (2001) and i know you can do many other things but as its getting old now i think injectors/intercoolers will be out of the question for me, On this model anyway, Im simply looking at the simplest and best ie Exhaust, Air Filter, EGR, Remap.. Getting to the Manual/Auto, Now i have heard that the Auto's struggle to cope with the power, and yes if i do these things then i will defo change gearbox oil and even servo oil to make sure it all goes well,, if you know something, tell me more please? what have you guys done to yours then? Cheers

[Rich_D]

the other way round, the auto copes with the torque better than a manual, hence why all 335d's are auto

mine is an auto, had the gearbox oil & filter done a few thousand miles ago, much smoother & more responsive, well worth doing IMO

[old grey steve]

A decent remap and the exhaust will do you proud, you'll be impressed re the result.

I'm running a stock air filter but haven't gone any further than looking at K&N stuff. Used their products in the past and seemed to do a good job(re power increase I noticed more induction roar than anything else) but you never know but bar the EGR bypass I;ve done everything else.

if you go the De CAT route this will enable gases to flow better, you'll hear the Turbo spool up(which is nice) and it'll also of course reduce strain on the Turbo as it'll create less back pressure. You can see from the picture above how restrictuve the standard iron wear is and the DeCAT pipe weighs hardly nothing compared with the part as well. I got mine from EcoTune http://www.ecotune-scotland.co.uk/ Stan's a top bloke and price wise its all very reasonable.

Re Auto's there better re torque transfer than Manuals hence the re mappers can get more torque out of them but as you can see from this other Zone post http://www.e46zone.c...d-dmf-question/ the magic question re DMF is being asked re the manuals.but as you say re Auto's can have their own particular issues but a flush and replacing the 2 dreaded soienoids will help prolong the life of the gearbox as these are now a known weakpoint that has now surfaced. Solenoids are on my radar (there are 2 that need replacing on the GM box)plus another flush in the very near future

Edited May 11, 2012 by old grey steve

[wilcoes]

yeah im defo going decat, Like i say getting the system made up as we speak, from the Turbo all the way to the back box, just gotta find a place that does a custom remap aswell to suit the system, dont know any by chance?? lol

[old grey steve]

just gotta find a place that does a custom remap aswell to suit the system, dont know any by chance?? lol

There are several places that do the work. CNL on here(I don't know too much about them but I think they may do a custom remap) and then there's Simon at e-maps has got quite a following, I've met him a couple of times and he is a top bloke Edited May 11, 2012 by old grey steve

[chris]

What year is your 330d? Or is it the 204 model? As with a decat and a decent remap you can see around 300 horses and 560nm of torque. (done it to mine). Bu you have to have a decat on the downpipe, the one further down can stay in.

535d injectors are good, but best with a bigger turbo. That will see up to 400 ish.

Note, that running at 300 you will need to uprate the clutch, as it will slip!

[wilcoes]

Cheers for the replies, Yeah mine is 2001 184 bhp model, Im removing all the CATS mate so shouldnt be a prob, Whcih is yours must be the 204 to be running 300 horses surely, Yeah im getting a new clutch for it anyway as it judders a wee bit, as for the remap "old grey steve" where would i find these people or locate even? And do you know where they are based? Cheers Guys

[old grey steve]

Cheers for the replies, Yeah mine is 2001 184 bhp model, Im removing all the CATS mate so shouldnt be a prob, Whcih is yours must be the 204 to be running 300 horses surely, Yeah im getting a new clutch for it anyway as it judders a wee bit, as for the remap "old grey steve" where would i find these people or locate even? And do you know where they are based? Cheers Guys

e-maps http://www.e-maps.co.uk/ Simon's a top bloke, he's a sponser on BMWLand and BimmerForums and has one hell of a following. Don't know a lot about CNL to be honest but the guys on here who have used their services approve which in this day and age counts and speaks volumes.

There are limits to what our cars can produce however. 400bhp... No sadly not. But for the latter 204 units there's hope! http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=819419 read this thread through and you can see how far some are willing to push the envelope.

With our 184 units we have several basic issues one being the engines that produce these bigger power output are completly different to ours both in construction as well as electronically and they have a far more upto date ECU for emmission reasons mongst others with the net result there's more scope for tunning as there needs to be more control.

Being its the 184 derived units we are running they use the earlier Bosch ECU(DDE 4.0) while the later 204 units are running a far more tunable set up(EDC16) . With the later 2009 E90 330d's the ECU game moved on again(EDC17) and there's near enough 300 coming and over 600NM of torque coming out of a standard re map on these cars showing just how far the games moved on in 12 or so years since our 184bhp units hit the streets. We're limited by the scope of our ECU sadly but that's not to say they are lacking its just that when you look at the figures being produced by the E90 330d's then you see how things have moved on. Its a bit like the TV game really in 1999 we have cathod ray tube TV and look now we've got superflat LED TV's.

Edited May 12, 2012 by old grey steve

[Matt_S]

Give my mate Gary at APT in Norwich a call. He's not that far from you and does a wicked job. Pretty reasonable too!

[wilcoes]

Hi, Cheers steve for that info, You certainly know your way round the 330d, I think they are superb cars, I used to be a proper petrol man but i absolutely love the powerful diesels, Unbelievable bits of kit, ____ Matt could you send me some contact details for your mate in Norwich? I think ive seen some advertisements in a cafe in Norwich for him? Is that possible? Cheers, Will

[Matt_S]

Hi mate - check out http://www.ap-tuning.co.uk/

You could have seen ads for him I guess. He's very popular and has a very very good rep

[old grey steve]

You certainly know your way round the 330d, I think they are superb cars, I used to be a proper petrol man but i absolutely love the powerful diesels, Unbelievable bits of kit,

Kind of you to say so but its knowledge gained over 6 or so years of ownership and a good 12 years plus in the motor industry(as a salesman) you get to talk to the odd technician about this and that and to be honest doesn't overally matter what you drive most cars regardless of what they are have similar issues/problems/solutions.

Mind you I've taken my interest a little too far for my new job... lets say it isn't sales but very BMW related, so my knowledge will I hope get better

[will_]

**cough** 300 horses with a map & decat... Really ??

Coming from a spoilt git who has had 10 years of cossies, evos and a 400bhp 200sx, I'm gagging for more boost !! My 330d is an awesome car, and I'd love it more with 300 ponies......

I've got a few odds en route, Inc a decat.

[chris]

**cough** 300 horses with a map & decat... Really ??

Coming from a spoilt git who has had 10 years of cossies, evos and a 400bhp 200sx, I'm gagging for more boost !! My 330d is an awesome car, and I'd love it more with 300 ponies......

I've got a few odds en route, Inc a decat.

Yes mate, but as said you must have a decat, as the turbo will overheat otherwise. Uprated clutch, and the vortex oil breather, or you will starve the turbo of oil. But is acheivable just with those and a decent map.

My old 330cd would give an M a run for its money. Fooking fast for a tractor

[old grey steve]

**cough** 300 horses with a map & decat... Really ??

Coming from a spoilt git who has had 10 years of cossies, evos and a 400bhp 200sx, I'm gagging for more boost !! My 330d is an awesome car, and I'd love it more with 300 ponies......

I've got a few odds en route, Inc a decat.

Depends on what you want to believe. In the mid late 90's I run 2 Cossie's my final Sapphire 2WD was kicking out from memory around 370 at the wheels(set up by Turbo Systems and rolling roaded on a shoot in the Bristol Area). It was a full on no holds bar car all the required kit, low comperession pistons, special cams, RS500 intercooler, grey's etc but the method with these cars is a little different and it didn't like town traffic that much, but simply playing withthe actuator could change the boost these cars were by todays standards rather basic. But boy were they fun

As said previously with the 184 unit there's a good 220-230bhp with a re map plus with a decent exhaust a DeCat perhaps 250 could be mustered, ass an intercooler(a well chosen one) you may see another 15 odd added to that. With the 204 unit therecould be a chance of seeing 260-280 maybe higer(I know you can get close to on nudging 300bhp from these units but you'll push the boundry's to a degree) and a lot of this is to do with the flexibilty of the ECU.

But as Chirs has correctly stated to chase bigger figures you need to get you house in order and have a fit car to start with in the engine department(its also worth getting the car on a diagnostic machine to check alls well even though you think the car might be fighting fit) but once done yes more than one 330d owner has left a M3 owner rather persplexed.... and to get max enjoyment its well worth getting the chassis in order as well.

[will_]

My RS days are long gone too, I went from s1 & s2s, a 2wd stage 3 saph, and finally a stage 3 4x4, I used to use Paul @ PJ Motorsport, great guy. I never got too far with mods, just bolt ons, bigger turbos etc but miss the Evo VII as it did what it did so well.

As for chasing bhp, not fussed, but a fast ass diesel really apeals. Already have the better vortex breather ( I've saw what that thing causes on many a range rover, I once opened an oil cap and got covered in oil !! )

I chose auto on mine, at the ripe age of 29 I'm getting old !! Any recommendations on mappers? There's decent maps & paying through the nose....

[wilcoes]

Hi guys,

I have been enquiring about remaps from loads of places, again mine is the 184 unit, the best i can find is 184-214 and torque 390-452, ive got it going in for the Zaust on monday, full turbo back 2.5-75" all the way, very excited about that, lol,,, so anyone who can suggest a remap that creates a little more please enlighten me, Cheers

[momo]

See here for a 184bhp model:-

He says it was remapped to 260bhp

[old grey steve]

My RS days are long gone too, I went from s1 & s2s, a 2wd stage 3 saph, and finally a stage 3 4x4, I used to use Paul @ PJ Motorsport, great guy. I never got too far with mods, just bolt ons, bigger turbos etc but miss the Evo VII as it did what it did so well.

As for chasing bhp, not fussed, but a fast ass diesel really apeals. Already have the better vortex breather ( I've saw what that thing causes on many a range rover, I once opened an oil cap and got covered in oil !! )

I chose auto on mine, at the ripe age of 29 I'm getting old !! Any recommendations on mappers? There's decent maps & paying through the nose....

Like me you've gone the Auto route(don't worry about age I had White hair at 35) . The Auto does suit the car if I'm honest due to the torque delivery of the Diesel motor. Add some power and it just seems to get a little better. The only downside is the dim witted nature of the gearbox, which is where the Manual wins hands down for obvious reasons, IK've driven a couple of Manual 330d's and there's nothing whatsoever wrong with this choice, but there are some other limitations re the Manual that need to be looked at such as DMF, Clutch etc and those in the know can get a tad more out of the Auto due to the fact that it can in its design handle a little bit more torque. For me in 2005 it was adilema I had to look at and due to how it drove I chose the Auto.

On the mainence side I've done the fluid flush(which works and does make the changes smoother both up/down) but it is still lacking IMO in reaction time and throttle response I'd like unless you stick it in Sport mode(I've had adaptations re set several times codes read etc). There is with the Auto a very stong case re replacing the gearbox solonoides(2 need doing from what I can gather) and having read how these 2 items can distroy the GM gearbox its on my radar for doing over the next couple of months and this could help. THe other cases is getting something like a Sprintbooster installed(and I'm a little weary re doing this as to how good can it be) Jury's out on this one, but I've read good/indifferent things re these. But if you haven't done it on the Auto ditch the swirl flaps., which I've done

Hi guys,

I have been enquiring about remaps from loads of places, again mine is the 184 unit, the best i can find is 184-214 and torque 390-452, ive got it going in for the Zaust on monday, full turbo back 2.5-75" all the way, very excited about that, lol,,, so anyone who can suggest a remap that creates a little more please enlighten me, Cheers

To answer both your questions re mappers there are a good few around, I used DMS back in 2005 http://www.dmsautomotive.com/ , very good then still very good today with a cast iron reputation, thing is they aren't cheap(they say money being charged pays for investment and research sort of things) and with a unit rollling road and a firm prestige clientbase you can see their doing things right But there are others now firmly established on the market place that will do near enough the same job but are kinder on our pocket.

The sponser on here CNL has a good following/reputation, I sadly don't know too much about there wears but there's good words on here re the end result which is comforting. I know Simon at e-maps his reputation is too strong to overlook. On Bimmerforums and BMWLand his following is so strong it beggers belief. Prices are also very very competitive. Everyone I know who's been to him comes away with a smile, a powerrful car a feeling of good service being given and recommends him to other people and a hell of a lot of his trade is by word of mouth. Can't say fearer than that http://www.e-maps.co.uk/.

If your getting your exhaust done soon that will help open pandora's box adda DeCat and you're on the way as you'll be able to push the burnt gases out more efficiently which can only help. Maybe a freeflow air filter which TBH I need to do will help matters slightly. a Remap will be on a standard car with the mods it will or I think should enable more poer/torque to be produced providing the engine is fighting fit, which is something some people overlook as you could of been driving a car that was/is slightly down on power without realising it so its worth factoring in a health check to see that alls well IMO, though most if not all re mappers will scan the car before they add their magic.

Re power torque mines quoted at 506Nm, and 225bhp, I don't know how solid these figures are as I've never had it checked, but my car was 100% fighting fit before the remap was done which was confirmed when Rob from DMS hooked it up adding the exhaust and DeCat as I did a little while ago really di unlock a more driver pleasing car, its so much better.

For the future the only thing I think I can do re power is to look at an air filter(simple to do) re look at rhe intercooler option(though the jury's out re this due to the fact that get it wrong you could lose power and create Turbo stall-which couls shorten the Turbo's lifespan) some day the OEM article is fine for flowing the extra some say bolt on a bigger suitable item you'll see 15-25bhp and a huge reduction in tempreture, hence the jury's out on this one as well but if I go this route its got to be done right and carefuly selected.

Hope all this waffle helps

Edited May 17, 2012 by old grey steve

[Chrish]

I've not read the thread but will give my input.

04 204bhp engine.

Swirl flaps removed and blanked

Allard EGR delete

K&N Filter element

3" turbo back exhaust (no cats)

Larger Front mount intercooler

Custom remap

I'm going on the dyno tomorrow so will report back with figures but last time it made 281bhp 650nm pre intercooler and exhaust.

Car pulls cleanly to 164mph GPS speed. Needs bigger tyres to pull any more due to gearing. Going to try again soon with 255/45/18s and see how it gets on. Theroetically if I can pull same revs, should see 176mph.

0-100mph 12.5 seconds

Edited May 18, 2012 by Chrish

[old grey steve]

I've not read the thread but will give my input.

04 204bhp engine.

Swirl flaps removed and blanked

Allard EGR delete

K&N Filter element

3" turbo back exhaust (no cats)

Larger Front mount intercooler

Custom remap

I'm going on the dyno tomorrow so will report back with figures but last time it made 281bhp 650nm pre intercooler and exhaust.

Car pulls cleanly to 164mph GPS speed. Needs bigger tyres to pull any more due to gearing. Going to try again soon with 255/45/18s and see how it gets on. Theroetically if I can pull same revs, should see 176mph.

0-100mph 12.5 seconds

Very interested re your intercooler set up and look forward to reading your post Dyno figures... Powerwise you've already got one powerful car there especially re your torque figures which are extremly strong

[Chrish]

I'll get some pics up of my cooler setup later. You have to sacrifice the Aircon fan though....

Figures are strong but its a really agressive map, killed the orignal clutch/dmf and turbo. Its on a rebuilt turbo and now brand new OEM clutch and DMF and all is good.