smiddy

Thought gull 98- was 91octane with 10% ethanol added.??

I did the simple so called 'golf tee' mod to disable exhaust flap operation in left rear outlet. Used a micro spray garden tap in vaccum line, keeps flap open at low to part throttle when it would otherwise be closed. Certainly a deeper sound from both inside and outside car, sounded even better after MHD tune. Can send you one if you wish to try, saves you having to buy a packet of them. Have noticed also a few guys with aftermarket rear mufflers on the stock exhaust, large, flat oval type that look nice and still sit flush under body and stock looking tail pipes, not sure on sound though.

Chad, what is your aim/ goal with this exhaust alteration? Modification information for the N54/55 exhaust system post cats appears limited and is sound owners are sourcing, as power gains are very limited. The indication over many years of say N54 is the stock system flows well, with little gains if modded. If you are looking for power with stock turbos, down pipes and modded mid section, expect to be let down. With upgraded turbos and catless down pipes, modded mid section, you will also be let down. Will be a constant drone on open road! Rolling nausea!!

Yep, got mine there.

ARM, VRSF, Wagner US products supply these fasteners with their units. Protects the plastic mount from stripping or overloading. Not a lot of wall volume in the mount to support a larger screw. Especially suitable for removal and refitting as the course self tap type style threading is not disturbed. Screw in easy, to exsisting hole with torx bit. Flat washer each side of cooler mount also.

I have spare hanger bolts you can have if your new unit does not have them.

Was going your way also, but not with struts. When i found out to remove spacers to put car back to stock would require another cert, i went and purchased wider wheels and offsets to suit.

Did this couple weeks back, great mod!! Was varying torque figures, just used long spanners and breaker bar with 1/2 inch drive and did things up tight. Be sure to go straight to alignment and not to far away if you are DIYing.

Have these, basically new, if any good to you. Bit wide for my use.

Been well known for a long time many of the US brands, VRSF would stand out, have there products produced in China/ Asia. Charge pipes, inlets, outlets, down pipes, catch cans, are almost identical via Ali express as from US retailers. American aftermarket car part companies, have done deals with asian manufractures to produce what would have been their IP. That starts off nice and well, container loads of US company branded parts, ( say N54) are sold via the US outlets, as these parts perform, the demand is huge. Then what happens and this is common and bit VRSF and others on the arse, the lack of quality control of production. Large orders are placed to meet growing sales demand. Quality is poor, crap welds and the worst, poor/ non fitment, even with LHD. Happening also, the IP which is impossible to control once manufacturing starts, has leaked to smaller but capable producers who enter the market via internet sales, cutting the original design IP holder and market with similar if not the same product, at half the cost. Having said that, could not be happier with my, i believe, Wagner stepped 5 inch clone, certainly made an impact on my cars torque values, low to mid range, with zero perceivable lag.

Good article here. intercooler sizings.htm

That's a feasible option, but may cost$ for machining if you can find someone willing to do the work. I have stuck with TD03 units, 5mm size upgrade on comp wheel, billet 14t with stock sized, but 9 blade, (stock is 11) turbine. Also internal thrusts and coller sizing to 04 specs. Around 35% more flow than stock. 9 blade turbine wheel and shaft is 25g lighter than the 11 blade. Same spec as RB ones. I think ideal for 15-20 lb boost ranges.

Bit out with total costs, was year ago. Paid NZ$ 221 for unit $178 shipping, $59 gst. $459.45 to the door. I think you can get cheaper shipping options, mine was Fed Ex, was fast.

CSKS-auto parts store. Aliexpress

No probs, will look when home.

I got a allixpress unit fitted straight in, very well made, was about $NZ 380 delivered. Huge differance in mid range.

I think index 5 was very early in application on N54s, I changed my 7s for 12s along with port clean, transformed the power delivery and smoothness. No cheap tho! Around NZ$350 each.🤔

Those your donut marks???

4x F series OEM genuine Msport wheels 8in front 36 offset, 8.5 rear 47 offset, no tyres. Great cost effective upgrade if looking to move away from 17in wheels on the E chassis. Will fit all E90 variants and maybe E46. Very minor curb rash on two wheels, can ship. Seller located, North Shore, Auckland. $1000

Nice looking car. Under hood work next, ugraded turbos. Just awaiting mechanic, on leave with first child birth.

Went for a look change. Niche Rainier, 19s 8.5 in 35p fr 9.5 in 40 p rear. 265 pilot sport rear, 235 front.

I had a bit of a tussle with a M60 M5 couple of days back. Motorway on ramp lights, started in second, traction off, got about car length ahead, even from there till about 130kmh, buttened off, but he was starting to gain. Boosted stock turbos go well from a dig in second gear imo.

3 cylinders at a time, leave for about 5hrs, suck with wet vac, finish with brake clean.