Is there any performance upgrades for E39 540i?

[Dahlar]

I am looking into buying a 540i 6speed, but I can't find anything to make just a tiny bit more power. I can't seem to find any intakes besides K&N drop in filter or even a shark programmer. I found two exhaust but neither were straight bolt-on and required a new rear valence; Does anyone know if there is a dual-exhaust system avaliable?

[batastj]

Here is what you do"

Get a Chip from Dinan or Confroti.
Get Intake from Dinan
Get exhsaust from Dinan

In place of Dinan you could try other makers such as ???? Other than that there is nothin else besides real money like supercharger, polished>>>>>Give Dinan thirty-grand you will get 500 hps and 575 lbs. Now that is a machine that would make this chasis come alive

[525iT_Feen]

^He doesn't know what he is talking about.^

The only thing you can do is sell your car and buy a 540. BMW does not permit modifing your car. However, they do permit upgrading. It looks like its time for an M5 man.

[batastj]

^ Instead of telling him to buy an M5 which he either does not have the money for or has a wife who may drive the car in a pinch...Why don't you tell him and me what to do to increase our 540 because WE DON"T HAVE one....or thinking of buying one.

School us!

[Dahlar]

I am deciding between a 97ish M3 and a 540, but I want something that I can have for two years or more, which is comfortable and can perform when I want it to. I think the 540i will be a nice change from what I have now, and 4.4L is not to far off from the M5 and costs less and still has a big engine and 6 speed.I checked Turner and AA but couldn't find anything that they offer for the 540, Dinan is alright, but too pricey for what you get.

[The Beastmaster]

CAI - Dinan or BFP (same design w/o the price)
Software - Dinan
Exhaust - Dinan, or search the threads for others such as Magnaflow
Dual exhaust - Search the threads here. Someone did it, but you have to alter your spare tire well

[theDogger]

There are mods out there other than the "OVER RATED DINAN Parts" I am not a hugh Dinan fan....All Dinan does is find the EVO parts in europe an mods them slightly then sells them way over cost. In fact maybe thats why he is associated w/ the $tealer and they approve his mods.....now there is some food for thought.

JC Chip
Eisenmann Race Exhaust
Koni Shock/Struts
Eibach/H&R spings

The parts are out there just search. There are some owners on the forums that have some sweet 540 6 speeds.

theDogger

[E39540i6]

Get the 540. I love mine. A lot of people on the m5board are going with powerchip instead of dinan. As for intakes there are a few out there. I have the GruppeM carbon fiber CAI. It's a bit pricey but the sound is amazing. Revhigh and BFP also make Dinan style intakes. If you want to put an exhaust your gonna have to notch the bumper regardless. (unless you have the m tech rear bumper). Remus, supersprint, hamann, AC Schnitzer (made by Remus) all make bolt on exhausts. As for dual exhaust Eisenhaus make a dual exhaust but I do not believe that the right side is functional. I know Fast5 has this setup and you might want to ask him about that. Hope this helps. :buttrock

[chykneestweakr]

didn't bbtriflo make a stealth exhaust a few years ago? or was that someone else. stealth exhaust=hidden like the stock exhaust. does anybody know?

[98M3_4]

Triflo did make a "stealth" exhaust that mimics the tip location of the OEM muffler. Probably have to contact them or a dealer to check if it's still avail. I think I saw a used one for sale on Ebay

[marinakorp]

not sure what yoear you are buying


contact john@revhighmotorsports.com


go to www.revhighmotorsports.com


john designs and builds some of the nicest CAI's for the e39 540 (and others) and has contacts with the chip manufacturers ... that do not usually advertise modifying BMW E39's on their sites.

dollar for dollar .. HP for HP ... hard to beat john..

[RevHigh]

Thanks!

My last dyno sheet before other minor tweaks...

http://members.cox.net/revhigh/dyno%20sheet.gif

[RevHigh]

doh!

Sorry for the large dyno sheet and the wrong dyno sheet of my car.

Here is a nice N/A tuned engine...

http://members.cox.net/revhigh/large%20dyno.jpg

[Speedfreak]

BavAuto carries a tri-flow with the turndown tip.

[Phat Ham]

RevHigh,

You like to post that dyno sheet "by accident" a lot, don't you ;)

I've asked you this before and you never responded, but what have you done to your car to get so much power out of it NA?

[Speedfreak]

Phat Ham,
I think RevHigh wants us to visit his place and find out first hand. :)
I think I may have to visit him for some mods. That certainly is an impressive chart.

[batastj]

SpeedFreak:

I am in OC, Nj and I'll tail behind you on a Sunday drive but Rev High has to be open for us. I suspect that he would if we gave him the date.

[Speedfreak]

Maybe Ham's interested too. Rev could have a special opening if we make it worth his effort. ;)

[Phat Ham]

I'd definitely go visit the RevHigh shop with you guys. It's pretty much down the street from me compared to where you guys are.

[525iT_Feen]

^ Instead of telling him to buy an M5 which he either does not have the money for or has a wife who may drive the car in a pinch...Why don't you tell him and me what to do to increase our 540 because WE DON"T HAVE one....or thinking of buying one.

School us!


:rofl. Dude I was totally joking.

[jimmyz2]

"GruppeM carbon fiber CAI".No longer in The good ole' USA.I think RevHigh has been reving too "High".
JC Chip-no Schatz&Krum chip
Eisenmann Race Exhaust-no SuperSprint
Koni Shock/Struts-yes
Eibach/H&R spings-yes... :)

[zerofighter]

Holy crap! $235USD for a CAI http://www.revhighmotorsports.com/store/product.asp?numPageStartPosition=1&P_ID=120&strPageHistory=cat&strKeywords=&strSearchCriteria=&PT_ID=60

Compared to $550 for a gruppe M from renn sport.

[The Beastmaster]

Holy crap! $235USD for a CAI http://www.revhighmotorsports.com/store/product.asp?numPageStartPosition=1&P_ID=120&strPageHistory=cat&strKeywords=&strSearchCriteria=&PT_ID=60

Compared to $550 for a gruppe M from renn sport.
Good deal isn't it! If I didn't have all the Dinan stuff in my car, I'd definitely buy the RevHigh stuff! I had a brain fart and forgot about their stuff when I originally posted in this thread. Sorry, John! I was even interested in carrying his parts for distribution in Hawaii, but got sidetracked with my regular work.

[Tahoe M3]

JC, AA, Evosport and other don't make software for the V8 only the I6. Eurobahn sells the Superchip software that I have heard good things about but don't know anyone with it.
Another intake option is the AFE intake that uses a filter that I think is better than the K&N and has a cold air shield like the ECIS. I like the idea because it is easily installed and accessable for cleaning as well as being up and away from any H2O. Rev's and Dinan's are low and behind the bumper. You can get an AFE from BavAuto or Eurobahn. I got mine from Jeff at Eurobahn for the same price as BavAuto sells it for and he threw in a cleaning kit. Supersprint makes a great exhaust for the 540 but it doesn't have the hidden tip. I'm still looking for an exhaust that is reasonably quiet, well built, adds measurable HP and is still hidden. Rougue said they were going to fill that bill but then said no they wouldn't.

[98M3_4]

Eurosport now has a JConforti CF intake w/ heatshield (similar to AFE and ECIS style) available for E39 540's. It's not on their website yet as they just started full production last week (I've been checking on the avail. of this over the past several weeks). Their CF intakes for the 528 and 530 run about $349, not sure about the new 540 model. Yet another option.

[Speedfreak]

Eurosport now has a JConforti CF intake w/ heatshield (similar to AFE and ECIS style) available for E39 540's. It's not on their website yet as they just started full production last week (I've been checking on the avail. of this over the past several weeks). Their CF intakes for the 528 and 530 run about $349, not sure about the new 540 model. Yet another option.

Thanks for the news. I was on the web site last night and I wondered when it may be available.

I wonder if the chip will follow?

[Rob Levinson]

The performance equivalent of over 30hp in lost virtual mass in 1st gear...

http://www.uucmotorwerks.com/flywheel/V8/index.htm

http://www.uucmotorwerks.com/flywheel/V8/280STACK.jpg (http://www.uucmotorwerks.com/flywheel/V8/index.htm)

Performance increase explained:

http://www.uucmotorwerks.com/flywheel/how_a_lightweight_flywheel_works.htm

[jimmyz2]

Holy crap! $235USD for a CAI http://www.revhighmotorsports.com/store/product.asp?numPageStartPosition=1&P_ID=120&strPageHistory=cat&strKeywords=&strSearchCriteria=&PT_ID=60

Compared to $550 for a gruppe M from renn sport.
If Gruppe M has pulled out of North America why is Rennsport selling them?

[zerofighter]

If Gruppe M has pulled out of North America why is Rennsport selling them?

Not sure, maybe they are trying to clear them out?

[Sptwissenschaft]

before talking about modding your 540i enjoy the 324 TQ under your right foot for a while... Then talk to whomever it may be that will be doing repairs ect. for you car and what experience they have had dealing with certain products... not to mention what might void a possible warranty... If you jump from your current 3 into an E39 540i sport manual, you wont even be thinking about mods, you'll be apreciating what Germany has done with technology to put together these flawless "Ultimate Driving Machines" dont get me wrong i'm all for mods ive got a '01 540 sport been driving it stock for 3 years and have just recently been considering mods, before now it felt like a sin to change what geniouses over generations and years of passion for driving have created.

[jamesdc4]

before talking about modding your 540i enjoy the 324 TQ under your right foot for a while... Then talk to whomever it may be that will be doing repairs ect. for you car and what experience they have had dealing with certain products... not to mention what might void a possible warranty... If you jump from your current 3 into an E39 540i sport manual, you wont even be thinking about mods, you'll be apreciating what Germany has done with technology to put together these flawless "Ultimate Driving Machines" dont get me wrong i'm all for mods ive got a '01 540 sport been driving it stock for 3 years and have just recently been considering mods, before now it felt like a sin to change what geniouses over generations and years of passion for driving have created.
+1 I agree! I just bought my 540 and am in awe of it stock. Not only is it luxurious but it is unbelievably POWERFUL! You'll love it just the way it is, but if you want to, you can always upgrade a little at a time just to keep from getting bored.:ausw_6

[GTP540]

subscribing..

[540-S3]

There are mods out there other than the "OVER RATED DINAN Parts" All Dinan does is find the EVO parts in europe an mods them slightly then sells them way over cost. In fact maybe thats why he is associated w/ the $tealer and they approve his mods.....now there is some food for thought.
The warranty they offer is useless. The relationship they formed with BMW was easy. Getting their systems CARB approved was a piece of cake. Hand making their headers is cheap. Yeah, you are right. With a plethora of BMW turners out there who needs Dinan?

Do a little research before you throw out those one liners about Dinan. I get sick of the Dinan bashing on this forum. It has no merit. If they are too expensive for you then look elsewhere. I am glad to have a choice when it comes to modifying my BMW.

[BKphoto]

is there a CAI that uses a non-oiled filter...?

[drifty242]

I am looking into buying a 540i 6speed, but I can't find anything to make just a tiny bit more power. I can't seem to find any intakes besides K&N drop in filter or even a shark programmer. I found two exhaust but neither were straight bolt-on and required a new rear valence; Does anyone know if there is a dual-exhaust system avaliable?


You Should, they are great cars, i own one myself!

Its pretty cheap to gain extra power!
Get your car stage 2 Mapped.

The parts you need:
Air Filter £250
And just remove the back box and resonator on the exhaust and job done! The car will sound loud and like a true V8 as they usually sound quiet :/

Should be then pushing round 350bhp+ and about 510NM torque

If you have a bit of extra cash lying around, get yourself an AEM Water Meth Injection kit £350 - £500

[JimLev]

You Should, they are great cars, i own one myself!

Its pretty cheap to gain extra power!
Get your car stage 2 Mapped.

The parts you need:
Air Filter £250
And just remove the back box and resonator on the exhaust and job done! The car will sound loud and like a true V8 as they usually sound quiet :/

Should be then pushing round 350bhp+ and about 510NM torque


Me thinks your dreaming. Maybe 310-320 tops.

[drifty242]

Me thinks your dreaming. Maybe 310-320 tops.

Couple months ago i have done a stage 1 Remap on mine, everything untouched and i have 311BHP and 480NM

I need to get an air filter and map it again as I've already done my exhaust system on it about a week ago

[fullthrottle540]

Me thinks your dreaming. Maybe 310-320 tops.

European numbers are always higher because they measure in KW or PS which don't really convert well to US HP. 350 whp in europe is like 250 whp in USA

[JimLev]

Guess I should have noticed he was across the pond....£250 for a $40 air filter.
He did ref BHP and not the standard yurrip PS or KW.
Think Dima even posted his tune was good for maybe 12-15 more HP. (Was that with the bigger throttle body?)

[tptrsn]

Wait, was there a 10 year thread bump that just happened? Lol

[JimLev]

Drifty revived it yesterday. Maybe "search" does work?

[tptrsn]

I guess it must! :D