What would you like to see developed that currently doesn't exist ?

Rileyg

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Feb 6, 2019
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08 e92
We really need a way to swap in a 6hp28 or 8hp80 transmission. Either an adaptor or a complete new case that has the correct bell housing pattern to mount on the n54.
 
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aus335iguy

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Nov 18, 2017
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We really need a way to swap in a 6hp28 or 8hp80 transmission. Either an adaptor or a complete new case that has the correct bell housing pattern to mount on the n54.
I think that there are versions of the boxes that might bolt up, its actually control of the box thats holding this back
 

ShocknAwe

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Jan 24, 2018
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I had another idea that would be good to bring to a mass market level, but it escapes me right now. Such is the way life goes at times I guess.

I really think a nice metal guibo and other drivetrain parts are what this platform is lacking to put it full on into the racecar category that e36 and e46 cars can so easily get into with the amount of parts readily available though.

I think it'll be hard to develop a durable metal guibo that will hold up to the stresses of high output turbo engines. BMW failed to do it.
 

GreyNBlueE92

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Oct 3, 2018
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Dipstick. Like an exhaust flange with a viton seal in the center and crush washers on both sides for mounting to holes drilled in the oil pan, a fitting for a flexible hard line, like a fuel line, and a custom dipstick. Seems doable to me... While sitting here being an internet mechanic while bitching about my oil level sensor....
 

The Convert

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Jun 4, 2017
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Dipstick. Like an exhaust flange with a viton seal in the center and crush washers on both sides for mounting to holes drilled in the oil pan, a fitting for a flexible hard line, like a fuel line, and a custom dipstick. Seems doable to me... While sitting here being an internet mechanic while bitching about my oil level sensor....
Would make more sense to offer an option to turn either of the turbo oil returns into a dipstick tube since those are above the oil level. Would only work for ST builds though.
 
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JimboFresh206

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Jan 29, 2018
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Would make more sense to offer an option to turn either of the turbo oil returns into a dipstick tube since those are above the oil level. Would only work for ST builds though.


I had planned on doing this, but ended up using the rear return as a block vent :) would be cool to see someone do it.
 

ShocknAwe

Captain
Jan 24, 2018
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N54/3 1er ///Mutt
Dipstick. Like an exhaust flange with a viton seal in the center and crush washers on both sides for mounting to holes drilled in the oil pan, a fitting for a flexible hard line, like a fuel line, and a custom dipstick. Seems doable to me... While sitting here being an internet mechanic while bitching about my oil level sensor....

This is a great idea.
 

Asbjorn

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Mar 10, 2018
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Dipstick. Like an exhaust flange with a viton seal in the center and crush washers on both sides for mounting to holes drilled in the oil pan, a fitting for a flexible hard line, like a fuel line, and a custom dipstick. Seems doable to me... While sitting here being an internet mechanic while bitching about my oil level sensor....

What would you pay for such a solution? I assume this kit, available for £563.80 is somehow not attractive?

!

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GreyNBlueE92

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Oct 3, 2018
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2007 E92 335i
Id rather not pay ~$700 for a billet dipstick, and at that price, the rubber line should be braided imo. If it were half that price I'd probably buy it.
 
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MDORPHN

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Jan 28, 2018
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Asbjorn -

I just reached out to a U.S. source that indicated it won't fit on N54. How certain are you that it will? Thanks.

Neil
 

MDORPHN

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Jan 28, 2018
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According to APMotorsport, "The N54 used a different sump to the N55 so it won't fit due the shape."

Of course, it'd be great if someone made one for the N54.

Neil
 

Panzerfaust

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Jul 3, 2018
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I think it'll be hard to develop a durable metal guibo that will hold up to the stresses of high output turbo engines. BMW failed to do it.
I'm no engineer, but I don't think they necessarily failed. Yes theres been a handful of cars that had problems with the BMW metal guibo, but I think it's a case of "the loud minority out-screams the silent majority" - it's not like every 1M had to have their guibo replaced and from what I've seen in the failure posts it was usually people who dropped the metal guibo into their pretty heavily upgraded and tuned x35, and we dont know if they DIY'd it, had a buddy help, went to the cheapest local shop or if they actually had a reputable shop do it with proper alignments and procedures. Id be willing to bet most of the broken ones were just put on like a regular rubber guibo.

Take a look at the aluminum & poly guibos offered by Revshift. They require a very very strict tolerance rating during installation (thousands of an inch iirc - that's .001's), and require that everything is measured and aligned along the DS and drivetrain before putting even putting the guibo in place, before checking it all during installation multiple times. They require a 100% perfectly balanced and aligned driveshaft before even starting, then tightening two bolts in a certain order, recheck tolerance, tighten the opposite bolts, recheck tolerance again for both directions, tighten all bolts and recheck tolerance of the guibo yet again, and then check the alignment of the entire driveline, and then the guibo once again if anything else in the driveline is touched after checking the DS alignment and balancing - and if you dont install it that way or any evidence is found that you were .001" off then your lifetime warranty is voided. BMW designed their metal guibos to hold (and more importantly instantly put down ;) ) ~300hp and they probably still used the entire process above too, if not more.

I think a properly built, sturdy guibo with whatever bushings it needs (whether that's soft rubber, harder rubber than stock, poly, UHMW, etc.) could certainly be made for our cars for those dedicated enough to want it and take it to the right place. Anything driveshaft related should be treated just as if you were getting an engine or transmission (re)build done. But it seems like lots of people see it's easy to get to that stuff so assume it must be easier to do too.

-------------------------------------------
Anyway,
What would you guys like to see developed for the n54 platform that doesn't exist as of yet, I love making stuff and love a challenge .
@martymil I think something very realistic, easy to mass produce, likely would sell a very decent amount and shockingly isn't available on this platform is a racing or "off-road" midpipe/catless midpipe/"test pipes"/secondary cat delete exhaust section (meaning mid pipes only, nothing axle-back)that's as plug and play as possible - i.e. bolts to twin downpipes (you avoid any hassle of ST owners thanks to most kits offering a 1-to-2 outlet Y'd dp) and bolts to the stock location mufflers so it fits plenty of aftermarket axle-backs too.

Some aluminum or similar weight pipes that mimic the stock exhaust routing so you can drop a little extra weight, save R&D time, and build them quick enough to keep on the shelf would be excellent imo. You could offer them in either straight pipe form or keep the stock e92/sport pkg tiny x pipe. Eventually or even at launch since it's a relatively simple design, you could have drop or check boxes to offer them in different sizes, offer a single pipe version that maintains stock connections or possibly even one for adding a resonator.

I know there's the PE mod and that many people go have the cat replaced with a resonator at an exhaust shop for cheap, but one requires a decent amount of time dropping, disassembling, cutting and welding several parts of the exhaust and the other requires you to sit around for hours waiting for your turn to have 12" of pipe clamped on while being charged for welding instead of clamps and you're still stuck with the rest of the weight. Personally I'd rather have an OTS option that doesnt require me to remove any other exhaust components and that I can do in my driveway in an hour.

This is the first car I've owned where there aren't *any* midpipe product options. If you look at any LS platform car, 5.0, or even older BMW gens theres multiple options. I know the VRSF exhaust is similar to what I'm asking for, but it includes an axle back system and is $750-800 which is slightly overpriced for 5 Chinese exhaust parts. Borla used to offer a midpipe-only section of exhaust for our cars as well, but it was priced at $700 for two seperated straight pipes (which probably cost them $80 including labor to make) and was advertised as for the Borla axle-back so who knows how it fit. I know getting a semi-custom exhaust fabbed isnt the most expensive thing in the world but still, its a bit of a hassle imo and few hobbyist wrench turners can do it themselves.

Have it in stock, advertise it as making your car capable of shooting fire, x% weight loss, reduced back pressure or x less WGDC, maybe even a 5hp bump if you're feeling adventurous, price it between 130-300 depending on the options you have and I think youd sell a good amount. Not to mention if you copy how the stock exhaust runs, you could develop this in a few days while working on your bigger projects.
 
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