Engine conversion Question

Can someone tell me what is involved fitting a 320i engine into a 316i? Is there much wiring involved or is nearly everything plug in and play?

E36 320i into a e36 316i. Easy straight forward swap. Loom plugs straight in. 316i box will bolt up to 320i block. 316i rad is the same. You will need six cylinder clocks and if the 320i loom has traction control you will have to run one wire from the ecu to the back of the clocks.

Brillent so it's fairly basic no new wireing needed at all? I plan on dropping in 320i running gear and 4.4 I have here for some track use

Battery might need to be moved into the boot too

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Originally Posted by hamish262001

Battery might need to be moved into the boot too

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battery will fit in engine bay but is a tad tight.

If your 316 and 320i loom has traction control. No wiring.
If your 316 doesn't and 320i loom does. One single wire have to be done.

It's a handy swap. A good solid 9 hour day and you'll have engine out and in ;)

Hi everyone I'm new here so hope this is coming up in the right place. I am looking for advice on an engine conversion. I have an e90 320d and would like to do a 3Litre diesel conversion. I was on the phone to couple of guys today with no joy in finding anyone to carry out the work. Any help is greatly :cool:appreciated thanks.

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Originally Posted by GarC

Hi everyone I'm new here so hope this is coming up in the right place. I am looking for advice on an engine conversion. I have an e90 320d and would like to do a 3Litre diesel conversion. I was on the phone to couple of guys today with no joy in finding anyone to carry out the work. Any help is greatly :cool:appreciated thanks.

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Welcome along brother!! :happy: :cool: You need to get a few pics up the current and past beemers :wink:

Did you get in touch with any of the lads I sent you on?

There's a few of them on here. I guess you could ask @[Valdelisbmw] if you haven't already as he's a site sponsor here. :smiling:

I'll get pics up in the next few days of past and present motors, I tried a couple of guys Conor Healy was a gentleman but said the 3L conversion is not something they would do that they are too busy to undertake the job.
As for @(valdelisbmw) I tried him first he told me it would be too expensive.... don't know how he knew what I could afford or not!!!! He then hung up on me before I could ask him about doing some diagnostics on the e90 so to be honest if the car broke down outside his place I'd push it to somewhere else sooner than give him work possibly the most ignorant man I've ever had dealings with.

So still on the look out for other names of possible people to do the job or at least build my engine to a 250ish bhp spec.

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Originally Posted by GarC

I'll get pics up in the next few days of past and present motors, I tried a couple of guys Conor Healy was a gentleman but said the 3L conversion is not something they would do that they are too busy to undertake the job.
As for @(valdelisbmw) I tried him first he told me it would be too expensive.... don't know how he knew what I could afford or not!!!! He then hung up on me before I could ask him about doing some diagnostics on the e90 so to be honest if the car broke down outside his place I'd push it to somewhere else sooner than give him work possibly the most ignorant man I've ever had dealings with.

So still on the look out for other names of possible people to do the job or at least build my engine to a 250ish bhp spec.

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That's a bit shit bro.

@[Valdelisbmw] why did you hang up?

Med5 on here is based around that side of the country he's done some similar conversions

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Originally Posted by KevinF

Med5 on here is based around that side of the country he's done some similar conversions

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Already sent him on his details :wink:

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Originally Posted by Venom

@[Valdelisbmw] why did you hang up?

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I was sure I gave him answer , its too expensive to do wright .maybe cheaper in general as to buy another car ,but not better for sure . and I told him I cant get any estimates as never done anything similar and don't think I would go ahead with this at all . and phone callers about conversions never even started any of them in my place ,they rang ask questions but never land ,because im very straight and see far away ,don't get any dreams for guys who thinks its bolt off engine and fit back in , I don't want to start and after get stuck not finished . its my rule and I live like that with less headache ,and I know that for sure .sorry but I was too busy to take call again .
if he will get to do that conversion ill be very interested to see how it will be finished .all i can say , good luck with project .end of my story

You should not make assumptions on my behalf. I'm not a dreamer or deluded and think that it's a bolt in job. You will loose a lot of respect by treating potential customers like that. Reputations are built and lost on customer service and good quality work. Neglect one or the other and you will become second choice sooner or later. I rang looking for your opinion and to ask you to the work and you would have got plenty of work from me if you'd had the manners to hold a conversation. Not all people live in Dublin it's not practical to drive up to from Wexford just to discuss something.

End of discussion on my end.

I would rather be here promoting someone for their help. Just for the record I never complain about anyone but this was an exceptional experience. Hope this doesn't put people off . I genuinely want to get this work done. I am open to doing engine work on the current engine of its the better option.

Thanks KevinF for the suggestion

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Originally Posted by GarC

You should not make assumptions on my behalf. I'm not a dreamer or deluded and think that it's a bolt in job. You will loose a lot of respect by treating potential customers like that. Reputations are built and lost on customer service and good quality work. Neglect one or the other and you will become second choice sooner or later. I rang looking for your opinion and to ask you to the work and you would have got plenty of work from me if you'd had the manners to hold a conversation. Not all people live in Dublin it's not practical to drive up to from Wexford just to discuss something.

End of discussion on my end.

I would rather be here promoting someone for their help. Just for the record I never complain about anyone but this was an exceptional experience. Hope this doesn't put people off . I genuinely want to get this work done. I am open to doing engine work on the current engine of its the better option.

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For the money / hardship that's involved, why not sell up and buy a 3.0l D ?

I can understand valdelis in what he has said, I can only imagine the amount of guys calling and balling ideas of difficult expensive conversions that end up going nowhere. Nobody can tell through a phone how genuine a guy is, so sometimes you just need to cut it short and get back to work.

Best of luck with whatever route you choose.

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Originally Posted by GarC

You should not make assumptions on my behalf. I'm not a dreamer or deluded and think that it's a bolt in job. You will loose a lot of respect by treating potential customers like that. Reputations are built and lost on customer service and good quality work. Neglect one or the other and you will become second choice sooner or later. I rang looking for your opinion and to ask you to the work and you would have got plenty of work from me if you'd had the manners to hold a conversation. Not all people live in Dublin it's not practical to drive up to from Wexford just to discuss something.

End of discussion on my end.

I would rather be here promoting someone for their help. Just for the record I never complain about anyone but this was an exceptional experience. Hope this doesn't put people off . I genuinely want to get this work done. I am open to doing engine work on the current engine of its the better option.

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the first , saying I would get lot work of u , sound more than stupid . u cant say that because u don't know me , and I don't know U! in my experience , people saying this, never came back at all !
I cant be good all around all day long ,but I don't panic on this,life is too short . and i don't calculate your money

Lads the chap is busy. Not stand around all day talking crap on the phone.

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Originally Posted by E46Padge

Lads the chap is busy. Not stand around all day talking crap on the phone.

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Ah here there's busy and there's just flat out bein rude. But any way its no bother to valdas im sure he'll be busy and no bother to my brother im sure he'll get sorted too. Lets not make this into the other thread that happened on driver, no need for handbags and both have had their say :) Just to bring this back on topic....this is a swap that even the more experienced on here would not call normal so its hard to find info on. I had assumed it would be better to get a lump from an e60 as would be closer to modern? But thats guessing on my part. So the issues would be mounts, loom, ecu and manifold? Thanks for any help.

To be honest Keith-n I have the car looking exactly how I want it. I Have a bit of personal history with the car I had it a few years ago it was just a normal 320d with 19s on it but I did a fair both with it , full msport kit, full black leather with blue stitching out of a 2010 msport lots of Carbon fibre touches etc. I sadly then sold it last March to help keep my business going and now thankfully things are healthy again, I was on the look out for a nice 535d when it popped back up for sale so I had to have it back but I want more power under the bonnet. I would love about 270bhp in an ideal world 3.0d mapped kind of power but would settle for around 250bhp if possible. The car needs money spent on it now anyway, it needs a new clutch and dual mass, I have a few warning lights up abs,brake and traction control, a boost leak after the previous owner fitted a recon turbo and a peculiar (almost) misfire kind of feeling at around 1600 rpm intermittently (hopefully only due to the boost leak). I want to make a decision on what path is best for the power gains I want before spending anything on the car. I have a few cars so the e90 hasn't really seen the road since I bought it back.

I literally only signed up here for advice as I had no luck on the phone yesterday.

Just to touch on your point I can appreciate specialists get their heads melted with clowns calling but I'm not one of them! I don't have time to waste myself never mind sit around wasting anyone else's.

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Originally Posted by GarC

To be honest Keith-n I have the car looking exactly how I want it. I Have a bit of personal history with the car I had it a few years ago it was just a normal 320d with 19s on it but I did a fair both with it , full msport kit, full black leather with blue stitching out of a 2010 msport lots of Carbon fibre touches etc. I sadly then sold it last March to help keep my business going and now thankfully things are healthy again, I was on the look out for a nice 535d when it popped back up for sale so I had to have it back but I want more power under the bonnet. I would love about 270bhp in an ideal world 3.0d mapped kind of power but would settle for around 250bhp if possible. The car needs money spent on it now anyway, it needs a new clutch and dual mass, I have a few warning lights up abs,brake and traction control, a boost leak after the previous owner fitted a recon turbo and a peculiar (almost) misfire kind of feeling at around 1600 rpm intermittently (hopefully only due to the boost leak). I want to make a decision on what path is best for the power gains I want before spending anything on the car. I have a few cars so the e90 hasn't really seen the road since I bought it back.

I literally only signed up here for advice as I had no luck on the phone yesterday.

Just to touch on your point I can appreciate specialists get their heads melted with clowns calling but I'm not one of them! I don't have time to waste myself never mind sit around wasting anyone else's.

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maybe worth a shot asking aivis who was on here,hes selling his supercharged 530 on bmwdriver and has had a epic amount of bmw cars and done a lot of work on them too,i think hes started his own garage in Dublin but could be wrong.cant hurt to ask .hes a sound lad too

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Originally Posted by satumashirt611

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Originally Posted by GarC

To be honest Keith-n I have the car looking exactly how I want it. I Have a bit of personal history with the car I had it a few years ago it was just a normal 320d with 19s on it but I did a fair both with it , full msport kit, full black leather with blue stitching out of a 2010 msport lots of Carbon fibre touches etc. I sadly then sold it last March to help keep my business going and now thankfully things are healthy again, I was on the look out for a nice 535d when it popped back up for sale so I had to have it back but I want more power under the bonnet. I would love about 270bhp in an ideal world 3.0d mapped kind of power but would settle for around 250bhp if possible. The car needs money spent on it now anyway, it needs a new clutch and dual mass, I have a few warning lights up abs,brake and traction control, a boost leak after the previous owner fitted a recon turbo and a peculiar (almost) misfire kind of feeling at around 1600 rpm intermittently (hopefully only due to the boost leak). I want to make a decision on what path is best for the power gains I want before spending anything on the car. I have a few cars so the e90 hasn't really seen the road since I bought it back.

I literally only signed up here for advice as I had no luck on the phone yesterday.

Just to touch on your point I can appreciate specialists get their heads melted with clowns calling but I'm not one of them! I don't have time to waste myself never mind sit around wasting anyone else's.

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maybe worth a shot asking aivis who was on here,hes selling his supercharged 530 on bmwdriver and has had a epic amount of bmw cars and done a lot of work on them too,i think hes started his own garage in Dublin but could be wrong.cant hurt to ask .hes a sound lad too

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if you want contact for him Gar let me know and I'll sort it.

Look at it from my point of view. There is nothing worse than when your flat out in the middle of something and being constantly interpreted by phone calls during the day. Personally it does my head in and it really gets to me when the other person on the phone is talking apsolute pony.

listen. You needs to get a donor 330d e90. Don't bother with a miss match of e60 bits Your gaurenteed to run into problems.
Personally I think it will work. if you get a crashed 330d donor car it will be a easy swap. Could be done in 3 day x2 men.

You'll needs full drive train.
Front and rear axels fully dressed with brakes shafts ect.
Key ecu ews. E90 330d engine loom

Think about it both cars are e90s both are diesel. It can't be rocket science to make it happen.

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Originally Posted by satumashirt611

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Originally Posted by GarC

To be honest Keith-n I have the car looking exactly how I want it. I Have a bit of personal history with the car I had it a few years ago it was just a normal 320d with 19s on it but I did a fair both with it , full msport kit, full black leather with blue stitching out of a 2010 msport lots of Carbon fibre touches etc. I sadly then sold it last March to help keep my business going and now thankfully things are healthy again, I was on the look out for a nice 535d when it popped back up for sale so I had to have it back but I want more power under the bonnet. I would love about 270bhp in an ideal world 3.0d mapped kind of power but would settle for around 250bhp if possible. The car needs money spent on it now anyway, it needs a new clutch and dual mass, I have a few warning lights up abs,brake and traction control, a boost leak after the previous owner fitted a recon turbo and a peculiar (almost) misfire kind of feeling at around 1600 rpm intermittently (hopefully only due to the boost leak). I want to make a decision on what path is best for the power gains I want before spending anything on the car. I have a few cars so the e90 hasn't really seen the road since I bought it back.

I literally only signed up here for advice as I had no luck on the phone yesterday.

Just to touch on your point I can appreciate specialists get their heads melted with clowns calling but I'm not one of them! I don't have time to waste myself never mind sit around wasting anyone else's.

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maybe worth a shot asking aivis who was on here,hes selling his supercharged 530 on bmwdriver and has had a epic amount of bmw cars and done a lot of work on them too,i think hes started his own garage in Dublin but could be wrong.cant hurt to ask .hes a sound lad too

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Thanks I definitely will give him a shout.

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Originally Posted by E46Padge

listen. You needs to get a donor 330d e90. Don't bother with a miss match of e60 bits Your gaurenteed to run into problems.
Personally I think it will work. if you get a crashed 330d donor car it will be a easy swap. Could be done in 3 day x2 men.

You'll needs full drive train.
Front and rear axels fully dressed with brakes shafts ect.
Key ecu ews. E90 330d engine loom

Think about it both cars are e90s both are diesel. It can't be rocket science to make it happen.

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This is really good advice, personally, I would say it isn't worth the cost.

There are nuances to doing work like this that only the experienced mechanics appreciate.

If you are absolutely set on doing it, you may as well try to pick up a donor 335d, the cost of doing the conversion would likely be the same.

Another consideration is going to be insurance, you are going to struggle to insure the thing, you'd have to declare it as a modified 320d, it's just gonna be a massive can of worms.

The general rule of thumb when it comes to engine swaps is to come up with a worst case figure for the swap, then double it.

What about buying a 330d, swapping the bits over and flogging the 320?

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Originally Posted by E46Padge

listen. You needs to get a donor 330d e90. Don't bother with a miss match of e60 bits Your gaurenteed to run into problems.
Personally I think it will work. if you get a crashed 330d donor car it will be a easy swap. Could be done in 3 day x2 men.

You'll needs full drive train.
Front and rear axels fully dressed with brakes shafts ect.
Key ecu ews. E90 330d engine loom

Think about it both cars are e90s both are diesel. It can't be rocket science to make it happen.

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That's what I thought too, but maybe it's even more complex considering no one I've spoken to would touch the job.

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Originally Posted by Dave

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Originally Posted by E46Padge

listen. You needs to get a donor 330d e90. Don't bother with a miss match of e60 bits Your gaurenteed to run into problems.
Personally I think it will work. if you get a crashed 330d donor car it will be a easy swap. Could be done in 3 day x2 men.

You'll needs full drive train.
Front and rear axels fully dressed with brakes shafts ect.
Key ecu ews. E90 330d engine loom

Think about it both cars are e90s both are diesel. It can't be rocket science to make it happen.

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This is really good advice, personally, I would say it isn't worth the cost.

There are nuances to doing work like this that only the experienced mechanics appreciate.

If you are absolutely set on doing it, you may as well try to pick up a donar 335d, the cost of doing the conversion would likely be the same.

Another consideration is going to be insurance, you are going to struggle to insure the thing, you'd have to declare it as a modified 320d, it's just gonna be a massive can of worms.

The general rule of thumb when it comes to engine swaps is to come up with a worst case figure for the swap, then double it.

What about buying a 330d, swapping the bits over and flogging the 320?

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To be honest selling isn't an option i want to consider.
I don't doubt the conversion is not straight forward and maybe the engine conversion may turn out to be too big of an ordeal for the end result it was just my initial thought for a reliable power increase. I haven't had anyone willing to even think about doing the job never mind a quote!!!!
The other question to throw out at this point is what options are there to increase the standard 320d engine to a decent bhp around the 250bhp mark. I know a map will bring up to the 200ish point but with the right knowledge and upgrades surely even more bhp is possible.

It cant be that hard in my eyes. It's a bmw engine going into a bmw. e90 s are still pretty fresh not a lot of messing going on with engine swaps. it's not impossible.

You could try contact Tomas in Perfect car, he had an E46 320d touring running massive power, 300bhp ish if I'm not mistaken.

Pretty sure a hybrid turbo would generate 250 ish bhp.

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Originally Posted by E46Padge

It cant be that hard in my eyes. It's a bmw engine going into a bmw. e90 s are still pretty fresh not a lot of messing going on with engine swaps. it's not impossible.

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Agreed but it's one of those will the cost out weigh the point things. Gar get onto autoremap, Martin is meant to be very good at what he does, also maybe mackers and paddymcgrath on here may be able to answer on specific e90 questions as they both have fine examples.

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Originally Posted by E46Padge

It cant be that hard in my eyes. It's a bmw engine going into a bmw. e90 s are still pretty fresh not a lot of messing going on with engine swaps. it's not impossible.

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Well, whats a low mileage 330d donor gonna cost? 4k? the engines still fetch big money and one may need the drive train, ECU, electrics.

Assuming it's gonna be a manual you're gonna service the engine, change the clutch, flywheel etc. Budget for the inevitable unforseen issues.

Pay someone labour to do the swap.

This could be 7 - 10k easy.

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Originally Posted by E46Padge

It cant be that hard in my eyes. It's a bmw engine going into a bmw. e90 s are still pretty fresh not a lot of messing going on with engine swaps. it's not impossible.

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It defo can be done I will keep this updated as I find out info and get some pics up too.

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Originally Posted by Dave

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Originally Posted by E46Padge

It cant be that hard in my eyes. It's a bmw engine going into a bmw. e90 s are still pretty fresh not a lot of messing going on with engine swaps. it's not impossible.

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Well, whats a low mileage 330d donor gonna cost? 4k? the engines still fetch big money and one may need the drive train, ECU, electrics.

Assuming it's gonna be a manual you're gonna service the engine, change the clutch, flywheel etc. Budget for the inevitable unforseen issues.

Pay someone labour to do the swap.

This could be 7 - 10k easy.

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Yeah your probably right I could see it getting up there going down the 330d donor car route and it's not worth the expense at that point for the end result, presumably to be fair that's probably what valdelisbmw meant when he said it was too expensive.
I had come across an e60 3.0d and box fully dressed,loom Ecu etc with it for 1200€ and that's what got my mind going. I said I would see if it was a possible transplant as I will be spending that on my own engine now no matter what to sort out my issues and still only be at s starting point for power increases.
I got a number for Tomas from perfect car today so gonna give him a call tomorrow and see what he recommends.

It cant be that hard in my eyes. It's a bmw engine going into a bmw. e90 s are still pretty fresh not a lot of messing going on with engine swaps. it's not impossible.

Spoke with Tomas from perfect car and he said with s new exhaust and a map will bring it up to 215 bhp or so, he then had a full spec off the top of his head for 250 bhp, full exhaust including new down pipe, rebuilt turbo(basically 330d internals) 535d injectors, bigger intercooler and remap. He also advised that when I am changing the dual mass and clutch to go for an x5 3.0d manual kit as it will be a direct replacement for the 2.0d kit but obviously will handle the power increases no problem..... Defo sounds like the man for the job

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Originally Posted by GarC

Spoke with Tomas from perfect car and he said with s new exhaust and a map will bring it up to 215 bhp or so, he then had a full spec off the top of his head for 250 bhp, full exhaust including new down pipe, rebuilt turbo(basically 330d internals) 535d injectors, bigger intercooler and remap. He also advised that when I am changing the dual mass and clutch to go for an x5 3.0d manual kit as it will be a direct replacement for the 2.0d kit but obviously will handle the power increases no problem..... Defo sounds like the man for the job

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Just need to NCT the other 3 first eh :tounge::tounge:

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Originally Posted by Venom

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Originally Posted by GarC

Spoke with Tomas from perfect car and he said with s new exhaust and a map will bring it up to 215 bhp or so, he then had a full spec off the top of his head for 250 bhp, full exhaust including new down pipe, rebuilt turbo(basically 330d internals) 535d injectors, bigger intercooler and remap. He also advised that when I am changing the dual mass and clutch to go for an x5 3.0d manual kit as it will be a direct replacement for the 2.0d kit but obviously will handle the power increases no problem..... Defo sounds like the man for the job

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Just need to NCT the other 3 first eh :tounge::tounge:

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Eds e46 I'd in for the test Monday and the gti6 and passat are in the 12th so the e90 is on the cards straight away then:wink:

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Originally Posted by GarC

To be honest Keith-n I have the car looking exactly how I want it. I Have a bit of personal history with the car I had it a few years ago it was just a normal 320d with 19s on it but I did a fair both with it , full msport kit, full black leather with blue stitching out of a 2010 msport lots of Carbon fibre touches etc. I sadly then sold it last March to help keep my business going and now thankfully things are healthy again, I was on the look out for a nice 535d when it popped back up for sale so I had to have it back but I want more power under the bonnet. I would love about 270bhp in an ideal world 3.0d mapped kind of power but would settle for around 250bhp if possible. The car needs money spent on it now anyway, it needs a new clutch and dual mass, I have a few warning lights up abs,brake and traction control, a boost leak after the previous owner fitted a recon turbo and a peculiar (almost) misfire kind of feeling at around 1600 rpm intermittently (hopefully only due to the boost leak). I want to make a decision on what path is best for the power gains I want before spending anything on the car. I have a few cars so the e90 hasn't really seen the road since I bought it back.

I literally only signed up here for advice as I had no luck on the phone yesterday.

Just to touch on your point I can appreciate specialists get their heads melted with clowns calling but I'm not one of them! I don't have time to waste myself never mind sit around wasting anyone else's.

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Makes some sense.

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Originally Posted by GarC

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Originally Posted by Venom

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Originally Posted by GarC

Spoke with Tomas from perfect car and he said with s new exhaust and a map will bring it up to 215 bhp or so, he then had a full spec off the top of his head for 250 bhp, full exhaust including new down pipe, rebuilt turbo(basically 330d internals) 535d injectors, bigger intercooler and remap. He also advised that when I am changing the dual mass and clutch to go for an x5 3.0d manual kit as it will be a direct replacement for the 2.0d kit but obviously will handle the power increases no problem..... Defo sounds like the man for the job

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Just need to NCT the other 3 first eh :tounge::tounge:

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Eds e46 I'd in for the test Monday and the gti6 and passat are in the 12th so the e90 is on the cards straight away then:wink:

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right get a parts list together then so :happy: