[gunnerxq]

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=538595

[ZZZZ]

Originally Posted by gunnerxq

I did mine for $1400. But that's because I installed everything myself. The only thing that I didn't do was the AA tune

... so you went with the AA tune, and not a stock 330i tune?
how much of a difference did you notice---was it worth $1400 big ones?

[gunnerxq]

Originally Posted by ZZZZ

... so you went with the AA tune, and not a stock 330i tune?
how much of a difference did you notice---was it worth $1400 big ones?

Yes it was worth you start questioning whether its your car and wonder why you didn't do it before. I went with the AA tune because it adds 15 Hp to a normal 330i to a total of 270 with extra torque. If you want even closer 330i performance then get a free-flowing exhaust similar to the 330i. And maybe even a cold air intake.

[accel]

3 stage conversion seem to me very risky without proper ecu tune. I believe AA and others do not affect valvetronic and only change timing/ a/f ratio... If someone figured the way to install the actual 330 software onto 328 - that would be it...

But look at it this way - according to bmw 328 is only 0.2 sec slower in 0-60. It is also lighter - so should be faster in turns..

I'm planning on finding LSD differential with slightly higher final ratio - this should be simpler, and cover 0.2 sec difference if not more ... Plus you get some real LSD advantage.

328 is true 330 replacement but was intentionally limited in performance so that 330 owners do not feel upset for paying premium price for their cars in first year of production.

[gunnerxq]

Originally Posted by accel

3 stage conversion seem to me very risky without proper ecu tune. I believe AA and others do not affect valvetronic and only change timing/ a/f ratio... If someone figured the way to install the actual 330 software onto 328 - that would be it...

But look at it this way - according to bmw 328 is only 0.2 sec slower in 0-60. It is also lighter - so should be faster in turns..

I'm planning on finding LSD differential with slightly higher final ratio - this should be simpler, and cover 0.2 sec difference if not more ... Plus you get some real LSD advantage.

328 is true 330 replacement but was intentionally limited in performance so that 330 owners do not feel upset for paying premium price for their cars in first year of production.

I believe they do change vavetronic because people have been been getting similar Go numbers on dynos to 330i. I had mine for over a year with no problems. Others seem to have zero problems also. I tried getting a stock 330i tune but no dealer wanted to do it giving poor excuses that there were specific differences with the engines that they couldn't tell me at the moment.

[gunnerxq]

Originally Posted by accel

3 stage conversion seem to me very risky without proper ecu tune. I believe AA and others do not affect valvetronic and only change timing/ a/f ratio... If someone figured the way to install the actual 330 software onto 328 - that would be it...

But look at it this way - according to bmw 328 is only 0.2 sec slower in 0-60. It is also lighter - so should be faster in turns..

I'm planning on finding LSD differential with slightly higher final ratio - this should be simpler, and cover 0.2 sec difference if not more ... Plus you get some real LSD advantage.

328 is true 330 replacement but was intentionally limited in performance so that 330 owners do not feel upset for paying premium price for their cars in first year of production.

Also 330i is not .2 seconds slower. It was severely underestimated by BMW

[ZZZZ]

Originally Posted by accel

But look at it this way - according to bmw 328 is only 0.2 sec slower in 0-60. It is also lighter - so should be faster in turns.

Why would the 328 be lighter?

[ZZZZ]

Originally Posted by gunnerxq

Yes it was worth you start questioning whether its your car and wonder why you didn't do it before. I went with the AA tune because it adds 15 Hp to a normal 330i to a total of 270 with extra torque. If you want even closer 330i performance then get a free-flowing exhaust similar to the 330i. And maybe even a cold air intake.

Thanks. Did you do anything else with your air filter? (i.e. euro box)

[gunnerxq]

Originally Posted by ZZZZ

Thanks. Did you do anything else with your air filter? (i.e. euro box)

All I got was a remus exhaust. But I'm probably going to put in a cold air intake.

[mike-y]

Originally Posted by ZZZZ

Why would the 328 be lighter?

A base model 328i would be lighter than a loaded 330. Optioned out, the weight difference is much closer. The 330i came with a lot more standard features than the 325/328, so most 330s will weigh a bit more than a 325/328.

As far as the manifold swap, just swapping the manifold does increase power, even without the tune. There is a flat spot between 3000 and 3500 rpm though. Getting the AA tune gives you more power on top of that, and smooths out the flat spot.

325/328 have a steeper rear end gear than the 330, and the 325i also has a ZF transmission, though not the exact same model as the 330. 328i's have the GM unit, but with better programming (at least with the 08 model I drove).

I also did the swap on my 325i, and got the Tune from AA, and was able to source the manifold used (nearly complete) for around $350. So if you shop around, you might be able to find a deal. I also did the work myself, which was truly a pain in the rear, mostly because of the tight spacing of the manifold and firewall. and F**K that vent hose lol. Anyway, according to my dyno tests, the car picked up ~38hp to the hubs (dynapack dyno) and a good amount of torque all over the rpm band.

I'm having AA fine tune some things on my tune, as it was running a bit rich. will take it back to the dyno in a few more weeks, and see how it looks.

[accel]

Originally Posted by ZZZZ

Why would the 328 be lighter?

Who knows... But check the specs - it is lighter.

[Staszek]

Originally Posted by accel

3 stage conversion seem to me very risky without proper ecu tune. I believe AA and others do not affect valvetronic and only change timing/ a/f ratio... If someone figured the way to install the actual 330 software onto 328 - that would be it...

But look at it this way - according to bmw 328 is only 0.2 sec slower in 0-60. It is also lighter - so should be faster in turns..

I'm planning on finding LSD differential with slightly higher final ratio - this should be simpler, and cover 0.2 sec difference if not more ... Plus you get some real LSD advantage.

328 is true 330 replacement but was intentionally limited in performance so that 330 owners do not feel upset for paying premium price for their cars in first year of production.

There is a bit more difference then 0.2 especially when you get over 60mph

328i manual
0-100 mph - 16.4 seconds
1/4 Mile - 14.8 @ 95 mph
50-70 mph top gear - 10.2 seconds

330i manual
0-100 mph - 15.3 seconds
1/4 mile - 14.3 @ 98 mph
50-70 mph top gear - 8.6 seconds


As for this upgrade, I dont know if its really worth it for the cost, it may be better just to SC, little more money but much more performance.

[ZZZZ]

Originally Posted by Staszek

As for this upgrade, I dont know if its really worth it for the cost, it may be better just to SC, little more money but much more performance.

... but less reliability, and some would argue devaluing the resale value more.

Really depends on the type of owner. I've had aftermarket turbocharged BMW's before, I don't think I'd go that route again unless it was stock. Even with kits, there are a lot of headaches involved if your car is a DD. Maybe I'm just getting old... I want a turn-key car. (or button-push car in this case). Just start it and drive.

[accel]

Originally Posted by gunnerxq

Also 330i is not .2 seconds slower. It was severely underestimated by BMW

Well, from what forums state - BMW often intentionally underestimates performance number.

But I listed both numbers from BMW specs - if 330 is underrated, then 328i is underrated as well to some extent.

But my point with LSD and higher gear ratio is this - it is much simpler. Similar thing BMW did itself for e46 330 ZHP.

If diff by itself is not enough - AA tune could be applied on top.

But (personally) I would stay away from 3 stage swap for now. I've been following related topics - and it doesn't seem like consistent mainstream yet. Some install the manifold and claim gains just from that (no tunes), some have issues just from that, that they try to address with several different tunes...

[accel]

Originally Posted by mike-y

A base model 328i would be lighter than a loaded 330.

Numbers from BMW:

2006 330i - 3417lbs, 6.1 sec 0-60
2008 328i - 3340lbs, 6.3 sec 0-60

Bigger 330 brakes might contribute to the difference and who knows what else, I guess basic set of options was different.

But 0.2 seconds and bigger brakes do not make whole lot of difference, especially if you bought a car to just drive it...

I mean, I used to do lots of autocrossing, and for that purpose brake size was not important at all - they never overheat, but weight savings were extremely valuable as one could carry more speed in turns... I sold my autoX car, and
I bought BMW 328i with an idea of occasional autocross in mind, but this never happened so far... it's life - different times, different priorities. So I just enjoy everyday drive and have some very rare spirited drive sparks...

328i is perfect and very fine car for this purpose. I would buy 330i if I could find used one optioned per my taste, but couldn't find one for 3 months... gave up and am happy with my 328i.

[Dave4501]

I've driven several 328i's and my own E90 330i. The 330 feels much quicker and seems to have a big increase in torque.

I'm interested in how the new F30 328i will feel compared to my E90.

A used low mileage E90 330i is a special car.

[accel]

Originally Posted by TiAg330i

The 330 feels much quicker and seems to have a big increase in torque.

Nobody doubts. It's fortunate for some and unfortunate for others that bmw introduced turbo 335i which took 330i's place in price range. So they politically could not increase 328i power up to 330i levels.

Imagine what would 2006 330i owners feel if in 2007 328 had same power and lower price tag. They'd want price match or exchange.

[issabmw]

Originally Posted by jimmydever

Yes, and the ECU tune is different.

If you buy the manifold and get a supporting tune it will make the same crank HP as a tuned 330.

No. Not as much as a tuned 330.

330 will always have the advantage so long as your exhaust is stock. 330 offers a much less restrictive system.

[RupertPupkin]

Originally Posted by issabmw

No. Not as much as a tuned 330.

330 will always have the advantage so long as your exhaust is stock. 330 offers a much less restrictive system.

Good to know. Did not realize the exhaust was different. Do you know whats different?

[issabmw]

Originally Posted by jimmydever

Good to know. Did not realize the exhaust was different. Do you know whats different?

I know the cats for one are much less restrictive, and our mufflers do not contain flaps like the 330.

330s with muffler deletes are noticeably louder than 28/25s for this reason.

[mike-y]

according to the part numbers, the only difference in the exhaust is the muffler.

[gunnerxq]

Originally Posted by accel

Numbers from BMW:

2006 330i - 3417lbs, 6.1 sec 0-60
2008 328i - 3340lbs, 6.3 sec 0-60

Bigger 330 brakes might contribute to the difference and who knows what else, I guess basic set of options was different.

But 0.2 seconds and bigger brakes do not make whole lot of difference, especially if you bought a car to just drive it...

I mean, I used to do lots of autocrossing, and for that purpose brake size was not important at all - they never overheat, but weight savings were extremely valuable as one could carry more speed in turns... I sold my autoX car, and
I bought BMW 328i with an idea of occasional autocross in mind, but this never happened so far... it's life - different times, different priorities. So I just enjoy everyday drive and have some very rare spirited drive sparks...

328i is perfect and very fine car for this purpose. I would buy 330i if I could find used one optioned per my taste, but couldn't find one for 3 months... gave up and am happy with my 328i.

Don't forget the 2006 325i weighs 3285lbs
It also has more aggressive gearing than the 330i and the 328i. So basically with all the Mods the 325i is the fastest car out of the NA cars.