"JZelnick" (jzelnick)
02/11/2014 at 10:35 • Filed to: None
3
37|
"JZelnick" (jzelnick)
02/11/2014 at 10:35 • Filed to: None | 3
| 37 |
I introduced my self the other week and shared the new wheels I got with you guys. As it is the winter, my beast waits impatiently in the garage begging to be driven. Similarly my mind is going nuts thinking of the mods I'd like to get done. I've addressed many of the shortcomings of the E39 with my mods and finally have gotten around to power. While in the past the common route was headers ($2500+$1k software, 45hp), Supercharger kits (150hp) have been dropping like cholera and are hovering right around $5k. While the kit in my budget this year, adding things like a beefed up clutch, meth (for cooling IAT's), and pre-SC maintenance (replacing rod bearings $2k) do not. I'm not one to skimp on maintenance or half ass my mods so I'd like to do it right. The headers while almost the price of the SC kit are simple since I wouldn't have to do any additional mods to support them. The SC kit is an obvious choice with the power, but the extra associated costs and the "what about the M car soul bro" argument sometimes gets to me. Something to keep in mind, I am a college student so while all of my income is disposable I still have to maintain a girlfriend, pay for my sport (Olympic weightlifting) and the SC kit would leave the funds low this year.
My current mods (picture above is missing the clear corners and LM's)
Authentic BBS LM 19x8.5 19x10
Muffler Delete w/ Timmay Tips
Bilstein PSS9 Coilovers
UUC Short Shift Kit
ZHP Shift Knob
Hardwired Valentine One
3M 20% Colorstable Tint
Clear Euro Headlight Lenses
Umnitza ICE VXX Angel Eyes
DICE MediaBridge
BBS LM 19x8.5 19x10
Continental ExtremeContact DW
Front: 265/30/19
Rear: 285/30/19
I plan on keeping this car indefinitely as it is the pinnicle of sport sedans. Will be rebuilding the motor when the time comes (another 100k or so). I have a 07 Accord to daily so this is just a fun car.
Option 1: Do nothing, the E39 M5 is perfect. You already have 400hp, save your money.
Option 2: Add headers. Best sound, extra oomph, doesn't break the bank, one and done. ///M car soul yada yada yada...
Option 3: SC or broke. Get an extra summer job, hit 500whp. Drive free or die.
Option 4: Save your money this year, get the SC next year when its more affordable.
If someone could tell me how to add a poll that'd be great.
Z_Stig
> JZelnick
02/11/2014 at 10:40 |
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You have a very nice list of mods on the car already. Are you planning on keeping long term?
I would go with Option 1 because the car seems pretty good as is. If you really want the extra power, I would go with option 4 and save up for the SC.
Alternatively, send me your monies and I will spend them for you....hehe
Louros
> JZelnick
02/11/2014 at 10:41 |
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Lol, listing window tint and lighting as mods.
Option 5: Sell this car and buy a Civic.
911e46z06
> JZelnick
02/11/2014 at 10:43 |
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I would say leave her stock, but since it's already modded pretty heavily I would go with headers. Actually, I would probably do a whole new exhaust system. Headers, X-pipe, and some nice mufflers (come on son, it's a BMW, not a bitchin' Camero). Get it sounding right and free up some power. I hear an X-pipe makes a big difference.
Forced induction can open up a big ass can of worms on the older M cars.
rb1971 ARGQF+CayenneTurbo+E9+328GTS+R90S
> JZelnick
02/11/2014 at 10:43 |
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I had an E39 M5 for several years. I had coil-overs and headers. Have you considered changing the diff ratio? I did that and improved my city driving and very little (or no) cost on practical top speed given the limits on US highways. And you keep the NA character. I don't think I would supercharge the S62, especially since if you blow it up the associated costs will be high.
Party-vi
> JZelnick
02/11/2014 at 10:45 |
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45hp from headers? O_o is that true?
ddavidn
> JZelnick
02/11/2014 at 10:46 |
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Option 1.
offroadkarter
> JZelnick
02/11/2014 at 10:47 |
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Save money and supercharge it next year
Also, one of my friends just picked up a twin of your car. its a 2000 with just a tick over 100k miles on it.
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JZelnick
> Louros
02/11/2014 at 10:48 |
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Thanks for answering the question....and yes, both tints and lighting changes the car and MODifys it.
Aaron James
> JZelnick
02/11/2014 at 10:51 |
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I'm old and grumpy (37) So I say SAVE SAVE SAVE. Once you get out of college it will be nice to have some spending money so you can focus on your job search without feeling like you desperately need a job right this second. When I was 20 I would have spent that 5k on hookers and blow. Hindsight really is 20/20........
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JZelnick
> Party-vi
02/11/2014 at 10:51 |
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Yeah, the stock manifolds are a BIG restriction point for the NA motor. For whatever magical scientific reasons, the gain drops to ~10hp when you go to FI. So for me personally I will only go one way or the other.
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Louros
> JZelnick
02/11/2014 at 10:52 |
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The real answer to the question is to save your money for when (not if) something breaks on this car. If you really feel the need to do something, then go with the headers.
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JZelnick
> Party-vi
02/11/2014 at 10:53 |
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.
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JZelnick
> Aaron James
02/11/2014 at 10:55 |
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This is my fathers argument as well. However, I will be going into the Navy as soon as I'm finished with school. Looking to make that my career as well. So getting a job isn't going to be too difficult.
Shoop
> JZelnick
02/11/2014 at 10:56 |
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the super charger wont be worth much till you get headers. get headers now, save, then get SUPACHAGA
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JZelnick
> Louros
02/11/2014 at 10:56 |
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I put aside $2.5k as a personal warranty when I bought the car. That should cover just about anything besides the engine grenading. Thanks
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JZelnick
> Shoop
02/11/2014 at 10:59 |
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I disagree. With forced induction, the S62 does well with the stock manifolds and the headers only add about 10hp to the SC. Although when NA the stock mainfolds become very restrictive and the headers add 45hp.
Chase
> Louros
02/11/2014 at 11:01 |
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Option A: Don't be an Ass
KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs
> JZelnick
02/11/2014 at 11:02 |
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Option 5: If you need more power, then sell it and buy an E60 M5. That way you have a V10.
Seriously, 400bhp is not lacking.
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Aaron James
> JZelnick
02/11/2014 at 11:02 |
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It will still be nice to have extra money while you're in training, Us dads only give our opinions because we've been there and most likely did the wrong thing. Just remember, any money you put into a car, you won't get back out of it. The other side is, you're only young once so enjoy it. One other little thing to think about is a ring! Good luck to you.
efme
> JZelnick
02/11/2014 at 11:03 |
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option 5: pay for college.
Sinanigans
> JZelnick
02/11/2014 at 11:08 |
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Do the headers, exhaust, and a tune and call it a day. Do you honestly need that much more power? You have one of the sweetest engines ever built. Kick up a notch to accentuate its best qualities.
jariten1781
> JZelnick
02/11/2014 at 11:09 |
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I was discharged from the Navy when the medical regs changed and made a condition I've had since childhood 'disqualifying'. This was 6 months into my scheduled 2 year shore duty too. 7 days to get out and nary a resume. Sometimes jobs searches find you and the larger the emergency fund the better.
Good choice though, the 5 and a half years I spent in were some of the most beneficial (no regrets) if not always the least stressful years of my life so far.
lowlyburner
> JZelnick
02/11/2014 at 11:10 |
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Save. I own a 2001 Carbon Black M5, and little maintenance items (CPS, TPS, IATS, MAFs, etc etc etc) add up after awhile.
Personally, I think you should keep the car NA - that's my own plan and preference. If (or when) you do the headers, get them treated with a thermal coat ( http://swaintech.com/race-coatings/… ). This will help your in car and engine bay temps immensely, further aiding air intake. Also, relocate your intakes ;)
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Party-vi
> JZelnick
02/11/2014 at 11:10 |
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It seems odd to go with forced induction and not perform exhaust modifications. Is that ~10hp peak or average? Obviously the bang for your buck is with a supercharger, but have any other owners had transmission issues or drivetrain reliability issues? Remember the 420G transmission is only rated for 368lb-ft of torque (a number on paper but still).
bimmerismyname
> JZelnick
02/11/2014 at 11:25 |
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Send it off to Dinan. Have them work their magic. Have fun
It's a "Porch-uh"
> JZelnick
02/11/2014 at 12:19 |
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My E39 M5 is my daily, so it's stay relatively stock: Eibach sway bars, Koni Yellows, Media Bridge, UUC Short Shifter, Tubi Style cat-back exhaust, ZHP shift knob.
I'll ask again, in case you didn't see it in your "new wheels" post: you selling your stock wheels? I'm thinking about going with a square setup if the price is right.
I don't agree that the supercharger takes away the "soul." Power is power. I would just keep in mind that it will exacerbate any weak points in the motor you may have (like you mentioned rod bearings soon).
Are you on M5 Board?
davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
> JZelnick
02/11/2014 at 13:28 |
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Please submit video (with good audio) to help me make an educated decision on this.
Horkin' Up Dangle Hams
> JZelnick
02/11/2014 at 14:25 |
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This post managed to combine two of my favorite things, e39 M5s and weightlifting.
I would go with the headers, but I'm also a college student and I can say that I would save the money and enjoy the hell out of that car. Go with option #1.
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JZelnick
> Horkin' Up Dangle Hams
02/11/2014 at 15:21 |
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Thanks! That's awesome, do you compete? What are your best lifts? I've hit 125 and 150 in competition
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JZelnick
> It's a "Porch-uh"
02/11/2014 at 15:24 |
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Sorry i ended up selling the wheels within hours on Craigslist and M5board. My username there is the same.
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JZelnick
> jariten1781
02/11/2014 at 15:26 |
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Thanks Aaron for the perspective. Jariten, thanks for your service, I've wanted to do this since elementary school. I can't wait to graduate!
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JZelnick
> davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
02/11/2014 at 15:27 |
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I have a spring photo/video shoot coming up. I'll be sure to post it.
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JZelnick
> 911e46z06
02/11/2014 at 15:29 |
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Thanks for the input. Don't get me wrong, I had the money for and eisenmann but the Muffler Delete actually sounds better and more aggressive imo. After listening to them back to back, it was a surprising choice.
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JZelnick
> KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs
02/11/2014 at 15:31 |
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Have you looked at that thing.... Ughhh. The maintenance doesn't scare me it's the looks lol
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davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
> JZelnick
02/11/2014 at 15:40 |
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Spring?! Can't we get a quick warm-start with some revs in the meantime?
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It's a "Porch-uh"
> JZelnick
02/11/2014 at 17:20 |
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Boo!
I'm on M5 Board as "Ikazuchi."
JasonStern911
> JZelnick
02/12/2014 at 00:07 |
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I would avoid the supercharger on any M-series (except maybe the North American gimped E36 M) motor. They tend to be fairly high strung from the factory - high compression ratio, aggressive naturally aspirated cam profiles in the higher RPM - that do note bode well for bolt on power.
It sucks, but better safe than blown motor in the other sense. My naturally aspirated 996 has the same problem. :(