Chris Welter

Hmm....I have a e92 335i and your localish. 
 

The plan is to show the world that I am crazy...lol  My end goal is 4 digits at the rear wheels, 1200 long term.  The proposed powerplant is a Iron block 6.0L LS stroker motor with big ole turbo on it...lol.. Of course some internal work will be done but that is in the details   Ive figured out how to make the car play nicely (keeping factory locks and HVAC and radio and power options)  and am working out fueling and getting the rest of the gauges to work, shouldn't be too hard.  Heck I was even debating trying to put together a kit for those out there who feel like they wanna get a little bit bonkers with their rides.  This being said, I just posted a bunch of my parts up for sale, so if you are N54 powered and you are looking for a serious kick in the pants that wont kill your wallet, check it out and please tell the other guys!  The sale of my parts starts the funding for the new engine.  If you see anything you want message me, and for my local WI bimmers guys we can maybe work out not having to ship things which saves everyone more $$!  Price for the kit without shipping is $3800 which makes me want to cry considering what I paid for it last year.  A couple people have already approached me asking why.. My answers, first was why not, and second is for the power goal I am looking for at this point it is more cost effective this way.  I am not saying the N54 is not capable of it, as I truly believe it is, just more frustrated at high end tuning options from the ECU side of things.  Its really hard to justify a $5300 computer to hopefully break 1000whp when the LS platform has more proven controllers to do just that for $1200.. With all that being said, i am not going to even attempt to ruin the handling of the car, its the one thing I greatly love and the reason I will swap before switching cars.
But one thing is for sure,
This car has definitely done one thing for me, make me addicted to power!
P.S. John, its still not fast
 

Thought of post an update for a few new items and plans. Car is still apart inside garage. I got all my new injectors about a month or so ago, just waiting on good weather to install them. I also got my hands on something I HIGHLY recommend all N54 owners get. I got my RB external PCV kit in the mail last week. I ordered the full kit with head plugs and all. This kit runs dual catch cans (50 micron mishimoto compact at idle and no boost, then transfers over to my BMS can once boost is built. This eliminates any gunk on the valves. Also the head ports are plugged in the process so the factory pcv valves in the head are bypassed and blocked off. This is to keep the valve cover and crankcase under vacuum. I have a friend who lost his engine because one failed and starved the engine of oil, so of rather not take that chance. Ordered the evolution of speed intake with port injection bits so waiting for that to arrive. Also in transmission land, the 4L80E is pushed back to next spring now. Not overly happy about hearing this so I talked to a few people and will most likely go 6MT RWD. Something about less controllers and a proven transmission is a nice thing. I don't drag my car a lot so for roll racing I feel this the better choice. I don't know of anyone here also knows of syvecs? They are releasing a ECU this year for the N54 that is plug and play. Working on getting my hands on one thru group buy. No more piggybacks and tunes fighting the ECU, and more rpms and total control Gotta be prepared...lol.. planning out 6MT this summer and syvecs next spring. Heck if I can put enough aside I'll even debate getting an ABR punisher to drop in next year
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Good choices! Id drive em all. 

I chose arguably the lamest mid engine Ferrari ever made 

GTA was on my list. Before I bought my e21 i seriously considered an Alfetta "Sport Sedan" that was on ebay before passing up due to excess doors (not this one of course):
 

 
Twist my head around evey time I see one of those olde Mercedes wagons...
 
Land Rover Defenders are cool too, but like old Alfas, I file them in the I-dont-hate-myself-or-my-wallet-that-much category.
 
Also like just about any late 60s/early 70s Datsuns. 510, 620, 240z, doesn't matter.
 
'65 Riviera
 

 
None of those are really guilty pleasures though, I just like them.
 
How about slammed Foresters?
 

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/rockford-fosgate-rfbtaux-universal-bluetooth-audio-adapter/1310107496.p?id=mp1310107496&skuId=1310107496 
that one is pretty close to what I have.

I try to buy it from him every time I see him..lol
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well the odyssey continues. Turbo arrived today:


I transferred the wastegate over to the new turbo, built the forge diverter valve, and started taking lines off to swap those and quickly realized I would be better off buying new lines. All the parts I needed sadly aren't in stock for 3 days so my progress on the installation is halted until early next week, however, by that time I should have everything I need in entirety. I'm currently waiting on parts from 3 different sources. 

N5X folks turning the volume up to 11 around here

FYI no octane benefits over E60. I think I can run close to 20psi with port injection and pump gas FWIW as well. 50-60% e and No meth should be fine I'd think on 20-21 easy..
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I started the Bimmer craze at the Hormel plant in Dubuque. Went from just me to half a dozen for a while.
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that's what it seems like. Honestly after 2 hours last night for where i'm at - all we're talking about at this point is the engine mount bolts, subframe bolts, and the 2 bolts for the steering rack. I'm about to head out now to get started for the day. More photos to come. 
 

progress continues steadily. Subframe is now out of the way, engine mount/bracket removed, thermostat is off with WP soon to follow. 
I ended up just using my jack to support the subframe and rotate it counter clockwise along with the steering rack. I gained miles of room to work on the turbo but I also don't need to futz with jockeying the subframe back over the steering rack during re-assembly now. 
the $80 harbor freight engine support brace seems to be working well so far but to be sure I put a jackstand underneath the transmission bell housing right where it bolts up to the block. The car is shored up pretty well though. There was no movement from the engine when I disconnected the mounts and subframe.



 

clear to the turbo and inlet pipe now. Just have to disconnect feed lines and such and will be able to pull the stock turbo out. Calling it a night for now. Also, +1,000,000 for working on cars without rust. 

I can sense a sleepover in the works

awesome thread, awesome car, IMO, despite the automatic transmission. I think you made the right decision here. Honestly on a car like this with a 7k redline and for what the gear ratios are, if you have a big single turbo and are going to end up making 700+ hp, having a manual transmission just becomes useless, truly. And if you don't care about rowing gears, then who cares. I think your plan of upgrading the transmission to the 4L80e is perfect. 
My favorite part of this was reading about people who say that an xDrive 335 is garbage. I personally prefer RWD but honestly, but mainly for track and tossability. How can you argue with a car that's driven on the street, having like 500-700 whp, and having AWD to put it down to the pavement? That's still badass, lol. And it'll put every dumbass Subaru bro kid in their place, to boot. 
When you break into 10's I'll take a ride.
as an aside, with all these cars in our group being up north, I may need to make some rounds this summer lol. I do some software contracting on the side for a company based in Appleton/neenah area and I'm due for a visit and some drinks with the guys I work with. While I'm up there I want to see some of these vehicles. I'm guess the closest in proximity there would be you and Jake. 
 

Initially the newer bmw's are a pain to get over the technology hump. Take it from me, I came from the audio world initially and basic engine work on my own domestics or Japanese cars. It took a while to figure out how the N54 works, but I'd never be afraid again. I'd honestly prefer an older bmw like an e30 though for simplicity. The really trying part of these new cars is when something acts up intermittently and you have to diagnose. A good challenge for all and it will test your troubleshooting abilities... Although I'm a bad example since mine went from oem to full retard in about 2 months.
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Here was a random pic I found comparing the OEM snails to the new Snail..

Not sure if you figured out your bluetooth or not, but FYI I was able to snag a cigarette lighter bluetooth module from bestbuy I plugged in via aux in my center console.. its completeley hidden and I have bluetooth music now.  I think it was like $20, I could be wrong though. 

LOL FYI as well, more power is never the answer.. the lust for more never stops..  Good looking ride though man and looks like a fun build!

Message Chris Welter either on Facebook or here, he has a big single swap with port injection. he might have some tips, he did it all himself. It's intense to ride in. AWD too.
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It is angry at being winter driven lol.
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I might be down for some fun, just have to see if I can get some of the platteville guys to road-trip with me.  Its always fun launching the xi at the track!

Competition bass? Do you have any current builds going on?