Some N54 wrenching leading up to SEMA 2015

ucsbwsr · 11-12-2015, 10:25 AM

Gentlemen,

This year I helped my buddy David get his E61 ready for SEMA. Some of you may have seen photos of this thing floating around on the internet, which makes sense as it grabs a lot of attention. There has been A LOT of custom work done to it, including a custom metal widebody, a crazy stereo, and a full custom interior.

David is the owner of VIP Modular and RSV Forged, so it makes sense this wagon is focused on wheels, fitment, and style. After giving him a ride in my 500+awhp wagon he had confidence I could help him improve the function and performance of his E61. His wagon wasn't running well and needed some attention on the maintenance and mechanical side of things. The work was done at Strasse Sport in Irwindale.

David and I already have some future modifications planned but my pre-SEMA contributions to this build included the following:

- Hexon RR550s
- VTT Inlets + Filters
- JB4 Install + BMS Backend (MHD)
- New Plugs, Coils, and Injectors
- SAT Transmission Software
- Walnut Blasting Valves
- New O2 Sensor
- Oil and Coolant Flush
- Improved engine bay aesthetics

Hope you enjoy,
Evan

4 Wagons at the shop! 2 E91s and 2 E61s (Mine was parked outside)

The gauge cluster is a Christmas tree with error messages and the list of codes I pulled with INPA was very long. The car runs rough and has misfires so it is time to start with the basics.

Valves and TB cleaned, new plugs installed.

New injectors installed and coded

Rerouted ugly hard plastic brake booster line, BEFORE

AFTER

Cleared a "custom" tune and flashed his car with the BMS Pump Backend via MHD.

Installed a JB4 and updated the firmware.

Flashed the transmission with the SAT File.

He had a faulty O2 Sensor that was replaced. The last person who installed his AR Designs DPs wasn't too careful with the sensor routing...

Hexons RR550s and VTT Inlets!

Install time

The joys of working on an xi vehicle, subframe is already dropped.

Another angle

Oem turbos and inlets out.

Old vs. New

Oem vs VTT

Oem vs Hexon

Cleaned up

Installing studs

Coolant and oil lines cleaned, new o-rings installed, and reassembled.

In with the new

VTT Inlet fitment

So tight!

VTT Inlets require some special attention to keep them from contacting belts and pulleys.

Close up

Another angle

Luckily there is some room to work with.

Zip Ties fix everything.

Use one zip tie on the middle of the fan shroud and one on the far driver-side edge of the shroud, make sure they are tight and won't slide out of position as these are key areas to keep tension.

Close but all good!

Daylight on the correct side

The Friday before SEMA.

Static vs. Air

A couple pics I snapped at SEMA

BeastMode335i · 11-12-2015, 10:34 AM

Dope wagons..!!

I hope my throttle body comes that clean this weekend when I attempt to clean it up before reassembling everything.. (did a valve cover job so I have all that crap taken apart)..

Jeff@TopGearSolutions · 11-12-2015, 10:55 AM

Wow, whoever did that o2 sensor install was clearly not paying attention to the details. Nothing chaps my butt more then mechanics doing poor work.

Anyway, glad you were smart enough to pull those inlets away from the belts.

ucsbwsr · 11-12-2015, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff@TopGearSolutions

Wow, whoever did that o2 sensor install was clearly not paying attention to the details. Nothing chaps my butt more then mechanics doing poor work.

Anyway, glad you were smart enough to pull those inlets away from the belts.

There are some "interesting" scenarios to work around thanks to the previous work that has been done, the gauge cluster is a Christmas tree!

Evan

332ijunkie · 11-12-2015, 10:47 PM

Saw it at SEMA, had no idea what was under the hood!

Jeff@TopGearSolutions · 11-13-2015, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ucsbwsr

There are some "interesting" scenarios to work around thanks to the previous work that has been done, the gauge cluster is a Christmas tree!

Evan

I believe it, I've been through the same issues myself anytime I let someone else touch my car

ucsbwsr · 11-13-2015, 09:56 AM

David blew the CP-UP coupler off while in Vegas. The one supplied by ER was rather short and when looking at their current FMIC kit it looks like they now supply it with a 3" humped coupler.

Pretty sure David received this FMIC as a sponsorship so I called ER and the person who was supposed to call me back never did so I went over to HPS and purchased one of their 4" humped couplers, the added 1" of length and hump should offer some flex and keep this from happening again. I replaced the clamps too for good measure.

Evan

During repair

Old vs. New

Jeff@TopGearSolutions · 11-13-2015, 10:17 AM

I like the new hump couplers that are coming with ER kits. I have one myself.

Swaggywhitebeamer · 11-13-2015, 01:08 PM

WOW wish someone would do this to my car! Great work!

11-12-2015, 10:25 AM	#1
ucsbwsr Captain 588 Rep 676 Posts Drives: E61 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: CA iTrader: (0)	Some N54 wrenching leading up to SEMA 2015 Gentlemen, This year I helped my buddy David get his E61 ready for SEMA. Some of you may have seen photos of this thing floating around on the internet, which makes sense as it grabs a lot of attention. There has been A LOT of custom work done to it, including a custom metal widebody, a crazy stereo, and a full custom interior. David is the owner of VIP Modular and RSV Forged, so it makes sense this wagon is focused on wheels, fitment, and style. After giving him a ride in my 500+awhp wagon he had confidence I could help him improve the function and performance of his E61. His wagon wasn't running well and needed some attention on the maintenance and mechanical side of things. The work was done at Strasse Sport in Irwindale. David and I already have some future modifications planned but my pre-SEMA contributions to this build included the following: - Hexon RR550s - VTT Inlets + Filters - JB4 Install + BMS Backend (MHD) - New Plugs, Coils, and Injectors - SAT Transmission Software - Walnut Blasting Valves - New O2 Sensor - Oil and Coolant Flush - Improved engine bay aesthetics Hope you enjoy, Evan 4 Wagons at the shop! 2 E91s and 2 E61s (Mine was parked outside) The gauge cluster is a Christmas tree with error messages and the list of codes I pulled with INPA was very long. The car runs rough and has misfires so it is time to start with the basics. Valves and TB cleaned, new plugs installed. New injectors installed and coded Rerouted ugly hard plastic brake booster line, BEFORE AFTER Cleared a "custom" tune and flashed his car with the BMS Pump Backend via MHD. Installed a JB4 and updated the firmware. Flashed the transmission with the SAT File. He had a faulty O2 Sensor that was replaced. The last person who installed his AR Designs DPs wasn't too careful with the sensor routing... Hexons RR550s and VTT Inlets! Install time The joys of working on an xi vehicle, subframe is already dropped. Another angle Oem turbos and inlets out. Old vs. New Oem vs VTT Oem vs Hexon Cleaned up Installing studs Coolant and oil lines cleaned, new o-rings installed, and reassembled. In with the new VTT Inlet fitment So tight! VTT Inlets require some special attention to keep them from contacting belts and pulleys. Close up Another angle Luckily there is some room to work with. Zip Ties fix everything. Use one zip tie on the middle of the fan shroud and one on the far driver-side edge of the shroud, make sure they are tight and won't slide out of position as these are key areas to keep tension. Close but all good! Daylight on the correct side The Friday before SEMA. Static vs. Air A couple pics I snapped at SEMA
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11-12-2015, 10:34 AM	#2
BeastMode335i Maximus Decimus Meridius 1132 Rep 4,586 Posts Drives: F30 335i Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Down South iTrader: (2)	Dope wagons..!! I hope my throttle body comes that clean this weekend when I attempt to clean it up before reassembling everything.. (did a valve cover job so I have all that crap taken apart).. __________________ F30 335i Melbourne Red Metallic M-Sport Package
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11-12-2015, 10:55 AM	#3
Jeff@TopGearSolutions 3442 Rep 79,211 Posts Drives: C6 Z06, 09 335i, 10 335xi Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: www.TopGearSolutions.com iTrader: (37)	Wow, whoever did that o2 sensor install was clearly not paying attention to the details. Nothing chaps my butt more then mechanics doing poor work. Anyway, glad you were smart enough to pull those inlets away from the belts.
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11-12-2015, 10:47 PM	#5
332ijunkie 65 Rep 174 Posts Drives: 08 335i, 87 M52 E30, M52 E36 Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Atlanta GA iTrader: (0)	Saw it at SEMA, had no idea what was under the hood!
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11-13-2015, 09:56 AM	#7
ucsbwsr Captain 588 Rep 676 Posts Drives: E61 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: CA iTrader: (0)	David blew the CP-UP coupler off while in Vegas. The one supplied by ER was rather short and when looking at their current FMIC kit it looks like they now supply it with a 3" humped coupler. Pretty sure David received this FMIC as a sponsorship so I called ER and the person who was supposed to call me back never did so I went over to HPS and purchased one of their 4" humped couplers, the added 1" of length and hump should offer some flex and keep this from happening again. I replaced the clamps too for good measure. Evan During repair Old vs. New
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11-13-2015, 10:17 AM	#8
Jeff@TopGearSolutions 3442 Rep 79,211 Posts Drives: C6 Z06, 09 335i, 10 335xi Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: www.TopGearSolutions.com iTrader: (37)	I like the new hump couplers that are coming with ER kits. I have one myself.
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11-13-2015, 01:08 PM	#9
Swaggywhitebeamer Private First Class 7 Rep 133 Posts Drives: 2016 X3 35i MSport Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: VA iTrader: (0)	WOW wish someone would do this to my car! Great work!
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