323i Touring / 323Ci
- Thread starter Kitten
- 163 comments
- 30,792 views
- 11,511
- United States
Borla Catback installed; had to modify it a bit; however if I got M54 Headers, or M54 Catless I wouldn't of had to modify it to fit M52/TU Headers. Oh well.
Other news; M3 Cluster is fully retrofitted in, with 4.0LCM.
[Oil Temp/Shift Lights/SMG Display, basically everything works on the cluster]
- No Tamper Dot either (Just need to adjust miles now)
Other news; M3 Cluster is fully retrofitted in, with 4.0LCM.
[Oil Temp/Shift Lights/SMG Display, basically everything works on the cluster]
- No Tamper Dot either (Just need to adjust miles now)
- 11,511
- United States
This morning was rather productive.
- Reset Steering Angle Sensor, this fixed my DSC issues i was having, INPA showed it as-well it needed to be calibrated.
- Swapped my ECU over to DGMaps, later today SAP will be re-added since NYS needs it for emission reasons.
- Did a pretty good wash, it was filthy!
ECU Features ->
- EWS Delete
- Remap for more power and torque
- "Hardcut" limiter
- Secondary O2 delete
- E-thermostat mod for better engine cooling
- Raised Rev Limiter 7,000RPM
- Crackle Map
Honestly I love it! Its just a few crackles which is tasteful.
Here's a clip;
- Reset Steering Angle Sensor, this fixed my DSC issues i was having, INPA showed it as-well it needed to be calibrated.
- Swapped my ECU over to DGMaps, later today SAP will be re-added since NYS needs it for emission reasons.
- Did a pretty good wash, it was filthy!
ECU Features ->
- EWS Delete
- Remap for more power and torque
- "Hardcut" limiter
- Secondary O2 delete
- E-thermostat mod for better engine cooling
- Raised Rev Limiter 7,000RPM
- Crackle Map
Honestly I love it! Its just a few crackles which is tasteful.
Here's a clip;
- 11,511
- United States
After driving Wagon for a good 1,000 miles or so I can finally give you some thoughts on the KONI Yellow w/ EIBACH Pro Springs;
Its going to be pretty challenging to compare the original struts considering they were quite blown. However, it is quite noticeably more "tight'" and the comfort is beyond surprising. It is for sure a bit more stiff to the non-sport springs/struts; (Current Adjustment: Rear 2 Turns, Front 2.5 Turns). There is definitely less body roll, and much better turn in. I am beyond happy that i choose this setup.Its such a great daily setup, it soaks up bumps pretty darn well handles turns so well and lowers the wagon the right amount where it is still perfect for daily driving. It handles like its on rails especially with General GMaxRS 245/45R18's.
Now what's my thoughts on the Borla Catback? It took a bit of modifying to fit considering it was made for M54 Headers. However after flipping the flanges and making a slight extension to the header flange it ended up fitting perfectly. The cold start on this is absolutely wonderful its a bit more loud on idle on cold start(nice growl to it); however when it warms up it does get quieter. It's a great daily catback, no drone whatsoever, and when you accelerate hard you can hear the M52 wake up and between 2500-4500 rpm is where you hear a nice throaty sound from the glorious Inline 6.
Ontop of this modification I have a modified DME from DGMaps, and Dan remapped Power/Torque raised the Rev Limit to 7k, some other goodies too. Lets not forgot subtle burbles which are just the right amount where its not annoying, and I have realized those burbles equate to smiles, and my MPG has literally dropped significantly because of it as-well driving in 2-3rd gear in backroads so i can hear that glorious inline-6. Im now considering getting headers with a high flow cat since my Dan already removed my rear o2's from the DME.
I did do a 50 mile drive the other day on some windy backroads after work since it was such a nice day and i reset my MPG Counter and was able to average about 31mpg ish which is astonishing! The more I drive the wagon the more I appreciate, and astonished on how great of a chassis the E46 is. From the steering feel, to the response of the M52TU and how well it handles.
Black Friday of 2019 I snagged a pair of Opaque LED Angel Eyes, and 2.5" H1 Bi-Xenon HID Projector Retrofit Kit from Angel Eye Guy since there was a sale. I finally got to installing them, It's not too tricky to install however it is quite tedious. Also PSA; Don't adjust your Projectors in the middle of summer when its 80* outside because the amount of moths that ended up in my headlights was absurd since I had the headlight covers off so i could get the projector straight.
Winter - Spring 2021 Plans?
On the list so far;
Its going to be pretty challenging to compare the original struts considering they were quite blown. However, it is quite noticeably more "tight'" and the comfort is beyond surprising. It is for sure a bit more stiff to the non-sport springs/struts; (Current Adjustment: Rear 2 Turns, Front 2.5 Turns). There is definitely less body roll, and much better turn in. I am beyond happy that i choose this setup.Its such a great daily setup, it soaks up bumps pretty darn well handles turns so well and lowers the wagon the right amount where it is still perfect for daily driving. It handles like its on rails especially with General GMaxRS 245/45R18's.
Now what's my thoughts on the Borla Catback? It took a bit of modifying to fit considering it was made for M54 Headers. However after flipping the flanges and making a slight extension to the header flange it ended up fitting perfectly. The cold start on this is absolutely wonderful its a bit more loud on idle on cold start(nice growl to it); however when it warms up it does get quieter. It's a great daily catback, no drone whatsoever, and when you accelerate hard you can hear the M52 wake up and between 2500-4500 rpm is where you hear a nice throaty sound from the glorious Inline 6.
Ontop of this modification I have a modified DME from DGMaps, and Dan remapped Power/Torque raised the Rev Limit to 7k, some other goodies too. Lets not forgot subtle burbles which are just the right amount where its not annoying, and I have realized those burbles equate to smiles, and my MPG has literally dropped significantly because of it as-well driving in 2-3rd gear in backroads so i can hear that glorious inline-6. Im now considering getting headers with a high flow cat since my Dan already removed my rear o2's from the DME.
I did do a 50 mile drive the other day on some windy backroads after work since it was such a nice day and i reset my MPG Counter and was able to average about 31mpg ish which is astonishing! The more I drive the wagon the more I appreciate, and astonished on how great of a chassis the E46 is. From the steering feel, to the response of the M52TU and how well it handles.
Black Friday of 2019 I snagged a pair of Opaque LED Angel Eyes, and 2.5" H1 Bi-Xenon HID Projector Retrofit Kit from Angel Eye Guy since there was a sale. I finally got to installing them, It's not too tricky to install however it is quite tedious. Also PSA; Don't adjust your Projectors in the middle of summer when its 80* outside because the amount of moths that ended up in my headlights was absurd since I had the headlight covers off so i could get the projector straight.
Winter - Spring 2021 Plans?
On the list so far;
- 330i Front Calipers/Rotors
- Electric Fan Conversion
- Expansion/Cooling System Refresh
- Accessory Drive Belt Refresh (one of the belt tensioner is squealing)
- Front/Rear Fog Light Retrofit
- Hopefully find the leak for my A/C and get that operational again.
- Thicker Front/Rear Swaybars
- Hopefully get to do rear RTAB's
- 3,475
- Vilnius
Very nice result so far!
Can confirm the projector install being tedious. I did mine over a year ago, in the end I had to epoxy the projector shrouds on as they did not stay in place well and still in the cold they start to vibrate in the headlight. More epoxy needed
Can confirm the projector install being tedious. I did mine over a year ago, in the end I had to epoxy the projector shrouds on as they did not stay in place well and still in the cold they start to vibrate in the headlight. More epoxy needed
- 11,511
- United States
Very nice result so far!
Can confirm the projector install being tedious. I did mine over a year ago, in the end I had to epoxy the projector shrouds on as they did not stay in place well and still in the cold they start to vibrate in the headlight. More epoxy needed
I believe it took me about 10 hours to install or so.
- 11,511
- United States
Ah Goodness!
Update Time?
- Passenger Front Window Regulator finally had enough after 20 years, so that needs to be replaced.
- Replaced Blower Motor Resistor (Must say it was a PITA to do)
- Hardwired my Uniden R7, plus Escort M1 (waiting on blendmount)
- Change Front Right A-Pillar; it was pealing.
Update Time?
- Passenger Front Window Regulator finally had enough after 20 years, so that needs to be replaced.
- Replaced Blower Motor Resistor (Must say it was a PITA to do)
- Hardwired my Uniden R7, plus Escort M1 (waiting on blendmount)
- Change Front Right A-Pillar; it was pealing.
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- 11,511
- United States
We are already in October, goodness this year went by fast! With that being said; I don't have much time left before Wagon gets put into storage.
I have already planned out what my priorities are during winter/early spring.
First on the plate is 330i Brake Upgrade on all 4 corners! I have a pretty bad wheel bearing in my right rear, squeaky RTAB's, and lastly a sticky front caliper. Might as-well go all out and not needing to deal with it for quite some time! Cheers to (@Archbid, and @VpointVick from E46Fanatic) for helping with the couple other pieces I needed to make this swap!
Other Plans;
Clutch Fan/Aux Fan Delete and swap over to Electric Fan and since I am in that area ill attack the Cooling System refresh, new tensioners and belts, and hopefully fix my A/C Leak. Would be quite nice having working A/C again.
That makes me think as-well of doing proper harness for the projectors; they are kind of sketch atm. I would like to clean up the engine bay of the angel eye wiring, and the projectors; make it all nice and tidy!
That brings to my next point; I am heavily consider getting headers; my DGMaps DME already deleted the Post-O2, and I would like a bit more sound to pair with my Borla Catback.
- 11,511
- United States
News? Well, I am now living near Philadelphia and wagon is no more in storage! Currently being a daily driver, got the rear right bearing replaced because it exploded basically. The shop discovered that my valve cover was starting to leak, so this might be a good time to retrofit a M56 Valve Cover. Other then that, she is quite healthy!
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Photoshoot in Peace Valley Park - Bucks County.
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Photoshoot in Peace Valley Park - Bucks County.
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- 11,511
- United States
Good News
Got my Racing-Dynamic headers installed last night; took a good 8-10 hours. Taking off the old headers was super easy, but installing the aftermarket headers took absolutely forever, the bank 1 O2 was a nightmare to get in. Even though it was an absolute pain, it was worth it! it sounds absolutely insane paired with the Borla Cat Back. Surprisingly, there is no drone as-well.
I did buy a whole M56 Valve Cover with beauty cover, dip stick, brand new gaskets with other goodies too. Which is exciting, and excited to start that project, going to be nice having a non-leaky valve cover that stinks oil.
Bad News
I was driving to work couple days ago, and I hit a decent tree branch that took out a chunk out of my front bumper. It could of definitely been worst, which I am thankful for. Its not too noticeable, until you look closer. Maybe I can find an Orientblue Bumper in the future, but for now it will have to wait.
Got my Racing-Dynamic headers installed last night; took a good 8-10 hours. Taking off the old headers was super easy, but installing the aftermarket headers took absolutely forever, the bank 1 O2 was a nightmare to get in. Even though it was an absolute pain, it was worth it! it sounds absolutely insane paired with the Borla Cat Back. Surprisingly, there is no drone as-well.
I did buy a whole M56 Valve Cover with beauty cover, dip stick, brand new gaskets with other goodies too. Which is exciting, and excited to start that project, going to be nice having a non-leaky valve cover that stinks oil.
Bad News
I was driving to work couple days ago, and I hit a decent tree branch that took out a chunk out of my front bumper. It could of definitely been worst, which I am thankful for. Its not too noticeable, until you look closer. Maybe I can find an Orientblue Bumper in the future, but for now it will have to wait.
- 3,475
- Vilnius
How do you find the Eibach springs after a while? The iX spacers seem like they do a lot to keep the ride height on the better side on the rear, but how's the springrate?
Regarding the rear, I've not fitted the spring spacers on mine as I ended up not being able to find them, but the rate alone feels like it's way too soft for a touring. Maybe the stock-spec shocks accentuate that, but with 5 people in the car the rear just goes off to bumpstops over bumps it seems, sending it bouncing even more.
Regarding the rear, I've not fitted the spring spacers on mine as I ended up not being able to find them, but the rate alone feels like it's way too soft for a touring. Maybe the stock-spec shocks accentuate that, but with 5 people in the car the rear just goes off to bumpstops over bumps it seems, sending it bouncing even more.
- 11,511
- United States
I have put about 6,600 miles on Eibach Springs w/ IX spring pads, I do have KONI Yellows in the rear, and the dampening is adjustable. I believe I did make them a bit more stiff in the rear to compensate the rear wagon weight. I have had no issues, and I absolutely love this setup.
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- 11,511
- United States
Since last update; quite a bit has been done!
I have acquired a ZF 5 Speed from a E36 and that will soon be swapped in. I'll be doing subframe reinforcements, and as-well swapping over to M3 Trailing Arms so I can run Z32 rear calipers.
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- ZHP Control Arms, Z4M (E85/E86) Front Control Arm Bushing, Tie Rods, End Links, and M3 RTABs w/ Limiters.
- PSM Z32 Front Calipers
- MTech 1 Front Bumper
- Replaced General GMax AS-05's with a fresh set of Michelin AS4's
- Electric Fan Conversion
- M56 Valve Cover Retrofit
I have acquired a ZF 5 Speed from a E36 and that will soon be swapped in. I'll be doing subframe reinforcements, and as-well swapping over to M3 Trailing Arms so I can run Z32 rear calipers.
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ROAD_DOGG33J
Premium
- 14,214
- IL, USA
- holyc0w1
- holyc0w
Got a lot of things going on here. You went full in.
- 11,511
- United States
Much appreciated!
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Update Part II:
Ended up finding a couple weeks ago a Gruppe M Intake for a 330i on FB Marketplace and got it for a steal 290$! (Brand new these go for like 800$). Just need to get a 3.5" to 3" coupler, however this will do for now.
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-> I did make an overkill spreadsheet. 😂 spreadsheet
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Sound Clip: This thing sounds absolutely incredible with Headers & Borla.
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ROAD_DOGG33J
Premium
- 14,214
- IL, USA
- holyc0w1
- holyc0w
That is a steal on the Gruppe M intake. I went with a used AFE dry intake system, as I didn't want to shell out the money for the Gruppe M.
- 11,511
- United States
I finally was able to do some spirited driving and test out these new calipers, and I must say I am beyond impressed. The confidence of the braking power, and feel is fantastic. I can't really compare my old calipers, because of the fact the passenger front caliper was sporadically sticking and under spirited driving you'd get shudder out of the brake pedal. Besides that I am very content and glad I went this route.
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Tonight I threw my wallet at FCPEuro. I bought all brand new bolts for mounting the ZF, driveshaft, trans brace as-well OEM trans mounts. I also bought everything for the shifter linkage which I decided to go E60 Shifter route. After reading around reading around, it seemed like a good factory short throw option. I wont reuse my center support and guibo that I just replaced on my auto driveshaft, and ill buy new for both. I will replace the centering sleeve and re-greasing the CV joints and it should be all set to go in. I did buy new O2 sensors as-well, more or less preventive maintenance at 134k
I also bought stainless steel clutch line, and clutch stop, and EGR block-off plate (time to remove my SAP. Since my 323iT is 2000, I have the freedom of having 2 not ready monitors.) from gargastic.
Essentially, everything will be new and should be a great feeling clutch and shifter!
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Tonight I threw my wallet at FCPEuro. I bought all brand new bolts for mounting the ZF, driveshaft, trans brace as-well OEM trans mounts. I also bought everything for the shifter linkage which I decided to go E60 Shifter route. After reading around reading around, it seemed like a good factory short throw option. I wont reuse my center support and guibo that I just replaced on my auto driveshaft, and ill buy new for both. I will replace the centering sleeve and re-greasing the CV joints and it should be all set to go in. I did buy new O2 sensors as-well, more or less preventive maintenance at 134k
I also bought stainless steel clutch line, and clutch stop, and EGR block-off plate (time to remove my SAP. Since my 323iT is 2000, I have the freedom of having 2 not ready monitors.) from gargastic.
Essentially, everything will be new and should be a great feeling clutch and shifter!
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For sure! It makes some incredible noise.
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- 11,511
- United States
Say Hello to Stella! It’s a 2000 323Ci with 133k miles paired with a 5 Speed. Notable options is Harmon Kardon w/ Garage Door Opener under the mirror. Beyond immaculate condition, and been dealer maintained it’s entire life.
This will be my new daily! Yes, i still have the wagon! However daily duties will be done with this stunning 323Ci!
This will be my new daily! Yes, i still have the wagon! However daily duties will be done with this stunning 323Ci!
