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      02-24-2021, 05:29 PM   #1
whatevs
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Throttle body spacer

Was trying to read up on some easy bolt ons to improve performance, and came across throttle body spacer. Does this really improve performance? Anybody did this, and are there any issues with doing this?
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      02-24-2021, 06:46 PM   #2
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No performance benefit.
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      02-24-2021, 06:52 PM   #3
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None... zero... ziltch... Only "benefit" is if you had a turbo car, and needed a means to add in an analog boost gauge since some have meth ports you can tap into.
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      02-24-2021, 07:00 PM   #4
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Not trying to mix up topics, but what about cold air intake? Does that help with performance?
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      02-24-2021, 07:06 PM   #5
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No, a CAI only improves engine sound
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      02-24-2021, 07:11 PM   #6
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Honestly, the only benefit will be a cat-back exhaust for minor gains. You can do the downpipe which will gain you more, but true benefit is with a flash tune like BM3 or MHD.
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      02-24-2021, 07:21 PM   #7
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I was trying to see if there are any easy bolt on's to get some modest gains without tunes. Only looking to get 20-30whp but doesnt look like there are many options.
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      02-24-2021, 08:02 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by whatevs View Post
Not trying to mix up topics, but what about cold air intake? Does that help with performance?
Read my thread if you want probably the most detailed review and analysis of intakes on this platform: https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1765289

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Originally Posted by whatevs View Post
I was trying to see if there are any easy bolt on's to get some modest gains without tunes. Only looking to get 20-30whp but doesnt look like there are many options.
DP is really the only bolt on mod that "directly" increases HP, but you have to be careful with a load-based tune, because gains are minimal if you are already meeting load targets on stock tune for example. Although peak HP may not increase, you still benefit from other things like improved throttle response, sound, etc.

You can read my virtual dyno thread for more: https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1710794
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      02-24-2021, 09:00 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by whatevs View Post
Not trying to mix up topics, but what about cold air intake? Does that help with performance?
The stock intake is a cold air intake. While on the subject, if you can see the air filter under the hood it's not a cold air intake.
Quote:
I was trying to see if there are any easy bolt on's to get some modest gains without tunes. Only looking to get 20-30whp but doesnt look like there are many options.
It's not a Toyota, it's a BMW. The 328 bone stock gets as much HP as the average 6 banger.
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      02-24-2021, 11:03 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by whatevs View Post
I was trying to see if there are any easy bolt on's to get some modest gains without tunes. Only looking to get 20-30whp but doesnt look like there are many options.
You will get a small performance bump by switching to a free flow airfilter such as an aFe or K&N.

IMO your best bang for the buck by far is the BootMod3 Stage1 tune. Smooth and powerful like it came that way from the factory.
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      02-25-2021, 08:05 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by johnung View Post
You will get a small performance bump by switching to a free flow airfilter such as an aFe or K&N.

IMO your best bang for the buck by far is the BootMod3 Stage1 tune. Smooth and powerful like it came that way from the factory.
If you use an oiled air filter (like K&N) be very sure to follow the instructions because getting oil on the MAF is not a good thing.
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      02-25-2021, 09:09 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by COKen View Post
If you use an oiled air filter (like K&N) be very sure to follow the instructions because getting oil on the MAF is not a good thing.
Exactly. In the end, you will end up spending hundreds to replace a very good intake only to get a CEL.

Have you thought about lighter wheels? It doesn't exactly add HP but it would free it up.
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      02-25-2021, 01:25 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by COKen View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by johnung View Post
You will get a small performance bump by switching to a free flow airfilter such as an aFe or K&N.

IMO your best bang for the buck by far is the BootMod3 Stage1 tune. Smooth and powerful like it came that way from the factory.
If you use an oiled air filter (like K&N) be very sure to follow the instructions because getting oil on the MAF is not a good thing.
FYI- an aFe Pro Dry is a non-oiled filter that is washable and reusable. Photo shows an aFe Pro Dry for the F3x N55 in 335i/435i
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      02-25-2021, 03:26 PM   #14
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Thank you for the input guys! Looks like a tune is a better bang for the buck rather than the bolt ons I was looking to Add. Waiting for the warranty to expire.
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      02-25-2021, 04:11 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by whatevs View Post
Waiting for the warranty to expire.
Why? This comes up all the time. I used to feel the same way, until someone basically said: If you mod out of warranty, you have no chance of anything getting covered. If you mod in warranty, you at least have a chance of getting something covered. It's not like the tune has less of a chance of causing any problem after your warranty expires lol.

Just my 2c. Everyone's risk tolerance is different. Also note that tuning doesnt impact your warranty at all for anything unrelated to tune. Also note that technically any non-BMW/unapproved modification can impact your warranty for something BMW can say the mod caused. Boltons are in that category.
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      02-28-2021, 05:25 PM   #16
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Okay ... Looks like BM3 Stage 1 is my best bet to get some modest gains (again only looking to get ym car upto 270-300 whp range). Can I do this myself? or shpuld I go to a shop? If i am to do this myself, what should I do?
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      02-28-2021, 07:31 PM   #17
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Yes, stupid easy to do (under 30 minutes of your time). All you need is the enet to OBDII cable, and a computer. You probably can do it off mobile as well (just never tried).

I wouldn't waste your time/money going to a shop. For me, buying the license, to receiving the email to finalizing the update was 30 minutes -- on a sunday!
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      03-03-2021, 03:29 PM   #18
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One last question (maybe) - Am looking to get only one map - Stage 1 with 91 octane, and Stage 1 with 93 octane. Would it matter if I picked the 93 octane map but used 91 or should I get the 91 Octane map?
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      03-03-2021, 05:07 PM   #19
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Whats the best place to buy the tune? I saw Kies and extreme power house mentioned in some of the posts. Any suggestions?
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      03-03-2021, 06:44 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by whatevs View Post
One last question (maybe) - Am looking to get only one map - Stage 1 with 91 octane, and Stage 1 with 93 octane. Would it matter if I picked the 93 octane map but used 91 or should I get the 91 Octane map?
Absolutely do not run a higher octane map then the fuel you have in the car. In fact, in most cases, people need to run a lower octane map than the fuel they have in the car, if your fuel quality isnt great. For example most people in pacific NW have 92 or 93 pump gas but need to run the 91 map for clean timing. Similar for people around tri state area with 93. You need to start with the 91 map and datalog to see if your fuel quality is good enough.

Further still, there is a ACN map for those of us with terrible quality 91 (AZ, CA, NM).
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      03-03-2021, 06:46 PM   #21
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Whats the best place to buy the tune? I saw Kies and extreme power house mentioned in some of the posts. Any suggestions?
I went directly to pro tuning freaks and bought the BM3 right off their website. If you need the ENET to OBD2 cable, Amazon has a ton of links.

You can go through the ones listed above, but I personally prefer direct vs middle man if I can.
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      03-04-2021, 08:18 AM   #22
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Whats the best place to buy the tune? I saw Kies and extreme power house mentioned in some of the posts. Any suggestions?
XPH gives discounts to forum members. Hit up mike@x-ph.com
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