Dinan exhaust on 335i

[Kadarin]

So today I was out sick from work (have the flu ), so decided to spend some of my day over at Dinan in Mountain View, not only to get those guys sick, but also to get an exhaust put on my BMW E92 335i Coupe. The results are:

I really like the way it sounds as compared to stock.
I wish it could be a bit louder, but this is understandable since the Dinan is essentially just a muffler swap. I'd have to swap downpipes to really open this thing up.
I am not a big fan of the Dinan exhaust tips. I don't know, I just think they could have spent a bit more money on the design. Here's what I mean:

From an angle (dirty car!)
Driver's side
Passenger side

I think I may swap these tips out for Dimisa 4" tips.

Oh, and while I was there, I had Dinan install their Stage 2 Performance Engine Software/Boost Upgrade.

The car's a whole lot faster now! More on this after I get a chance to drive it for a few days. The car's only at ~900 miles, so not even though the break in period.

 

[Apex]

Nice! That car takes to mods so well.

 

[DivideBYZero]

Not keen on the fact that the outer ring is bogus. Remap sounds like fun (also sounds like you need to get the full system to get full gains), but I personally would have waited until after the run-in period.

Bet it's a blast to drive now!

 

[Aharami]

IMO, the exhaust looks really cheap and I know that Dinan anything doesn't come cheap. Dunno why they didnt make it look better. Rolled tips look so much better

 

[exdeath]

What does the $2000 include? Is that just programming or are there physical parts like injectors and oil cooler?

Pretty retarded if its $2000 just for a computer flash...

I'm glad I can buy a $400 hand held programmer and pay $125 for a custom tune with free lifetime retuning as the car is upgraded. I just data log with the programmer on a dyno or on the road, email the logs, and get a rom image back from the best in the biz

Aren't factor boosted cars fun?

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: exdeath
What does the $2000 include? Is that just programming or are there physical parts like injectors and oil cooler?

Pretty retarded if its $2000 just for a computer flash...

I'm glad I can buy a $400 hand held programmer and pay $125 for a custom tune with free lifetime retuning as the car is upgraded. I just data log with the programmer on a dyno or on the road, email the logs, and get a rom image back from the best in the biz

Aren't factor boosted cars fun?

it's just a tune. Would be better with more supporting mods though.

 

[Kadarin]

Originally posted by: alkemyst

Originally posted by: exdeath
What does the $2000 include? Is that just programming or are there physical parts like injectors and oil cooler?

Pretty retarded if its $2000 just for a computer flash...

I'm glad I can buy a $400 hand held programmer and pay $125 for a custom tune with free lifetime retuning as the car is upgraded. I just data log with the programmer on a dyno or on the road, email the logs, and get a rom image back from the best in the biz

Aren't factor boosted cars fun?

it's just a tune. Would be better with more supporting mods though.

I could have gotten a much cheaper flash (i.e. PROcede, juicebox, or SSTT) for anywhere from $600-$1300, but the reason for going Dinan is that you're paying for Dinan to provide warranty coverage, even on incidental drivetrain damages. After all, doing this violates the BMW warranty.

 

[overst33r]

iirc, didn't Dinan want $2,000 for an oil cooler on top of the tune, for it to keep the BMW warranty?

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: mariok2006
iirc, didn't Dinan want $2,000 for an oil cooler on top of the tune, for it to keep the BMW warranty?

I believe that 335i's with the Sport package have an oil cooler already.

 

[sjwaste]

Wow, this is part of why the early 90's cars do it for me. Getting my Supra from 6 to 10 PSI was a matter of installing a boost controller, under $100 for a two stage ball and spring, no spiking, no creep. Boost was mechanically controlled and the ECU didn't even have direct input of pressures, only indirect (air flow), so factory fuel cut and such provided a margin for safety.

Is this just because it's a BMW premium, or are all factory turbo cars like that today?

 

[exdeath]

It's "just because it's a BMW" premium.

It doesn't cost anywhere near $2000 to flash a Cobra, a STI, an Evo, a VW, a diesel truck, etc.

And the warranty thing is pretty misleading. The point of voiding the warranty is because the modifications are presumed to push the mechanicals of the vehicle beyond the engineered margin of safety. If you are pushing it beyond the engineered design capabilities, you risk damaging something, period. Paying someone extra to "keep it under warranty" doesn't eliminate that physical risk.

If anything, it's more like an insurance policy and liability thing than a warranty... by charging everyone $2000 for the tune, Dinan is covered financially for the 1 in a 1000 engines they have to replace for if and when one ever fails due to their tune, if ever.

 

[exdeath]

Regarding turbos, is the 335i the one where the turbine housing is integrated to the exhaust manifold?

Any after market solutions for upgraded turbos yet? From the comments it appears their tune is border lining the efficiency of the stock turbos and being held back.

 

[overst33r]

Originally posted by: exdeath
It's "just because it's a BMW" premium.

It doesn't cost anywhere near $2000 to flash a Cobra, a STI, an Evo, a VW, a diesel truck, etc.

And the warranty thing is pretty misleading. The point of voiding the warranty is because the modifications are presumed to push the mechanicals of the vehicle beyond the engineered margin of safety. If you are pushing it beyond the engineered design capabilities, you risk damaging something, period. Paying someone extra to "keep it under warranty" doesn't eliminate that physical risk.

If anything, it's more like an insurance policy and liability thing than a warranty... by charging everyone $2000 for the tune, Dinan is covered financially for the 1 in a 1000 engines they have to replace for if and when one ever fails due to their tune, if ever.

I don't think it's the engine they worry about as much as the transmission.

 

[Kadarin]

Originally posted by: exdeath
It's "just because it's a BMW" premium.

It doesn't cost anywhere near $2000 to flash a Cobra, a STI, an Evo, a VW, a diesel truck, etc.

And the warranty thing is pretty misleading. The point of voiding the warranty is because the modifications are presumed to push the mechanicals of the vehicle beyond the engineered margin of safety. If you are pushing it beyond the engineered design capabilities, you risk damaging something, period. Paying someone extra to "keep it under warranty" doesn't eliminate that physical risk.

If anything, it's more like an insurance policy and liability thing than a warranty... by charging everyone $2000 for the tune, Dinan is covered financially for the 1 in a 1000 engines they have to replace for if and when one ever fails due to their tune, if ever.

You are absolutely correct. Dinan makes money because they believe they're not pushing the engine "beyond the margins of safety", but rather "closer to the margin of safety".

 

[Kadarin]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82

Originally posted by: mariok2006
iirc, didn't Dinan want $2,000 for an oil cooler on top of the tune, for it to keep the BMW warranty?

I believe that 335i's with the Sport package have an oil cooler already.

This is correct. 335i Coupe with Sport Package and 18" rims will have the stock oil cooler (I have this). This is the requirement for the Dinan Stage 2 flash. Dinan requires their oil cooler on their Stage 3 flash in order to warranty the engine against incidental damage.

 

[sjwaste]

You could negate a bit more of the risk by buying a more efficient intercooler. $2000, for instance, will get you something that will flow more air than that car can ever consume. Plus, if you really are pushing the efficiency of the stock turbos (ie, they're heating the intake charge significantly more than at stock boost levels), you'll not only gain safety, but also power. That is, if the Dinan-flashed ECU can correct for the denser intake charge. Otherwise you'll run lean and just approach the problem from the other angle.

EDIT: Does the 335 have an FMIC configuration, or can it be easily modified to be? If it's a top mount, I'd worry about heat.

 

[Kadarin]

Originally posted by: exdeath
Regarding turbos, is the 335i the one where the turbine housing is integrated to the exhaust manifold?

Any after market solutions for upgraded turbos yet? From the comments it appears their tune is border lining the efficiency of the stock turbos and being held back.

The stock turbos are tiny, and the current high end tunes are indeed pushing the limits of what they can do. I have not heard of an aftermarket turbo solution for the 335i yet, but I have heard some discussion of this. My guess is that it'll be a year or two before we see something.

 

[sjwaste]

This might not be a bad idea.

 

[Kadarin]

Originally posted by: sjwaste
You could negate a bit more of the risk by buying a more efficient intercooler. $2000, for instance, will get you something that will flow more air than that car can ever consume. Plus, if you really are pushing the efficiency of the stock turbos (ie, they're heating the intake charge significantly more than at stock boost levels), you'll not only gain safety, but also power. That is, if the Dinan-flashed ECU can correct for the denser intake charge. Otherwise you'll run lean and just approach the problem from the other angle.

EDIT: Does the 335 have an FMIC configuration, or can it be easily modified to be? If it's a top mount, I'd worry about heat.

I believe it's stock FMIC. There are several aftermarket FMICs available that appear to be received well by the community. From what I understand, it's not a difficult modification to change these.

In terms of safety, I think keeping the oil temp down is a greater concern.

 

[Kadarin]

Originally posted by: sjwaste
This might not be a bad idea.

There is some discussion over at e90post about whether this or the Spearco/Dinan design is better. Some have questioned RPI's dyno numbers.

 

[ayabe]

Originally posted by: Kadarin

Originally posted by: alkemyst

Originally posted by: exdeath
What does the $2000 include? Is that just programming or are there physical parts like injectors and oil cooler?

Pretty retarded if its $2000 just for a computer flash...

I'm glad I can buy a $400 hand held programmer and pay $125 for a custom tune with free lifetime retuning as the car is upgraded. I just data log with the programmer on a dyno or on the road, email the logs, and get a rom image back from the best in the biz

Aren't factor boosted cars fun?

it's just a tune. Would be better with more supporting mods though.

I could have gotten a much cheaper flash (i.e. PROcede, juicebox, or SSTT) for anywhere from $600-$1300, but the reason for going Dinan is that you're paying for Dinan to provide warranty coverage, even on incidental drivetrain damages. After all, doing this violates the BMW warranty.

Well what about your 50,000 maintenance agreement with BMW? Or is that now void as well? Or does Dinan do your oil changes etc now too?

 

[sjwaste]

They're probably going to be similar, if not identical, in performance. They're both bar and plate cores, similar dimensions, and possibly sourced from the same place. Not having either or a flowbench, end tank design looks like it's the only difference. The RPI might flow a bit more, but have a bit extra pressure drop vs the Spearco, b/c the latter has the tapered tanks.

In addition to being similar in price, I'd be willing to bet the seat of the pants dyno is identical. It's probably the next best perfomance dollar you can spend on the car since you've already done the flash.

EDIT: Oh, and dyno numbers are usually just a ballpark. You don't know whether they had a fan in front of the car to simulate road speed airflow (a good thing) or put a bag of ice on it/behind the fan (bad thing). Independent #'s would be good, but I doubt you'll notice a difference, both RPI and Spearco make high quality products.

 

[Kadarin]

Originally posted by: ayabe

Originally posted by: Kadarin

Originally posted by: alkemyst

Originally posted by: exdeath
What does the $2000 include? Is that just programming or are there physical parts like injectors and oil cooler?

Pretty retarded if its $2000 just for a computer flash...

I'm glad I can buy a $400 hand held programmer and pay $125 for a custom tune with free lifetime retuning as the car is upgraded. I just data log with the programmer on a dyno or on the road, email the logs, and get a rom image back from the best in the biz

Aren't factor boosted cars fun?

it's just a tune. Would be better with more supporting mods though.

I could have gotten a much cheaper flash (i.e. PROcede, juicebox, or SSTT) for anywhere from $600-$1300, but the reason for going Dinan is that you're paying for Dinan to provide warranty coverage, even on incidental drivetrain damages. After all, doing this violates the BMW warranty.

Well what about your 50,000 maintenance agreement with BMW? Or is that now void as well? Or does Dinan do your oil changes etc now too?

According to Dinan, this is not affected.

 

[Kadarin]

Originally posted by: sjwaste
They're probably going to be similar, if not identical, in performance. They're both bar and plate cores, similar dimensions, and possibly sourced from the same place. Not having either or a flowbench, end tank design looks like it's the only difference. The RPI might flow a bit more, but have a bit extra pressure drop vs the Spearco, b/c the latter has the tapered tanks.

In addition to being similar in price, I'd be willing to bet the seat of the pants dyno is identical. It's probably the next best perfomance dollar you can spend on the car since you've already done the flash.

EDIT: Oh, and dyno numbers are usually just a ballpark. You don't know whether they had a fan in front of the car to simulate road speed airflow (a good thing) or put a bag of ice on it/behind the fan (bad thing). Independent #'s would be good, but I doubt you'll notice a difference, both RPI and Spearco make high quality products.

I'm guessing that you're right, and that there's no significant performance difference between the two.

 

[Arkaign]

I know I've said it before, but throw the LSD on there and you'll have a more balanced package, particularly with your power upgrades.