First 5 performance mods to do on your E46 Street build - BMW n/a custom Revmatch tune daily driver

[@XabiIglesias]

A an average redditor kind of person here's my recommendation: First stop loosing hp, then free hp, then gain hp. Stop loosing hp: Look for vacuum leaks (ultra mega common, will mess your afr), check your vanos activation cycle (if not changed your seals are probably bad), look for exhaust leaks and just check for engine codes in general. Free hp: Weight reduction on non suspended mass (good quality 18" wheels is the sweet spot in looks/performance), Light pulleys and perhaps even an electric water pump. Gain hp: (disclaimer) Setup your car for your purpose, if it is a daily driver you will rather optimice for torque tan hp (so no m50 manifold bullshit). If you go for torque your car is pretty good left alone, catless headers are always a good option. If maxing hp you will be good with the m50 as stated on the video, you may also go for schriek cams (if you don't have a m54b30 get the intake (only intake) cam from one and swap into your engine +10 hp :D). About remaps: Don't go crazy on rpms or your oil pump nut will say: fuck this shit ima out. Remember a remap with retarded ignition will increase hp only if you use premium fuel. Another cool thing is that you can basically have ignition map switching by using your ac button. One more thing, if swapping from a 320 150 or a 323, go and buy an m52tub28 as with all the above mods (incl 330 cams) you will get arond 220 hp without any electrical hazzle. If you have a 320 170 or a 325, then go for the m54b30. Remember e46's are first good handlers, then good lookers and finally torquey cars. ¡Maximize them in that order!

[@Boltman35]

Solid advice, I think the motor suggestions are spot on.

[@bobafittness1346]

A man of culture I see on the comment section. Well put together.

[@pjay1233]

Nice roundup! I've done the coilovers, catless headers, lightweight wheels and summer tires. I have a 325ci so an engine swap is my direction. I haven't done the m50 intake, but I did do the m56 valve cover swap. I also haven't done a tune yet so that's on the list too.

[@TenzaMotorsports]

Sounds great! That’ll be a solid start.

[@iuyxdgfcgvjfyxrt]

Do the swap yet? I just got a 325 and was curious

[@jrharryman32]

I have a 2001 325ci 5spd, with a m54b30 swap, headers, a tune, 330i brake swap, 3.42 diff, RTAB replaced with toyota moog monoball type, z4 front lollipops subframe reinforcement, Aluminum valve cover catch can, Drilled and slotted rotors H&R sport springs , Yellow tag rack ,M3 seats,Xtrons android 10 head unit, alzor 881 18x8.5 wheels Car has 310k on it and engine 250k I daily it and have for years. Still have the m54b25 it had 300k on it but It still ran great I wanted the 3.0 for more power. The tune I have is supposed to be around 214hp at the wheels, so around 250hp at the flywheel. Im going to do a lightweight flywheel/clutch kit next and maybe a 3.73 diff. With the 3.42 and the manual its like 2800 rpm at 60.

[@TenzaMotorsports]

Sounds like you have quite the set up! And that 3.0 swap is the best bang for you buck on horse power. Especially if you sell your motor that you pulled. But your car is coming along nicely! Sounds like it’s a great daily. Good set up👍

[@aleksanderkurekaddc8544]

what toyota moog monoball you talking about? never heard of it

[@joezen1693]

Dude, ur my hero. Also have 01 330cic, 180k on it. Few mods but not as much as yours. Had all rubbers/hoses done years back. Runs clean ans still turns heads. Gonna work off your list and see if I can bump up a few more mods before wife knows. Haha

[@Dranreb865]

Ok. Cute

[@ESKATEUK]

@@jrharryman32 should have just bought a 330i in the first place 😂

[@DankUraniumYT]

1: Rebuilt Disa valve 2: Replace Water pump with a metal one 3: Change The valve from plastic to metal 4: Change the thermostat from plastic to metal 5: replace the rubber hoses with silicone Hoses 6: rebuild the oil pump 7: change the Expansion valve tank from plastic to metal 8: Remove the fan clutch and Replace it with a electric fan 9: Rebuild the Vanos 10: switch the water pump pulley from plastic to metal 11: Switch the air boot intake from rubber to silicone 12: Heater hose from rubber to silicone Any more leave in the comments 😅

[@adamn1915]

Your E46 is so clean. Mine is super clean too, garage kept drop top, but it’s stock lol

[@TenzaMotorsports]

I appreciate it! They are good cars👍 what model do you have?

[@marioatrucking]

Man. What hood , headlights and front bumper do u have? Man it looks so clean. I have the 04 330i auto with non project headlights. Man. It's clean.

[@GioBMX]

My 325CI is now B30 swapped. Did catless headers. And obvious coils the best mod. I feel like you missed the opportunity to mention maybe a custom X pipe for more exhaust flow.

[@TenzaMotorsports]

The biggest flow issue on these cars is the headers. Do some high flow headers, the rest of the exhaust really isn’t that bad!

[@john_808_za9]

Hey man, owner of an 2001 e39 530iA here. I learnt a great deal from this video, biggest take-away for me was the tuning part of it. Revmatch's website is very very interesting to say the least. That black e46 looks amazing, exactly the same vibe I'm going for with my e39, especially what you've done with those headlights. Any advice for getting a similar setup for the e39 headlights?

[@wayne8824]

i have the same exact car. stage 2 and straight piped

[@andydhillon1977]

Not bad. My recommendation to owners of M54B30 engines and the Porsche 986 and 996 M96 engines....don't waste your money piecing modifications together. These two engines particularly don't respond well to modifications. For the money, effort, and time, it's not worth it. I stand firmly with the notion of either saving to do a thorough build (Nickisil sleeved, bored out M96 block for the Porsches) or not doing it at all. These engines are also old enough where it's coming time to either rebuild or at least perform major service on them. I'm not saying the M54 engine is a bad engine. It's a pretty reliable engine. It, like the M96, doesn't respond well to modifications. For the money, other important things can be prioritized. If you want to see 3.XL engines respond well to mods, check out the Honda J-Series engines. 3.0L-3.7L. 300 WHP even out of the Accord's 3.0L J30A4 and J30A5s is very possible. If you do the IM and header mod, tuning, and dyno, please note the time, effort, and $ to complete the upgrades. I think that will show whether it's worth it or not. No debate after that! Anyway, just my $0.02 to contribute to your channel. I think this is an interesting debate. I love putting theory to practice. Keep up the good work!

[@ethanhoward9449]

m50 intake kills your torque almost entirely so i wouldn’t reccomend it for a daily unless your banging gears every stop sign. coils are only really necessary for track use, you can get 80% of the benefit with zhp springs and yellow bilsteins without a headache at every pothole. also the software to tune these is free for anyone with a laptop and k+dcan. tires, brakes, and new bushings throughout makes the most difference imo, don’t really need the extra 20hp at the top if you can’t transfer it to the ground.

[@corymoosesweat8077]

Gorgeous car

[@zestyjobe]

An m50 mani is a rather extreme mod to do on a dd, and honestly pretty in-depth even for a track car😂

[@TenzaMotorsports]

$500 and a day in the garage doesn’t sound very extreme to me. Plus it doesn’t hurt reliability. If anything it’s more simple than the m54 intake and allows you to do some other maintenance while in there.

[@bobafittness1346]

@@TenzaMotorsports M50 manifold works better on boosted cars. Higher airflow is better but will lose low end torque on N/A.

[@TenzaMotorsports]

That’s only true if your tuner doesn’t know how to set the car up. Revmatch can actually gain torque with the m50 manifold and gain substantial horsepower.

[@ClipBallerr]

also gets rid of the disa valve which are prone to fail right@@TenzaMotorsports

[@FELIPE8226M]

Done all these so far except the M50 intake manifold

[@TenzaMotorsports]

Good start!

[@winha1435]

If its na any M54 intake is better than M50 manifold, they used to swap those M50 for M52series engines.

[@cleanname4439]

@@winha1435 no it’s not

[@drixmonti12]

I know that koni special active suspensions that's only $500 as well. it has the ability to adjust to various roads without having to conmect to a sensors.

[@TenzaMotorsports]

That sound interesting. I’d be worried about longevity, but for $500 might be with a try!

[@deanjohnson7283]

Just to add something to the intro. If you have an M52 323i, 325i or 328i, they are the same bore as the 330. Its cheaper to stroke an engine than to buy a new one. Sure, you will spend some money on gaskets and so on, but if you are really thinking about tuning a car, those should be replaced no matter what. You need a healthy engine before you start tuning.

[@TenzaMotorsports]

Not too sure about the m52. Most all e46 have the m54. You can get a 3.0 shipped for around $1000 and if you can find one local, they normally go for a few hundred. I don’t know of any stroker kit that is that cheap. Plus the m52 only have single Vanos.

[@ShravanDwarka]

M54B30 is known for the harmonic vibration, which may cause the oil pump nut to go loose. Raising the RPM limit won't aggravate this?

[@AiimBoT-PhOeNix]

Great video man! What type of front bumper is that?

[@H4x_Smoke]

Oooo I dig this car, so sweet🍻 is it worth throwing money at my e39 530i? or should i just get an e46 330ci.

[@TenzaMotorsports]

Depends on what your end goal is?

[@alpha_13_omega]

I got 325 ci msport n its a beast

[@easydayez]

1. Dosent matter what E46 you use as long its a 323i and up 2. M50 Intake manifold Flows the same and only provides slighly more low end torq at the cost of top end... POINT LESS 3. Catless Headers literally pointless especially if your in California the proper way of doing that is making a custom exhaust system with cats 4. Summer tires are very much worth it but the ride quality will be rough compared to all season tires so imho it isnt worth it from personal experience unless YOU ARE ACTUALLY TRACKING... in that case youd have dedicated tires for that 5. Coilivers are a must but struts are also a good option as well My setup would be the ideal setup and only covers a small margin of my personal goals 1.996 Calipers 2. Stanless steel brake lines 3. Chasebay Power steering kit with cooler 4. M3 Rack swap 5. S54 CSF Oil cooler and radiator 6. Apec EC-R Silver 7. michelin pilot sport 4s (Daily Use) 8. Chassey bracing 9. Tune 10. Short shifter and new clutch

[@jasonburns161]

😂😂 I’m sorry. But none of this is true. All m54 engines are the same and doesn’t matter?? The m50 intake add torque?? Tell us you don’t know anything about the e46 without telling us you don’t know anything.

[@easydayez]

@@jasonburns161M50 intake manifold is a well known amazing peace of misinformation in the E46 community SMH

[@easydayez]

@@jasonburns161 When i mentioned Torque curve it was a typo I was thinking of the B30 intake manifold compared to the B25 long story short I know what I am talking about

[@easydayez]

@@jasonburns161 The difference between any M5x is not even worth caring a junk about you will be slow with a M52TU and remain slow with a M54B30 POINT LESS TO CARE ABOUT... the goal after you obtain a e46 should be to build up the bottom end to decide if your going NA or Turbo etc not which model to obtain smh

[@easydayez]

@@jasonburns161 I can make both of you look backwards anytime of the day TRY ME

[@pjsjustclownin1594]

My 2005 Z4 3.0L is an M54 and a 6spd. looking for an M50 intake now, any more advice or directions? Not really wanting to go with headers though.

[@Nesscesity]

Where did you get the grill and the bmw hood logo? Your car is supppperrrr clean holy shhhhhiiit

[@TenzaMotorsports]

All the parts we put on the car are linked in the build list! In the description. We made the stickers that are on the hood logo. It’s an OEM logo with vinyl overlays. Thanks for the comment

[@rolansmith9951]

Big up all e46 man dems

[@marcusvalentin5485]

Sadly catless headers is strictly illegal here in Denmark :( Emissions.. Have bought 225/35-18 brand new summer tires square setup for my 330i 00’, have bought a Winter setup 17” too. Have SS Muffler, want more Sound, mid muffler delete? Difference from ss muffler to rear muffler delete is nearly none. Suspension i want new, is 4 years Old oe suspension. Want a Max of 10mm drop front and rear since i have a really steep driveway. What would you do?

[@PigMCplayer]

you can get the cat less headers, just put universal cats right after the flanges on the headers.

[@OEMplusRESTO]

You could go for the schmiedman headers and cats. Theyre still not legal here in dk. But they do meet emissions which is a plus. Suspension id do b4/b6/b8 with eibach springs

[@marcusvalentin5485]

@@OEMplusRESTO eventually i got tá Technix headers for 100€ from a friend brand new. M tech “undervogn”

[@kylep3759]

Looking into the ECS coilover setup for my E46 330i, $886 right now. I'm currently running blown out stock suspension with cheap Godspeed lowering springs. It looks great, the ride quality is almost unbearable. Would you recommend getting the sway bar links as well or do you think I'll be alright just with the coilovers? I don't know too much about them, I've always just gone with lowering springs but it's always a shit show

[@TenzaMotorsports]

I think you have to do links. But I’m not sure. There are two different lengths. Make sure you get the right ones. It’s only an extra little bit, it’s worth it!

[@mikeb9070]

I wouldn’t run ECS, I got them when they were on sale for half the price, rears blew within a year. Drove the car less than 5k miles too and it wasn’t lowered past the fender gap. Buy bc with swift

[@BoonWasDOA]

I live in Florida and it’s basically always summer down here can I just go full on summer tire like 100% or would that not be reasonable

[@TenzaMotorsports]

As long as you get ones that can handle rain. That would be a great way to get more performance out of your car.

[@sedericklevendal8338]

Hi all i own a 2004 330i automatic fullhouse mile 182398 very nice car ❤ it just one thing spend to much on fuel that all

[@pushbikemxvlogs5946]

Mate I was expecting you to drive this and show us the exhaust sound

[@TenzaMotorsports]

The exhaust on this car is super quiet at the moment. We drive and show the car more in other videos

[@pushbikemxvlogs5946]

@@TenzaMotorsports can’t wait

[@TenzaMotorsports]

You don’t have to wait! kzbin.info/www/bejne/mmrcp62wZrOnhJYsi=GG4HY2G6UEr6Q1j6 kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZnrEfWSFbr2jeK8si=_90yH4XFaA0hnw0T kzbin.info/www/bejne/sImapJmEep2LgLssi=hx-vlXYs9-cWefFZ kzbin.info/www/bejne/eHK0Y2eMd7ajg5osi=DytaEzlB2omSOTSC

[@thetippingtimes]

What about the 330 convertible?

[@Pthejefe]

What year is this bmw?

[@driver_18]

Hi Tenza, I'm really interested with your recommended headers. Are they Dyno tested? Like, any idea how much potential gains on an M54b30?

[@TenzaMotorsports]

Revmatch would know more about the specific numbers. The oem header are not designed for flow at all. I’ve heard numbers like 20wheel gains with a proper tune.

[@driver_18]

@@TenzaMotorsports awesome! I'd be lining up for a set soon. Thanks

[@TenzaMotorsports]

Order from revmatch asap! They order in batches and sometimes they are a long wait. If you tell them Tenza sent you, they give you a discount.

[@driver_18]

@TenzaMotorsports thanks! Will definitely mention you. Keep it up with the videos, my 330ci is following your footsteps.

[@dbsilas2554]

@@driver_18felt

[@tanegashima1121]

i have a bmw e46 325i 2005 how hard would it be to swap in a 330i engine would it just be plug and play with a tune or would it be more difficult the car is real clean and 330is are really hard to come by here all of them are either blown or crashed or rusted or neglected

[@TenzaMotorsports]

Drop in plug and play. Just needs a tune. Revmatch does all our tuning. Super easy stuff.

[@ozan45]

im 16 with a 325ci with 120k kms on it, i think an engine swap is simply out of my budget, is there anything else u recommend, i don’t wanna cheap out on parts as i want the parts i buy to last. I recently installed e46a12s head unit from eonon and reverse camera and blacked out gloss grill other than that its stock

[@kevinmcgannon1630]

U have options bro. Start with a K&N CAI (short better than long), then an exhaust (like the Rogue Engineering DMS), power pullies (frees up existing hp) and a tune (Shark by BMW Master Jim Conforti is a good option), suspension ( eibach/koni combo or coilovers) and light wheels/tires. You'll be thrilled.

[@Yumuura-ze5qp]

Dont get the k&n cai, thats total nonsense and a waste of money. One thing you can do that actually does something is to get the 3.0 intake manfiold with the disa, throttle body and and intake boot. You could change the MAF sensor and the airbox, but you dont really need to, leave the rest stock and maybe mod the ccv system so the engine doesnt suck in the oil vapor, then do a tune on it, change of the Software is necessary. Make sure your car hasnt any vacuum leaks with a smoke test and make sure vanos and everything else works how it should before doing the tune.

[@lefishe3068]

Like you can legally swap the engine in europe… also the one I am looking at is a 325ci. I think it’s enough for a daily driver.

[@TenzaMotorsports]

Get the 3.0. They are better all the way around. I’ve owned the 2.5 as a daily. Worth it to get the 330.

[@lefishe3068]

@@TenzaMotorsports yeah… thing is that I have looked for a 330 but I could not find one. Also I have a few things like, I want it to be petrol powered, and I want it to be manual. And the M3 version is way too expensive… and the 325 is already better than an average car.

[@snox3616]

@@lefishe3068 You know that he is talking about the 330i not 330d right?

[@lefishe3068]

@@TenzaMotorsports lowest I found for a 3.0 was 8k.

[@modernerdadaismus8430]

Well sucks that in my country, there is no legal way to go catless on the headers :p

[@TenzaMotorsports]

Sorry to hear you don’t live a place that respects freedom. Should be able to get some performance one and not violate the laws that violate your freedoms

[@modernerdadaismus8430]

@@TenzaMotorsports Yea that is my ongoing plan to buy a custom made 200 cell cat high performance header. The drawback is the price. 6000€ 😂 The only way to get it to work with a licence in germany lol. Due to that price its actually my least prioritized part to plan though.

[@FDSGarage]

What size wheels are you running I’m looking for a pair for mine?

[@TenzaMotorsports]

They are a 18x10.5 rear and 18x9.5 front.

[@soullessrider2089]

Isnt the b25 the cast Iron block while the b30 has the Aluminium One so the b25 is a Bit more durable ?

[@TenzaMotorsports]

No. All m54 engines have aluminum blocks. In fact all the blocks are the same just in general. You can swap them around if needed.

[@hassanalhaddar9654]

Hello there ...with the mods you say how many WHP can be with m54 3.0L ??

[@CHRISANDREOU4199]

That looks meaner than any generation of m3

[@f1fork]

@tenzamotorsports Yayyyy coil-overs are for "raising and lowering your car" -- no, they're not. Any performance oriented "advisor -- cough cough" knows this. Hey! Why are coil-overs used for performance? YOU get first crack :)

[@TenzaMotorsports]

Street build. This is a list for daily driver street modifications. 99.99% of coil over use on the street is to play with ride height. Set up the stiffness and rebound once and be done.

[@salsamano2083]

I got stock m3 rims on my 330ci should I go for a small rim or thicker tire , it does rub if I hit a bump on the freeway

[@TenzaMotorsports]

Roll your fenders

[@cheetogang879]

Is a 325i fine lol I got that 2004 as well that’s what I’m working with

[@TenzaMotorsports]

330 is the better car over all. Engine, transmission, drive shaft, brakes.

[@curtokay8046]

My 330xi is stock 14900 miles is that a good car to start

[@TenzaMotorsports]

14,900?? or 149,000. just had to ask.

[@Manchild..wisedumb101]

To create a subaru ish sound Do.u think one header an a stock manifold so unequal would accomplish that sound? There isnt uel headers for these.. help!!

[@ESKATEUK]

These will never, EVER sound anything like a Subaru. And I’m not sure why you’d even want that. Subarus sound like they do because they’re a boxer flat 4 engine. This is a straight 6, like comparing apples and oranges.

[@Manchild..wisedumb101]

So my 2.5.. is pointless?? Oh an where an how can I get un equal length headers??

[@TenzaMotorsports]

It’s not pointless, it’s just not worth the time and money to try and get a lot of horsepower out of that engine. I’m not sure if they are equal length or not, but the only place I order headers from now is Revmatch. revmatchmotorsport.com/shop/p/catlessheaders

[@alpha_13_omega]

Not pointless u just got a bit more work to do,you can always bore it out to 3L or 3.2L like m3,that's if your pockets are deep enough

[@antoniobarrientos1230]

Nice video, I got a E46 m54 325i 2004 ,and I want to know to get some headers not to expensive for this car please ,let me know 😀

[@TenzaMotorsports]

Revmatch. They have the best prices.

[@jamescharteris9168]

M50b20 or b25 intake manifold?

[@TenzaMotorsports]

B25. which ever option is larger!

[@cristianmatinen6122]

I would not change the stock intake from m54b30 to m50 intake on your daily. You lose all low end and only gain aprox 20hp topend, and would need tune. Better to stay with stock intake for daily.

[@rileymarshall4689]

With a good tune you don’t really loose any low end at all!

[@andydhillon1977]

@@rileymarshall4689 Have any proof of this claim?

[@thisdoesnotseemtomeetourna3356]

The torque you lose is very minimal. But also a remap on stock B30 intake is not going to be far from M50 one. (NA talking)

[@rileymarshall4689]

@@andydhillon1977yes. dyno results. There plenty posted online as well. Seen several in forums with 1-3wtq GAIN in low rpm’s with the correct tuning.

[@mariolanderosgarcia5373]

But will we be able to clear the check engine light? Is there a light if we swap it? I’ve been really hesitant

[@E90M3ZCPS65]

Where do you buy the headers now?

[@TenzaMotorsports]

revmatchmotorsport.com/shop/p/catlessheaders

[@seankaine2411]

I have the e46 330ci zhp model only thing its a auto

[@TenzaMotorsports]

Sounds like you have a good daily!

[@Savorychicken41]

I don’t understand why not just buy a m3? They are still affordable and are a bargain of the century

[@TenzaMotorsports]

A cheap cheap cheap m3 is 10k+ and a manual coupe is hard to find under 17k. You can find a 330 manual for under 5k. That’s a huge difference. You add insurance and the fact the m3 is slightly more expensive overall. An m54 is worth modifying.

[@pushbikemxvlogs5946]

You didn’t even show us the full modded car

[@TenzaMotorsports]

There is an entire playlist on this car. 41, videos as of today, showing In detail everything we did. kzbin.info/aero/PLvMor9NVOSn76RAX8ipSTVmsRy3Z8BtGV&si=uF8cajyshvyYU35s

[@hassanalhaddar9654]

So sad i do not see any response from your good channel 😔

[@Nathaniel._Reed]

would those headers fit on a 2001 330ci?

[@TenzaMotorsports]

The ones the Revmatch sales are a perfect fit as long as you get ones for your specific car.

[@Nathaniel._Reed]

@@TenzaMotorsports yes I just ask bc those say for 330i so I didn’t know exactly so they should then rigjt?

[@Yaroslav_Tselovanskyi]

Buying non-OEM expendable parts is not a good idea for a daily driver, especially if we're talking about things that come in pairs. I'd say it's ok to buy things like an aftermarket polyurethane guibo or other singular things like that, since when it breaks - you can always replace it with OEM one in the same day. But buying aftermarket suspension for a daily driver is stupid, when one of its coilovers break - you're fucked for days! All because you can't just replace it with the OEM one.

[@andydhillon1977]

What are you talking about? OEM shocks are absolute garbage. Many aftermarket options that are a huge upgrade and will last longer. Koni STR.T shocks are leaps and bounds better, and come with a lifetime warranty.

[@ruskibruski]

@@andydhillon1977right most aftermarket coil overs are actually better than the stock suspension and will last way longer

[@s0ldi621]

If you don’t have M3, sell your car and get it. Simple

[@TenzaMotorsports]

I’d love to have an m3 but the more I build and modify, I don’t think I’d buy one to track build.

[@sonnynudds7962]

I have a 325ci (M54B25) I enjoy it a lot. Gear ratios are better if you want to turbo it too.

[@joseblanco9926]

I have a 1999 328i 5speed how hard would it be to swap to a 330 would I need new harnesses? Or can I use the ones it has

[@TenzaMotorsports]

I can’t say for sure. 1999 is pretty early. But I think they are the same. Only thing to look out for is manual vs auto transmission plugs