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      02-05-2022, 01:54 AM   #1
AndyinHou
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Performance mod options

Hi guys and gals!

I've got a 2017 M2 (non comp) that has just fallen off warranty. I'm considering a performance upgrade, but haven't ever modded my car before.

I've also got my name down for the next M2, so I don't want to sink more than $1,000-1500 into the car, as I probably won't have it for much more than a year.

If it's worth jumping at any particular upgrade, what should I be jumping on?
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      02-05-2022, 03:51 AM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AndyinHou View Post
Hi guys and gals!

I've got a 2017 M2 (non comp) that has just fallen off warranty. I'm considering a performance upgrade, but haven't ever modded my car before.

I've also got my name down for the next M2, so I don't want to sink more than $1,000-1500 into the car, as I probably won't have it for much more than a year.

If it's worth jumping at any particular upgrade, what should I be jumping on?
Charge Pipe… $199
Turbo Inlet… $280
Intercooler… $329

$808
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      02-05-2022, 05:04 AM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ///M TOWN View Post
Charge Pipe… $199
Turbo Inlet… $280
Intercooler… $329

$808
+1

I would also add a diverter valve, a gfb one is really afforadable vs the turbo smart and will add alot of throttle response. I personally own a GFB unit and picked it over the turbo smart variant.

Then if you have a bit of money left, you should have about $500 get a tune like bm3 or mhd and run an OTS map. If you are able to get bm3 you can buy it new and you will have resale value down the road so you will recoup your money, or you can decide to take a hit and buy it used and potentially get it for $350 which is what they usually go for. The left over cash can be put into a catless down pipe (used again or ebay ones aren't half bad) and you will have a really sweet setup.
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      02-05-2022, 07:01 AM   #4
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Or, you could leave it alone as it's only for a year making the step up to the new one much more obvious?
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      02-05-2022, 07:04 AM   #5
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Plus, you can use the budget for sticky tires and enjoy yourself....
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      02-05-2022, 07:34 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AndyinHou View Post
Hi guys and gals!

I've got a 2017 M2 (non comp) that has just fallen off warranty. I'm considering a performance upgrade, but haven't ever modded my car before.

I've also got my name down for the next M2, so I don't want to sink more than $1,000-1500 into the car, as I probably won't have it for much more than a year.

If it's worth jumping at any particular upgrade, what should I be jumping on?
I'd spend 2 grand and get a quality intercooler, charge pipe and a BM3 stage 1
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      02-05-2022, 09:21 AM   #7
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I would get Michelin PS4S tires. 🤓
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      02-05-2022, 09:53 AM   #8
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IMO the down-pipe is the single most important mod on the car. It'll give you a small bump in power, and increase your exhaust volume and artifacts without getting too out of hand. Many guys find that after they replace the down-pipe they don't need to spend $2500 on an exhaust.

There are 2 types:

Catted: more expensive, but much less smell, a deeper tone, and NO CEL.
Catless: slightly more power, much more rasp, and more volume.

IMO if you're not keeping the car you should stop right there because even for a Stage 1 flash you're going to need a charge-pipe, and if you're not wanting to do that, then you're done. But if you are, then the charge-pipe and re-flash to Stage 1 is the next step.
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      02-05-2022, 09:59 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ///MPhatic View Post
IMO the down-pipe is the single most important mod on the car. It'll give you a small bump in power, and increase your exhaust volume and artifacts without getting too out of hand. Many guys find that after they replace the down-pipe they don't need to spend $2500 on an exhaust.

There are 2 types:

Catted: more expensive, but much less smell, a deeper tone, and NO CEL.
Catless: slightly more power, much more rasp, and more volume.

IMO if you're not keeping the car you should stop right there because even for a Stage 1 flash you're going to need a charge-pipe, and if you're not wanting to do that, then you're done. But if you are, then the charge-pipe and re-flash to Stage 1 is the next step.
Wrong. All down pipes are illegal. They change the M2s emissions.
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      02-05-2022, 10:38 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DanG View Post
Wrong. All down pipes are illegal. They change the M2s emissions.
Forgive me, I didn't see anything about legality in the original post.

Are you going to say that you never do anything illegal? If so, please carry on. But for the rest of us, legality is a line often crossed (one way or another).
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      02-05-2022, 11:07 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ///MPhatic View Post
Forgive me, I didn't see anything about legality in the original post.

Are you going to say that you never do anything illegal? If so, please carry on. But for the rest of us, legality is a line often crossed (one way or another).
One of the worst way to turn our cars into polluters is to put on a catless down pipe. Also you get a gas smell in the cockpit. No way would I ever consider it.

I have an MPE exhaust and that is plenty loud enough.
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      02-05-2022, 11:38 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DanG View Post
One of the worst way to turn our cars into polluters is to put on a catless down pipe. Also you get a gas smell in the cockpit. No way would I ever consider it.

I have an MPE exhaust and that is plenty loud enough.
Thanks for the laugh.
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      02-05-2022, 12:11 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DanG View Post
One of the worst way to turn our cars into polluters is to put on a catless down pipe. Also you get a gas smell in the cockpit. No way would I ever consider it.

I have an MPE exhaust and that is plenty loud enough.
I understand completely, and totally see your side, but you must realize that you're in the minority here.

I would say that the exhaust smell I get from my Fabspeed sport cat is super minimal, and compared to the cost of an MPE + installation ($2,100 at the very least), my $900 down-pipe (used) was a bargain.

I also think the bump in power/torque, and increased volume without being extreme, is very welcome to most owners.
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      02-05-2022, 12:26 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ///MPhatic View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by DanG View Post
Wrong. All down pipes are illegal. They change the M2s emissions.
Forgive me, I didn't see anything about legality in the original post.

Are you going to say that you never do anything illegal? If so, please carry on. But for the rest of us, legality is a line often crossed (one way or another).
You're not wrong but the viability of swapping out the downpipe and balancing the will I or won't I pass inspection isn't worth it
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      02-05-2022, 12:37 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ShortSides View Post
You're not wrong but the viability of swapping out the downpipe and balancing the will I or won't I pass inspection isn't worth it
Of course. I didn't see anything about emissions in the original post, so I recommended accordingly.

I also think that, if you're buying a used catted downpipe and keeping it only a year, you can probably get 100% of your money back, so for those of us with no sniff test it's a pretty good mod all the way around IMO.
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      02-05-2022, 05:37 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ///MPhatic View Post
...
There are 2 types:

Catted: more expensive, but much less smell, a deeper tone, and NO CEL.
Catless: slightly more power, much more rasp, and more volume.
...
Catted options have different efficiencies to minimize pollution (200 and 300 cell (or CPSI) are common). Yes, clean air has a cost. Friends don't let friends drive... catless. Find balance?

Quote:
Originally Posted by ///MPhatic View Post
Of course. I didn't see anything about emissions in the original post, so I recommended accordingly.

I also think that, if you're buying a used catted downpipe and keeping it only a year, you can probably get 100% of your money back, so for those of us with no sniff test it's a pretty good mod all the way around IMO.
Good call.

If one can get significant (?) gains from a catted downpipe, then a downpipe swap becomes more interesting. To me anyway. A small cost all things considered for not undoing the equivalent work of how many cars that are polluting less?

A sniff test, visual inspections, and CELs are nuisances. We can "feel" the pain. It is much harder to wrap one's brain around the impact one makes on everyone else when we remove the most significant part of the emission controls.

FWIW, I am no angel. AFAIK, none of us are...
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      02-05-2022, 08:47 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Zeese View Post
Friends don't let friends drive... catless. Find balance?

If one can get significant (?) gains from a catted downpipe, then a downpipe swap becomes more interesting.
To me, driving a newer car and not going overboard with the mods is the balance.

I only noticed a slight hp/tq increase with my catted dp, but I did the mod for the sound.
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      02-05-2022, 09:32 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DanG View Post
One of the worst way to turn our cars into polluters is to put on a catless down pipe. Also you get a gas smell in the cockpit. No way would I ever consider it.

I have an MPE exhaust and that is plenty loud enough.
You get some performance boost from dp too, make it easier to breathe,

but i would go with catted dp, i dont think its worth having fumes smell in your cabin
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      02-06-2022, 08:21 AM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AndyinHou View Post
Hi guys and gals!

I've got a 2017 M2 (non comp) that has just fallen off warranty. I'm considering a performance upgrade, but haven't ever modded my car before.

I've also got my name down for the next M2, so I don't want to sink more than $1,000-1500 into the car, as I probably won't have it for much more than a year.

If it's worth jumping at any particular upgrade, what should I be jumping on?
Don't waste your money on upgrades. You won't get your money back in 1 year's time when you sell and secondhand buyers and dealers prefer unmolested cars.
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      02-06-2022, 09:59 AM   #20
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Don't waste your money on upgrades. You won't get your money back in 1 year's time when you sell and secondhand buyers and dealers prefer unmolested cars.
This is generally good advice, but I've found that if you buy slightly used (easy to install) parts at a great price, with a bit of proper advertising you can get most, if not all of your money back upon sale. Of course, that means you have to undo the work you've done in the first place, which for some isn't an option.
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      02-06-2022, 03:33 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ///MPhatic View Post
IMO the down-pipe is the single most important mod on the car. It'll give you a small bump in power, and increase your exhaust volume and artifacts without getting too out of hand. Many guys find that after they replace the down-pipe they don't need to spend $2500 on an exhaust.

There are 2 types:

Catted: more expensive, but much less smell, a deeper tone, and NO CEL.
Catless: slightly more power, much more rasp, and more volume.

IMO if you're not keeping the car you should stop right there because even for a Stage 1 flash you're going to need a charge-pipe, and if you're not wanting to do that, then you're done. But if you are, then the charge-pipe and re-flash to Stage 1 is the next step.
This..
fabspeed catted dp here for about 3 years now. Plan was an exhaust afterwards, but never bothered…it's that good.

I'm potentially jumping into the g87 myself so I'm putting off any further spend. Had planned on a tune, fmic and new wheels. May still happen….we'll see..
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      02-06-2022, 04:25 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dabozo View Post
This..
fabspeed catted dp here for about 3 years now. Plan was an exhaust afterwards, but never bothered…it's that good.

I'm potentially jumping into the g87 myself so I'm putting off any further spend. Had planned on a tune, fmic and new wheels. May still happen….we'll see..
I had always planned on Stage 2, just to even the score with any stock Comp's, and give me a little wiggle room with other performance cars that were near the same specs. It didn't disappoint. Even with the OTS Stage 2 91 octane map I'm quite happy. And if I'm honest, it wasn't so expensive, compared to the car. Where I went off the deep end is with the FI-R's. They are above the cars pay grade IMO. But that's ok, I'll keep them perfect for a while, then sell them and get something reasonable.
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