Drift Spec E46 328i facelift (not sure of the year) | The Car Community | Page 1

old dew Sep 7, 2023, 9:57 AM

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Could anyone tell me if an SR20 cooler would be ideal for my e46 328i? Bought it second hand built up to a drift spec, handbrake is on the left hand side of the shifter (RHD car) and it overall looks like a bit of a shitbox, so as this is my first time buying a car, i don't want to make any bad decisions. Also, is there any way to change out the throttle from wire to cable? the feeling of the throttle is god awful to me. Thanks guys!

static flax Sep 7, 2023, 10:59 AM

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as in like the sr20 intercooler?

old dew Sep 7, 2023, 12:31 PM

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static flax as in like the sr20 intercooler?

yeah, i feel like its a good intercooler for a m52 engine but i could be wrong

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i just dont want to risk overheating the engine on a track day

static flax Sep 7, 2023, 12:37 PM

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a good oil cooler also is essential for track use

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i didnt know the m52 was turbocharged

jolly ferry Sep 7, 2023, 2:55 PM

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static flax i didnt know the m52 was turbocharged

It isn't from the factory

static flax Sep 7, 2023, 3:28 PM

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fair

waxen salmon Sep 7, 2023, 8:33 PM

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You can go from DBW to cable with a different throttle body, but the computer will need reprogramming as well. I dunno if it can be done on the factory ECU or if you're running standalone, but the car won't run right or even at all without that being done. Honestly, I would just go standalone ECU and keep the DBW. Aftermarket one's do not have the issue of lag, and you have all the room in the world to fine tune the drivability of the car.

old dew Sep 7, 2023, 10:16 PM

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waxen salmon You can go from DBW to cable with a different throttle body, but the computer wi...

thinking of running a link ecu as my brother has a few components lying around not being used

old dew Sep 7, 2023, 10:16 PM

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static flax i didnt know the m52 was turbocharged

naturally aspirated baybeeee

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and hopefully the ecu will prevent overheating, shutting down the engine etc

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i just wanna treat this car right, currently in the middle of realigning it as the previous owner never did that, and next on the very long list is to reinforce the rear subframe

jolly ferry Sep 7, 2023, 10:19 PM

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Why do you need an intercooler if it's NA

old dew Sep 7, 2023, 10:19 PM

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if anyone has things i should check over/get for it (being an e46 theres a lot to cover myself) i'd be ever so grateful

formal joltBOT Sep 7, 2023, 10:19 PM

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GG @old dew, you just advanced to level 2! Chat more to level up and earn top roles!

old dew Sep 7, 2023, 10:19 PM

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jolly ferry Why do you need an intercooler if it's NA

tuning it on the dyno and its making about 200

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plus its never a bad idea to keep it cool

jolly ferry Sep 7, 2023, 10:19 PM

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Do you know what an intercooler is for

old dew Sep 7, 2023, 10:20 PM

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but after watching chelsea denofas video he says the clutch fan is best for the car

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the engine is naturally aspirated... but it has a turbo from aftermarket, still an inline 6 LOL

jolly ferry Sep 7, 2023, 10:21 PM

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Also I don't think the e46 came with the M52

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Only the M52TU

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And M54

old dew Sep 7, 2023, 10:21 PM

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not sure if it is the m52, this is my first time dabbling in bmws

jolly ferry Sep 7, 2023, 10:21 PM

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old dew the engine is naturally aspirated... but it has a turbo from aftermarket, still ...

So it's not naturally aspirated anymore

old dew Sep 7, 2023, 10:22 PM

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ive been a 2j/silvia person for years

jolly ferry Sep 7, 2023, 10:22 PM

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I have the M52TU in my e39

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Well

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Sitting on the floor next to it

old dew Sep 7, 2023, 10:22 PM

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felt lmao

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a friend of mine has the same model e46 as i do, and she swapped from m52 to m54 and says its the best thing shes done to the car

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they're around the same price too in ireland, so if i could find one with decent mileage then i would 100% swap it out

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the biggest problem i have with the m52 is the throttle feel

jolly ferry Sep 7, 2023, 10:24 PM

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Do you have a full fly by wire throttle body or is it hybrid

old dew Sep 7, 2023, 10:24 PM

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im not 100% positive but i think it is fully fly by wire

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and there is just absolutely no feel in the throttle

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feels like mashed potatoes

jolly ferry Sep 7, 2023, 10:25 PM

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Fully fly by wire is m54 I think

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But don't quote me on that

old dew Sep 7, 2023, 10:25 PM

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dont quote me either, im a total noob to bmws

jolly ferry Sep 7, 2023, 10:26 PM

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I'm not new new to them but I don't have the level of experience that I do with american cars

old dew Sep 7, 2023, 10:26 PM

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this is also my first car and working on it myself has proven to be challenging

old dew Sep 7, 2023, 10:26 PM

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jolly ferry I'm not new new to them but I don't have the level of experience that I do with ...

same for me with my jdm

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i was realigning it today and found the rear left is toed out by 20mm

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and the opposite side was toed out by 3

jolly ferry Sep 7, 2023, 10:27 PM

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Just be sure to maintain the cooling system

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And watch your temps

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These engines are known for head gasket issues

old dew Sep 7, 2023, 10:28 PM

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for sure, thats my main priority

jolly ferry Sep 7, 2023, 10:28 PM

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And once they overheat they're basically junk

old dew Sep 7, 2023, 10:28 PM

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once that shit overheats its toast

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yeah

jolly ferry Sep 7, 2023, 10:28 PM

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That's what happened to mine

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It also sat with coolant in the cylinders for three years

old dew Sep 7, 2023, 10:29 PM

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i havent been needing to start the car too often, mostly just driving it around to keep the brake discs from rusting

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it also has a killswitch so the battery is almost always disconnected

static flax Sep 8, 2023, 4:34 AM

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old dew and hopefully the ecu will prevent overheating, shutting down the engine etc

having an effective oil cooling will give your engine a great deal of endurance against overheating on track, it also keeps your oil nice and healthy

#Drift Spec E46 328i facelift (not sure of the year)