Couple of Questions About GTS and Performance "Upgrades"

[Boostin FD]

Hey guys,

I'm curious about a few things... I did a search but, GTS section isn't as active as a regular M4/M3 one.

Regarding the Performance upgrades... Is there any benefits to be had with getting a BMS stage 1 dongle looking thing? They claim 50hp but that's probably for the regular m4 where it can get it close to GTS Hp... right?

Downpipes... With GTS already pushing 22psi of boost, I feel downpipes could help them breath better... but I'm not too crazy about CEL.

Has anyone done anything else to the GTS as far as performance goes? I know that the car is fast as is, and it spins the tires in every gear, but again, I'm always looking for "more". I ordered the VSRF intake, mainly for the sound... Other than that, it's completely stock.

Thanks!

[Gomeler]

I'll be curious to hear what owners say. I'm not planning on adding any power, I want to retain the factory powertrain warranty for as long as possible. The only mods I'm considering are camber plates and AP Racing calipers/rotors to fit 18" wheels for track use.

[BarryB]

Getting the existing power to the ground is a challenge as it is.......
More power always sounds good though

[FormulaMMM]

Agree it's tempting. Ask 1bmwaddict to weigh in. He's got downpipes on both the GTS and CS.

Don't want to experience the power boost, really. My E90 lost a major step without Akra + tune.

If I was to do it, I'd go with a VF GTS-specific tune. Sounds like they've done their homework https://vfe1.com/products/hex-m4-gts

[Boostin FD]

Thanks! I was going to Try the JB4 with the Bluetooth. I love having the "extra gauges" and the options it provides... I may not use the extra boost maps, but the other stuff is nice... Also, Downpipes... I'm not too crazy about the smell that follows, after removing cats, but the benefits of catless downpipes outweigh the negatives... We'll see.

Thanks for the input guys, I just thought that maybe someone else did more upgrades on it already.

[Rguy]

Yea VF is the only company im aware of with a GTS specific tune. Probably what ill do when i decide to mod.

[Day Laborer]

https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1567644

Carbahn Autoworks as well.

Strangely enough, they took off this package off their website and are only offering the Stage 2 package

https://carbahnautoworks.com/product...24lb-ft-fw-tq/

[Boostin FD]

Curious about something... Is the GTS exhaust an M-performance exhaust? I was trying to find a video of what the GTS would sound with the downpipes installed, before i start butchering it and removing stockers. However, i can't find any videos...

I found a few with Akrapovic Downpipes (no cats) and M-performance exhaust... So, if the GTS has m-performance exhaust, then i get the idea what it'll sound like... Raspy as hell. Not a fan at all

[schnell325]

Add catless DPs and an Active Autowerke midpipe

[Boostin FD]

Originally Posted by schnell325

Add catless DPs and an Active Autowerke midpipe

Got any videos of this setup?
I already have downpipes... was going to install them, but after installing the VRSF intake yesterday, took it for a drive... For whatever reason, exhaust got louder and raspy when the flappers are open.

I don't want Rasp... I don't mind little bit louder, but not too raspy. Hated my e46 m3 exhaust.

I put both, downpipes and JB4 for sale... Then I started thinking again... That's why I was hoping to hear some kind of video or something to see if it's worth it installing them.

Thanks!

[Gomeler]

I know the GTS exhaust is different than the M-Performance Exhaust for the F8x. My very basic understanding is any midpipe that merges the two turbine exhausts will reduce the frequency of the exhaust tone, which should in theory make it last raspy. The Active Autowerke midpipe is one such example.

It's all preference, but I find the stock GTS setup to be very musical, with a lot of variety depending on gear and load. An important point is I'm not usually a huge fan of excessive noise for the sake of noise, and I think the stock GTS is in a good place for me regarding noise volume and pops/bangs/overrun burbles. The only thing I'd enjoy would be overrun burble tune holding a little longer, mostly to annoy my friends when we're cruising around The bangs it makes between gear shifts at 100% throttle will suffice for now.

[BMW9]

Originally Posted by Boostin FD

Thanks! I was going to Try the JB4 with the Bluetooth. I love having the "extra gauges" and the options it provides... I may not use the extra boost maps, but the other stuff is nice... Also, Downpipes... I'm not too crazy about the smell that follows, after removing cats, but the benefits of catless downpipes outweigh the negatives... We'll see.

Thanks for the input guys, I just thought that maybe someone else did more upgrades on it already.

If GTS is the same as a M4 you won't get any bad smell with catless downpipes as long as you keep your secondary cats. Sound will be a lot louder but quality will be raspy.
If def go with carban tune because they offer some warranty backing. It's better than nothing.

[Boostin FD]

Thanks! However, after hearing that one video of the GTS with downpipes, I changed my mind. That's too damn loud and it just takes it away from the car. I'll be keeping the exhaust stock, for as long as I can.

[SYT_Shadow]

I've driven and tracked a GTS with downpipes and a tune. The tune was a dyno tune done at Bimmer Performance Center

The downpipes are a big upgrade sound-wise for the track, but if you mainly drive on the street it's likely too loud.

I would not tune my GTS if I had one. I strongly dislike the stupid torque hump at 3500rpm with the power trailing off at higher rpms, besides voiding the warranty. If I did one it would be one of the 'linear torque' maps.

As far as a piggy back, I've driven my X5 with one during 70k miles and will **never** use a piggyback again. I cannot even begin with the topic. Never again. Eventually was too pissed off, removed it and chucked it into the garbage halfway through a 4 hour trip after removing it in a gas station. It was worth burning my hands around a hot engine to get rid of that POS

[VCP]

I have tried multiple tunes on track. Around town/highway driving they work great. On track IAT gets too high and high rpm misfires occur. It seems the GTS is very sensitive to IAT and at only 65ish C the misfires start and boost starts to ramp too high due to heat. I do not believe that any tunes add a change to amount of water flow. I am also going to try a 49/51 meth/water mix next time at track for testing. I have found the only solution is stock tune on track and then I flash back for some added daily fun. There is a great 1:1 throttle map tune with stock boost and no burble for the GTS that is damn near perfect for track. Like already said, keeping the ass in check is a challenge even in stock form. I feel for lap times playing with alignment(front and rear), damper settings, and going to slicks will yield most gains. Just got back from 4 back to back days at the track and played with camber and dampers and really got it dialed.

[SYT_Shadow]

For sure there's more to be gained from a good setup on the track than from adding power.

A 500whp car at the track is extremely capable. It does not need another 100whp

[Lienrocs]

Has anyone swapped the factory KW's for anything else? Or even changed up the spring rates, especially in the rear, with the factory dampers?

[VCP]

Originally Posted by Lienrocs

Has anyone swapped the factory KW's for anything else? Or even changed up the spring rates, especially in the rear, with the factory dampers?

Rear springs could be lighter for sure 👍

[Lienrocs]

Originally Posted by VCP

Rear springs could be lighter for sure 👍

Why do you think they could be lighter? My recollection from when I had my GTS, was that the front end was really tight and roll resistant, but the rear "fell over" more quickly and the lack of roll resistance made it a bit snappy. I was thinking go a bit stiffer in the rear, to get a bit more roll stiffness. I realize that's what the low speed bump was for, partly, but I feel like the spring rates and the valving were a bit at odds with themselves. Just my 2 cents from an excessively average driver.

[PrimeBMW]

Originally Posted by Lienrocs

Has anyone swapped the factory KW's for anything else? Or even changed up the spring rates, especially in the rear, with the factory dampers?

This is the first thing I would do. MCS.

[2K7]

Originally Posted by Boostin FD

Curious about something... Is the GTS exhaust an M-performance exhaust? I was trying to find a video of what the GTS would sound with the downpipes installed, before i start butchering it and removing stockers. However, i can't find any videos...

I found a few with Akrapovic Downpipes (no cats) and M-performance exhaust... So, if the GTS has m-performance exhaust, then i get the idea what it'll sound like... Raspy as hell. Not a fan at all

The stock GTS exhaust is made by Prototechnik

[Rguy]

Originally Posted by 2K7

The stock GTS exhaust is made by Akrapovic.

This is not true.