Racing Dynamics

[HornyHornet]

I know there is an issue of genuine RD parts and the facts of useless ECU tuning for E46 325i. I just wanted to know if anyone has also seen this in the RDSport website (post Jan 2004) that I stumbled upon during performance searching. Can anyone provide any feedback or knowledge as to the accuracy of these power claims? As far as I know, it is the most gains I have seen in a software upgrade by itself(207HP, 199Ft/Lbs, both DIN).
I have also been reading from other members that the RD sways are one of the best, given they are genuine as well. Any latest words about RD's reputable status? I would like to aquire the CF intake and the EMS (if its true), but after the improvement of suspension and sways(what matters more, IMO).
http://www.racingdynamics.com/Localized/NorthAmerica/Series/3/E46/E46_Motor/RD_NA_E46_Motor.htm

 

[Akakubi]

I know there is an issue of genuine RD parts and the facts of useless ECU tuning for E46 325i. I just wanted to know if anyone has also seen this in the RDSport website (post Jan 2004) that I stumbled upon during performance searching. Can anyone provide any feedback or knowledge as to the accuracy of these power claims? As far as I know, it is the most gains I have seen in a software upgrade by itself(207HP, 199Ft/Lbs, both DIN).
I have also been reading from other members that the RD sways are one of the best, given they are genuine as well. Any latest words about RD's reputable status? I would like to aquire the CF intake and the EMS (if its true), but after the improvement of suspension and sways(what matters more, IMO).
http://www.racingdynamics.com/Localized/NorthAmerica/Series/3/E46/E46_Motor/RD_NA_E46_Motor.htm

RD Sport is genuine stuff, you can't go wrong with their product. I run RD sways (though the original version from a few years back) and they hold up really nicely. Just need to be relubed every 6 months or so.

The problem with RD Sport products is the pricing (aside from the questionable quality of their CF intakes). I have one on my car (and used to be a distributor), but after testing it I found out it doesn't live up to the hype. It's OK, but for the $$ Gruppe M is a better looking/manufactured system, if you really have to go with this particular Intake style.

I had no experience with the software, so i cannot comment. But I would be a bit skeptical of the high numbers though. M54 is very hard to get extra power out of by simply tweaking the ECU.

 

[HornyHornet]

Akabuki,
So you are saying that RD is also over priced like DINAN? Their build quality is questionable too? I thought that their CF intake was pretty good. What is it that makes it subpar? I am not interested in looks as much as funtionality. I will check out the GruppeM. As far as the sways; the diameters are 27mm/24mm. Is that enough to help with the understeer? I was thinking about the H&R sways but dont know the diameters of the bars. I do like the idea of no lubing necessary, with teflon/urethane bushings.
Any thoughts on SACHS Performance sets? Thanks for your response. HH

 

[Akakubi]

Akabuki,
So you are saying that RD is also over priced like DINAN? Their build quality is questionable too? I thought that their CF intake was pretty good. What is it that makes it subpar? I am not interested in looks as much as funtionality. I will check out the GruppeM. As far as the sways; the diameters are 27mm/24mm. Is that enough to help with the understeer? I was thinking about the H&R sways but dont know the diameters of the bars. I do like the idea of no lubing necessary, with teflon/urethane bushings.
Any thoughts on SACHS Performance sets? Thanks for your response. HH

The CF shell of the RD intake is the lowest grade. It's more Fiberglass than CF. Plus the finish is subpar, chips and peels way too easily.

Performance wise, this particular style is not the best out there (though both Gruppe M and RD would claim otherwise). The way the air is extracted from the car is not the most efficient. RD's new filter is interesting, but I can't feel any performance increase over the K&N. We'll see how it works in the long run.

I will so far say that ECIS or Conforti are the better designs, though not as fancy looking.

I haven't personally yet dealt with the H&R sways, but I'm also intrigued by their bushings. H&R's are 1 mm thicker also, but that's not an issue really. All swaybars (except Dinan/Eibach) will give you more than you need flexibility. The car will still understeer (you need to adjust camber and run wider front tires to fix that, but sacrifice tread life), but not as much as with the stock sways.

SACHS aftermarket suspensions are not so much used in the US, so the prices may be a bit higher than the rest. Consider Bilstein or Koni instead. If you want stiffer springs, H&R, Vogtland or Eibach are decent.