Automotive

Patrick_y of PuristSPro visits DINAN Motorsports, a premier BMW tuner, at their headquarters in Northern California.  A rare opportunity with a photo report about cars, performance enhancement, and racing engines.  Read further to get a behind the scenes glimpse into a world of automotive tuning, engine building, and BMW racing.  

BMW already makes fast and great handling cars.  In fact, some of the best cars I've ever driven come from BMW.  I especially like the E92 2012 328i coupe, the steering was communicative, the power and drivetrain immensely smooth, very linear power, very good suspension, and great handling.  I had that car for a few days as a rental, and it pained me to give it back.  That's one of the best cars that I've driven, and I've driven some very impressive cars.  

For some, a normal out of the box BMW isn't good enough.  Sometimes, some people want to modify it/customize it to the way they like it.  Usually it's an exhaust system, wheels, and a reprogramming of the engine computer.  Sometimes some people like to go a bit further; going into a revised suspension set up, deeper tuning, such as changing the turbochargers, crankshaft, increasing engine displacement by re-drilling the cylinders, and my personal favorite of changing the stock BMW brakes in favor of extra large fixed calipers.  

Here are some photos of one of the premier BMW tuners in the world, that happens to be right near Silicon Valley, California.  Dinan Motorsports is recognized by BMW as a high quality aftermarket tuner.  In fact, BMW corporate even goes to Dinan Motorsports on occasion to receive their consultation regarding their own racing engines.  

Dinan was very gracious and generous to open up their facility for a tour to local BMW car fans to show us what they do.  I managed to sneak in and get some photos of their interesting facility.  It's important to keep in mind, this facility houses all of the R&D that's not accomplished on the racetrack, it does all of the prototyping, and it also does much (but not all) of the manufacturing of most of their components.  Definitely an interesting place!  

Exhaust systems.

I think this is some sort of radiator/intercooler.  Perhaps for the 35i engine's turbo(s).  

A big watch company give out big awards.  

Lots of trophies in the trophy case.  

Our tour is about to begin.  

This engine makes around 450 hp out of the box from BMW.  

But upon request, Dinan can easily turn that 450 hp engine into 550 hp.  

A DINAN M Coupe.  

This pipe (the one that says DINAN on it) is actually not just an air pipe.  But now it's part of the car's structural chassis.  Yes, it's bolted to the car's frame to enhance rigidity!  

It's really a family saloon car here in the United States.  It just happens to have all wheel drive and 550+ horsepower.  

If you've got a lot of horsepower, you've got to be able to have a lot of braking power too!  

This is a BMW M5.  It comes from the factory with already 500 hp.  I don't even want to know how many HPs it'll have after they're done with it.  

Rear differential.  

That is a turbocharger.  

Please leave comments below.  Are you familiar with car tuning?  Would you consider ever modifying your car like this?  Does anybody on PuristSPro actually own a DINAN modified vehicle?  Is there a noticeable improvement?  

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