Group Buy: ATI Damper for M54

It's not difficult with the correct tools. Looks harder than it is.

Originally Posted by flashtwosix

how hard is the install? I saw the DIY and read and read through it a million times but it seems so hard. debating whether or not to do this.

Where were all of these people when we actually did the GB? You all know it took almost a year from start of signing up to everyone having their dampers in hand.

Originally Posted by bigjae1976

Where were all of these people when we actually did the GB? You all know it took almost a year from start of signing up to everyone having their dampers in hand.

I was in college, malnourished, and poor....but now, i need this damper or my life is over

this is really a retarded question but is it much easier if the engine is off the car to do the install? I am doing an engine transplant and wondering if I should change out the damper (95K miles) while the engine is out.

Originally Posted by flashtwosix

this is really a retarded question but is it much easier if the engine is off the car to do the install? I am doing an engine transplant and wondering if I should change out the damper (95K miles) while the engine is out.

Umm yea that is a retarded question, everything is easier with the engine out lol

Much!

Yep, might as well

Space gets tight when you start stacking the install tool. The radiator is a pain to clear, but it works.

Originally Posted by flashtwosix

this is really a retarded question but is it much easier if the engine is off the car to do the install? I am doing an engine transplant and wondering if I should change out the damper (95K miles) while the engine is out.

I called them a couple weeks ago. They wanted $800 for it.

FYI - VAC motorsports may be doing a buy of M54 dampers from ATI. If you're interested, I recommend contacting VAC directly.

Originally Posted by SoloII///M

I called them a couple weeks ago. They wanted $800 for it.

FYI - VAC motorsports may be doing a buy of M54 dampers from ATI. If you're interested, I recommend contacting VAC directly.

$800 is about right plus shipping and installer tool and adapter tool. It will rack up to $1000 to do the upgrade.

Originally Posted by SoloII///M

I called them a couple weeks ago. They wanted $800 for it.

FYI - VAC motorsports may be doing a buy of M54 dampers from ATI. If you're interested, I recommend contacting VAC directly.

cool. thanx. I know that VAC is offering an ATI S54 Damper but didn't know about the M54 damper.

Hmm....OE vs ATI...tough choice

I forgot to mention that ATI said the lead time would be 90-120 days to get one made.

And at this point do people who have done the install have the tools they could lend/sell? Also, is there a specific person I should contact at VAC?

Do the stock dampers have the same vibration issues when they're new? Also, what about other brands/vendors?

ATI is the gold standard when it comes to dampers. I know Terry at Vorshlag was working on having someone else develop a more cost effective option. You may consider talking to him if you're interested.

Originally Posted by SoloII///M

ATI is the gold standard when it comes to dampers. I know Terry at Vorshlag was working on having someone else develop a more cost effective option. You may consider talking to him if you're interested.

Just talked Vorshlag. they are still developing/designing one and won't see anything until the spring of this year.

Yep I e-mailed Vorshlag as well. They are aiming for early spring (to get some dampers in hand) but Jason stressed that it is still up in the air, although it's definitely in development. He also said it will be cheaper than the ATI piece, that is if it all works out. I'm going to wait, because the ATI is very expensive and the ATI probably wouldn't be done until after their damper is released anyway.

I hope they produce them.

Sent from my SGH-T959V using Bimmer

Originally Posted by zhp43867

Yep I e-mailed Vorshlag as well. They are aiming for early spring (to get some dampers in hand) but Jason stressed that it is still up in the air, although it's definitely in development. He also said it will be cheaper than the ATI piece, that is if it all works out. I'm going to wait, because the ATI is very expensive and the ATI probably wouldn't be done until after their damper is released anyway.

It is possible the Vorshlag Damper is as good as the ATI, but probably not. I can make this statement based on the fact that ATI's sole purpose in life is building the very best Dampers, period. ATI has every possible piece of "State Of The Art" testing equipment at their disposal. The chances of Vorshlag investing millions, if not tens of millions of dollars in this type of testing equipment for a Damper or Dampers they're only going to sell a few of is not likely. So their copy may be good, but probably not on the same level of the ATI Damper.

I would also say that anyone placing a single order with ATI at about $800 would get their Damper in 60 to 90 days. On the other hand, Vorshlag isn't even out of the prototype stage; who's to say their first or even second prototype works properly ? Which means the chance of taking delivery on a Vorshlag finished Damper any sooner than 8 or 9 months from now is not likely. So you could spend $800 now, and be protected for the 2012 track day / occasional autocross season. Or wait to spend $550 to $600 (guessing) on the Vorshlag Damper that won't probably be delivered any sooner than September, meanwhile you just suffered a catastrophic engine failure at the last track day you participated in. The choice is yours.


Good luck.

Originally Posted by Rob43

It is possible the Vorshlag Damper is as good as the ATI, but probably not. I can make this statement based on the fact that ATI's sole purpose in life is building the very best Dampers, period. ATI has every possible piece of "State Of The Art" testing equipment at their disposal. The chances of Vorshlag investing millions, if not tens of millions of dollars in this type of testing equipment for a Damper or Dampers they're only going to sell a few of is not likely. So their copy may be good, but probably not on the same level of the ATI Damper.

I would also say that anyone placing a single order with ATI at about $800 would get their Damper in 60 to 90 days. On the other hand, Vorshlag isn't even out of the prototype stage; who's to say their first or even second prototype works properly ? Which means the chance of taking delivery on a Vorshlag finished Damper any sooner than 8 or 9 months from now is not likely. So you could spend $800 now, and be protected for the 2012 track day / occasional autocross season. Or wait to spend $550 to $600 (guessing) on the Vorshlag Damper that won't probably be delivered any sooner than September, meanwhile you just suffered a catastrophic engine failure at the last track day you participated in. The choice is yours.


Good luck.

i agree with everything you said especially about ATI R&D capabilities and Vorshlag timeline. I am just a little shock about the $750-800 price tag. wondering how much ATI is charging for an non BMW damper.

another retarded question but can you buy a used ATI Damper? I think the answer is NO since everyone has to measure their snout dimension. I am thinking about going to Canada and begging PEI to let me buy one of his M54 Damper. The dude has a Damper fetish (heard he has 3-5 dampers) and I heard stack them up as a pillow and sleep with them at night.

I think you can, just need ATI to rebuild it? One of the big selling points on this was that it is rebuildable.