Free mods / cheap mods under $10 DIY

THREAD PURPOSE: To collect all information for e46 free mods

THREAD DEFINITION: Free mods defined as: UNDER $10 (excluding any fluid replacement) sometimes a mini-budget is good...

THREAD RULES: Do NOT double post a MOD, do NOT comment on mods...just LIST EM'

THREAD STRUCTURE: I would like you all to adhere to the FOLLOWING ORDER:

MOD NAME
MOD COST
MOD BENEFIT
MOD DESCRIPTION (PICS OR FAIL)
MOD LINK (other sites/threads that contain a comprehensive DIY or provide more info)

Go Team e46Fanatics!

MOD NAME: Golf Tee Mod

MOD COST: FREE, $0.00

MOD BENEFIT: More low rpm 'rumble' exhaust note.

MOD DESCRIPTION: Remove vacuum line that closes a metal 'butterfly' valve. plug removed vacuum line with a golf tee or similar.

In the picture below you will see a metal butterfly valve in the right exhaust pipe, immediately above this is a rubber hose that connects to it. Nothing needs to be done on the exhaust side, as it will just stay open now.


This is the rubber hose that you pulled off of the exhaust, you can see I plugged the hose with a wire crimp.


MOD LINK

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=585653
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=520094

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MOD NAME: Clutch Delay Valve (CDV) Delete

MOD COST: FREE, $0.00

MOD BENEFIT: Smoother Shifting (Manual Transmission Only).

MOD DESCRIPTION: Remove an inline restriction valve that "limits" clutch slip for newbie's but is a major PITA for everyone else...(not in all e46's)

...CDV removed...



MOD LINK

http://m3.madrussian.net/diy_cdv.shtml

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MOD NAME: Clutch Stop Mod aka Perfect Clutch Stop

MOD COST: <$5.00

MOD BENEFIT: Less Clutch Travel, Faster, Shifting (Manual Transmission Only).

MOD DESCRIPTION: Screw in a 1.5" elevator bolt with a adhesive furniture leg pad in place of stock clutch stop.

Clutchstop installed:


MOD LINK

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=206363

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MOD NAME: Custom CAI

MOD COST: >$3.00

MOD BENEFIT: Colder/Free Flowing Air, Better MPG's

MOD DESCRIPTION: Cut 2" hole in bottom of air box, run flexible tube from air box to bumper cavity.

Tubing Installed:


MOD LINK

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=596255

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Mod name: debadge

Mod cost: free

Mod benefit: looks good

Mod description: use credit card and slide underneath each letter or number, removing the "badge" then use goo gone or alcahol wipes to remove the remaining gunk, whatever you use to take off the gunk wipe it off as soon as your done using it because its probably not that great for you paint.


Mod link:http:
//forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=594465&highlight=debadge

Nice thread keep it coming. I'm painting Kidney grills and pillars for less than $10, sandpaper, matte black bumper paint, and primer. I may also re-paint the mirror housing.

Damn, you beat me to it. I was going to make a "Kpeng's 10 low-cost/free mods" thread.

/subscrizzled...
but i'm still a little confused about the golf tee mod...

Originally Posted by bryan3091

/subscrizzled...
but i'm still a little confused about the golf tee mod...

just look at ur exaust. theirs a rubber hose. unplug it. stuff it with a screw

I have to post something here to subscribe.
Cant think of a cheap mod. Cheap and BMW are not in the same league

i have never heard or seen my valve in my exhaust close. and i have tried everything to see it close

MOD NAME: E90 Vanity Lights Swap
MOD COST: $2.00 (Lights from ebay)
MOD BENEFIT: Better looks
MOD DESCRIPTION (PICS OR FAIL)
Before:

After:

MOD LINK (other sites/threads that contain a comprehensive DIY or provide more info)
My DIY Link


MOD NAME: Trunk Light mod
MOD COST: $3.00 (Lights from ebay)
MOD BENEFIT: More light for the people who actually use their trunk
MOD DESCRIPTION (PICS OR FAIL)

MOD LINK (other sites/threads that contain a comprehensive DIY or provide more info)
DIY Link

MOD NAME: Alarm Shock Sensor install
MOD COST: $10.00
MOD BENEFIT: Increase the functionality of OEM Alarm
MOD DESCRIPTION (PICS OR FAIL)

MOD LINK (other sites/threads that contain a comprehensive DIY or provide more info)
DIY Link

MOD NAME: Restoring rubber seals with silicone grease
MOD COST: $4.00
MOD BENEFIT: Restoring rubber seals
MOD DESCRIPTION (PICS OR FAIL)

MOD LINK (other sites/threads that contain a comprehensive DIY or provide more info)
DIY Link

MOD NAME: Valentine 1 Hard wire ***Only if you already have any radar detector.

MOD COST: Varies...$0 if you have a V1 ($0 also if you have a escort and a phone cable)

MOD BENEFIT: Mod shows a simple place to retrive 12v & Ground for windshield/mirror mounted devices.

MOD DESCRIPTION: Pull down overhead light/sunroof control panel, tap secondary power cable lead.



MOD LINK

http://m3.madrussian.net/diy_valentine_v1.shtml

Originally Posted by zach113092

Mod name: debadge

Mod cost: free

Mod benefit: looks good

Mod description: use credit card and slide underneath each letter or number, removing the "badge" then use goo gone or alcahol wipes to remove the remaining gunk, whatever you use to take off the gunk wipe it off as soon as your done using it because its probably not that great for you paint.


Mod link:http:
//forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=594465&highlight=debadge

Thin fishing line is also good to use to take the old badges off with.

Originally Posted by Wezza

Thin fishing line is also good to use to take the old badges off with.

Dental floss works good also. Clay bar to remove excess residue, or adhesive remover spray. Either works great. Then wax/polish the affected area to ensure that the water beads even and not in the shape of the old lettering.

Mod - Painted Reflectors
Mod Benefit - cleaner looking appearance
Cost - about $10 total for paint, primer and clear.
Difficulty - Easy, just takes time.

Painting the stock front and rear bumper refelctors vs. paying close to $100 for a set (front and back, or $60 for fronts).

I used Metailic Silver for mine. Did three coats of primer, 4 coats of color and 3 coats of clear. Not an exact match, but pretty close. The more Zanio (polish as they are now painted as well) I put on them with the rest of the car, the closer they match.

keep this forum going.. good stuff

Originally Posted by Dreamliner330

MOD NAME: Golf Tee Mod

MOD COST: FREE, $0.00

MOD BENEFIT: More low rpm 'rumble' exhaust note.

MOD DESCRIPTION: Remove vacuum line that closes a metal 'butterfly' valve. plug removed vacuum line with a golf tee or similar.

Wow, I'm so glad I read this. Turns out my butterfly valve was so covered in soot it was NEVER opening! I had to jab it with a screw driver to get it to move rumble=

This is a fantastic thread .... I love it

Subscribing

Sorry but I am at work, but I would like to mention the Red Needle Mod

Cost... a red sharpie, so $2 est?
All in all, take your instrument cluster out, then apart, color them evenly and carfully, several coats, put it back on, best 30 minutes you've ever spent

I'll try and edit this later to keep it in format with the rest

So what was the initial purpose of the butterfly valves being closed? now that we're opening them permanantly, will it effect anything?
Also will it work on 320s?

Originally Posted by tonee

So what was the initial purpose of the butterfly valves being closed? now that we're opening them permanantly, will it effect anything?
Also will it work on 320s?

Less noise during low rpm. The 320 doesn't have the flap