Does anybody make aftermarket cams, pistons, rods, valves for a 2003 M45?

[Rainier]

I wanted to know who makes aftermarket high performance cams, pistons, valves, rods, ecu's because I want to build my motor and try and get around 500 hp without turbos. Also has anybody reprogrammed there motor to rev around 8000 rpm?

[lswaidz]

There's a few Japanese companies that I've seen dabble in the VK45DE... however, the mods are ridiculously expensive, and net marginal performance gains. You're almost better off going to an engine builder and having them build it all from spec. The nice thing about that is then you tell them exactly what you want, and they make it happen. And honestly, it'll probably be about as much as the mods I've seen online.

[Q45tech]

500 flywheel hp from 4.5 liters requires some pretty high revs since 340 lb/ft is pretty near max for pump gas while meeting emissions.

500 HP@8,000 rpm ~~ 328 lb/ft. Usually the HP peak rpm is has a VE of 85% so 290 lb/ft would be available.

440-450 flywheel NA HP might be doable for $15-20,000 assuming you want engine to last more than a few days.

Unfortunately with an automatic transmission the idle would be around 1500-2000 rpm and a real dog until you reached 4,000 rpm.

I would work better if you designed the engine to work on E85 or pure ethanol.