Need experienced input: A Sophisticated S50 e30

[gjuu]

An enclosed airbox will also greatly cut down on engine noise. You'll have to have something fabbed up for the corner of the engine bay, but you'll reduce the sucking sounds.

Something like this :)

[Jason89i]

ive got an s52 with the AA stainless exhaust (muffler and track pipe.) its extremely civilized. but has a really low growl when you squeeze the trigger. fitting it to the e30 chassis does pose difficulties though. cheers, jason

[Scott314]

Something like this :)

That's a great looking CAI you have there. Very classy, and it fits in with the rest of the engine bay beautifully.

[Ryan Stewart]

That is pretty damn sharp.

[Stu]

For what you're looking for, I'd recommend:
-Enclosed factory airbox as the others mentioned
-Cats, stock E36 muffler
-Long rearend gear
-Keep the heavy E36 dual-mass flywheel
-Make sure you have a fresh driveshaft and a driveline with no jolts
-Definately have a limited-slip as you mentioned (can't imagine having an open diff)
-Start with a 325 that has lots of sound deadening : )
-Do not remove the transmission tunnel sound proofing (as some do, makes tranny/clutch swaps easier down the road)

Can't think of much else right now. But basicly, don't do what I did; I have a noisy, uncomfortable 318is with no weight, total focus on performance, and it is not what most people would be content with as a daily-driver. :) Fortunately I'm pretty used to it by now.

Edit: I'd recommend using a stock clutch as well, a heavy pressure plate will make the car a little less smooth to drive.

[1990m3]

stu - does the 318is have less sound deadening than a 325? Is that why my car is so f-in loud on the inside? I'm going to dynamat he passenger floor under the carpet I think to keep the noise down.

[Stu]

Yes, and none at all in the trunk.

[DeM3n]

I'm using AA exhaust and Stainless headers with no cats and surprisingly the headers and exhaust quieted the cat-less exhaust system. It sounds real performance like when I gun it... has a nice quiet grumble at idle.

[static]

i had stock e36m3 muffler on mine and it was pretty quiet exhaust wise, but i get annoying grinding and buzzing noises throughout rpm range seemingly from the fron of the car, engine or tranny i guess.

what would be a good solution to quiet that down? I am considering dynamat, what places in the car besides the floor would it be a good idea to apply dynamat on?

Thanks

[static]

ok, so anyone figured out how and in what places to soundproof the e30 to get rid of annoying s50 noises? I've stripped out the whole interior in preparations to re-soundproof the whole car using efficient soundproofing materials to get best sounddeadening per lb

[1990m3]

I'd imagine that if you dyno-mat the interior floor, especially around the tunnel, you could make it pretty quiet in there.