84 318i performance

[ruppcam]

hey all.
I just bought an 84 318i and am looking to get a little more juice out of it without going the turbo route just yet(saving that for a later date). The car needs exhaust so I was wondering if anyone knows what kind of gains, if any, you can expect to get out of headers/exhaust upgrade. also, was thinking about doing cold air induction. Any other budget performance tips would be appreciated.

[Farbin Kaiber]

24v.

[Thighs]

im actually about to pick up one of these and was about to post a similar thread.

what is there thats cheap/easy to do, that will bring a LITTLE more performance to the table without boosting or sacrificing reliability. boost will be an option in a few months but thats only after i pick up a miata to DD.

[Farbin Kaiber]

My best suggestion is a full, complete tune up. Cap, rotor, plugs, wires. Search how to Seafoam your engine, change out all the fluids, adjust the valves, then go for the suspension.

[new2bmw]

84 318i

I am almost finished restoring mine for now. spent a whack load of cash to get the body in good shape, paint, what a shit job they did lol, but at least there is no rust now. I put headers, 2.5 " exhaust, magnaflow muffler, removed the cat, cold air intake etc. The car is still not super fast by any means but i picked up a couple turbos to eventually install once i learn a lot more about boosting. Along with the above i installed H&R sport springs, bilstein sport shocks heavy duty rear shock mounts new control arms, tie rods etc. I would say that improving the suspension was the best thing i did. the car is peppy and handles amazing. I may not be able to beat much out there, but the car looks good , sounds good and can turn on a dime.
cheers guys, keep me updated as to what you end up doing, I think mine will always be a work in progress.
This summer I start work on my 89 325i, probably another 3 year project , but hey its so much fun
cheers
Larry

[ZM Blue Devil]

my best suggestion is a full, complete tune up. Cap, rotor, plugs, wires. Search how to seafoam your engine, change out all the fluids, adjust the valves, then go for the suspension.

+1

[ruppcam]

new2bmw

where did you get the header, and the exhaust. Im having a tough time finding any exhaust parts. was thinking that I may just have to have someone run a custom exhaust and slap on a muffler.

[Holland]

I have been readin an M10 buildup in my PBMW. I read about if you do the intake and exhaust, run a S14 crank and Mahle pistons. then do head work and run a hot cam. I heard this will give decent power although not the best bang for buck. Later you could use the 2002 tii turbo gasket if you do decide to boost. thinking about this on my M10 or just bypassing to a S14 altogether.

[rThor432]

As stated above you can use S14 components to increase the displacement for a nice gain. Also, 2.0l 2002 parts work nicely.

But a boosted 2.0l is really the best way to go with an M10 318i. I know you said you dont want a turbo though.

[Jean]

My best suggestion is a full, complete tune up. Cap, rotor, plugs, wires. Search how to Seafoam your engine, change out all the fluids, adjust the valves, then go for the suspension.

+1. Doing a full suspension overhaul (including all shifter components while you are there) makes the biggest difference. If the engine is tired, have a shop check it before you blow any money on it. Might be better off doing a swap.

[ruppcam]

engine has only got about 74k on it, so its def not tired. I think it will make a great foundation to work from

[CorvallisBMW]

engine has only got about 74k on it, so its def not tired. I think it will make a great foundation to work from

Wow, that thing's barely broken in! As has been said before, do a full tune-up and work on your suspension. That will make it faster than any other mod short of a stroker motor or swap. Also, get a performance chip. The gains from exhaust and intake work might net you 2 or 3 hp, probably not worth the price and hassle. Remember, it's a 1.8L SOHC engine designed in the 60's. It will never be fast short of FI (just ask Good'nTight and his 310 rwhp turbo m10)

[Hick]

http://videos.howstuffworks.com/discovery/31678-massive-engines-bmw-m10-turbocharger-video.htm

[rThor432]

^^Nice video clip, thanks for sharing.

[xwill112x]

Wow, that thing's barely broken in!

broken in is at like 200k what are you smoking?? ;)