best way to make power on a budget ?

[BMWkid91]

Anyone have localy an I head ?

[StereoInstaller1]

Isn't the 3.46 only the viscous type?

[Wh33lhop]

I did an 800+ mile round trip monthly for over a year, plus DD driving with a 3.73.

I want a 3.5ish ratio!

I think a 3.46 would be just about right for DDing, stock gearing is pretty short.

[StereoInstaller1]

I did an 800+ mile round trip monthly for over a year, plus DD driving with a 3.73.

I want a 3.5ish ratio!

[325ix]

If you do a lot of long distacne driving I wouldn't go over a 3.25 or so. A budget turbo could be fun and it nets a lot of power.

[BMWkid91]

Plus im using this car becuse i do alot of long distance driving. CCRI to Westerly and back then to Mass, Ect just want the power becuse I am tired of the idiots with the ricer burners

[BMWkid91]

Im down for the head swap becuse i had to do the water pump and it took like not even an hour for me, And i use to rebuld volvo motors. The suspensions been done bilstine shocks all around and poly bushings. The diff sounds good anyone got one i could snag off your hands ? Or a Chip ?

other mods done
-MSD ignition and wires
-Cold air with headlight delete
- all synthetic oils

[lennon]

A different rear gear and a brand name chip are good like they are saying. BUT you could probably get an m20b25+harness & DME for the same price or not much more than a 3.25LSD and a brand name chip. Do some research fool, all this ETA modding shit has been beaten to death many many times, and it's all there for your searching and reading.

[theox69]

budget 327i turbo.
Go!

[StereoInstaller1]

I would do a 3.73 myself.

Chip, exhaust, 3.73LSD and PLENTY of stickers.

[MR 325]

Chip and 3.25 LSD are the two best mods for the Eta cars.

[NC325iC]

gearing

[E30Gus]

Agree with e30squid. The chip is awesome and then the 3.25 gearing makes it fun and quick.

[e30Squid]

The ETA motor is a great motor for around town driving, and will run forever if you take care of the timing belt when needed. I had an ETA with 272k miles on it, and it was still running great.

The ETA responds well to "chipping", I would go with Mark D or Jim Conforti for this software. Here is the link for Mark D:

http://www.dsylva-tech.ca/

Another great upgrade for the ETA is to swap in a 3.25lsd rear diff. They aren't too easy to find these days, as a lot of people performing engine swaps are using that diff. The diff originally came from the E28 535i.

Those two mods are probably the best bang for the buck. You could also perform and E to I head swap, but may end up spending more time under the hood than behind the wheel.

Hope this helps

[Atreus]

simple mods? motor swap
or turbo.


what are you trying to do with this car? DD>AutoX>Different type of racing>whut

power is nothing, without control. lol. get that suspension done first and see how hard you can take it, then go from there.