easy real hp

[rmousir]

Hey all.
I have a 325is and I am looking for some easy to get hp without to much cost. Other than a 'breathable' air filter what else can I do? I will continue to read as much as I can on this site but anything you can suggest is greatly appreciated.

Thanks.
Richard.

[KenC]

Air filter will do nothing but make noise.

Cheap power = Chevy small block V8.

[rmousir]

Air filter will do nothing but make noise.

Cheap power = Chevy small block V8.

agreed.. but I know that there are some power tricks.. I don't see much out there for my bmw like I do for my old car. from what I have read the exhaust is prtty good as it is. so I was thinking a turbo kid but that seems to be real hard on the car. is a chip worth it? thoughts??

[KenC]

You can get some good HP out of a turbo motor, but you're going to spend quite a bit.
Chip is your best bet... maybe 10-15 more hp. Other than that you're going to have to drop $$$ on decent mods.

[nando]

no, the stock engine was tuned pretty well from the factory. a chip and a really well made exhaust might make a difference (long tube, equal length tuned headers), but everything else is a waste of time - including air intake kits.

[CorvallisBMW]

K&N drop-in panel filter is the only intake mod that makes sense. Other than that, get a really good quality chip (no ebay shit!) and then work on your suspension and driving skills. It doesn't matter how much HP you have if you hit a wall :)

[atomic]

Everything above is 100% !!!!


You can throw a 50-75 shot of some laughing gas on it. But dont look for it to last long either if you are button happy. Other than that you need to break the wallet out for horsepower.

[rmousir]

OK.. thanks for the honest answers. I just wanted to see what was really out there.

I need to do the rotors and maybe some pads but other than that my car is in very good shape with very new solid suspension and all sorts of recent motor work. I should get a easy 100,000 miles out of her as long as I continue the maintance.

I plan on doing the body next fall or next spring. I have to do the body on my other toy first (1966 mustang)

Thanks very much.
Richard.

[nando]

another thing to consider, if you don't mind losing some top speed and higher freeway revs (it's really not that bad though), consider a 4.10 LSD. that'll make a pretty significant difference in the car's acceleration.

[GaryE30]

^ yes it will. That and if you put some 205s on the rear instead of the stock 195s youll atleast get better traction than the factory iceskates.

[rmousir]

I do have 205s on there now. It is a nice little ride.. just fixed the speedo so now nothing is really broke. I do need to either replace the rotors or have them turned. might do the pads as well. other suggestions? thanks.

[atomic]

If it was me, and I either turned or replaced my rotors, I would go with new pads.

[PiercedE30]

Nitrous....it's proven. Cheapest, easiest way.

[Jon325i]

another thing to consider, if you don't mind losing some top speed and higher freeway revs (it's really not that bad though), consider a 4.10 LSD. that'll make a pretty significant difference in the car's acceleration.

+1. I've done this and life has been good ever since.

To the OP, the M20 motor is a pretty decent motor straight out of the box. Like others have mentioned, there really isn't much you can do to get 'effective' horsepower gains without throwing a lot of money into it. Go with the suggestions made: drop-in airfilter element, perhaps a cat-back exhaust (sound enhancement mainly) and a Jim Conforti chip for the ECU. The problem with the M20 is the head - antiquated 2-valve per cylinder design which is quite dated when you consider modern car valvetrain technology. The head is the bottleneck in the system and it has its limitations. So just leave well-enough alone under the hood and put some money into suspension, tires & brake pads.....then go sign up for a high performance driving school.

Jon

[rmousir]

OK.. I think I might find a nice air filter but I need to do the front rotors and pads. I have slotted on there now. Anyone know of where I can get crossed drilled or slotted replacement for a great price? I have found plan jane replacement rotors for $23 a piece and that is hard to beat. Also what kind of pads should I go with?

I will try to get my slotted rotors turned but I don't know if they have been turned before or not. If turning them is not possible I will of course replace them. Looking for reccomendations on that.

thanks.
Richard.