what mod next...

[vivalegreg]

so i have been thinking lately since i got a lil moneys for christmas i devoting it all in the e30...then my mom asked for rent so i now am off with less then i thought!..thats not the point.

i have been thinking about doing the e-i conversion for some time now but dont really know if i should touch the engine anymore since realizing the car is chipped by dinan...and it runs pretty damn good for a little eta..

my question is this..should i leave my setup as is...and just improve the already exiting drivetrain for p.m. and tasteful mods?

or should i e-i convert it, loose the dinan chip, and then continue in that direction. and then of course more tasteful mods to follow just not as fast.


tasteful mods being like...short shifter, new plug wires (more like pm), any other performance ideas?

[thereisnoyun]

question #1 - is it your daily driver?
Q#2 - is it running strong and doesnt burn oil?

If you answer yes to both of the above. I would definitely keep away from the engine. Esp if its your daily driver, and its running strong. I may do a tune up if its over due. Such as new coolant temp sensor, o2 sensor, cap and rotor, new coolant hoses. etc.

Or I would do something about interior since, its worth it to make it nice newish etc.

Or plastic bumper conversion or somethign of the sort.

If anything I would jsut convert it from E to I straight up, if you are on a budget. At least if you go E to I from a good engine it will be reliable. Instead of going all out and end up with half ass stroker or conversion.

Basically, since its running good and its your DD, you will be smiling at the pump, while you get 30 miles to the gallon.

[Mako18]

This is some of the things I would do assuming you don't see any money in the near future for big performance upgrades such as FI or engine swaps BBK, etc.

1. E to I budget stroker and performance chip (nice power upgrade for the cash)
2. exhaust (min power upgrade but a nice grunt is always good)
3. suspension (my favorite is enjoyable everyday!!)
4. brakes (building for future power)
5. differential swap (maybe higher ratio say a 4.10lsd for stock E. Maybe 3.73lsd for stroker)
6. M30 afm (a cheap upgrade)
7. Save the money for when something breaks its always good to have extra coin things tend to break when you really can't afford it or want to spend the last cent you have on that damn guibo.

That being said I can help you out on the ecu for the stroker. hehe.. I will sell cheap.

The best mod you can do is free. RESEARCH like hell, keeping in mind your current plans and future plans try not to do things twice or three times for that matter saves you money in the end. If something is worn replace it with an upgrade that might compliment the overall performance of the car just don't get crazy money can be wasted easily. No stock e30 needs a $5,000 set of wheels.

[Jesse30]

This is some of the things I would do assuming you don't see any money in the near future for big performance upgrades such as FI or engine swaps BBK, etc.

1. E to I budget stroker and performance chip (nice power upgrade for the cash)
2. exhaust (min power upgrade but a nice grunt is always good)
3. suspension (my favorite is enjoyable everyday!!)
4. brakes (building for future power)
5. differential swap (maybe higher ratio say a 4.10lsd for stock E. Maybe 3.73lsd for stroker)
6. M30 afm (a cheap upgrade)
7. Save the money for when something breaks its always good to have extra coin things tend to break when you really can't afford it or want to spend the last cent you have on that damn guibo.

That being said I can help you out on the ecu for the stroker. hehe.. I will sell cheap.

The best mod you can do is free. RESEARCH like hell, keeping in mind your current plans and future plans try not to do things twice or three times for that matter saves you money in the end. If something is worn replace it with an upgrade that might compliment the overall performance of the car just don't get crazy money can be wasted easily. No stock e30 needs a $5,000 set of wheels.

no. 4.10 in an e would cause a rip in the blanket of time.


i would invest your money in a tune up and suspension. its much more rewarding than the 5hp you gain from other modifications IMO

[Nicademus]

no. 4.10 in an e would cause a rip in the blanket of time.


i would invest your money in a tune up and suspension. its much more rewarding than the 5hp you gain from other modifications IMO

Really, only 5hp from doing the whole 2.7i conversion? I thought after doing that a 325e is faster than a 325i?

[jlevie]

The best "mod" you could do would be to invest that money into things that improve the condition of the car. The list might include things like:

o New rotor, cap, wires
o Replace every hose that connects to the intake
o Replace all soft fuel lines
o Front suspension refresh (bearings, control arms, bushings, inner/outer tie rods, shocks, mounts)
o Motor/trans/diff mounts
o Rear suspension refresh (subframe & trailing arm bushings, bearings, shocks, mounts)
o Soft brake lines
o Caliper rebuilds
o Guibo, CSB, & drive shaft
...
In other words, use your financial resources to replace worn parts and things that age to put the car in better mechanical condition. When you finally run out of those, consider mods.

[mhurlbutjr]

I agree with jlevie 100%

[Jesse30]

Really, only 5hp from doing the whole 2.7i conversion? I thought after doing that a 325e is faster than a 325i?

i dont know the horsepower gain from it. but it is faster than the m20b25. im talking about the other mods he's talking about doing..

[BimmerScreamer]

The best "mod" you could do would be to invest that money into things that improve the condition of the car. The list might include things like:

o New rotor, cap, wires
o Replace every hose that connects to the intake
o Replace all soft fuel lines
o Front suspension refresh (bearings, control arms, bushings, inner/outer tie rods, shocks, mounts)
o Motor/trans/diff mounts
o Rear suspension refresh (subframe & trailing arm bushings, bearings, shocks, mounts)
o Soft brake lines
o Caliper rebuilds
o Guibo, CSB, & drive shaft
...
In other words, use your financial resources to replace worn parts and things that age to put the car in better mechanical condition. When you finally run out of those, consider mods.

I Agree with this guy, it may not be fun but nothing is worse than having to park your car because some lame little part broke

[jlevie]

And nothing is sadder than seeing a BMW, E30 or otherwise. with tons of money having been spent on "bling" (audio gear, fancy wheels, go fast mods, etc.) in an advanced state of dissolution from the lack of basic maintenance and repair.

[Mako18]

Maintance is deff priority numero uno. Now that being said I have yet to sit stranded in any of my e30's past or present.

[vivalegreg]

thanks for the info...that is basically where i am going with all this...freshening up the current state of the car to make it more reliable and road worthy, even though it is pretty solid as is...

i did however order some xxr 501's, ssk from bmw and valve cover gasket, plugs, wires, fuel filter, and strut bar...

after that tires for the wheels obvious...then im throwing on my ca with m3 cabs on the front end, maybe changing tie rods if need be...cap rotor will come soon for sure...vacuum hoses a must...thanks for the reminders.

then after that...csb/driveshaft work, maybe some mounts, stiffer springs.....maybe put in my 391lsd...

im very happy with this car and the last thing i want to be is stranded...engine runs quite strong with only 80,000 on it for an 86!...did i mention its dinan chipped to hehehe

[Danny]

Turbo

[vivalegreg]

lol....ive been eying the kits on sale here...was so tempted but i need to keep this na for now to keep the reliability up...i have a 4dr 318i i can mess with to go fast with a m20b25 waiting to go in...btw how is ur turbo holding up?

[Danny]

Idk.

I've had it in for a day.

Working out the kinks.