318is m42 engine questions...

[Rob]

the old s42 argument, because that's totally relevant in a street car........



look, maybe people are missing the point, but I know jake will agree with me on this: you are not going to make much power with an m42 without spending serious cash. Thats fine, i'd love to see someone else do it. but the fact is you'll spend less money and make more usuable power with a 24v swap. As for the SUV comment, good point, except have you seen efficiency stats on the S42? You think a 340hp four cylinder race motor gets good mileage? riiiiiiiiiiight. stockish m50 will get 25mpg all day long.

[Streetspec_iS]

the old s42 argument, because that's totally relevant in a street car........

I know jake will agree with me on this: you are not going to make much power with an m42 without spending serious cash. Thats fine, i'd love to see someone else do it.

exactly. trust us. many of us have looked into this, and it just doesnt end up looking like it is worth all the effort. if on the other hand, you are happy with a decently powered, excellent handling car, slap some money into your suspension setup, maybe freshen the motor a tad, and just enjoy the iS/m42 for what it is.

[Rob]

exactly, springs, shocks, sways, sticky rubber, and I have a blast.

[M-technik-3]

It is a HOTROD just a light weight toassable car not an overburdened with power options. Enjoy the factory hp and lack of TQ and learn to drive smooth. When you have more money build something else.

Listen to the old guys who have been around and learned from their mistakes. If you have money burning holes in your pocket I suggest a Roth IRA put $20.00 a week in it and watch how fast it grows.

The M42 and the M44 were neat scoots but due to being a 1.8L instead of making them oversquare and 2.0L or 2.1L for TQ in the US market, They just don't have a lot of toys available for them.

[boom-monkey]

I'm gonna be doing a fairly inexpensive MAF swap and will tune the motor to it's potential, but honestly I don't plan on seeing numbers higher than 145 RWHP. That is my goal at least with the advantage of advanced intake cam and hopefully Mark D will pull thorugh with his "sky's the limit" 7200 rpm chip. The the addition of a LTW flywheel and I sholuld still have a reliable engine with easy revving capabilities.

If your looking at just getting overall bigger numbers, there really is no replacement for displacement, go for a 6 cylinder,

[hamann318is]

keep in mind though, m42 power isnt to be sneezed at. i can leave behind a lot of 'better' cars through the twisties. pep it up, run it light and learn to drive.

Exactly. This is a light car, the motor is amazing, regardless of it's power. Even if it isn't fast, it sure as hell feels fast. As Rob said, suspension, put your money there if you want a good time. I haven't even done sways or sticky rubber, but the difference is amazing.

[Mike 91 318ic]

Re: 318is m42 engine questions...

155hp at the crank is easily possible with bolt on mods, 155+ at the wheels is another stroy. Like everyone else said) spend money on suspension, chip, cat back, electric fan, LW fly, and driving lessons and enjoy it for what it is... You can also swap the 4.10 for a 4.27 or 4.44 for more fun.

M

Im wondering is 155-165 hp asking too much out of this engine? Is it possible

[M-technik-3]

There was the same talk from a www.bmw-forums.com member. That place kills me, the wealth of misinformation there is staggering.

It's a good site just for a laugh half the time.

[demlotcrew]

There was the same talk from a www.bmw-forums.com member. That place kills me, the wealth of misinformation there is staggering.

It's a good site just for a laugh half the time.

what do you mean?

[M-technik-3]

There was the same talk from a www.bmw-forums.com member. That place kills me, the wealth of misinformation there is staggering.

It's a good site just for a laugh half the time.

what do you mean?

what do I mean... There was a member on that site that asked the same question oh only about 6 times and thought his 318iS had about 190hp etc etc. Wanted more power but didn't want to do a supercharger or turbo. It's a funny site in the e30/e21 section.

A kid that was maybe 17 was saying that he owned a complete tricked out E30.de cabrio was his and when I emailed the real owner as I had meet him at a car show to tell him. It's just a gag over there.

[B2ThaZiZza]

maybe not 165-175 to the wheels but atleast 135ish rwh wouldnt be bad. Im wondering on sway bars, is there any strengthening needed to use stiffer ones? I have a full m3 setup but im running my stock sways, also will a rear strut bar, and a camber kit do anything for me?

[B2ThaZiZza]

ive read the modifying the m42 article, and i was wondering since i have bmp cams will adjusting the cam timing do anything?

[BimmerToad]

maybe not 165-175 to the wheels but atleast 135ish rwh wouldnt be bad. Im wondering on sway bars, is there any strengthening needed to use stiffer ones? I have a full m3 setup but im running my stock sways, also will a rear strut bar, and a camber kit do anything for me?

When I still had my '95 318ti, I dynoed at 127rwhp on a stock engine. Only modifications were synthetic fluids throughout and an electric fan (stock on the 318ti)

I think 140rwhp is possible with proper tuning, an electric fan, and a healthy driveline. Has anyone done a MAF swap on an M42? Worth it?

[boom-monkey]

I don't think anyone has yet to do the MAF on an M42, kinda why I wanna do it.

[PanamaE30]

I don't think anyone has yet to do the MAF on an M42, kinda why I wanna do it.

Some 318ti people have done it. I wanted to, but didn't have the cash. Then I flipped (literally).