New car, opinions needed!

[willo]

I recently acquired a cherry 1986 325e from the original owners, with 146k on the odometer, very clean interior, and a clean body.

The only major flaw is the missing front spoiler.

It drives pretty well, but the front shocks are shot.

I'm thinking of turning this in to my latest toy. I'm looking at throwing some Bilstien HDs on it with some H&K sport springs to start.

I'm very curious to know about making the engine perform better. The 2.7 six had good torque, but seems a bit lethargic. What's the best way to make power on these cars? swap the engine? turbo the 6?

I was actually given the car, so my initial budget is flexible. The suspension makes it fail inspection, so it'll have to be first.

[kronus]

You don't want Bilstein HDs with lower springs. Bilstein sports are the standard choice for that, HDs for stock ride height.

The only way to really wake up a 2.7 is with a turbo. It's low comp, so it can take a good amount of boost. You could attempt to make a hybrid 2.5/2.7 motor, but the return on the work is not super great. Alternatively, swap in a M50/M52, these swaps are pretty common and very well documented.

[Dude]

Chip the engine and call it a day if your not down to drop big money

[StereoInstaller1]

Want to wake that motor up?

Get a 3.73 LSD, a chip and an exhaust

[txtorquemade]

Want to wake that motor up?

Get a 3.73 LSD, a chip and an exhaust

That'll do er!!!

[KenC]

Theres not enough rpm range on that motor for a turbo. Just chip it.

PS

[Eecen]

Hahaha...I thought the same thing when I saw OPs user name.