Best Performance mods for the buck

[rwh11385]

Update: After doing the M30 AFM swap and 19# injectors, I would like to say that there should be three items on the bang for buck list: JC Chip, and the two aformentioned items.

For about $50 each, they give a noticable gain in throttle response and horsepower, which is felt throughout the rev range. Not just a placebo, people who did not know about the swaps felt the improved pull on the highway.

However, do both, not just one of the M30 upgrades to your M20. Like Bryson said, they work well in unison.

As far as tuning goes, I got an A/F printout with my dyno, and the motor is a little rich, but only having the 19# in there for about two weeks and the bigger AFM for a few days, the ECU might not be done completely adjusting.

Other than these three items, I'd have to say it would be best to save up for engine swap, or turbo.

[Digitalwave]

Our ECU's aren't that adaptive, they should adjust to that stuff in a couple hours.

[rwh11385]

Our ECU's aren't that adaptive, they should adjust to that stuff in a couple hours.

Alright then, then I'm just running rich. Oh well.

Gains were still nice though, although I must have been making shitty power before them. But I'm not about to pay more to see what I would make with stock AFM + stock chip.

I would pay $225 any day of the week for the improvement felt with JC & M30 components.

[bmw4life]

so if i had $400 what would be the best things i could get for my car

[rwh11385]

so if i had $400 what would be the best things i could get for my car

Suspension, performance summer tires, performance brake pads, more suspension (Sparco strut brace =$100 WELL spent).......

I wouldn't spend more than $225 on the engine.
if you buy a cam, catback, and these items, you probably would have been better off with an M50.

[Psychomofo]

on this board i will probably get flamed for saying this, but nitrous yields the best gains for any car. it is the best bang for the buck so to speak. although, i'd only use it on a car with a good strong motor, but even then i'm not sure that i'd use it. i'd rather get blown than suck on a bottle any day. ;)

also, could any of the M30 mods be used on the M10? i'm guessing no, but i wasn't totally sure.

[rwh11385]

on this board i will probably get flamed for saying this, but nitrous yields the best gains for any car. it is the best bang for the buck so to speak. although, i'd only use it on a car with a good strong motor, but even then i'm not sure that i'd use it. i'd rather get blown than suck on a bottle any day. ;)

maybe yes, flamed. I think someone does/did have NOS on their E30, but it does not make sense for our cars. it's only useful for a few seconds, and only good for drag racing. E30s are not drag cars.

it would make more sense to get more HP to be useful all around, not just in a quick dash.

other than for E30s, nitrous might make a whole lot of sense, like a Honda CRX with B18 engine, built just for drag racing.

[FrustratedMunky]

Damn, you guys sure know your shiet.

So in conclusion, if you're looking for better performance out of your E30 without wasting money on unnecessary things, go for...

1. JC chip
2. Suspension
3. Free flowing exhaust

4. And according to BMW_E30, slap on the V-Tec sticker

If I'm wrong, someone please correct me, although everyone has their own opinion... My M42 is stock and heading into summer now, I can look forward to working 40 hour weeks and having much larger paycheques, therefore more money for my E30 :)

And this is for a car that is a daily driver, not looking for racing but looking for a little better performance when I need it :)

[rwh11385]

Damn, you guys sure know your shiet.

So in conclusion, if you're looking for better performance out of your E30 without wasting money on unnecessary things, go for...

1. JC chip
2. Suspension
3. Free flowing exhaust

4. And according to BMW_E30, slap on the V-Tec sticker

If I'm wrong, someone please correct me, although everyone has their own opinion... My M42 is stock and heading into summer now, I can look forward to working 40 hour weeks and having much larger paycheques, therefore more money for my E30 :)

And this is for a car that is a daily driver, not looking for racing but looking for a little better performance when I need it :)

Meh, I'd heard the JC Chip doesn't do THAT much for a M42. And BMW exhausts are pretty good, so exhausts are primarily for sound, not performance.

Read this: http://www.r3vlimited.com/Tech/318is.htm

If I were you, I'd go suspension and some sticky tires, maybe short final drive.

The M42 isn't worth spending much $$$ on, so save up on put in a M50. ;)

[FrustratedMunky]

Oh sweet, thanks dude, that helps a lot! :D

[318driver]

Update: After doing the M30 AFM swap and 19# injectors, I would like to say that there should be three items on the bang for buck list: JC Chip, and the two aformentioned items.

For about $50 each, they give a noticable gain in throttle response and horsepower, which is felt throughout the rev range. Not just a placebo, people who did not know about the swaps felt the improved pull on the highway.

However, do both, not just one of the M30 upgrades to your M20. Like Bryson said, they work well in unison.

As far as tuning goes, I got an A/F printout with my dyno, and the motor is a little rich, but only having the 19# in there for about two weeks and the bigger AFM for a few days, the ECU might not be done completely adjusting.

Other than these three items, I'd have to say it would be best to save up for engine swap, or turbo.

So you dynoed? What numbers did you get with your upgrades?

[nando]

it shouldn't take 2 weeks for the ECU to reduce the duty cycle on the injectors. I only have to start up my car and drive it hard ("ferrari tuneup"). it never takes more than 10 minutes. Our ECUs don't "adapt", either. ;)

[rwh11385]

So you dynoed? What numbers did you get with your upgrades?

http://www.r3vlimited.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=8403

Meh.

Well, Nando, someone said they are adaptive, so..... bleh.

[modifiede30]

Since it hasn't been mentioned, at least if it was, I missed it trying to skip all the arguing, I'd suggest shorty headers on an m20/b25. MSDS are inexpensive, and will provide a noticeable gain at the end of the rpm range. Just be prepared to blow thru 02 sensors quickly. I'm not sure I'd do much else except a chip and exhaust. The cone filter is only worthwhile if it is well insulated from the rest of the engine bay, otherwise, it will do more harm than good.

[E30godz]

why would that cause the car to blow through O2 sensors?