325e questions

[Guest]

i have an 86 es with fairly low miles. it's an awsome daily driver that i'd like to keep around for a long time.

but i've become hungry for more power and especially a higher topspeed. i'm not looking for anything spectular, but i'm wondering if i throw enough upgrades at, is 150hp and a 5500 rpm redline a realistic goal? Would it take more than exhaust, intake, ignition, and a good chip? Most chips i've seen claim to add at least twenty hp and 5500rpms.

Also, i dont understand my options about larger fuel injectors for an e block; i all i read about is i blocks.

Also, do i run the risk of engine damage if i run higher rpms in an e?

Or if anybody could just point me in the direction of what boring an engine involves, "that be terrrrrific, mmkay?"

God i hate being a newb.

[MR 325]

Popular upgrades are a 3:25 differential and a chip. If you want to get more in to it, An i intake and throttle body along with a full i exhaust, including manifolds, is a ncie upgrade. You could also get an M30 AFM you would just have to swap the board in it for the one out of your stock unit.

[rwh11385]

M30 AFM would be worthless on a eta.

general disclaimer: do the chip, do the 3.25 rear end....and throw $$ at it like crazy with i upgrades.....


OR

save up and just buy a late model 325i which you'll end up spending more than the difference on getting the eta up to its hp stock level (without as much rev fun nor the rod to stroke ratio!!) and then the pain and cost of swapping on plastic bumpers.....

if you want revs....you're not going to get it from the eta. that's not what it was made for. it was a low-hp, high-torque, low-revving economy engine. the 325i shortened the stroke, lengthed the connecting rod.....and put double valve springs in and a hotter cam.....

[Digitalwave]

Sell it and buy a 325i and save yourself a lot of money and disapointment.

[etajohn]

These guys are right. If you don't have a limited slip rear end, get one. And upgrade to a 3.25 or 3.45 rear end ratio while you do it. Definitely get a chip. As for the rest, there is no way it's cost effective compared to selling your car and buying an is model. The rest of the possible upgrades won't do anything on there own, you have to do them all to see any benefit. And that would cost too much.

[James Crivellone]

3.25LSD
Jim C Chip (I have one for sale ;) )
I throttle body
I Intake Manifold
I Exhaust

Will really open up the engine.


OR just swap in an I Engine and call it a day, you don't really need to buy a new car to get I performance.

[E30 Wagen]

thanks for the replies. since it's an es, it should already have a lsd, right? i think the one i have now is failing though, and will have to be replaced.

Sell it and buy a 325i and save yourself a lot of money and disapointment.

...
you must understand the situation. as i tried to explain, i'm primarily taking advantage of the low mileage engine, hoping for a long life in commuting and practical* driving. i'm only interested in knowing if $1000 or more in good parts will put me near 150hp, that's all i want. i understand i can't catch you i people, and i'm not going to get an i just so i can, nor will i undertake a stroker project. however, changing to i exhaust is high on my list.

*not really

[E30 Wagen]

I throttle body
I Intake Manifold

is this difficult/expensive to do?

[Rob]

----> General Tech

[James Crivellone]

1000 dollars in parts = M20B25 325i Engine with Clutch and a 3.73LSD.

You can do both for under a grand, although I would spend more and repalce gaskets/seals like I did