What's the best Cold Air Intake for an e30?

[Fidhle007]

I had great results with 19lb 4pintle injectors, MarkD chip and a K&N.

I honestly don't know the first thing about injectors. Where can I get them, how do they run in terms of price and how much labor is involved in the install?

[silversleeper]

Headwork? (port and polish)

[parkerbink]

I paid 45-60 delivered for the set, except for the fact that you are exposing gas it is a stress free r&r I got them from one of the guys here on the board.

[Fidhle007]

Headwork? (port and polish)

Isn't that quite a job, and what kind of gains could I expect?

[Jand3rson]

Isn't that quite a job, and what kind of gains could I expect?

Most worthwhile engine mods, especially to the M20, aren't going to be bolt-on, bang-for-the-buck parts, you have to do some work to get some noticeable results. Having the head done is kind of a big job, so get some cash together, take it to a good shop, and tell them what you want. It's tough to really nail down what numbers you'll get, but they'll be noticeable, good ones.

[Fidhle007]

Most worthwhile engine mods, especially to the M20, aren't going to be bolt-on, bang-for-the-buck parts, you have to do some work to get some noticeable results. Having the head done is kind of a big job, so get some cash together, take it to a good shop, and tell them what you want. It's tough to really nail down what numbers you'll get, but they'll be noticeable, good ones.

That's kind of what I figured. The dilema I face now is this: My engine has 218,000 miles on it. Do I spend a lot of money and go F/I knowing the engine is old or do I just swap it? It seems to me I'm going to spend a lot either way and if possible I'd like to keep everything under $4k. All major engine work will have to wait until my suspension and brake mods are done anyway so the point is moot for the next few months I suppose...

[jabba88325]

Most worthwhile engine mods, especially to the M20, aren't going to be bolt-on, bang-for-the-buck parts, you have to do some work to get some noticeable results. Having the head done is kind of a big job, so get some cash together, take it to a good shop, and tell them what you want. It's tough to really nail down what numbers you'll get, but they'll be noticeable, good ones.

are you sure about that there? do you even own a 325i or installed any of the standard fare upgrades? or just talking out of your butt here? hmmmm.

leave the head alone, even after $$$ put into it, the m20 head will still suck. if you are going to drop $ into it, for a cam, or whatever, you would be better off just saving to swap to a M50 if you aren't limited by class restrictions.

the m50 isn't that awesome of an upgrade, but it is more logical than dumping money into a m20.

the standard bolt-ons work as they should, and give some pep and lil more power. nothing ground-shaking, but improvement nonetheless. back-to-back, there is definitely a difference, but after a while, you'll adapt either way.

m30 afm,
larger injectors,
chip,
headers,
4.10

on a m20b25, those are a few cheap budget bolt-ons which will boost your engine a little, but not rock your world too much. for that $1000, you will have a car that burns higher octane fuel a little faster and be a little more fun

[delatlanta1281]

headers

Are you sure you're not talking out of your butt?????
Headers make no difference to an otherwise stock motor. They are a waste of good money, unless you are planning on some major engine work. A "stock" m20 does not have enough restriction from the exhaust manifold back to make a damn bit of difference. Even with a chip injectors and an m30 afm (ooooooo crazy mods!). Where do headers help with those mods????? You are still restricted by the intake manny and the head. Port and polish those, stroke the motor, then start thinking headers. Trust me, I have all the above mentioned mods. I removed my headers when I moved to CA and there was no difference in sound or performance. The only difference was popping the hood and posing next to my quarter panel.
PS, don't call people out unless you yourself are an expert at the topic.

[digger]

how about people who are claiming things make no difference at all and people that claim things that do make a difference provide some sort proof of this. Most people use seat of the pants which is often influenced by what we want to believe.

Generally speaking M20 owners are poor and do things on the cheap which can explain why mods often seem to do nothing especially without a proper tune after the mods, also using quality products and workmanship makes all the difference but it cost $$$ as we all know.

As for using a M50 they are getting old now so if you have a brain you really should rebuild one if you do a swap (why you'd swap a 2.5 for a 2.5 is beyond my comprehension but thats for another discussion) and this adds to the cost it is also expensive in terms of labour (if needed) for 20rwhp and less than this in torque.

[AdironRider]

That's kind of what I figured. The dilema I face now is this: My engine has 218,000 miles on it. Do I spend a lot of money and go F/I knowing the engine is old or do I just swap it? It seems to me I'm going to spend a lot either way and if possible I'd like to keep everything under $4k. All major engine work will have to wait until my suspension and brake mods are done anyway so the point is moot for the next few months I suppose...

If thats going to take you a couple months I seriously think you need to consider the endeavour your thinking of.

[Fidhle007]

If thats going to take you a couple months I seriously think you need to consider the endeavour your thinking of.

I'm not sure I follow exactly...

[Fidhle007]

And for the record, what I am looking for now are relatively cheap, bolt-on mods that will spruce up my M20 a little while I decide what my next step will be (Turbo? S50? Newer car?) I'm a musician and I work at EMS so all mods are done paycheck by paycheck. I'm courting a new job offer which has me plotting huge power gains but for now I just want a little extra. My tech suggested a CAI (a GOOD one that was actually effective) and a Conforti chip. I figured I ask around here to see what you guys might also recomend.

[delatlanta1281]

I would go with a k&n panel filter, a chip, and a 4.10 lsd. cheap bolt on power is hard to come by wit an older sohc motor.

[Eliminator]

I think that these guys have confirmed that the original setup is best.

I would believe that. Stock is already a cold air intake, and the filter is plenty big.

[Eliminator]

leave the head alone, even after $$$ put into it, the m20 head will still suck

the m50 isn't that awesome of an upgrade, but it is more logical than dumping money into a m20.

Specifically, what's wrong with the M20? OR, what's better about the M50?

Why does the M20 head suck? Do the ports not flow well? Do you have flowbench data to back this up?